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 >
In an effort to further lower lead levels in drinking water, the Biden administration on Thursday announced $2.9 billion in infrastructure bill funds for lead pipe removal and tighter lead limits. The new, tougher limits to be imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are expected to be finalized by 2024 and would require the… read on > read on >
FRIDAY, Dec. 17, 2021This season’s flu vaccine may do little to prevent infection with the main circulating virus strain because the strain has changed since the vaccine was developed, a new study suggests. However, the vaccine is still likely to protect against severe illness and death, according to the U.S. researchers. They assessed the vaccine’s… read on > read on >
FRIDAY, Dec. 17 2021A new study confirms what many older women already know: Bladder problems in women worsen with age. The researchers found that postmenopausal women between 45 and 54 years of age are more likely to have overactive bladder syndrome, and that obesity and multiple births increase their risk for stress incontinence (urine leakage).… read on > read on >
Following continued reports of a rare but life-threatening clotting condition linked to the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday backed the finding of its advisory panel and recommended that the Pfizer and Moderna shots be the preferred choices for Americans. “Today’s updated recommendation emphasizes CDC’s commitment… read on > read on >
Nearly 98% of the U.S. Army’s active duty force had received at least one coronavirus vaccine dose as of Wednesday’s deadline for mandatory vaccination, officials said Thursday. However, more than 3,800 soldiers have refused to get a shot and could start being discharged from the military next month, according to an Army statement. The Army… read on > read on >
It’s a phenomenon first identified in India earlier this year: Patients who have or are recovering from COVID-19 who then contract a sometimes deadly fungal infection known as mucormycosis — also known as “black fungus.” Now, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said isolated cases of the disease are hitting COVID patients in… read on > read on >
Coping with the isolation, fear and sadness of the pandemic may have been a little easier if you had a trusting and loving dog by your side. But you don’t need to tell that to Francois Martin, a researcher who studies the bonds between animals and humans. His two Great Danes helped him through the… read on > read on >
There may be a silver lining to the COVID-19 pandemic, with U.S. health officials reporting an “unprecedented” decline in teens’ use of alcohol, marijuana, other illegal drugs and vaping. “We have never seen such dramatic decreases in drug use among teens in just a one-year period,” said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the U.S. National… read on > read on >
