It has spread across the globe in just a few short months, sickening hundreds of thousands, but the new coronavirus has the dubious distinction of not really being a living organism, biologists say. “Viruses aren’t considered alive — in class, I call them pseudo-alive,” said Eric Mendenhall, an associate professor of biological sciences at the… read on >
In a bit of good news about the novel coronavirus, one expert says it looks like livestock and poultry don’t appear to be at risk from COVID-19. The coronavirus most likely jumped from an animal species into humans and mutated into a virus that mostly affects people, said Jim Roth, director of the Center for… read on >
With bogus information about the new coronavirus spreading fast online, how can you separate fact from fiction? A communications expert at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg said identifying reliable and useful sources of information is key. Here’s her advice: “Be skeptical of social media posts about the COVID-19 virus, even those that have the superficial look… read on >
Fostering a shelter animal during the coronavirus pandemic could benefit both of you, an animal welfare group says. “Shelters are swamped in the best of times, and with more and more staff in every sector of American life self-quarantining and falling ill, animals already abandoned and without homes are going to be increasingly vulnerable,” said… read on >
Social distancing has become the new normal, with one-third of Americans now under stay-at-home orders due to the coronavirus pandemic, but experts say that level of isolation can be hard on your health. “We don’t know for sure what the long-term health outcomes of widespread forced social isolation will be, but given what we know… read on >
The new coronavirus poses a significant risk to people with Parkinson’s disease, and experts say they and their caregivers need to take precautions. “People living with Parkinson’s disease are at high risk if they contract COVID-19, whether they are above age 50 or if they have young-onset Parkinson’s disease, which occurs in people younger than… read on >
Your teeth provide a detailed account of your life, much as a tree’s rings record its history, a groundbreaking study shows. “A tooth is not a static and dead portion of the skeleton. It continuously adjusts and responds to physiological processes,” said lead study author Paola Cerrito, a doctoral candidate studying anthropology and dentistry at… read on >
One of the few pleasures left to Americans sequestered at home is a soak in a hot bath. Now, research from Japan involving more than 30,000 adults suggests a daily bath might do more than cleanse and relax — it might also help lower your odds for heart disease and stroke. “We found that frequent… read on >
(HealthDay News) — Senate leaders reached agreement early Wednesday on a $2 trillion stimulus package to bolster the U.S. economy as the country battles coronavirus. The unprecedented legislation will send $1,200 checks to many Americans, create a $367 billion loan program for small businesses and set up a $500 billion fund for industries, cities and… read on >
Smokers and vapers who get COVID-19 can probably expect a more severe infection, health experts warn. Many advisories have focused on the risk facing older people, those with chronic conditions such as diabetes, and people with compromised immune systems, such as cancer patients. But doctors also caution that users of electronic cigarettes and tobacco are… read on >
