Older people have vaccines available to prevent severe influenza and COVID-19, but there’s been nothing to protect against the third respiratory virus that contributed to this season’s wretched “triple-demic.” Until now. Two major pharmaceutical companies published clinical trial results this week that pave the way for an RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) vaccine to be available…  read on >  read on >

Talk about the stuff of nightmares. You have extremely itchy skin at bedtime, not to mention a pimple-like rash. What is it? Those are fairly clear signs of scabies, a microscopic parasitic infestation where mites burrow under your skin and lay eggs there. Scabies infection comes from prolonged contact, not just a quick brush against…  read on >  read on >

THURSDAY, Feb. 16, 2023 (American Heart Association News) — A quarter-century ago, the foundations were laid for the Jackson Heart Study, one of the most significant research efforts in the history of heart health. As the largest single-site study of Black people’s heart health ever undertaken, it would eventually spawn more than 800 scientific papers…  read on >  read on >

HBO’s hit series “The Last of Us” envisions a world decimated by a fungal apocalypse. A real-life insect fungus called Cordyceps makes the leap into humans, turning those stricken into violent zombie-like creatures that spread it to others through bites. Society collapses in a matter of days after the fungus emerges. But viewers can relax:…  read on >  read on >

A new study builds upon earlier evidence that vaping isn’t any healthier than smoking. In analyzing epithelial cells taken from the mouths of vapers, smokers and people who had never vaped or smoked, researchers found that vapers and smokers had more than twice the amount of DNA damage as found in non-users. Those who vaped…  read on >  read on >

A new study finds brain changes in F16 fighter pilots, which could shed light on what happens to astronauts during space travel. The hope is that the study, published Feb. 15 in Frontiers in Physiology, will help scientists understand the effects of space flight on the brain, possibly helping improve training programs for pilots and…  read on >  read on >

Ramen danger: A steaming cup of instant noodles is a big cause of scald injuries in children, researchers report. A new study that examined pediatric admissions at University of Chicago Medicine for burn injuries caused by hot liquids found that nearly one-third were caused by instant noodles between 2010 and 2020. “Anecdotally, it felt like…  read on >  read on >

Americans eat too much salt and more than a dozen favorite and convenience foods are largely to blame. Nearly 90% of Americans exceed dietary guidelines for sodium intake, a risk factor for high blood pressure and heart disease. New research out of Canada put some familiar favorites at the top of the list. “The top…  read on >  read on >

A COVID infection appears to drive up diabetes risk, new research warns. The good news? Being vaccinated before becoming infected appeared to eliminate any increase in post-infection risk. The finding follows a deep dive into the medical records of roughly 23,700 patients. At an average age of 47, all were treated for COVID infection at…  read on >  read on >