Years of exposure to air pollution and traffic noise could make you more vulnerable to heart failure, a new study warns. “We found that long-term exposure to specific air pollutants and road traffic noise increased the risk of incident heart failure, especially for former smokers or people with hypertension, so preventive and educational measures are…  read on >  read on >

Accidental burns among U.S. children rose by one-third during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study. “COVID-19 and stay-at-home orders inevitably created a new dynamic between children and their social environment. One result was the increased risk of burns those children experienced,” said Dr. Christina Georgeades, a study author and…  read on >  read on >

Good dental hygiene may well be a weapon against severe COVID-19: A new study shows that taking care of your teeth and gums may lower your risk of serious infection, especially if you have heart disease. Previous research has found an association between poor oral hygiene and increased inflammation and heart disease, and COVID-19 severity…  read on >  read on >

Social distancing and mask mandates during the pandemic nearly eliminated cases of the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among children, a new study finds. “Numbers don’t lie. Face masking, and proper hygiene and isolation, can be effective means to protect the vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and young children, during the respiratory virus…  read on >  read on >

Life is challenging enough for teens and pre-teens with food allergies. But bullying often comes with the territory, making their situation worse. In a new study of more than 100 kids with food allergies, nearly one-third said they had been subject to some form of food allergy-related bullying. “We also found that only 12% of…  read on >  read on >

Scientists in Japan have discovered yet another tick-borne virus that can make people sick. The Yezo virus is transmitted by tick bites, and triggers fever and a reduction in blood platelets and white blood cells. “At least seven people have been infected with this new virus in Japan since 2014, but, so far, no deaths…  read on >  read on >