First, the COVID-19 pandemic brought panic, with successive waves of infection and death, including the emergence this year of the Delta variant. Then vaccines offered the promise of a recovery, with a speed — and on a scale — never before seen. But now, the Omicron variant is sending Americans on another emotional roller-coaster ride… read on > read on >
Pfizer/BioNTech said Wednesday that while two doses of their coronavirus vaccine may not offer good protection against the Omicron variant, adding a booster shot does the trick. According to a statement from the companies, blood tests from people who had only two doses of the vaccine showed a 25-fold reduction in antibody levels generated against… read on > read on >
For people suffering from clots in their legs, a new study finds that one of two commonly used blood thinners is safer and more effective than the other. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) can cause clots to form in the deep veins in the legs, and if one breaks loose it can travel to the lungs and… read on > read on >
Kids can be cruel, and bullies often zero in on kids they view as weak or different, including those with asthma. One in 10 children with asthma say they have been bullied or teased as a result of their condition, but tight asthma control seems to keep bullying at bay, a new study suggests. “Children… read on > read on >
Right now, the devastating concussion-linked brain condition known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) can only be diagnosed after death via autopsy. But new research could help change that, allowing doctors to someday spot the illness earlier. According to the new study, MRI may be able to detect CTE while people are still alive. “While this… read on > read on >
The pandemic has intensified mental health struggles that were already widespread among American teens, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy warned Tuesday. The pandemic and other major issues faced by their generation are causing “devastating” mental health effects in young people, he warned in a new report. Emergency room visits for suicide attempts by adolescent… read on > read on >
Can the time of day you get your COVID-19 vaccine affect how many antibodies you’ll make? A new study suggests that it can. Researchers found higher antibody levels in health care workers who received their vaccines in the afternoon, and they suggest that response to the vaccine may be affected by circadian rhythms. “Our observational… read on > read on >
If you think you’re fine to drive after drinking, there’s a good chance you’re wrong, new research shows. The study found that despite being over the legal driving limit, half of the participants believed they were safe to drive. The study included 90 volunteers, average age 24, in Germany who drank either wine or beer… read on > read on >
When a woman’s periods begin to slow down and finally stop, digestive problems often pick up — and new research suggests race and ethnicity play a role. With menopause, levels of estrogen decrease, while cortisol levels increase, triggering an adrenaline boost that changes digestive function. It can set off symptoms such as bloating, nausea, diarrhea,… read on > read on >
New York City’s ban on a certain type of heating oil led to significant reductions in air pollutants that pose a risk to health, new research shows. “It is very encouraging to see the overall success of the Clean Heat Program in reducing pollution levels in the city, and particularly exciting to find that the… read on > read on >
