The potentially deadly tick-borne Heartland virus is spreading across the United States and has now been found in Georgia, Emory University researchers report. First identified in Missouri in 2009, the virus is found in the Southeast and Midwest and is spread by the lone star tick. The genetic fingerprint of the virus found in Georgia… read on > read on >
The COVID-19 pandemic has been tough on America’s teachers, and nearly half of those recently surveyed said they’re thinking about quitting their jobs or switching schools. Enforcing mask-wearing and pivoting to remote learning hasn’t been easy. But many teachers and other school staff have also endured harassment and threats of violence from students and parents… read on > read on >
Could cigarette taxes help lower newborn and infant death rates? Yes, claims a new study. The researchers suggest that pregnant women are less likely to smoke when tobacco taxes are raised, leading to fewer infants being exposed to secondhand smoke. Smoking during pregnancy and secondhand smoke exposure are known to increase the risk of infant… read on > read on >
In a finding that reinforces the safety of COVID vaccines, a new study shows that while the shots don’t raise the risk of rare neurological problems, COVID-19 infection might. The researchers focused on four immune-related neurological disorders: Bell’s palsy (facial weakness), encephalomyelitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord), Guillain-Barré syndrome (a nerve condition), and… read on > read on >
Rates of postpartum depression among American mothers rose nearly three-fold during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with large increases in major depression and thoughts of self-harm, according to a new study. It included 670 new moms who completed online screening between February and July 2020. One-third screened positive for postpartum depression and 20% had symptoms of… read on > read on >
If your blood pressure spikes when you stand, you may be at increased risk for heart attack and stroke, Italian researchers warn. “The results of the study confirmed our initial hypothesis — a pronounced increase in blood pressure from lying to standing could be prognostically important in young people with high blood pressure,” said lead… read on > read on >
In yet another sign that severe COVID-19 is tough to recover from, a new study shows that some survivors who required mechanical ventilation take days or even weeks to regain consciousness after sedation is halted and their breathing tube is removed. For the study, the researchers analyzed data on 795 patients with severe COVID-19 who… read on > read on >
Pfizer Inc. said Tuesday that it has asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to approve the emergency use of a second booster shot for Americans 65 and older. In a statement announcing its request, Pfizer relied on data from two studies out of Israel that have been published without peer review on pre-print servers.… read on > read on >
Your annual screening mammogram may do more than spot breast cancer early — it may give you a heads up on your heart disease risk, too. Digital breast X-rays can also detect a build-up of calcium in the arteries of your breasts, an early sign of heart disease. These white areas — known as breast… read on > read on >
Expanded care for sexual assault victims is a main feature of the Violence Against Women Act that was signed into law Tuesday by President Joe Biden. Along with providing greater access to rape testing kits, the legislation seeks to develop national standards of care for victims of sexual assault and also includes measures to better… read on > read on >
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