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New research explores how bacteria may survive treatment and keep infections going

• About 8% to 10% of children may continue carrying strep bacteria after antibiotics, even when they feel healthy.

• Researchers found that bacterial genetics alone did not explain why some children continued carrying strep.

• The findings point to the possible role of the body's immune response and other bacteria living in the throat.

Strep throat can be miserable for children, causing fever, swollen tonsils, and a painful sore throat. While antibiotics can treat the infection, some children continue carrying Group A Streptococcus (GAS) bacteria after their symptoms disappear.

These children are known as carriers. They may feel completely healthy, but the bacteria can remain in their throats for months or even years and potentially spread to others.

Around 8 to 10% of kids will stay colonized with strep even after the antibiotics are done, Binghamton University Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Laura Cook said in a news release. They no longer have symptoms. They feel healthy.

Researchers from Binghamton University, the University of Illinois Chicago and the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health wanted to understand why this happens. Their study, published in Cell Reports, explored whether certain characteristics of the bacteria could explain why they persist after treatment.

How researchers studied strep infections

The research team analyzed samples from 205 children ages 5 to 15 who visited pediatric clinics in Madison, Wisconsin, between 2012 and 2023. Children who tested positive for strep throat received antibiotics and returned about four weeks later for another throat swab.

Researchers compared children whose infections had cleared with those who still carried strep despite no longer having symptoms. They used whole-genome sequencing to examine the bacteria's genetic makeup and RNA sequencing to study which genes were active during infection and after treatment.

The team also tested the bacteria's ability to form biofilms, which are communities of bacteria that can stick together, and examined their antibiotic susceptibility.

What the findings mean for consumers

The researchers found no consistent genetic differences that could explain why some strep strains persisted after treatment. They also found no major differences in biofilm formation or antibiotic susceptibility between bacteria from carriers and non-carriers.

However, the bacteria showed different gene activity during active infections compared with the post-treatment carrier state. Importantly, those gene activity patterns during the initial infection did not predict which children would become carriers.

That suggests the explanation may involve more than the bacteria themselves. Researchers believe factors such as a child's immune response or the other bacteria living in their throat could play a role.

The team plans to investigate whether differences in children's throat microbiomes the communities of microorganisms living there could help explain or predict strep carriage.

For families, the findings offer new insight into why a child may test positive for strep even after feeling better. They do not establish a new treatment or mean antibiotics have failed to treat the original illness. Instead, they highlight questions researchers are still working to answer about why strep bacteria sometimes remain in the throat after treatment.

A new study examines the rise in emergency visits and what families need to know

• Suicide-related emergency department visits among children in the U.S. increased by 74%, highlighting a growing concern for childrens mental health.

• Researchers examined emergency department data to better understand changes in suicide-related visits among children.

• The findings offer insight into the scale of the issue and why recognizing childrens mental health needs matters.

When a child is experiencing a mental health crisis, getting help quickly can make a meaningful difference. But emergency departments across the country are facing increasing demand for care, including visits involving suicide or self-injury.

A new study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that suicide-related emergency department visits among children increased by 74% between 2016 and 2022.

The research also highlights a challenge for families: Not every emergency department has the specialized resources needed to care for children experiencing a mental health crisis.

A child experiencing a mental health crisis may arrive at any emergency department. Our findings underscore the need to equip every ED not only large pediatric centers with tools and resources to provide evidence-based mental health care, lead author Audrey Brewer, MD, MPH, a pediatrician and researcher at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Childrens Hospital of Chicago, said in a news release.

Strengthening mental and behavioral health capacity across all emergency care settings is essential to ensuring children receive timely, effective and equitable care.

How researchers examined childrens emergency visits

Researchers analyzed more than five million emergency department visits involving mental health concerns among children ages 5 to 17 across the U.S. The study used data from the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample, a database that allowed researchers to examine childrens visits to emergency departments between 2016 and 2022.

The team focused on visits where children had a primary mental health diagnosis, looking at the types of concerns bringing them to emergency departments and the hospitals where they received care.

Researchers also examined differences between hospitals based on how many children they typically treated each year. Hospitals seeing fewer than 10,000 children annually were classified as having lower pediatric patient volumes.

What the findings mean for families

Along with the 74% increase in suicide-related visits, researchers found that overall pediatric mental health-related emergency visits increased by 24% during the study period. Suicide or self-injury accounted for 24% of mental health visits, while depressive disorders accounted for 23%.

About half of all suicide-related emergency visits occurred at hospitals with lower pediatric patient volumes. At hospitals with the lowest pediatric volumes, nearly 30% of children seen for mental health concerns were transferred to another hospital for care.

Researchers say these findings highlight the importance of ensuring that all emergency departments can respond to children experiencing mental health crises. That includes training staff, providing access to pediatric mental health professionals in person or through telehealth, screening children for suicide risk, and helping families connect with follow-up care.

For parents and caregivers, the findings underscore the importance of seeking help when a child is struggling and ensuring they have a clear plan for support after an emergency visit.

To improve care, ED-based mental health interventions need to be developed and tested for children of color, since many have not been studied in diverse populations, added Dr. Brewer. Delivering culturally responsive evidence-based interventions for children in the community and outpatient primary care settings can help to potentially lessen ED reliance for mental health care and may help reduce disparities in youth mental health outcomes.

A step-by-step guide to leaving items in your cart, triggering discounts and knowing exactly how long to wait

• Leaving an item in your online cart could trigger a discount, with offers ranging from free shipping to as much as 65% off, according to new research.

• How long you should wait depends on what you're buying: Fashion deals can arrive within hours, while deeper furniture discounts may take a week or longer.

• Don't assume the first coupon is your best deal. Some retailers send increasingly better offers, but always compare the final price with what the item originally cost.

See something you want online? Before hitting "Buy," you might want to walk away.

Literally.

Leaving an item sitting in your online shopping cart could trigger a discount from the retailer, and depending on what you're buying, the savings could be substantial.

New research from Decodo found that retailers often follow predictable schedules for sending discounts to shoppers who abandon their carts. The company tracked 1,500 products across 120 retailers in more than 40 countries throughout 2025 and found offers ranging from free shipping to as much as 65% off.

But simply dumping something in your cart and closing the browser isn't always enough.

ConsumerAffairs talked with Gabriel Vitk, Product Marketing Lead at Decodo, about how shoppers can improve their odds of triggering a discount, how long they should wait, and when this shopping trick can backfire.

Here's how to use this shopping trick to your advantage.

Step #1: Don't buy immediately

This strategy starts with something that's admittedly difficult when you really want something. Don't buy it.

Add the item to your online cart and proceed toward checkout, but stop before completing the purchase. By doing so, a retailer will often recognize you as someone whos extremely close to buying, but needs just a little extra nudge.

That nudge could be free shipping, 10% off or, in some product categories, a much larger discount.

Decodo found that many retailers will use a sequence of automated emails. The first email may simply say you forgot something and beg you to come back and buy. If you get that email, the key is to not assume that's the best deal you'll get.

A later email will often contain the actual discount youre looking for.

Pro tip: Before abandoning the cart, take a screenshot showing the item's price. If you eventually receive a coupon, you'll be able to determine whether you're actually paying less.

Step #2: Make sure they have your email address

There's a pretty obvious problem with expecting an abandoned-cart coupon: The retailer needs to know where to send it.

Vitk recommends proceeding far enough into the checkout process to provide your email address before leaving.

If you're already logged into an account, the retailer should already have it.

But if you're shopping as a guest, simply putting something into your cart may not give the company enough information to contact you.

For shoppers testing out this strategy, Vitk recommends starting with a "clean" shopping session.

"Use incognito mode with cookies cleared, and add the item to your cart while logged out, since being logged in as a known customer often suppresses new-customer offers," she told ConsumerAffairs.

Then enter your email address during the checkout process and leave before paying.

Now you've given the retailer an interested shopper, an unfinished purchase, and most importantly, a way to contact you.

Pro tip: Time your return visit. Decodo's 2025 data found Sunday was the cheapest day to revisit carts at Amazon, Walmart and Ulta, while Tuesday was best for Zara and Gap, Monday for Nike, and Friday for Newegg. These aren't guaranteed sale days, but waiting for the right day could improve your odds of catching a price drop.

Step #3: Wait but know how long

Here's where the type of product you're buying tends to matter.

Decodo actually found huge differences in how quickly retailers respond to abandoned carts.

Fast fashion: ASOS, H&M, SHEIN and Boohoo Decodo says the first discount will usually arrive within 12 hours, typically 10%15% off or free shipping.

Beauty: Sephora, Ulta, Glossier and The Ordinary offers tend to show up around 24 hours, often as a sample bundle rather than a straight coupon.

Apparel: Levi's, Madewell, Banana Republic, J.Crew and Gap Decodo found many offers of around 20% off among these brands.

Furniture: Wayfair, West Elm, Crate & Barrel and IKEA first offers typically appear within 2448 hours, while deeper offers can come 714 days later.

Electronics: Best Buy, Newegg and B&H Photo Decodo says these retailers rarely send abandoned-cart discount emails, instead leaning on financing, trade-ins or price-drop alerts.

DTC/mattress: Casper, Allbirds, Warby Parker and Brooklinen Decodo describes a typical three-email progression that can culminate in $25$100 off after 4872 hours.

Meal kits/subscriptions: HelloFresh, Blue Apron and FabFitFun discounts can arrive within hours and frequently reach 40%65% off the first order.

Marketplaces: Amazon, eBay, Walmart and AliExpress Decodo says these generally don't use abandoned-cart coupons, relying more on actual price drops and alerts.

The lesson is don't use the same waiting strategy for a $30 shirt and a $2,000 sofa.

Pro tip: Check your spam and promotions folders during the waiting period. An abandoned-cart coupon isn't much use if Gmail filed it somewhere you never look.

Step #4: Try waiting through the first email

Suppose you get an email an hour later saying: "Did you forget something?"

At this point, you should pretty much ignore this useless email. Vitk said many retailers use a graduated sequence designed to see how much persuasion you need before buying.

A reminder often comes first, followed shortly by a discount if you still havent completed the purchase.

Furniture and direct-to-consumer brands are particularly interesting for shoppers willing to wait.

Decodo found that their later emails can contain better offers than their first ones.

So, if the item isn't in danger of selling out, waiting through email No. 1 is definitely worthwhile.

Pro tip: Before using the first coupon you receive, check whether it has an expiration date. If the code remains valid for several days, waiting another day could reveal whether the retailer sends something better.

Step #5: You can try abandoning the cart again

Here's where shoppers can get a little more strategic.

What happens if you've already abandoned a cart once and received a discount? Can you do it again?

Possibly.

Vitk said repeatedly leaving a cart doesn't necessarily make a retailer think you're trying to manipulate its system.

"Repeated abandonment more often signals 'price sensitive, needs a nudge' than 'problem customer,'" she said.

Abandoning the same cart again could restart the retailer's email sequence or potentially trigger another incentive.

But don't assume you've discovered an unlimited coupon generator as some retailers cap how frequently individual shoppers can receive promotional codes.

"If you've used the discount from your email once, you might not receive it when you abandon the second shopping cart," Vitk said.

In other words, it's worth testing, but results will vary.

Step #6: Understand that someone else might get a better deal

Here's one of the most interesting parts of abandoned-cart promotions.

You and a friend could each put the exact same $100 item in your carts and receive different offers.

Retailers can potentially use far more than the product itself when deciding what incentive to send.

Vitk said factors can include:

• Your previous purchases

• Average order value

• Loyalty status

• Whether you normally open promotional emails

• How you arrived at the website

• Your device or location

For example, a new shopper who arrives after searching for a discount code might receive a coupon.

A loyal customer whose history suggests they're willing to pay full price might not.

"Two shoppers with an identical $100 item can land in completely different segments, so the item itself is rarely the deciding factor," Vitk said.

That's another reason to test the strategy rather than assuming the offer you see is the only one available.

Step #7: Don't let a coupon trick you into paying more

Getting an email saying "15% OFF!" feels like you've won.

Not necessarily.

Vitk warned that waiting can backfire because the underlying price of the product can change.

A retailer could raise the base price before you receive your coupon. Your 15% discount might then leave you paying roughly what you would have paid originally.

That's why that screenshot you took in Step #1 matters.

Ignore the size of the advertised discount and compare the final checkout price with what the item would have cost when you first put it in your cart.

That's the number that matters.

Step #8: Know when NOT to play the waiting game

There are times when saving another 10% isn't worth the gamble.

Vitk said the biggest legitimate risk is inventory. A popular shoe size, clothing color, concert weekend hotel room or limited-stock product can disappear while you're waiting for an email that may never arrive.

She also cautioned shoppers against putting too much faith in website urgency messages such as countdown clocks or "only 2 left" notices, which are sometimes nothing more than fake marketing messages.

Its smart to search other online retailers before deciding to wait. If the product is widely available elsewhere, abandoning your cart carries considerably less risk.

DoorDash joins Uber Eats and Costco Same-Day, but convenience can come with higher item prices and added fees

• Costco is now available on DoorDash nationwide, with more than 4,000 products available for same-day delivery from U.S. warehouses.

• The move comes one day after Uber Eats expanded Costco delivery to nearly 600 locations in 47 states.

• Don't compare delivery fees alone, as higher item prices and other charges can make the final checkout total considerably different from what you'd pay inside Costco.

Costco shoppers now have another excuse to avoid the Saturday parking lot.

DoorDash announced Thursday that Costco same-day delivery is now available from every U.S. warehouse, allowing members to order more than 4,000 products, including groceries, household essentials, electronics, and Kirkland Signature items.

The timing is interesting.

Just one day earlier, Uber Eats announced a major expansion of its own Costco partnership, increasing delivery from 17 states to 47 and nearly 600 Costco locations.

Add Costco's existing Instacart-powered Same-Day service to the mix, and members suddenly have several ways to get that rotisserie chicken, 30-pack of toilet paper, and six-month supply of peanut butter dropped at their front door.

But there's a catch: Figuring out which option is cheapest isn't nearly as easy.

Costco Same-Day: Convenient, but prices are higher

Costco doesn't hide the fact that you'll generally pay more to use its Same-Day service, powered by Instacart, than you will walking into your local warehouse.

The company says Same-Day item prices are marked up above local warehouse prices, with Instacart using the markup to help pay for delivery.

There's also a $35 order minimum.

Costco also says Instacart+ members can receive lower Costco prices than non-members, and qualifying Same-Day purchases still count toward the Costco Executive 2% Reward. The 2% is based on the original warehouse price before the markup.

In other words, don't assume "free delivery" (when offered) means you're paying the same amount you would inside Costco. Some of the delivery cost may already be reflected in what you're paying for the products.

Uber Eats: Watch for an order handling fee

Uber Eats has another wrinkle.

Uber says Costco orders can include a delivery fee, service fee, and an order handling fee.

When it comes to fees and extra charges, Uber says the prices displayed in its app are higher than Costco's in-store prices because the handling charge is incorporated into the item price.

The amount varies by order, and Uber says Costco members may sometimes pay a lower handling fee than non-members.

Delivery and service fees can also vary, making it difficult to declare Uber Eats the cheapest or most expensive option without actually building your order.

DoorDash: The newest option

DoorDash is the newest player in Costco's U.S. delivery battle.

Costco members can search for their local warehouse in the DoorDash app, link an active Costco membership, and shop more than 4,000 products for same-day delivery.

DoorDash confirmed to ConsumerAffairs that item prices and promotions on its platform can differ from those available inside Costco warehouses.

There's also a $35 minimum order, and fees vary depending on the order and location. DashPass members can get $0 delivery fees on eligible orders, although service fees and potentially other fees still apply.

The good news is DoorDash says you'll see the full total, including applicable fees, before placing your order.

Try this before ordering Costco delivery

Ignore the advertised delivery fee for a minute when trying to figure out which service offers the best deal.

Instead, build the exact same small Costco order on DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Costco Same-Day.

Choose five or six identical products, think milk, eggs, paper towels, coffee, and maybe a Kirkland Signature item you always buy. Then take each order all the way to the checkout screen without placing it.

Then compare the final totals.

Pay attention to both item prices and any service, delivery, handling, or other fees added on at checkout. Also, don't forget the tip if you plan to leave one.

In the end, a service advertising cheap, or even free delivery, isn't necessarily the cheapest if the same products cost more in the app.