It seems like common sense for people who’ve had COVID-19 to think they now have natural immunity, and therefore don’t have to bother getting vaccinated. Common sense, yes, but also incorrect, infectious disease doctors say. Your case of COVID — especially if it was very mild — probably didn’t create enough of an immune response…  read on >  read on >

Help in retaining mental function when you age could be only a few keystrokes away. While crosswords and exercise are often touted as ways to retain thinking skills, U.K. investigators found that the internet may also help seniors stay sharp in retirement. Those who used the internet more after their careers ended had substantially higher…  read on >  read on >

Trying to fit soccer or Little League into your son’s busy schedule? Canadian researchers offer some compelling reasons to do so. Little boys who play sports are less apt to be anxious or depressed later in childhood and more likely to be active in their early teens, according to the University of Montreal study. “We…  read on >  read on >

After a heart attack, a smartwatch app may help keep patients from being hospitalized again, researchers say. The app helps patients keep track of medications and make lifestyle changes. It may also reduce rehospitalization in the month after discharge by half, according to a new report. The American Heart Association says one in six heart…  read on >  read on >

When COVID-19 restrictions forced you indoors, it brought birds back to North America, new research shows. Across the United States and Canada, birders documented an 80% increase among most of the 82 species they recorded since the start of pandemic restrictions last year. Some species (26%) increased in response to drops in certain types of…  read on >  read on >

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday recommended booster shots of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine for millions of older and high-risk Americans, kicking off a new chapter in the national effort to protect the vulnerable from severe disease. First, an expert CDC advisory panel called for COVID-19 booster shots for those over 65,…  read on >  read on >

If you have cancer and you think coronavirus vaccines may do you little good, don’t let your hesitation stop you from getting the shots: A pair of clinical trials finds that patients’ immune systems ramped up after vaccination. The findings were presented this week during a virtual meeting of the European Society for Medical Oncology…  read on >  read on >

Eating well and exercising regularly can be a challenge for anyone. But for those with autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disabilities, that challenge is exponentially greater. Many young men and women with autism and intellectual disabilities face a significantly higher risk for obesity, and all the health complications that follow. Yet, a small, new pilot…  read on >  read on >