Pfizer’s modified COVID-19 vaccine for use in children under 5 was 73% effective in shielding them from infection during the Omicron surge this spring, company data released Tuesday shows. The specially formulated doses for America’s youngest children were approved for distribution in June, although the American Academy of Pediatrics says uptake has been low. Just…  read on >  read on >

The health risks of losing sleep are well known, ranging from heart disease to depression, but who knew that too little sleep can also make you selfish? That’s the takeaway of new research from the University of California, Berkeley. “This new work demonstrates that a lack of sleep not only damages the health of an…  read on >  read on >

Older adults who get a lot of “screen time” may have an increased risk of developing dementia — but a lot depends on what type of screen they use, a new study suggests. Researchers found that among older British adults, those who spent a lot of time watching TV were more likely to be diagnosed…  read on >  read on >

A person’s unrelated lookalike, commonly known as a doppelganger, may actually share genes that affect not only how they appear, but also their behavior. In a new study, scientists did DNA analysis on 32 sets of virtual twins — people with strong facial similarities — and found they possessed similar genetic variants. “Our study provides…  read on >  read on >

Humans and dogs undoubtedly share a powerful bond, but can dogs cry when overcome with emotion? According to a recent study, possibly the first to try to answer that question, canine’s eyes do indeed well up with tears, most often when they are reunited with their beloved owner. “We found that dogs shed tears associated…  read on >  read on >

Pfizer Inc. said Monday that it has asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to approve the emergency use of an updated booster shot that targets several versions of the Omicron variant. Animal studies show that the new mRNA vaccine produces an immune response against both BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, with clinical trials set to…  read on >  read on >