By now, most folks know obesity is a leading risk factor for severe COVID-19, but a new study suggests that losing a significant amount of weight can reduce that risk. “The research findings show that patients with obesity who achieved substantial and sustained weight loss with bariatric [weight-loss] surgery prior to a COVID-19 infection reduced… read on > read on >
Nearly all countries agree: Smoking is bad, and getting people to kick the habit is a worthy public health goal. But no country has ever attempted what New Zealand is about to try: an outright ban on all cigarette sales. The plan is to let those who already smoke retain the right to keep buying… read on > read on >
New data out of South Africa finds that a booster dose of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine appears to provide strong protection against severe disease caused by the fast-spreading Omicron variant. The study, which was published online and has not yet undergone peer review, was conducted in a group of more than 69,000 South African… read on > read on >
Economic status appears linked to increased risk of being born with a cleft palate or lip, new research suggests, building on past evidence that it can also result in delayed care and poorer outcomes. Cleft palate and cleft lip are the terms that describe openings or splits in the roof of the mouth and lip,… read on > read on >
Some smokers who take up vaping may give up tobacco cigarettes altogether — without ever intending to, a new study suggests. The researchers see this as a hopeful sign that daily use of e-cigarettes can play a role in helping people quit smoking. “Our study focused on smokers who were not planning to ever quit… read on > read on >
Researchers say they may be closer than ever to detecting ovarian cancer earlier and improving the odds for women with this life-threatening disease. In a new study, scientists used stem cells created from the blood samples of women with BRCA mutations and ovarian cancer to fashion a model of fallopian tube tissue. There, they found… read on > read on >
While climate change calls to mind extreme weather and melting polar ice caps, government officials’ inaction to stop it is also affecting the mental health of young people, new research reveals. “This study paints a horrific picture of widespread climate anxiety in our children and young people. It suggests for the first time that high… read on > read on >
A program meant to encourage the use of a drug that can help people overcome opioid addiction led to dramatic increases in its use in emergency rooms, researchers report. Buprenorphine is a medication that stabilizes opioid withdrawal and soothes cravings. Using it can help people with opioid use disorder stay engaged with care, while reducing… read on > read on >
Child hospitalizations for COVID-19 jumped 30% this past week as the Omicron variant spread like wildfire throughout the United States. By Dec. 28, the country had an average of 260 pediatric COVID-19 hospitalizations each day, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In New York City alone, child… read on > read on >
Ask a teacher whether school uniforms make a difference in their classrooms, and many are sure of it. They insist those crisp shirts and ties and those modest plaid skirts help kids focus on their classwork, level the playing field and boost attendance, among other perks. But a new study says it’s just not so.… read on > read on >
