Citing the accumulated data on a raised risk for a type of dangerous blood clot, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday greatly restricted the recommended use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. With safer two-dose vaccines such as Pfizer and Moderna widely available, the one-dose J&J shot should be limited “to individuals…  read on >  read on >

As the Biden Administration weighs the possibility of broad student loan forgiveness, a new study finds that people mired in student debt face a heightened risk of heart disease by middle age. The findings are not the first to suggest that student debt can take a mental and physical toll. Young adults who are paying…  read on >  read on >

Yet another subvariant of of the Omicron variant is spreading rapidly in the United States and is likely to become the dominant strain within weeks, experts say. Early research suggests that BA.2.12.1 — a subvariant of the highly contagious BA.2 subvariant — is better able to evade the immune system than previous versions of the…  read on >  read on >

Ever wonder where your cat wanders when you let it out? New research suggests your kitty most likely sticks close to home. Scientists used GPS (global positioning system) to track the movements of nearly 100 pet cats in a small town in Eastern Norway when they were outside. All of the cats lived in homes…  read on >  read on >

Despite what you may have heard, rats and other city wildlife aren’t likely to trigger future pandemics in people, according to a new study. The COVID-19 pandemic has scientists trying to determine where future outbreaks are most likely to start. It’s long been suspected that critters in cities might act as reservoirs for viruses that…  read on >  read on >

Babies born to women who are stressed out during pregnancy may be more likely to experience social, emotional and learning problems as they grow up, new research suggests. “Mom’s elevated psychological distress affects not just her, but her unborn baby’s brain development,” said study author Catherine Limperopoulos, chief and director of the Developing Brain Institute…  read on >  read on >