If more proof of the safety of vaccines is needed, a new study delivers fresh evidence that they carry few harms for children, adults and pregnant women. “This in-depth analysis found no evidence of increased risk of serious adverse events following vaccines, apart from a few — previously known — associations,” said Susanne Hempel, director…  read on >  read on >

Researchers who pinpointed 178 gene variants linked to major depression say their findings could improve diagnosis and treatment of a disorder that affects 1 in 5 people. The study draws on a huge database, analyzing the genetic and health records of 1.2 million people from three databanks in the United States, the U.K. and Finland,…  read on >  read on >

Adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder, a common mental health condition known as OCD, may have more than triple the risk of having a stroke, according to a new report from Taiwanese researchers. As to why, the study authors aren’t sure. The investigators speculate that other mental health problems suffered by OCD patients — “comorbidities” such as…  read on >  read on >

Angry outbursts at the office, threats made in everyday interactions: New research using data from hundreds of studies suggests folks who act out in this way often have narcissistic traits. They don’t even have to rate high in narcissism to be prone to aggressive behavior, the research team found. “Those who are high in narcissism…  read on >  read on >

A third antibody treatment designed to keep high-risk COVID-19 patients from winding up in the hospital was approved for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday. Importantly, in lab tests the newly authorized drug, dubbed sotrovimab, neutralized the highly infectious virus variant that is crippling India, as well as variants first…  read on >  read on >

Rising temperatures caused by climate change could trigger a worldwide increase in stillbirths, researchers warn. The team at the University of Queensland in Australia analyzed 12 studies on the subject. They found that exposure to extremely high temperatures throughout pregnancy appeared to increase risk of stillbirth, particularly late in pregnancy. “Overall, risk of stillbirth appears…  read on >  read on >

A ban on flavored vaping products in San Francisco may have increased high school students’ use of conventional cigarettes, according to a new study. In 2018, voters in the city overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure banning the sale of flavored tobacco products. An analysis of 2011-2019 data on high school students younger than 18 found…  read on >  read on >