COVID-19 shouldn’t keep budding athletes on the sidelines. But it’s critical to keep them safe from the coronavirus while playing sports. The National Athletic Trainers’ Association has some timely tips. COVID vaccines for those 12 and older have been a game changer for many families. Being fully vaccinated can make returning to sports safer, the…  read on >  read on >

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday recommended booster shots of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine for millions of older and high-risk Americans, kicking off a new chapter in the national effort to protect the vulnerable from severe disease. First, an expert CDC advisory panel called for COVID-19 booster shots for those over 65,…  read on >  read on >

If you have cancer and you think coronavirus vaccines may do you little good, don’t let your hesitation stop you from getting the shots: A pair of clinical trials finds that patients’ immune systems ramped up after vaccination. The findings were presented this week during a virtual meeting of the European Society for Medical Oncology…  read on >  read on >

An artificial intelligence tool could help radiologists spot breast cancer on ultrasound images and reduce the need for extra testing, new research suggests. “Our study demonstrates how artificial intelligence can help radiologists reading breast ultrasound exams to reveal only those that show real signs of breast cancer, and to avoid verification by biopsy in cases…  read on >  read on >

A saltwater solution may help stop the SARS-CoV-2 virus in its tracks, Brazilian researchers report. However, although saline may keep the virus from replicating, it does not offer full protection against infection or a cure for COVID-19. “It’s not a single solution, and it would have to be used in the first few days after…  read on >  read on >

There’s good news for health-conscious sausage and bacon lovers. A new study suggests the Japanese knotweed plant could be used to make healthier cured meats. According to researchers, this fast-growing plant that invades gardens and buildings contains a chemical that could take the place of the preservative nitrite, which has been linked to cancer, in…  read on >  read on >

A new DNA sensor can detect viruses and tell if they are infectious or not in minutes, a new study finds. The sensor was developed by using DNA technology, and does not require the need to pretreat test samples. Researchers demonstrated this technique with the human adenovirus (which causes colds and flu) and the virus…  read on >  read on >

Obese boys who lose weight may avoid fertility problems in adulthood, a preliminary study suggests. Even short-term weight loss might partially reverse weight-related alterations in reproductive function, the researchers said. Childhood obesity can have serious effects on adulthood health, including a risk of cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Obesity has also been linked…  read on >  read on >

Insulin resistance can make you more than twice as likely to develop major depression, even if you haven’t developed full-blown diabetes, a new study reports. Initially healthy people who later developed prediabetes were 2.6 times more likely to come down with major depression during a nine-year follow-up period, according to the findings. “The insulin-resistant folks…  read on >  read on >