The American Red Cross said Monday that it urgently needs blood donations because the national blood supply has dropped nearly 25% since early August. Back-to-back climate-related disasters have hampered blood collection efforts, and a summer shortfall has made the shortage worse. Patients in need of transfusions as part of cancer and sickle cell disease treatments… read on > read on >
Millions of people who suffer from sleep apnea go to bed at night with a motorized device called a CPAP machine. Now, two new studies confirm the treatment has significant benefits not just on quality of sleep, but also for keeping people’s hearts healthy. Together, the studies may offer more reasons to endure the not-always-comfortable… read on > read on >
You’ve probably heard of West Nile virus, but mosquitoes spread various other illnesses, too, including the little-known Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV), which is garnering attention across the United States. For example, health officials in Connecticut have so far identified mosquitoes carrying JCV in 12 towns across the state. Although no confirmed human cases of the… read on > read on >
Much has been made of how a lack of English proficiency can interfere with a patient’s ability to interact with their doctor and get the best health care possible. But language barriers can prevent cancer patients from even getting in the door for a first visit with a specialist, a new study reports. English speakers… read on > read on >
MONDAY, Sept. 11, 2023 (HealthDay News) – In a finding that should ease the minds of Americans ahead of another flu season, this year’s vaccines have already cut the risk of hospitalization in half during the South American winter, health officials report. Even better, the flu virus strains that have been detected in the United… read on > read on >
Could an algorithm take your job someday? Concerns about artificial intelligence, or AI, are plaguing U.S. workers, according to a new American Psychological Association poll. Some workers are uncomfortable with the way their employers are tracking them, while others worry that AI will make their jobs obsolete. “Employers interested in investing in artificial intelligence systems… read on > read on >
Two new studies looked to explain an increased risk of respiratory infections like coughs and colds in babies and young children, finding city living to be among the culprits. Young children who grow up in towns and cities instead of the countryside suffer more respiratory infections, according to research presented Monday at a meeting of… read on > read on >
Babies who have more mature microbes in their gut are less likely to have allergy-related wheezing and asthma in early childhood, according to new research. “Our studies on the Barwon Infant Study showed that a more mature infant gut microbiota at one year of age was associated with a lower chance of developing food allergies… read on > read on >
Patients with hepatitis C should consider being vaccinated again for hepatitis B, because their immune response to the initial shot may be inadequate, a new study suggests. Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School urge those who have hepatitis C to be checked for hepatitis B immune protection. If none is present, they should… read on > read on >
Hot weather can pose serious health risks for older adults. Existing medical conditions, problems moving around and medications raise the risk of heatstroke, according to an expert at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Being prepared can help prevent heat exhaustion and heatstroke. “As we age, we become less efficient at noticing and adjusting to… read on > read on >
