It seems like common sense for people who’ve had COVID-19 to think they now have natural immunity, and therefore don’t have to bother getting vaccinated. Common sense, yes, but also incorrect, infectious disease doctors say. Your case of COVID — especially if it was very mild — probably didn’t create enough of an immune response…  read on >  read on >

Help in retaining mental function when you age could be only a few keystrokes away. While crosswords and exercise are often touted as ways to retain thinking skills, U.K. investigators found that the internet may also help seniors stay sharp in retirement. Those who used the internet more after their careers ended had substantially higher…  read on >  read on >

Wearing masks in schools appears to sharply curtail the spread of COVID-19, despite the dominance of the highly contagious Delta variant, two new U.S. studies show. Published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the reports found there were fewer outbreaks in schools that required masks. In the first study, researchers focused on…  read on >  read on >

Trying to fit soccer or Little League into your son’s busy schedule? Canadian researchers offer some compelling reasons to do so. Little boys who play sports are less apt to be anxious or depressed later in childhood and more likely to be active in their early teens, according to the University of Montreal study. “We…  read on >  read on >

People with high blood pressure that doesn’t respond to treatment may have more success by following the DASH diet and joining a supervised diet and exercise program, a new study suggests. DASH is short for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension — a regimen rich in fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products and limited salt. Duke University…  read on >  read on >

After a heart attack, a smartwatch app may help keep patients from being hospitalized again, researchers say. The app helps patients keep track of medications and make lifestyle changes. It may also reduce rehospitalization in the month after discharge by half, according to a new report. The American Heart Association says one in six heart…  read on >  read on >