A new COVID variant with very few known cases but many mutations has been swiftly moved into the World Health Organization’s “variant under monitoring” classification. Four known cases of the variant, dubbed BA.2.86, have been so far identified worldwide, including one case in Michigan. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday that… read on > read on >
All Health and Wellness:
Gene Study Reveals Brain’s Complex Organization
The brain is a complex organ, and a new study — believed to be the largest ever on the brain’s genetics — identifies more than 4,000 genetic variants linked to brain structure. The research, involving some 36,000 brain scans, was led by a team at the University of Cambridge in England. Brains are quite varied… read on > read on >
Does Smoking Change the Teenage Brain?
Teens’ desire to start smoking, and later to keep smoking, may be linked to differences in gray matter in their brains, a new study reveals. Researchers found that reduced gray matter in the left frontal lobe was found in kids who started smoking by age 14. This area is involved in decision-making and rule-breaking. Once… read on > read on >
Did Vlad the Impaler, Inspiration for Dracula, Shed Tears of Blood?
FRIDAY, Aug. 18, 2023 (HealthDay News) – The 15th century prince who inspired the literary vampire Dracula may have had medical issues that caused him to cry tears of blood, according to researchers unearthing this ancient mystery. The prince, who was also a military leader, was known as Vlad III, Voivode of Wallachia and as… read on > read on >
No Evidence ‘Blue Light-Filtering’ Glasses Actually Help Eyes
Heavy screen users often buy blue light-filtering eyeglasses to protect their eyes — but they may be wasting their money, a new study suggests. A new research review suggests these blue light-filtering glasses probably make no difference to eye strain, eye health or sleep quality, at least in the short term. And it’s still unclear… read on > read on >
How Kids Are Being Injured by Ceiling Fans
It’s fun to playfully toss a toddler into the air, or tote a kid piggyback-style on your shoulders. But those delightful giggles may come with a risk of head injury from a typically overlooked hazard — the room’s ceiling fan. Each year U.S. emergency rooms treat about 2,300 children for head injuries caused by ceiling… read on > read on >
AHA News: Understanding the Link Between Long COVID and Mental Health Conditions
THURSDAY, Aug. 17, 2023 (American Heart Association News) — Researchers have long understood that people with chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, are at increased risk for depression. The same may be true for people with COVID-19 symptoms that linger for months and sometimes years. An estimated 28% of U.S. adults who have had… read on > read on >
Most Alzheimer’s Patients May Be Ineligible for Newly Approved Drugs
Two recently approved treatments offer newfound hope for patients in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, but most people who could benefit will likely be deemed ineligible, a new study finds. Alzheimer’s affects about 6.7 million Americans age 65 and older. But only about 8% to 17% of older adults with early signs of the… read on > read on >
Appeals Court Upholds Restrictions on Abortion Pill
THURSDAY, Aug. 17, 2023 (HealthDay News) – The abortion pill mifepristone should remain legal in the United States, but with significant restrictions on access to it, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday. The decision, issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans, effectively sets the stage for a showdown… read on > read on >
Skipping Radiation May Be Safe for Some With Early Breast Cancer
Many women with early breast cancer undergo breast-conserving surgery along with radiation to kill any errant cancer cells, but some may be able to safely skip radiation, new research suggests. “If the tumors are low-risk, as defined in part by being caught early/small and in part by having favorable molecular features, the risk of recurrence… read on > read on >