Larger and more intense wildfires in the U.S. Pacific Northwest are causing a spike in air pollution across North America that endangers millions of people, a new study warns. Wildfire smoke has been linked to significant respiratory problems, and may also cause heart and pregnancy complications. “Wildfire emissions have increased so substantially that they’re changing… read on > read on >
A prior COVID-19 infection may provide unvaccinated adults with as much immunity against reinfection as the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna mRNA vaccines, new research suggests. However, the study was conducted before the surge of the highly transmissible Omicron variant. “We found that, before the emergence of the Omicron variant, natural immunity provided a similar degree of… read on > read on >
With marijuana now legal in many U.S. states, some veterinarians are seeing more cases of cannabis poisoning in dogs and other pets, according to a new survey. The poll, of 251 vets in Canada and the United States, found that those incidents usually end well: Most animals recover quickly, without needing a hospital stay. But… read on > read on >
A Mediterranean-style diet is known to help protect the heart, and now new research suggests it can also lower an expectant mother’s risk for life-threatening preeclampsia. Marked by a sudden spike in blood pressure, protein in urine, or other problems during pregnancy, preeclampsia can cause serious health problems for moms and babies when left untreated.… read on > read on >
Twelve companies have been issued warning letters about selling over-the-counter skin lightening products containing hydroquinone, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday. The products are unapproved drugs that are not recognized as safe and effective, according to the FDA, which has received reports of serious side effects including rashes, facial swelling and skin discoloration… read on > read on >
Nearly 9 in 10 children ages 5-11 who were hospitalized for COVID-19 from mid-December to late February were unvaccinated, a rate that was two times higher than for vaccinated children, a new government study shows. Researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also found that about one-third of hospitalized children in that… read on > read on >
When people have legal access to marijuana, they’re less likely to take certain prescription drugs, new research suggests. U.S. states where recreational marijuana is legal have seen large drops in the use of prescription drugs for pain, depression, anxiety, sleep, psychosis and seizures, the researchers found. “These results have important implications,” said study co-author Shyam… read on > read on >
People with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other severe mental illnesses are at increased risk of death from heart problems, a large research review finds. “Our systematic review and meta-analysis of over 100 studies has confirmed a strong association between severe mental illness and cardiovascular disease which became stronger in the 1990s and 2000s,” said study… read on > read on >
Placing hospitalized COVID-19 patients on their stomach is helpful if they’re on a mechanical ventilator, but a new study suggests it’s not a good idea for patients who are not intubated. “Awake” COVID patients — as opposed to ventilated patients who are kept sedated — did not benefit from lying on their stomach while struggling… read on > read on >
Moderna Inc. announced Tuesday that an updated COVID booster shot that combines Moderna’s original vaccine with protection against the Beta variant appears more effective than current booster shots against Omicron and a number of other variants. Before the highly transmissible Omicron variant surfaced, Moderna was tweaking its original vaccine to provide added protection against the… read on > read on >
