Nearly one-third of older COVID-19 survivors develop new health problems in the months after their infection, a new study finds. Those conditions involve a number of major organs and systems, including the heart, kidneys, lungs and liver, as well as mental health problems. With roughly 400 million people infected with the coronavirus worldwide, “the number…  read on >  read on >

New research supports the notion that COVID-19 can cause long-term heart problems. The analysis of U.S. health data found COVID patients are at increased risk of heart complications for at least a year after infection. Those complications include heart rhythm problems, inflammation, blood clots, stroke, coronary artery disease, heart attack, heart failure and death, according…  read on >  read on >

Babies whose moms were vaccinated during pregnancy against COVID-19 have long-lasting antibody protection, a new study finds. “Many interested parties from parents to pediatricians want to know how long maternal antibodies persist in infants after vaccination, and now we can provide some answers,” said co-senior study author Dr. Andrea Edlow. She is a specialist in…  read on >  read on >

The pandemic has dramatically disrupted kids’ normal routines, but a new study suggests the initial lockdowns of 2020 did not necessarily hinder preschoolers’ language development. In fact, researchers found, there was an unanticipated “lockdown boost” in youngsters’ vocabulary growth — possibly because parents were spending more time at home. Studying families in 13 countries, the…  read on >  read on >

Strokes caused by COVID-19 appear to be more disabling and deadly than those not associated with the infectious disease, a new study finds. About one-third of COVID-19 patients develop neurological complications, and many arrive at hospitals with ischemic strokes (blocked blood flow to the brain), according to the researchers who studied cases in North America.…  read on >  read on >

No contraceptive is perfect, and scientists continue searching for safer, more effective methods. Now, researchers have found a way to trap sperm in semen’s natural gel state, and they believe their findings could point the way to a new type of birth control. Normally, semen liquefies after ejaculation, which enables sperm to swim through a…  read on >  read on >

Loneliness, isolation and fears about contracting COVID-19 have turned life upside down for people with disabilities, causing high levels of depression and anxiety, a new survey finds. Even before the pandemic, individuals with disabilities were more likely to experience social isolation than their peers without disabilities. But this survey of 441 adults conducted between October…  read on >  read on >