Scientists who conducted the first gene editing in ticks say this line of research could lead to new ways to reduce tick-borne diseases in humans. Ticks can transmit a wide number of diseases to people — including Lyme disease, babesiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever — but genetic knowledge about ticks is currently limited. That’s… read on > read on >
A woman with HIV who received an umbilical cord blood transplant has become the third person in the world to be cured of the virus that causes AIDS. The two others, both men, were cured after receiving bone marrow transplants from donors who carried a mutation that blocks HIV, The New York Times reported. The… read on > read on >
At one time, military veterans were typically healthier than the average American. But a new study finds that vets who have served since 9/11 have higher than average death rates — especially those with a history of brain injury. The study, of more than 2.5 million military veterans, found that post-9/11 service members have been… read on > read on >
Kids with heart conditions are more likely than their peers to have frequent cavities, toothaches or bleeding gums, a new U.S. government study finds. Researchers found that of U.S. children and teenagers with heart conditions, 10% had only “poor” to “fair” dental health, as rated by their parents. That was twice the figure of kids… read on > read on >
Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 grow more effective in the months after a person gets the Pfizer COVID vaccine, according to a new study. In sheer numbers, antibody levels did decline over the months after vaccination. However, the new findings showed that antibodies that remained became steadily stronger and more precisely targeted against the virus. That means… read on > read on >
Misinformation about COVID-19 abounds, and cancer patients who are currently receiving treatment are more likely to believe COVID lies than cancer survivors who’ve completed treatment and people who’ve never had cancer, a new study says. The findings are from a survey of nearly 900 U.S. adults about evenly divided into the three groups. “These findings… read on > read on >
In a sign that the pandemic continues to wreak havoc on routine health care, many of the nearly one-third of older Americans who had a medical procedure, primary care visit or dental appointment canceled or postponed due to COVID still haven’t received that care, a new poll finds. “Whether they chose to postpone or their… read on > read on >
Sesame isn’t declared on more than half of food products that contain it, which could put some people at risk for an allergic reaction, researchers warn. A serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) can be deadly. By 2023, sesame will have to be listed on labels of food products sold in the United States, but the new… read on > read on >
In a tight vote, the U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed Dr. Robert Califf to once again head the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, ending the agency’s year-long stretch without a permanent leader. Six Republicans crossed over to support Califf in the Senate’s 50-46 vote, while five Democrats opposed him. One senator voted present. Califf, a… read on > read on >
A new government study is the first to confirm that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy delivers real protection to newborns. “While we know these antibodies cross the placenta, until this study we have not yet had data to demonstrate whether the antibodies might provide protection for the baby against COVID-19,” said Dr. Dana Meaney-Delman, chief of… read on > read on >
