The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday backed the emergency approval of Pfizer’s booster shots for Americans aged 16 and 17. The decision came shortly after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized a third dose for that age group; boosters for those aged 18 and up were approved in November. “Although… read on > read on >
All Lifestyle:
More Time Outdoors May Lower Risk of MS in Youth
Children at risk for multiple sclerosis (MS) might find some protection from the disease by spending more time in the sun, a small study suggests. Although MS is rare in children and young adults, those with relatives who have the condition have increased odds of developing the disease early. Exposure to sunlight may cut their… read on > read on >
Risk of Vision Trouble Rises in Children With Type 2 Diabetes
A condition called “diabetic retinopathy” often threatens the vision of adults with diabetes, but new research suggests that kids with type 2 diabetes may be particularly vulnerable to the vision-robbing complication. In fact, these kids were nearly twice as likely to develop the condition as children with type 1 diabetes were, the researchers found. “The… read on > read on >
Breathlessness With ‘Long COVID’ May Point to Heart Damage
Shortness of breath in people with “long COVID” might not just be about the lungs — it may indicate heart damage from the disease, new research suggests. “The findings could help to explain why some patients with long COVID still experience breathlessness one year later, and indicate that it might be linked to a decrease… read on > read on >
200 Million Americans Are Now Fully Vaccinated as COVID Cases Spike
The United States reached a vaccine milestone Wednesday as health officials reported that 200 million Americans are now fully vaccinated. However, that news came as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations are spiking again in some parts of the country. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the 200 million people who’ve gotten their… read on > read on >
Coronavirus Takes Aim at Fat Cells, Study Shows
The coronavirus appears to target both fat cells and certain immune cells within body fat, which may explain why overweight and obese people are more likely to develop severe COVID-19, researchers report. When the virus gets into those cells, it triggers a damaging inflammatory response that “could well be contributing to severe disease,” study co-senior… read on > read on >
Removing Ovaries During Hysterectomy Before 50 Can Bring Health Risks
New research on hysterectomies among women who don’t have cancer determined there is an age at which it is safer to also remove the ovaries and fallopian tubes and an age at which it isn’t. Canadian scientists studied the cases of more than 200,500 women who had a hysterectomy for noncancerous reasons. They found an… read on > read on >
Toxins in Wildfire Smoke May Make Their Way Into Brain
The smoke from wildfires is dangerous for your lungs, but tiny particles from the smoke can also enter your brain and cause lifelong neurological issues, a new animal study suggests. Once that happens, the particles may put people at risk for everything from premature aging and various forms of dementia to depression and even psychosis,… read on > read on >
Who Gets a Flu Shot? Having a Doctor Is Key
Public health experts have long recommended getting a seasonal flu shot, but a new study suggests there’s hesitancy about that vaccine, too. Physicians and pharmacists can play a key role in flu shot uptake, the research shows. Only about 44% of people who had a health care provider got their flu shots, the study found,… read on > read on >
Smog Could Reduce Exercise’s Benefit to Your Brain
Dirty air could cancel out some of the brain benefits of exercise, a new study suggests. “Physical activity is associated with improved markers of brain health in areas with lower air pollution,” said study author Melissa Furlong. “However, some beneficial effects essentially disappeared for vigorous physical activity in areas with the highest levels of air… read on > read on >