A new clinical trial strengthens the case that ketamine — once famous as a club drug — can rapidly ease suicidal thoughts. Researchers found that among 156 adults hospitalized for severe suicidal thoughts, those given two doses of ketamine often saw those disturbing ideas go away within a few days. By day three, 63% were… read on > read on >
Omicron COVID-19 patients are younger and have more breakthrough infections, a new study finds. But people infected with Omicron are also less likely to be hospitalized or need intensive respiratory support than those who’d gotten the earlier Alpha and Delta variants. The researchers examined data on patients at Houston Methodist hospital, where by the start… read on > read on >
Got dry, itchy eyes? Working out might help, a new study suggests. “Instead of having to use eye drops or other alternative treatments, our study aimed to determine if remaining physically active can be an effective preventative measure against dryness,” said study co-author Heinz Otchere. He is a doctoral candidate in vision science at the… read on > read on >
It’s a fate many older women fear: loneliness and isolation as they age. Now, new research suggests those feelings may also predispose them to heart disease. The findings may be especially relevant now because of social distancing required by the pandemic. “We are social beings. In this time of COVID-19, many people are experiencing social… read on > read on >
A new study finds that kids who have received years of seasonal flu shots have antibodies that provide wider protection against new influenza strains, something researchers say doesn’t happen in adults. These findings could help efforts to develop a universal flu vaccine for children. That would be significant, according to the authors of the study,… read on > read on >
The type of drill your dentist uses just might determine your chances of catching COVID-19 while in the chair. So claims new research that suggests dentists can significantly improve patient safety during the pandemic by switching the type of drill they use. British researchers used a harmless virus similar in size and structure to SARS-CoV-2,… read on > read on >
Early diagnosis and care can often stop the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the leading cause of vision loss in older Americans, the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) says. As part of AMD Awareness Month in February, the society urges people to pay attention to their vision and learn more about… read on > read on >
If your baby has a cough, you might immediately think it’s COVID-19, but coughing is a common wintertime symptom, a pediatrician says. Dr. Mona Patel of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles offers some advice on what to do when your baby develops a cough. Congestion and postnasal drip will worsen the cough, especially during naps or… read on > read on >
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday gave its full approval to Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for use in people 18 and older. This follows a similar move made Jan. 31 by its sister agency, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The vaccine, which had before been available for that age group only… read on > read on >
It’s less enchanting than reading tea leaves, but federal health officials announced Friday that they are expanding nationwide efforts to track COVID-19 by monitoring virus levels found in raw sewage. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expects to add an additional 250 surveillance sites over the next few weeks to a list of… read on > read on >
