Bots, not individual users, drive much of the COVID-19 misinformation on Facebook, according to a new study. Bots are large numbers of automated accounts controlled by single users. “The coronavirus pandemic has sparked what the World Health Organization has called an ‘infodemic’ of misinformation,” said study leader John Ayers, a scientist who specializes in public… read on > read on >
MONDAY, June 7, 2021 (American Heart Association News) — Nice weather and a receding pandemic should make for a joyous, memorable summer, especially after a year of lockdowns, frustration and discouraging news. For kids, and their parents, it’s also a chance to get back on the road to normal after a long COVID-19 detour. “I’m… read on > read on >
Plunging vaccination rates are imperiling President Joe Biden’s goal of getting COVID shots into the arms of at least 70% of American adults by July 4, while public health experts worry that Southern states, where immunization numbers are the lowest, could see a spike in cases over the summer. The United States is averaging fewer… read on > read on >
After being diagnosed with bladder cancer, some patients face an almost impossible decision — have their bladder removed or take a risk knowing that the cancer may be more likely to spread if the bladder is left intact. But what if there was another way? For David Cabelis, 68, the decision was more straightforward than… read on > read on >
People hospitalized for COVID-19 are often discharged in much worse shape than before their illness — underscoring the value of preventing severe cases with vaccination. In a new study, researchers found that during the pandemic’s early months, almost half of COVID-19 patients discharged from their health system had some degree of “functional decline.” That’s a… read on > read on >
Antibiotics do not reduce the risk of hospitalization or death in patients with a lethal lung disease known as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a new study finds. “We were certainly disappointed in the results,” said study co-author Dr. Imre Noth, chief of pulmonary and critical care medicine at UVA Health in Charlottesville, Va. “But we remain… read on > read on >
It has been an elusive goal so far — finding a potent treatment that can beat back the new coronavirus before it grabs a hold of a patient’s immune system and sends it into overdrive. But new research suggests that more than a dozen existing drugs or drugs under development may do the trick. Investigators… read on > read on >
The risk of death after a traumatic brain injury is twice as high among people of color as it is among whites, a new study finds. Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) researchers reviewed outcomes among more than 6,300 traumatic brain injury patients treated at the university’s hospital between 2006 and 2017. The overall death… read on > read on >
If it’s been a while since you’ve seen your doctor, it may be time to schedule a visit to catch up on preventive health screenings or discuss any health concerns and chronic medical conditions. During the 15 months since people began quarantining, many have avoided leaving their homes except when necessary, including not going to… read on > read on >
As you seek to cool down in a pool or at the beach this summer, always keep water safety for yourself and others in mind, an expert urges. “With children, I always recommend starting swim lessons at an early age and having parents put on floaties or life vests on their children when near any… read on > read on >
