Breast cancer patients who have adequate levels of vitamin D — the “sunshine vitamin” — at the time of their diagnosis have better long-term outcomes, a new study finds. Combined with the results of prior research, the new findings suggest “an ongoing benefit for patients who maintain sufficient levels [of vitamin D] through and beyond… read on > read on >
The United States plans to purchase 500 million doses of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine that it will then donate to countries in need around the world. The first 200 million doses will be sent out this year, with 300 million more shared in the first half of next year, three people familiar with the plan told… read on > read on >
The death of a Miami woman in her 30s from locally acquired dengue fever highlights the need for awareness of a potentially fatal mosquito-borne virus that’s now found in the United States. Once only seen in hot and steamy tropical or subtropical locales, dengue has been on the rise in parts of the southern United… read on > read on >
There’s more proof that getting a flu shot during pregnancy doesn’t pose a risk to children’s health. “This study adds to what we know from other recent studies showing no harmful effects of flu vaccination during pregnancy on the longer-term health of children,” said study leader Dr. Deshayne Fell, an associate professor of epidemiology at… read on > read on >
Very rarely, blood clots can develop after COVID-19 vaccination, and doctors in Canada describe a new test and treatment for the condition in a case study of three patients. All three developed the condition called vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine. Two developed blood clots in their legs, and the third… read on > read on >
The coronavirus pandemic has affected American smokers in different ways, a new study finds. While some smoked more to help them cope with the crisis, others quit to reduce their COVID-19 infection risk. “Even before the pandemic, tobacco smoking was the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. COVID-19 has given smokers yet… read on > read on >
The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines appear to be safe for people with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), a new study finds. IBDs — which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis — are chronic conditions caused by an overreactive intestinal immune system, resulting in chronic diarrhea and other digestive symptoms. In this study, researchers looked at… read on > read on >
Researchers are using mice to study a potential new treatment that could help patients who have sickle cell disease, without some of the risks and side effects of existing therapies. The investigators reported using genetic-based editing on mice to convert a disease-causing hemoglobin gene to a benign variant that would enable healthy blood cell production.… read on > read on >
(HealthDay News) – You’ve heard it often: Don’t get behind the wheel of a car after a night of drinking. Now, a new study confirms that rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are making it easier for people to follow that advice and get home unharmed and alive. Texas researchers saw a marked change in… read on > read on >
Dialysis centers hit with financial penalties for poor performance don’t tend to improve afterward, calling into question a set of U.S. federal programs intended to improve health care nationwide, a new report says. Dialysis centers face up to a 2% reduction in their annual Medicare reimbursements if they get a low score on a set… read on > read on >
