Offering fresh insight into the deep-seated roots of dementia, new research finds that diminished blood flow to the brain is tied to buildup a protein long associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Called “tau,” high levels of the protein are “one of the hallmark pathologies that define Alzheimer’s disease in the brain,” explained study author Judy Pa.… read on >
Heart patients may face a greater chance of cardiovascular complications after having major surgery that doesn’t involve the heart, new research suggests. Twenty percent of these patients experienced heart troubles within a year of such surgery, the researchers found. “Our study reveals a greater likelihood of having heart problems or dying after noncardiac surgery than… read on >
Masks or no masks? Social distancing or not? New research suggests that the media Americans consume matters when these decisions are made. The study found that folks drawn to conservative-leaning TV news were much less likely to follow COVID prevention guidelines. Researchers analyzed data from more than 4,800 U.S. adults who took part in a… read on >
Coronavirus outbreaks in the Midwest and Western United States have driven the national case count to its highest level since August, fueling fears of what the coming winter will mean for the country. COVID-19 cases are starting to climb in 36 states, including parts of the Northeast, which is starting to backslide after months of… read on >
When parents have concerns about the safety of childhood vaccinations, it can be tough to change their minds, as a new study shows. The study involved “vaccine-hesitant” parents — a group distinct from the staunch “anti-vaxxer” crowd. They have worries about one or more routine vaccines, and question whether the benefits for their child are… read on >
In some reassuring news on the coronavirus front, a new study finds that pregnant women with COVID-19 rarely infect their newborn. That finding suggests that it may not be necessary to separate infected mothers from their infants and that moms can continue to breastfeed, the researchers added. “Our findings should reassure expectant mothers with COVID-19… read on >
Up to 7.7 million U.S. workers lost jobs with employer-sponsored health insurance during the coronavirus pandemic, and 6.9 million of their dependents also lost coverage, a new study finds. Workers in manufacturing, retail, accommodation and food services were especially hard-hit by job losses, but unequally impacted by losses in insurance coverage. Manufacturing accounted for 12%… read on >
Black and Asian COVID-19 patients are more likely than white patients to have severe illness, a new British study finds. Researchers analyzed data from more than 1,800 adult COVID-19 patients admitted to King’s College Hospital in London between March 1 and June 2. Patients who were Black or of mixed ethnicity were three times more… read on >
A second coronavirus vaccine trial was paused on Monday after an unexplained illness surfaced in one of the trial’s volunteers. Johnson & Johnson, which only began a phase 3 trial of its vaccine last month, did not offer any more details on the illness and did not say whether the sick participant had received the… read on >
Dr. Brad Cotton enjoyed working on the front lines as an emergency room doctor. Yet in March, as the coronavirus pandemic burst through the doors at hospitals across the world, Cotton left that more dangerous work behind. “I left emergency medicine because that was much higher risk. I’m actually still working full time for urgent… read on >
