THURSDAY, March 31, 2022 (American Heart Association News) — COVID-19 was full of surprises early on, causing mild problems in the short term for some people and serious complications for others. Long term, it may be just as capricious. Studies are spotting potential heart and brain problems up to a year after infection with SARS-CoV-2,… read on > read on >
An experimental drug shows promise in reducing tics in young people with Tourette syndrome. Ecopipam, which failed as a weight loss medication, may reduce tics by 30% in kids and teens with Tourette without the unpleasant side effects of current treatments, researchers say. “This drug significantly reduced tics, compared to placebo, and did not have… read on > read on >
In a close vote, an advisory panel for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration decided not to recommend the approval of an experimental drug for the deadly neurological disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The panel’s decision had been closely watched, with patient advocacy groups lobbying hard for fast-track approval. However, on Wednesday the panel ruled… read on > read on >
A noninvasive ultrasound technique is capable of quickly pulverizing kidney stones, an early study shows — in what researchers call a first step toward a simpler, anesthesia-free treatment for the painful problem. The study reports on the first 19 patients who’ve had kidney stones treated with the ultrasound “bursts.” So far, it’s been able to… read on > read on >
(HealthDay News ) — An emergency health order that has curtailed immigration at U.S. land borders is expected to be lifted in late May. An announcement about rescinding the order — which has been in place since the start of the pandemic and is called Title 42 — is expected by the Biden administration this… read on > read on >
A two-year advisory that warned Americans against going on cruises has been dropped by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency first warned Americans against cruise ship travel in 2020 at the height of the pandemic, and last year said there was an increased risk of getting infected when on the crowded… read on > read on >
The Pfizer COVID vaccine significantly reduced U.S. children’s risk of severe illness and hospitalization during the recent Omicron surge, according to a new study. But researchers noted that only 27% of 5- to 11-year-olds in the United States and just 57% of 12- to 17-year-olds had received two vaccine doses as of March 16, and… read on > read on >
More than 10,000 American lives have been saved since lung cancer screening was introduced for high-risk people who are over 55 and have a history of smoking, a new study shows. But many poor people and those in ethnic/racial minority groups are still missing out on the benefits of screening for the world’s leading cause… read on > read on >
Taking a stroll through a city park can give your mood a significant boost, but parks in some cities provide a bigger benefit than those in others, researchers say. In a new study, investigators measured the happiness effect of city parks in the 25 most populous U.S. cities and found that it was roughly equal… read on > read on >
The “love hormone” oxytocin may be able to turn highly territorial lions into social sweethearts, researchers say. Lions typically guard their turf fiercely, which can be a problem when they’re on reserves or in captivity and have less space to share than they do in the wild. The authors of a study published online March… read on > read on >
