President Joe Biden marked the unthinkable milestone of half a million Americans lost to coronavirus with a somber, candlelit ceremony at the White House on Monday night. “The people we lost were extraordinary,” Biden said. “They span generations. Born in America, immigrated to America. But just like that, so many of them took their final… read on > read on >
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COVID-Linked Loss of Smell, Taste Can Linger for Many Months
By now, most folks know that a loss of smell and taste are a hallmark of COVID-19 infection, but new research shows it can continue up to five months after the virus first strikes. “It was apparent from the beginning of the pandemic that a significant percentage of people lost their capacity to smell,” said… read on > read on >
Got a Vaccine-Skeptical Relative? Here’s How to Talk to Them
While more than 57 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been given in the United States and many Americans eagerly await their turn to get a shot, not everyone wants one. Vaccine skepticism isn’t new, but you may be able to persuade skeptical loved ones to change their minds. “Some people are probably thinking… read on > read on >
Even for Preschoolers, Healthier Hearts May Mean Healthier Brains
The link between heart-lung fitness and brain health may begin at an early age, new research shows. The study revealed that 4- to 6-year-olds who could walk farther during a timed test also scored higher on tests of thinking abilities and other measures of brain function. Most studies of the link between brain health and… read on > read on >
Many Older Adults Confused About Proper Use of Antibiotics: Poll
Many older Americans lack knowledge about antibiotics, with some admitting to using leftover medication, a new survey reveals. More than 2,200 adults, aged 50 to 80, were questioned. Nine out of 10 said they’re cautious about using antibiotics, and nearly that number knew that overuse of the drugs can lead to them becoming ineffective, according… read on > read on >
From Sourdough to Sacrifice, How COVID Is Changing Americans’ Values
As the COVID-19 pandemic transformed everyday lives in 2020, Americans began dwelling on a few key topics, sourdough bread among them. But we were also tweeting about and researching sacrifice, survival and death, according to new research on online trends. Researchers analyzed how Google searches and the phrasing of a half-billion words and phrases on… read on > read on >
Grumpy? Depressed? Try a More Regular Sleep Schedule
A steady sleep routine may do more than keep you well-rested: New research suggests that the more swings in your slumber schedule, the worse your mood and depression symptoms are likely to be. Researchers from Michigan Medicine followed the sleep patterns of interns in their first year of residency after medical school. That irregular sleep… read on > read on >
You’ve Got Tens of Thousands of Virus Species Living in Your Gut
Researchers have identified more than 140,000 viruses that live in the human gut, including half that were previously unknown. The number and variety of viruses found in more than 28,000 gut microbiome samples gathered from different parts of the world are surprisingly high, according to the study authors. The researchers added that their findings will… read on > read on >
Could Your DNA Predict a Happy Marriage?
The DNA ties that bind: Marriage satisfaction may lie in your genes, a new study suggests. Researchers from the University of Arkansas looked at 71 newly married couples, asking them to complete a survey three months after marriage and again every four months for four years. They also tested their DNA. Recent research indicates that… read on > read on >
New Variants Mean COVID Vaccines, Tests May Need Tweaking: FDA
The emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants could require a quick pivot on the part of pharmaceutical and medical device companies, to help stay one step ahead of COVID-19. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued guidelines Monday encouraging drug and test developers to pay attention to new coronavirus variants and be prepared to make that… read on > read on >