If the sound of a dental drill sends shivers up your spine, you’re likely in good company: Finnish researchers say that one of every two adults fear the dentist at least a little, while one in 10 are very afraid. But the researchers added that a local dentistry program has found a novel way to… read on > read on >
All Lifestyle:
Another Study Finds Vaccine Booster ‘Neutralizes’ Omicron
If you need more proof that a third shot of COVID vaccine is needed, new British research confirms that boosters can “neutralize” the virus’ Omicron variant. To arrive at that conclusion, they analyzed 620 blood samples from 364 health care workers and staff at the Francis Crick Institute and the National Institute for Health Research… read on > read on >
Binge-Watching Could Raise Your Blood Clot Risk
Who hasn’t started to watch a new drama series on TV, and suddenly realize that hours have slipped by as they binged on one episode after the next? Now, a new study suggests that too much binge-watching may raise the risk of life-threatening blood clots in the legs or lungs by 35%. “Prolonged TV viewing,… read on > read on >
Vaccination Plus Prior Infection Best Defense Against COVID
Think your prior bout of COVID shields you enough from another encounter with the coronavirus? New research suggests that adding in vaccination is still your best bet. A combination of vaccination and prior infection offers the most optimal protection against infection with COVID-19, a new government study shows. Researchers analyzed data on infections in New… read on > read on >
Ordering Groceries Online? Good Luck Finding Nutrition Info
Online grocery shopping has skyrocketed during the pandemic, but many websites are making it hard to find nutrition information on products, a new study shows. In the United States, packaged foods are required to have a nutrition facts label, ingredients list and warnings about common food allergens, displayed prominently and legibly. Based on the new… read on > read on >
Polluted Air Keeps Butterflies, Bees From Pollinating: Study
As air pollution worsens, fruits, flowers and the creatures that pollinate them could pay a price. That’s the takeaway from British researchers who used special equipment to control levels of two common pollutants — diesel exhaust and ozone — in a field of black mustard plants, and then monitored pollinating insects over two summers. “We… read on > read on >
COVID Restrictions Eased in England
Numerous COVID restrictions will be dropped in England because government experts believe the Omicron variant “has now peaked nationally,” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Wednesday. As of Jan. 27, COVID-19 passes will no longer be needed to enter large-scale events and the use of face masks in public schools will no longer be required.… read on > read on >
Crowded Emergency Rooms Cost Lives: Study
A seemingly endless wait in an emergency department can be taxing for many reasons, but new research suggests that long delays in being admitted to the hospital may even raise a patient’s risk of death within the following 30 days. Why? One possible reason: A crowded ER might mean care happens in suboptimal spaces, said… read on > read on >
Conservatorships Keep the Homeless in Psychiatric Wards Too Long: Study
Homelessness is difficult enough, but when it’s compounded by serious mental health issues the result can be an inability to function at even the most basic level. Sometimes that leads to round-the-clock involuntary hospitalization, and when that happens a state-appointed psychiatric conservator can take over, making critical health care decisions for a person deemed mentally… read on > read on >
WHO Says Worst of Pandemic Could Ease This Year if Vaccine Inequities Erased
If COVID-19 vaccines and medicines are shared equally worldwide, the pandemic could ease this year, a top World Health Organization official said Tuesday. However, if wealthier countries don’t share their resources with poorer countries, there will continue to be high rates of deaths and hospitalizations, warned Dr. Michael Ryan, head of emergencies at WHO. “What… read on > read on >