Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss in older people, and early detection can bring better treatment. Now, researchers in Australia say their experimental genetic test for glaucoma can identify 15 times more people at high risk for the disease compared to a current genetic test. “Early diagnosis of glaucoma can lead to vision-saving… read on > read on >
Language barriers and distrust of the health care system are among the reasons why many Black and Hispanic Americans are reluctant to get COVID-19 vaccines, a new study finds. The two groups — which have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic — have followed safety precautions such as mask use and testing, but are hesitant… read on > read on >
The heart benefits of cholesterol-lowering statins in people without heart disease far exceed the risks of any side effects, a new review finds. Statins are widely prescribed to people with heart disease, and recent guidelines recommend greater preventive use of the drugs even before heart issues are diagnosed. But it hasn’t been clear whether the… read on > read on >
No amount of lead in drinking water is safe for people with kidney disease, a new study warns. Low levels of lead in drinking water are widespread in the United States. These findings suggest that U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules on allowable lead levels in drinking water pose a risk to the 30 million… read on > read on >
As schools around America begin to prepare for reopening this fall, many states are taking steps to stop public schools from requiring COVID-19 vaccination or proof of vaccination. At least seven states — Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Montana, Oklahoma and Utah — have already passed such laws, while 34 more have introduced bills that would… read on > read on >
Vaccine advocate Ethan Lindenberger, now 20, had to wait until age 18 to get the vaccinations that he knew he needed to protect his health. “I knew growing up my mom was very anti-vaccine. Because of the legal restrictions, I really wasn’t trying to fight her on getting me vaccinated,” Lindenberger recalled. “She believed vaccines… read on > read on >
Researchers have developed an implant that allowed a man with severe paralysis to “speak” again by translating his brain signals into text. The achievement is the latest step in “brain-computer interface” (BCI) research. Scientists have been studying BCI technology for years, with the aim of one day giving people with paralysis or limb amputations greater… read on > read on >
An active mind in old age may delay Alzheimer’s disease by up to five years, a new study suggests. Activities like reading, writing letters, playing cards or doing puzzles may prolong brain health even for those in their 80s, researchers say. “The key element is that you’re processing information,” said lead researcher Robert Wilson, a… read on > read on >
People who’ve been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 have a much stronger immune system response against the new coronavirus than those who’ve previously been infected, according to a new study. “Vaccinated individuals had the highest antibody levels, nearly three times higher than that of convalescent individuals recovering from symptomatic COVID-19,” an Israeli team reported. What’s more,… read on > read on >
Extreme heat strikes poor and minority neighborhoods in U.S. cities harder than those that are wealthier and mainly white, a new study finds. “The distribution of excess urban heat varies within cities, and as a result, communities do not share a city’s extreme heat burden equally,” said study co-author Jennifer Burney. She’s chair of global… read on > read on >
