Face masks are touted as a key tool in preventing the spread of COVID-19, and a new study offers more proof that they work. Florida researchers found face masks cut the distance that airborne pathogens such as the coronavirus can travel by more than half. The findings suggest that some COVID-19 social distancing guidelines could…  read on >  read on >

Transgender people get greater mental health benefits if they start gender-affirming hormone treatment when they’re teens instead of waiting until they’re adults, a new study finds. “This study is particularly relevant now because many state legislatures are introducing bills that would outlaw this kind of care for transgender youth,” said study lead author Dr. Jack…  read on >  read on >

It’s a familiar trope of TV and movies — a couple is engaged in passionate sex when the guy’s heart suddenly gives out. “Usually it’s a middle-aged man. Usually he’s cheating with somebody else. It’s funny, there’s this myth in our mind that this can happen,” said cardiologist Dr. Martha Gulati, who refers to the…  read on >  read on >

Here’s more evidence that marijuana may make driving more dangerous: As pot has been legalized in more countries and states, a greater number of people are driving intoxicated by the drug and crashing, researchers report. THC, the active ingredient in cannabis, has been detected in twice as many injured Canadian drivers since 2018, when cannabis…  read on >  read on >

The opioid addict you know might not be the college kid who has always dabbled in alcohol and drugs. It could be your grandparent. Opioid misuse doesn’t discriminate by age — and rates are rising steadily among adults aged 55 and up, new research shows. “You can still use recreational drugs at an older age.…  read on >  read on >

Binge drinking on Super Bowl Sunday or other special occasions could put you at risk for a dangerous heart rhythm disorder called atrial fibrillation (a-fib), even if you’ve never had it, researchers warn in a new study. “Worldwide, alcohol is the most popularly consumed drug, and it now is clear that alcohol consumption is an…  read on >  read on >