Millions of American adults haven’t seen a dentist in at least a year, a new U.S. government health survey reveals. In 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic made dental visits difficult, a third of adults under 65 hadn’t had a dental exam or cleaning in the past 12 months, according to the report from the U.S.… read on > read on >
All Lifestyle:
Adding MRI to Screening Can Cut Prostate Cancer Overdiagnosis in Half
One of the big issues in prostate cancer care is overdiagnosis — men who are treated for low-risk, slow-growing tumors that might be better left monitored and untreated. Now, research out of Sweden suggests that having patients undergo MRI screening, along with targeted biopsies, could reduce the number of prostate cancer overdiagnoses by half. The… read on > read on >
More Air Pollution, Worse COVID Outcomes?
(HealthDay News) – The air people breathe – and how much pollution is in it – may make a difference in their outcomes when infected with COVID-19, a new study finds. Researchers found that living in more polluted areas — including near sewage water dischargers and in close proximity to heavy traffic — was linked… read on > read on >
Chinese CoronaVac Vaccine 83.5% Effective Against Symptomatic COVID
A double dose of China’s CoronaVac vaccine is 83.5% effective against symptomatic COVID-19, researchers say. Their phase 3 trial included more than 10,000 people, aged 18 to 59, in Turkey who received either two doses of CoronaVac 14 days apart or an inactive placebo. An immune response analysis of 981 participants who got the vaccine… read on > read on >
U.S. Deaths From Cancer Continue to Decline
Americans’ overall death rate from cancer continues to fall — but rising rates of certain cancers and ongoing racial disparities linger. Those are among the findings of an annual report to the nation from several major cancer organizations. The good news includes an accelerating decline in the overall cancer death rate, among both women and… read on > read on >
School-Based Mindfulness Program Gives Big Boost to Young Kids’ Sleep
Children tend to sleep less as they approach early adolescence, perhaps because of the pressures of homework and the presence of social media. Now, new research suggests that loss of precious slumber is not inevitable. The researchers found that a school-based program in mindfulness training — which involves being present in the moment, deep breathing… read on > read on >
Pharmacy Exec Behind Meningitis Outbreak Gets Longer Prison Sentence
A longer prison sentence has been handed to the founder of a now-closed Massachusetts pharmaceutical facility responsible for the 2012 meningitis outbreak that killed 100 people and sickened hundreds of others. Barry Cadden, who was president and co-owner of the New England Compounding Center (NECC), received a 14-and-a-half year sentence from a federal judge Wednesday.… read on > read on >
Scientists Track Spirituality in the Human Brain
Researchers have identified specific brain circuitry that is related to people’s sense of spirituality — and it’s centered in a brain region linked to pain inhibition, altruism and unconditional love. The findings add to research seeking to understand the biological basis for human spirituality. “It is something of a treacherous subject to navigate,” said lead… read on > read on >
COVID Death Toll Passes 4 Million Globally
The worldwide coronavirus death toll topped 4 million on Thursday, with the highly contagious Delta variant spotted in more than 100 countries and the World Health Organization warning against nations relaxing restrictions too quickly. “The numbers may not tell the complete story, and yet they’re still really staggering numbers globally,” Jennifer Nuzzo, an epidemiologist at… read on > read on >
Autism & Drinking, Drug Abuse Can Be Dangerous Mix
Teens and adults with autism may be less likely than others to use drugs and alcohol, but new research finds those who do are nearly nine times more likely to use these substances to mask symptoms, including those related to autism. This is known as camouflaging, and it has been linked to mental health issues… read on > read on >