Birth defects rise in babies born to men who took diabetes drug. Infants of men taking the common drug metformin may have a slightly increased risk, new Danish research shows. Read more

FDA review gives thumbs down to new ALS drug. Despite months of intense lobbying by patient advocates, federal health officials on Monday posted a largely negative review of an experimental drug for the devastating neurological illness. Read more

Mom’s use of workplace disinfectants could be linked to child’s asthma. Pregnant women who work in hospitals and are exposed to disinfectants may be more likely to have children who suffer from asthma and eczema, new research finds. Read more

Gene therapy might help save the ‘butterfly children.’ Patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa are called that “because their skin is as fragile as the wings of a butterfly,” one expert noted. But gene therapy may help curb the painful, deadly blistering condition. Read more

Cancer patients are at increased risk for mental health disorders and suicide. New findings from two studies highlight the need for oncologists to pay more attention to their patients’ mental health needs. Read more