The number of COVID-19 vaccine doses received — not the combinations — is the key to strengthening your immune system to protect against different variants of the coronavirus, including Omicron, a new study suggests. A team from the Chinese University of Hong Kong also determined that a third shot — a booster dose — is… read on > read on >
Nations are falling short in their efforts to get rid of toxic PCB chemicals that pose a risk to human health and the environment, researchers report. “We’re only six years out from the Stockholm Convention’s deadline to responsibly eliminate PCB stocks, but shockingly little progress has been made,” said study co-author Lisa Melymuk, an assistant… read on > read on >
Children who have had COVID-19 aren’t protected against the Omicron variant, but vaccination does cut their chances of infection, a new study shows. “I hear parents say, ‘Oh, my kid had COVID last year,’” said senior study co-author Dr. Adrienne Randolph, from Boston Children’s Hospital. “But we found that antibodies produced by prior infections in… read on > read on >
Racial disparities in health outcomes persist in the United States, with Black and Hispanic Americans more likely to die within a month after a bleeding stroke than white Americans, a new study shows. “We’ve known that there are disparities in death from stroke among racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. due to higher stroke… read on > read on >
Breastfeeding may literally help your baby breathe more easily, according to new research that found the longer an infant is fed mother’s milk exclusively, the lower the baby’s chances of developing asthma. “Breastfeeding for at least six months was the most protective but, importantly, it is likely that shorter amounts also provide some protection against… read on > read on >
The APOE4 gene is the most powerful genetic factor driving a person’s risk for developing late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. “It probably increases your risk two or threefold if you have one APOE4 copy, and if you have two APOE4 copies, it probably increases your risk about tenfold,” said Dr. Michael Greicius, a professor of neurology at… read on > read on >
The percussive skill needed to bang out rhythms on a drum may help improve socializing, inhibition control and focus among teens with autism, new research suggests. The finding follows work with 36 teens with an autism spectrum disorder. Half were randomly chosen to receive two months’ worth of drum training, based on a standard electronic… read on > read on >
It’s a classic case of male machismo jeopardizing health: A new survey finds many American men believe they’re healthier than other men and don’t bother with annual checkups, even though a yearly exam can catch health problems in the early stages. The online survey of nearly 900 U.S. men 18 and older was conducted in… read on > read on >
Frailty exams are recommended for older adults who have blood cancer, and new research shows they can be done virtually, not just in person. While the screenings are typically conducted at a clinic or doctor’s office, that became a challenge during the pandemic because people with blood cancers are at high risk of infection. A… read on > read on >
New research reveals why popular treatments for asthma attacks are often ineffective. Corticosteroids are used as an emergency treatment during asthma attacks to decrease airway swelling and irritation. While effective in people with moderate asthma, they often fail to help those with severe asthma. “Our study has uncovered a potential mechanism to explain why patients… read on > read on >
