Moderna Inc. announced Monday that its COVID-19 vaccine booster shot significantly increased antibodies against the Omicron variant. “The dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases from the Omicron variant is concerning to all. However, these data showing that the currently authorized Moderna COVID-19 booster can boost neutralizing antibody levels 37-fold higher than pre-boost levels are reassuring,” Moderna…  read on >  read on >

MONDAY, Dec. 20, 2021 ( HealthDay News) — As coronavirus cases start to surge once again across the United States, President Joe Biden will address the nation about the Omicron variant on Tuesday. “Building off his Winter Plan, the President will announce new steps the Administration is taking to help communities in need of assistance,…  read on >  read on >

Large, simultaneous heat waves have become much more common in northern regions worldwide due to climate change and could have disastrous consequences, researchers warn. The investigators also found that these concurrent heat waves are becoming larger and hotter. “More than one heat wave occurring at the same time often has worse societal impacts than a…  read on >  read on >

Like Mr. Grinch, heartburn can crush your holiday, but there are easy ways to prevent it. “Heartburn is caused by acidic stomach content moving into the esophagus, or gullet, which is much less resistant to acid,” said Dr. James East, a gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London. “This results in irritation and damage to…  read on >  read on >

Pregnant women who use hair dyes or straighteners may have relatively lower levels of pregnancy-supporting hormones, a recent study suggests. Researchers found that among more than 1,000 pregnant women they followed, those who used certain hair products — dyes, bleaches, relaxers or mousse — had lower levels of several hormones, including estrogen and progesterone. That’s…  read on >  read on >

Breakthrough infections in people who’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19 may trigger “super immunity” against coronavirus variants, including Omicron, according to a new study. “The key is to get vaccinated. You’ve got to have a foundation of protection,” said co-author Dr. Marcel Curlin, an associate professor of medicine at Oregon Health & Sciences University (OHSU) in…  read on >  read on >