It’s that time of year when flowers and trees bloom freely and pollen makes the lives of many miserable. But new research reveals a hidden risk: It could also make you more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 infection rates waxed and waned with pollen counts in 2020, according to tracking data gathered across 31 countries… read on > read on >
A vaginal ring that slowly releases an antiviral medication could protect women against HIV for up to three months, a preliminary trial suggests. It assessed two formulations of a vaginal ring that releases the antiretroviral dapivirine in the vagina over the course of 90 days. One version contained 100 milligrams (mg) of dapivirine and the… read on > read on >
Being pregnant triggers a lot of feelings. For many, there is joy, expectation and sometimes a little nervousness about what’s to come. Yet not all pregnant women start this journey on the same footing, and for some, such as those who are facing eviction while pregnant, there’s a tremendous amount of stress. That prenatal stress… read on > read on >
The number of Americans recommended for routine CT scans to spot lung cancer just got a lot bigger. People between the ages of 50 and 80 who don’t have symptoms of lung cancer, but are at high risk for the disease due to their smoking history should have the annual screen to help detect the… read on > read on >
Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine does successfully neutralize the more contagious P.1 variant of the virus recently discovered in Brazil, new research shows. Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech conducted the study with scientists from both companies and researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch. Blood samples from vaccinated individuals were tested against an engineered version… read on > read on >
The pandemic’s spring lockdowns last year triggered an unwelcome side effect: New research shows more Americans turned to tobacco and nicotine as they struggled with boredom, anxiety and the disruption of regular routines. Between April and May 2020, the study authors conducted telephone interviews with U.S. adults who use cigarettes or e-cigarettes. During the survey… read on > read on >
Many women with pelvic organ prolapse may get lasting relief from a treatment that’s been around for a few thousand years, a new study suggests. With pelvic organ prolapse (POP), weakened muscles and supporting tissue in the pelvis allow one or more organs — including the uterus, bladder or rectum — to protrude into the… read on > read on >
Limiting global warming to targets proposed in the Paris Agreement could keep tropical regions from reaching temperatures that are beyond human tolerability, a new study projects. Researchers estimate that if countries are able to cap warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the tropics will be spared temperatures that surpass the “survival limit.” But… read on > read on >
(Healthday News) — Much needed guidance on how vaccinated Americans should navigate social distancing restrictions is expected from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week. “Those guidelines are coming out from the CDC really imminently,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said Sunday on the CBS program “Face the Nation.” More than 30 million people… read on > read on >
If you are approaching menopause and you have some extra belly fat, new research suggests you might want to shed some inches now. Women who carry weight around their midsection during menopause may be more likely to develop heart disease even if their overall weight remains the same, researchers report. For every 20% increase in… read on > read on >
