Whole genome sequencing of blood samples improves detection of rare genetic conditions called mitochondrial disorders, British researchers report. These disorders are inherited and affect about 1 in 4,300 people, causing progressive, incurable diseases. Though they are among the most common inherited disorders, mitochondrial disorders are tough to diagnose because they can affect many organs and… read on > read on >
Working in an already dangerous environment, the blood pressure of firefighters jumps when they get an emergency call, new research shows. That could be risky for those who already have high blood pressure, experts say. “All emergency and first responders should be aware of their health,” said senior author Deborah Feairheller, director of the clinical… read on > read on >
Setting your clocks back an hour this Sunday also means it’s time to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says. Working alarms are especially important because people are spending more time at home due to the pandemic, which means furnaces, fireplaces and other… read on > read on >
At a veterinary clinic in the United Kingdom, the staff noticed a sudden and atypical increase in cats and dogs who were experiencing myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle. Was it a coincidence that these animals were showing up severely ill from a condition that has been linked to COVID-19 just as the highly… read on > read on >
Bypass surgery is slightly better overall than stenting to open blocked arteries in people with severe coronary artery disease, new research shows. But decisions may still need to be made on a case-by-case basis: Stenting appeared more beneficial in some patients, particularly if they didn’t have complex disease. The findings should help guide decisions about… read on > read on >
Most folks groan when the time comes to either “spring forward” or “fall back” an hour, with the waxing and waning of daylight saving time. But that one-hour time shift — which occurs at 2 a.m. Sunday — is more than just a minor annoyance, sleep experts say. Research has shown that deliberately messing with… read on > read on >
Across the country, children ages 5 to 11 are lining up to get their first dose of Pfizer’s newly approved COVID-19 pediatric vaccine. Most kids fear needles, but a few simple steps can help your young one get their COVID-19 shots with the fewest tears shed, experts say. First, you need to get your own… read on > read on >
FRIDAY, Nov. 5, 2021 The risk of serious illness or death is lower among vaccinated people who get breakthrough COVID-19 infections than among unvaccinated people who get infected, two new studies confirm. An ongoing study of 780,000 U.S. veterans found that all three vaccines available in the United States provide strong protection against severe disease… read on > read on >
The number of new COVID-19 vaccinations in the United States rose for eight straight days in late October, the longest period of increases since early August, government data shows. The latest figures from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that the nationwide seven-day moving average of first doses rose to 264,549 a… read on > read on >
Why is it so easy for bilingual folks to switch back and forth from one language to another? Researchers have discovered that the brain uses a shared mechanism that makes using multiple languages completely natural. “Languages may differ in what sounds they use and how they organize words to form sentences,” said lead study author… read on > read on >
