Nearly a third of health care staff in U.S. hospitals were not vaccinated against COVID-19 as of mid-September, a new study shows. Researchers analyzed data on more than 3.3 million health care workers at more than 2,000 hospitals nationwide between Jan. 20 and Sept. 15. “Our analysis revealed that vaccine coverage among U.S. hospital-based [health…  read on >  read on >

Vaccinated health care workers with breakthrough COVID-19 infections shed less virus than those who are unvaccinated and infected, according to University of California, Los Angeles researchers. “SARS-CoV-2 viral loads are known to be a critical driver of transmission,” wrote authors led by Dr. Paul Adamson, an assistant professor of medicine in the division of infectious…  read on >  read on >

Most people know that sun-sourced vitamin D is good for their bones. So could avoiding the sun to reduce skin cancer risk weaken your bones? A new study brings a reassuring answer: “Sun-protective” behavior — wearing long sleeves, seeking shade or using sunscreen — “was not associated with decreased bone mineral density or increased risk…  read on >  read on >

A case of monkeypox in a traveler who returned to the United States from Nigeria is being investigated by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the Maryland Department of Health. The infected person is currently in isolation in Maryland. Monkeypox is a rare but potentially serious viral illness that typically begins with flu-like symptoms…  read on >  read on >

A 3-D virtual reality system to treat back pain was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday. The EaseVRx system is a prescription device for at-home use that combines cognitive behavioral therapy and other behavioral methods to treat patients 18 and older with chronic lower back pain. “Millions of adults in the…  read on >  read on >