When it comes to what makes us happy, is reading or listening to music any better than spending hours playing video games? Not really, says a team of researchers from the United Kingdom and Austria. “Many people believe traditional media, like reading books or listening to music, are good for us,” said study leader Niklas…  read on >  read on >

A fourth COVID shot may be needed for most people by next fall because of what will likely be waning immunity, Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel said Thursday. While the booster that millions of Americans received this past fall should hold strong through this winter’s Omicron surge, Bancel said the efficacy of boosters will probably decline…  read on >  read on >

First, there was Beyond Meat. Next up? Beyond Fried Chicken. KFC announced Wednesday that it will begin offering a plant-based chicken in some of its meals on Jan. 10, from the same company known for its meat-free burgers, Beyond Meat. Beyond Fried Chicken was developed by Beyond Meat exclusively for KFC, according to a news…  read on >  read on >

A simple blood test may help spot pregnant women who are at risk for developing preeclampsia — dangerously high blood pressure during pregnancy — before it becomes a threat to both mother and child. Marked by a sudden spike in blood pressure, protein in urine or other problems during pregnancy, preeclampsia occurs in about 1…  read on >  read on >

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday announced that pre-departure tests for people traveling to the United Kingdom will no longer be required because restrictions meant to contain the international spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant are now meaningless. The change should come as welcome news to people who had refrained from traveling overseas…  read on >  read on >