The grosser someone sounds when they cough or sneeze, the more likely you are to suspect they have a contagious infection — even if it’s not true. That’s the upshot of a new study in which participants were asked to judge whether people were — or weren’t — infected with a communicable disease by the… read on >
The isolation of the coronavirus pandemic might be stunting the social growth of young children, experts say. Since schools closed across the United States this past spring to stem the spread of COVID-19, kids have been deprived of experiences that are essential to their emotional development — playing at recess, sharing lunch with classmates and… read on >
Governors across America have eased lockdowns, but a new analysis shows coronavirus cases are rising in nearly half of U.S. states. The rolling seven-day average of new cases per capita has been higher than the average seven days earlier in 21 states, the Associated Press analysis found. In Arizona, hospitals have been told to prepare… read on >
Washing your hands more often may do more than slow the spread of COVID-19: New research suggests it also lowers your exposure to toxic flame retardants. How? Scientists found that halogenated flame retardants used in plastic TV cases can travel from the TV to indoor air and dust, then to hands, and then to electronic… read on >
Social restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic can be especially hard for people who can’t visit loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease who are in nursing homes. Despite an easing of restrictions, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services says nursing homes shouldn’t allow outside visitors until the last phase of its reopening guidelines. “One of… read on >
The boisterous bustle of students jostling down crowded hallways to reach lockers and classrooms has long served as one of the most powerful memories of high school life for many. Those loud, happy throngs might now belong to a bygone era, thanks to COVID-19. Schools planning to reopen in the fall are weighing what’s called… read on >
The number of confirmed U.S. coronavirus cases passed 2 million on Thursday, as public health experts warned of the emergence of new COVID-19 hotspots across the country. Just three weeks after Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey lifted the state’s stay-at-home order, there has been a significant spike in coronavirus cases, with lawmakers and medical professionals warning… read on >
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, many doctors’ offices and clinics have made changes to protect patients, care providers and staff. As an example, here’s what’s being done at Penn State Health. “When our patients first call to schedule an appointment at any of our offices, outpatient clinics or centers, they’ll be screened for COVID-19,”… read on >
Smoking carries a host of health risks, and now a new study shows the habit significantly increases black Americans’ risk of stroke. The research included more than 5,300 participants, aged 21 to 84, from the tri-county area around Jackson, Miss. In the final analysis, 546 were current smokers, 781 were past smokers, and 3,083 never… read on >
Streaks of color swirl through a pulsing, black-and-white image of a patient’s heart. They represent blood, and they’re color-coded based on speed: turquoise and green for the fastest flow, yellow and red for the slowest. This real-time video, which can be rotated and viewed from any angle, allows doctors to spot problems like a leaky… read on >
