Nearly two-thirds of the world’s population has had at least one COVID-19 vaccine, which has prevented nearly 20 million deaths, new research finds. The study from Imperial College London was the first to quantify the impact of vaccines on a global scale. It was based on death records and estimates from 185 countries. “Our findings…  read on >  read on >

Hate crime laws that protect gay, lesbian and transgender people may have an unexpected benefit: fewer teen suicide attempts, among kids of all sexual orientations. That’s the conclusion of a new study that looked at what happened in U.S. states that enacted hate crime laws with protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning individuals.…  read on >  read on >

(HealthDay News) – Health authorities in Britain, who routinely test sewage samples for the virus that causes polio, declared a “national incident” after evidence of local spread was found in London sewers. No cases have been identified yet, according to the UK Health Security Agency. There is little risk to the public, British health officials…  read on >  read on >

Pets have helped people weather both the HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 pandemics, a survey of long-term HIV/AIDS survivors shows. “The underlying question in our minds has always been: What role do pets play for people who are so isolated and suffering so much stigma?” said study leader Lynette Hart, a professor of veterinary medicine at the…  read on >  read on >

Breathing in air pollution can lead to toxic particles entering the brain — and not just through the nose. New research suggests they have a direct pathway through the bloodstream, potentially contributing to brain disorders and neurological damage. “There are gaps in our knowledge around the harmful effects of airborne fine particles on the central…  read on >  read on >