People undergoing immune-boosting therapy for advanced melanoma may respond better if they eat a high-fiber diet, a new study hints. Researchers said much more study is needed, but their initial findings — in both melanoma patients and lab mice — suggest that fiber-rich foods may help via their effects on gut bacteria. In contrast, there… read on > read on >
Taking to the skies for a long-awaited holiday? Choose your seat on the plane wisely and don’t overlook familiar steps like keeping your mask on to reduce your odds for getting COVID-19 or another contagious disease, experts suggest. “Spacing is an obvious challenge on airplanes, especially when the planes are filled at or near capacity… read on > read on >
MONDAY, Dec. 27, 2021 (HealthDay News) – Starting Dec. 31, the United States will lift travel restrictions from eight countries in southern Africa. The restrictions were first announced in late November in response to concerns about Omicron, the new highly contagious variant of COVID-19. Omicron was spotted first in southern Africa. The restrictions had been… read on > read on >
The COVID virus strain circulating in the United States during the pandemic’s first wave spread so fast because it most often started with a cough, according to a new study. It’s likely that people with that strain — D614G — coughed and spread the virus before they were laid low by fever, the most common… read on > read on >
Add heat waves to the many health threats facing homeless people. Last year, the United States had 580,000 homeless people — 28% of them in California, where seven in 10 live outdoors. That’s nearly nine times more than in any other state. “The same weather that makes living unsheltered possible in California also exposes people… read on > read on >
Genes in human embryos become active far sooner than once thought, according to a study that provides fresh insight into development. Contrary to the old view that gene activity begins two to three days after conception when the embryo is made up of four to eight cells, researchers found that it actually begins at the… read on > read on >
Lockdowns keep people home for a few weeks, but they lose their luster after a few months, claims a new study that comes as many countries consider a return to lockdowns to slow the renewed spread of COVID-19. The findings could be used by policymakers when deciding whether to impose lockdowns, the researchers said. For… read on > read on >
Don’t let a picture-perfect snowfall turn deadly. Shoveling snow can cause heart attacks or sudden cardiac arrest in folks with heart conditions and even in those who are unaware that they have heart disease, the American Heart Association (AHA) warns. “Shoveling snow is a very strenuous activity, made even more so by the impact that… read on >
Give yourself and your loved ones the gifts of health and safety this holiday season, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests. The agency outlines 12 ways to do that, beginning with a reminder that washing your hands with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds helps prevent the spread… read on > read on >
Healthy looking facial hair starts with healthy skin – even if you’re Santa. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests some tips to prevent dandruff, ingrown hair, acne and itch under beards, goatees and mustaches, whether you’ve been growing facial hair for a long time or just stopped shaving during the pandemic. “Whether your beard is… read on > read on >
