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Texas has seen an “unusual,” dramatic increase in the number of women who died from pregnancy-related causes in the past five years, according to a new study. The state’s rate of maternal mortality nearly doubled between 2010 and 2014, according to research published by the medical journal "Obstetrics and Gynecology." Although maternal mortality rates are up nationwide, no other state experienced such a sharp rise, the study’s authors found. (Walters, 8/19)

A federal judge Thursday issued a permanent injunction against a new Florida abortion law that would have led to increased inspections of clinic records and prevented abortion providers from receiving public money for other health services. The ruling made permanent a preliminary injunction that U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle issued June 30. Planned Parenthood filed the lawsuit after the Republican-controlled Legislature and Gov. Rick Scott approved the controversial law early this year. (8/19)

It's estimated that, in the United States, there are almost one million frozen embryos now in storage, a number that includes embryos reserved for research, as well as those reserved to expand families.In a 2005 study that interviewed 58 couples who conceived through IVF and had at least one frozen embryo in storage, more than 70 percent had not yet decided — even several years after the procedure — how they would dispose of a surplus embryo. (Fraga, 8/20)