The power of COVID booster shots does fade somewhat over four months, but they still continue to provide high levels of protection against severe disease, a new government study has found. Booster effectiveness against hospitalization during the Omicron surge was 91% during the first two months after a third dose, researchers from the U.S. Centers… read on > read on >
Telehealth took off during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a new study shows even people with serious mental health conditions can benefit from online appointments. The findings are good news for rural folks who live miles away from psychiatrists and psychologists. “This study showed that patients with multiple psychiatric conditions and who also struggle with several… read on > read on >
Pregnant women who aren’t vaccinated against COVID-19 are at greater risk for delivering stillborn babies, and new research provides important clues about why. Unlike other fungal, bacterial or viral infections, which cross over the placenta to affect the fetus, SARS-CoV-2 is particularly lethal to the developing placenta, and this damage deprives the fetus of oxygen… read on > read on >
The mononucleosis virus, Epstein-Barr, has become a major suspect in the search for what causes multiple sclerosis. Now researchers are raising the next logical question — can we stop both MS and mononucleosis by preventing Epstein-Barr infections, which occur in 95% of adults? Epstein-Barr vaccines currently under development by the U.S. National Institutes of Health… read on > read on >
Nearly all men see their hairline recede or a bald spot emerge at some point in their life. For those looking to slow the march of time, a new study helps sort out which hair-loss medications work best. The analysis, of 23 previous studies, ranks the available hair-loss medications, from most effective to least. Experts… read on > read on >
An indoor mask mandate in New York State will end on Thursday, but masks will still be required in schools and for everyone using public transit. For the last two months, customers and workers statewide have been required to cover their faces or show proof of COVID-19 vaccination in most indoor settings. But the statewide… read on > read on >
To live healthier and longer in the United States, it helps to have money and education — and if you live in Hawaii or California, your odds are even better, according to a new government report. Life expectancy varies dramatically from state to state, health officials say, because of factors like chronic disease and drug… read on > read on >
Four Canadian provinces said this week that they’ll lift their COVID-19 restrictions as the wave of cases caused by the Omicron variant has crested nationwide. The moves come in the midst of ongoing protests by groups decrying Canada’s vaccine passport program and other virus precautions. Protests include blockades by so-called “Freedom Convoy” truckers that have… read on > read on >
New research supports the notion that COVID-19 can cause long-term heart problems. The analysis of U.S. health data found COVID patients are at increased risk of heart complications for at least a year after infection. Those complications include heart rhythm problems, inflammation, blood clots, stroke, coronary artery disease, heart attack, heart failure and death, according… read on > read on >
Babies whose moms were vaccinated during pregnancy against COVID-19 have long-lasting antibody protection, a new study finds. “Many interested parties from parents to pediatricians want to know how long maternal antibodies persist in infants after vaccination, and now we can provide some answers,” said co-senior study author Dr. Andrea Edlow. She is a specialist in… read on > read on >
