FRIDAY, Oct. 15, 2021 Even as large numbers of U.S. nurses leave their jobs due to the stress of the pandemic, there’s been a big uptick in applications to nursing schools, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing says. Enrollment in bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral nursing programs increased 5.6% from 2019 to 2020, with just… read on > read on >
The Moderna and Pfizer COVID vaccines protect against a number of coronavirus variants, including highly contagious Delta, another study confirms. The findings come as breakthrough infections in vaccinated people raise questions about the vaccines’ ability to protect against emerging variants. The shots do “induce high levels of antibodies against Delta and most variants,” said study… read on > read on >
In some heartening news on the vaccine front, two-thirds of American parents of children ages 5 to 11 plan to get their youngsters vaccinated when COVID-19 shots are approved for that age group, a new survey shows. “While we’re encouraged to see that a majority of parents intend to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 once… read on > read on >
Children who spent more time in nature during pandemic lockdowns suffered fewer behavioral and emotional problems, British researchers say. The investigators also found that children in wealthier families tended to increase their connection to nature during the pandemic more than those from poorer families. The new study included 376 families in the United Kingdom who… read on > read on >
Mirroring a similar recommendation issued last month for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, an expert advisory panel to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday recommended a half-dose booster shot of the Moderna vaccine be given to certain recipients six months after their second shot. Panelists recommended that everyone aged 65 or older who received… read on > read on >
Despite hints of promise from early research, a new clinical trial finds no evidence that kids with autism benefit from nasal sprays containing the “love” hormone oxytocin. Researchers called the findings disappointing. But they said the study also offers important information: Some parents of children with autism are already using oxytocin nasal sprays in the… read on > read on >
It could be a bad flu season this year — and for a couple of years to come — in places in the United States where COVID-19 restrictions like social distancing and masking have been lifted, researchers warn. These sorts of measures caused flu cases to decline by more than 60% within the first 10… read on > read on >
Doctors who discuss COVID-19 in the media frequently face abuse and harassment, including threats of death or violence, a new report reveals. More than two-thirds of experts surveyed have experienced trolling or personal attacks after speaking about COVID-19 in media interviews, a worldwide survey of more than 300 scientists found. Further, a quarter said such… read on > read on >
Dr. Tiffany Braley works with patients who have experienced strokes and other serious health conditions, treating them at the Michigan hospital where she works as they begin their recovery. Braley noticed there was a trend among patients who resisted being admitted to or staying in the hospital: They just wanted to get home, because they… read on > read on >
Americans who got Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose coronavirus vaccine may be better protected if they get a booster shot from Pfizer or Moderna, preliminary findings from a new government study suggest. Published on the preprint server medRxiv and yet to be peer-reviewed, the National Institutes of Health study found mixing different coronavirus vaccines was safe… read on > read on >
