When dogs’ hearing fades, their mental skills follow, new research reveals. For the study, the researchers examined the link between hearing loss in aging dogs and dementia. The findings shed light on ways sensory loss affects canine cognition (thinking skills) and could lead to better treatment of aging dogs. “In humans, we know that age-related…  read on >  read on >

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday it has loosened its COVID-19 social distancing recommendations as the American public learns to live with the virus in its midst. “We’re in a stronger place today as a nation, with more tools — like vaccination, boosters, and treatments — to protect ourselves, and our…  read on >  read on >

For people with multiple sclerosis, certain factors early in their disease may determine their quality of life in the years to come, a new study suggests. In medicine, there are ways to objectively measure a disease’s course, such as whether a medication is keeping it under control. And then there’s health-related quality of life —…  read on >  read on >

Record numbers of people are turning to plant-based diets to take advantage of the many health benefits they offer, but this may come at the expense of their bones, a new study suggests. Exactly what did researchers find? Middle-aged women who never eat meat may be more likely to break a hip than women who…  read on >  read on >

Anyone who has suffered through a large, painful kidney stone wants to avoid a repeat episode. Now a new trial confirms one preventive strategy: removing small “silent” stones before they cause trouble. When people develop a kidney stone that is painful enough to require removal, imaging tests often reveal that they harbor smaller, asymptomatic stones,…  read on >  read on >

THURSDAY, Aug. 11, 2022 (HealthDay News) – Spinal surgery is painful, but fewer addictive opioid painkillers are needed now to help kids and teens manage it, a new study finds. A research team from Michigan Medicine found that scoliosis patients undergoing spinal fusion can be prescribed fewer opioids and still get adequate pain control after…  read on >  read on >