It’s the first holiday since the pandemic began where Americans can mingle without masks if they are fully vaccinated, so celebrations are in order. But folks still need to avoid alcohol if they’re driving or boating over the Memorial Day weekend. “This Memorial Day weekend, as we honor our nation’s heroes who sacrificed their lives… read on > read on >
Long-term data from northern Italy — an area hit hard during the early days of the pandemic — suggests that reinfection after recovery from COVID-19 infection is very rare, and immunity in former patients could be long-lasting. “Natural immunity to SARS-CoV-2 appears to confer a protective effect for at least a year, which is similar… read on > read on >
Think you know all you need to know about slathering on the sunscreen this summer? Maybe you don’t. As the Memorial Day weekend begins, many Americans are confused about the proper application of sunscreen and about its sun protection factor (SPF), the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says. A recent academy poll of 1,000 U.S.… read on > read on >
A native South American population that lives a pre-industrial lifestyle may have a slower rate of brain aging than the typical Westerner, a new study finds. The study focused on the Tsimane population, whose roughly 16,000 members dwell in a remote part of the Bolivian Amazon. They live by farming, hunting, gathering and fishing —… read on > read on >
Many health experts hailed the recent approval of the Pfizer vaccine for those aged 12 to 15, but some parents have been hesitant to take their kids in for a shot. “Parents naturally worry more about their children than they do about themselves — I think that’s parenting defined,” said Dr. Hina Talib, a pediatrician… read on > read on >
Seventy percent of American adults could be vaccinated by this summer, a new poll suggests. The survey results bode well for the country and likely mean that President Joe Biden’s goal of 70 percent vaccine coverage for adults by July 4 will be reached. The Kaiser Family Foundation’s latest survey found 62 percent of respondents… read on > read on >
Surgery soon after a diagnosis of early-stage lung cancer is crucial in reducing the risk of recurrence and death, a new study finds. “Patients with early-stage cancer have the best chance for survival,” said senior author Dr. Varun Puri, a thoracic surgeon and professor of surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.… read on > read on >
If more proof of the safety of vaccines is needed, a new study delivers fresh evidence that they carry few harms for children, adults and pregnant women. “This in-depth analysis found no evidence of increased risk of serious adverse events following vaccines, apart from a few — previously known — associations,” said Susanne Hempel, director… read on > read on >
Researchers who pinpointed 178 gene variants linked to major depression say their findings could improve diagnosis and treatment of a disorder that affects 1 in 5 people. The study draws on a huge database, analyzing the genetic and health records of 1.2 million people from three databanks in the United States, the U.K. and Finland,… read on > read on >
In a finding that demonstrates the power of a mother’s touch, new research shows that immediate and continuous skin-to-skin contact with mom reduces the risk of death for low-weight newborns in poorer nations. “The idea of giving skin-to-skin contact immediately after delivery to very small, unstable babies has encountered quite strong resistance, but about 75%… read on > read on >
