There is no cure for nearsightedness, but medicated eye drops can slow down its progression in children, a new trial finds. The study tested the effects of eye drops containing a very low dose of the drug atropine — the same medication used to dilate the pupils during an eye exam. Researchers found that when… read on > read on >
All Food:
CDC Warns of Potentially Fatal Bacterial Illness on U.S. Gulf Coast
A potentially deadly germ has made its way to the U.S. Gulf Coast, health officials warned this week. So far, three cases of infection from the bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei have been reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The bacteria causes melioidosis, which can be fatal if left untreated. “It is an… read on > read on >
FDA Approves Pfizer’s RSV Shot for Older Adults
Older adults may have a second vaccine option for RSV following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval of a Pfizer vaccine on Wednesday. The other shot for adults 60 and up is made by GSK. It was approved May 3. Both should be available by fall, before the seasonal spread of respiratory syncytial virus… read on > read on >
FDA Issues Warning About Compounded Versions of Wegovy, Ozempic
(HealthDay News) – Patients taking semaglutide for type 2 diabetes or weight loss should be careful about where they’re getting the medication, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Tuesday. Shortages of the drug, commonly sold as Wegovy and Ozempic, has led to the making of compounded versions of the drugs, which is combining or… read on > read on >
Sick Restaurant Workers Fuel Many Foodborne Illness Outbreaks
(HealthDay News) – Providing sick leave to restaurant workers could help prevent the spread of foodborne illness because ill workers are key drivers of outbreaks at restaurants, a new government report shows. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published data on Tuesday covering 800 outbreaks of foodborne illness at restaurants between 2017 and… read on > read on >
Compounds in Chocolate, Berries Might Help Boost Memory As You Age
You’ll likely lose some of your memory and thinking abilities as you age, but nutrients called flavanols might help thwart that decline, a new study suggests. Not getting enough flavanols — natural compounds found in fruits, vegetables and even chocolate — could be driving that age-related memory loss, researchers say. This research is the pinnacle… read on > read on >
ER-Based Pharmacies Could Improve Kids’ Care, Pediatricians’ Group Says
When parents rush their kids to an emergency room in the dead of night for an asthma attack or high fever, they are often discharged with a prescription. The problem is, there may be nowhere to fill it promptly. Now, a new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is calling attention to the… read on > read on >
Microplastics Are Harming the Guts of Seabirds — and Maybe Humans, Too
Microplastic pollution is altering the gut microbiomes of wild seabirds and that could be a warning sign for humans, researchers report. Scientists from McGill University in Montreal, along with colleagues from around the world, found that tiny bits of plastic present in the gastrointestinal system of seabirds have modified the gut’s microbiome. The plastics are… read on > read on >
Grilling Plant-Based Burgers This Memorial Day? Safe Cooking Temperatures May Change
The last thing you want to invite to your Memorial Day cookout is foodborne illness. An expert from Virginia Tech offers some suggestions for keeping it at bay, even when cooking something you may have less experience with, such as plant-based or turkey burgers instead of beef patties. “If you choose the classic ground beef… read on > read on >
Traveling? Here’s Your Family Medical Checklist
When going on vacation, there’s a lot to remember, but it’s a good idea if you add one more item to the to-do list. Baylor College of Medicine in Houston suggests creating a family travel medical checklist, to be sure that you and your loved ones stay healthy and safe while you’re away. “Traveling can… read on > read on >