People who get cochlear implants to treat severe hearing loss may develop new bone growth in the ear — and it may lessen any hearing they have left, a new study hints. The researchers found that among 100-plus adults with cochlear implants, two-thirds showed evidence of new bone formation near the implant within four years.… read on > read on >
All Lifestyle:
Omicron Latest Mental Blow to Americans Exhausted by Pandemic
First, the COVID-19 pandemic brought panic, with successive waves of infection and death, including the emergence this year of the Delta variant. Then vaccines offered the promise of a recovery, with a speed — and on a scale — never before seen. But now, the Omicron variant is sending Americans on another emotional roller-coaster ride… read on > read on >
Pfizer Says Vaccine Booster Should Protect Against Omicron Variant
Pfizer/BioNTech said Wednesday that while two doses of their coronavirus vaccine may not offer good protection against the Omicron variant, adding a booster shot does the trick. According to a statement from the companies, blood tests from people who had only two doses of the vaccine showed a 25-fold reduction in antibody levels generated against… read on > read on >
US Surgeon General Report Warns of Mental Health Crisis Hitting Youth
The pandemic has intensified mental health struggles that were already widespread among American teens, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy warned Tuesday. The pandemic and other major issues faced by their generation are causing “devastating” mental health effects in young people, he warned in a new report. Emergency room visits for suicide attempts by adolescent… read on > read on >
What Time You Get Your COVID Shot Might Affect Immune Response
Can the time of day you get your COVID-19 vaccine affect how many antibodies you’ll make? A new study suggests that it can. Researchers found higher antibody levels in health care workers who received their vaccines in the afternoon, and they suggest that response to the vaccine may be affected by circadian rhythms. “Our observational… read on > read on >
Gastro Symptoms of Menopause May Vary by Race
When a woman’s periods begin to slow down and finally stop, digestive problems often pick up — and new research suggests race and ethnicity play a role. With menopause, levels of estrogen decrease, while cortisol levels increase, triggering an adrenaline boost that changes digestive function. It can set off symptoms such as bloating, nausea, diarrhea,… read on > read on >
Half of Drinkers Who Think They’re Fit to Drive Are Wrong: Study
If you think you’re fine to drive after drinking, there’s a good chance you’re wrong, new research shows. The study found that despite being over the legal driving limit, half of the participants believed they were safe to drive. The study included 90 volunteers, average age 24, in Germany who drank either wine or beer… read on > read on >
NYC’s Ban on Heating Oil Helped Clean the Air
New York City’s ban on a certain type of heating oil led to significant reductions in air pollutants that pose a risk to health, new research shows. “It is very encouraging to see the overall success of the Clean Heat Program in reducing pollution levels in the city, and particularly exciting to find that the… read on > read on >
1 in 3 U.S. Children Lack Adequate Health Insurance
TUESDAY, Dec. 7, 2021 — Though they live in one of the world’s richest nations, a growing number of young Americans are without ample health insurance. A new study reports that 34% of U.S. kids age 17 and under were “underinsured” in 2019. That means their insurance failed to address their overall health needs or… read on > read on >
Marijuana Can Really Mess With Your Sleep, Study Suggests
Many folks turn to pot to help them relax and get a good night’s sleep, but new research finds the practice may do the exact opposite. “I think [the results] were somewhat surprising because, in our mind, anecdotally cannabis seems to help with sleep, but … the evidence to support that notion is just not… read on > read on >