COVID-19 hits smokers much harder than nonsmokers, according to a new review. Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), analyzed 19 studies that included data on smoking and severity of COVID-19 among nearly 11,600 patients in the United States, China and Korea. Most patients were hospitalized, but two studies also included outpatients. Just… read on >
In a finding that illustrates how distracted driving laws are saving lives, researchers report that car crash deaths among teens plunged by one-third during a period when the number of U.S. states with such laws on the books tripled. “We found that states which had primary enforced distracted driving laws had lower fatal crashes involving… read on >
(HealthDay News) — As millions of Americans try to navigate a safe re-entry into public life, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday released recommendations to guide schools, businesses and restaurants through reopening during the coronavirus pandemic. Six “checklists” — which also offer advice to day care centers, mass transit and camps… read on >
A combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy may slow the progress of metastatic bladder cancer and extend survival, a clinical trial suggests. Current treatment for advanced bladder cancer is chemotherapy, but adding the immunotherapy drug atezolizumab (Tecentriq) appears to help more patients fight this disease. It strikes 81,000 Americans a year and kills 18,000. “This is… read on >
During the current coronavirus pandemic, U.S. hospitals are seeing fewer people for signs of stroke, a new study finds. Evaluations for stroke have dropped nearly 40%, said researchers who looked at data from more than 850 hospitals across the country. “Our stroke team has maintained full capacity to provide emergency stroke treatment at all times,… read on >
Sense of smell most often diminishes by the third day of infection with the new coronavirus, and many patients also lose their sense of taste at the same time, a new study finds. The findings may help identify patients most likely to benefit from antiviral treatment, according to the researchers. “The relationship between decreased sense… read on >
The new coronavirus isn’t just attacking the lungs: New research shows it’s causing harm to the gastrointestinal tract, especially in more advanced cases of COVID-19. A variety of imaging scans performed on hospitalized COVID-19 patients showed bowel abnormalities, according to a study published online May 11 in Radiology. Many of the effects were severe and… read on >
Small respiratory droplets produced while talking can hang in the air for at least eight minutes and perhaps even longer, researchers report. The finding could explain why new coronavirus infections are more common in nursing homes, cruise ships and other confined locations with limited ventilation, the Washington Post reported. The researchers used laser light to… read on >
(HealthDay News) — The coronavirus crisis has pushed almost 3 million more Americans into the ranks of the unemployed, according to new statistics released Thursday. At the same time, the World Health Organization warned that the new virus could be here to stay. In the past eight weeks, a whopping 36 million Americans have lost… read on >
Virginia resident John Imbur doesn’t plan to sit down for a meal in a diner anytime soon, even if his state reopens for business after its stay-at-home order lifts on June 10. “I don’t feel comfortable going into places where there are going to be a group of people, particularly if they’re unmasked,” said Imbur,… read on >
