An experimental COVID-19 vaccine in pill form could be a win-win, as it not only protects against infection but also limits the airborne spread of the virus, tests in lab animals show. The current vaccines reduce the risk of serious COVID-19 illness and hospitalization but aren’t foolproof armor against infection with SARS-CoV-2. “Considering most of… read on > read on >
Some smokers use e-cigarettes to try to kick the habit, but new research shows mixing smoking and vaping is no better for your heart health than just smoking. Among 24,000 men and women, smoking cigarettes and e-cigarettes didn’t reduce the risk of heart attack, heart failure, stroke or any cardiovascular disease. “Our results suggest that… read on > read on >
Obesity can complicate the course of COVID-19. Now, a new study says it can also reduce the effectiveness of COVID vaccines. The researchers also found that the two vaccines used in their study triggered different levels of immune responses in severely obese people. They found, too, that prior infection had an impact. “These results provide… read on > read on >
Older adults are no more likely to believe fake news than younger adults, with the exception of the very oldest, a new study finds. Falling for fake news can have significant physical, emotional and financial consequences, especially for older adults who may have their life savings or serious medical issues at stake, the researchers said.… read on > read on >
Are you overweight or struggling with type 2 diabetes? Try going vegan, researchers suggest in a new data review. Vegan diets are high in fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes and seeds and have no animal-derived foods. The meta-analysis of 11 studies published through March 2022 that included a total of nearly 800 people found that following… read on > read on >
Your chances of dying or having severe complications from COVID-19 are much higher if you’re unvaccinated and have heart problems or heart disease risk factors, researchers warn. In a new study, British investigators analyzed 110 previous COVID-19 studies that included a total of nearly 49,000 unvaccinated patients. The researchers found that unvaccinated people with evidence… read on > read on >
Citing the accumulated data on a raised risk for a type of dangerous blood clot, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday greatly restricted the recommended use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. With safer two-dose vaccines such as Pfizer and Moderna widely available, the one-dose J&J shot should be limited “to individuals… read on > read on >
As the Biden Administration weighs the possibility of broad student loan forgiveness, a new study finds that people mired in student debt face a heightened risk of heart disease by middle age. The findings are not the first to suggest that student debt can take a mental and physical toll. Young adults who are paying… read on > read on >
In an estimate that far exceeds reported totals, an expert panel appointed by the World Health Organization (WHO) said Thursday that there were nearly 15 million more deaths worldwide during the first two years of the pandemic than would normally have been expected. That compares with an official tally of 6.2 million COVID-19 deaths reported… read on > read on >
Two experimental vaccines show promise in protecting against infection with the “mono” virus, which also causes cancer and has been implicated as a potential trigger of multiple sclerosis, a new paper reports. Tested only in animals so far, the vaccines block two pathways by which the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) takes root inside the body, said… read on > read on >
