As the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines continues, scores of questions are emerging. Here, experts from Penn State Health answer some of the more common ones. How do the COVID-19 vaccines work? The COVID-19 vaccines work by teaching the immune system to protect against the virus, experts said. Neither of the two vaccines approved in… read on > read on >
A plant-based diet is linked to healthy gut microbes that could lower your risk for conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease, a new study finds. “This study demonstrates a clear association between specific microbial species in the gut, certain foods, and risk of some common diseases,” said Dr. Andrew Chan, a gastroenterologist… read on > read on >
U.S. health officials raced to ramp up the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines across the country as both coronavirus case counts and death tallies continued to hit record highs. “We really need to get this vaccine out more quickly, because this is really our only tool,” Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the U.S. Food and… read on > read on >
Could a cancer diagnosis sometimes produce positive life changes? In a new study, many people with colon cancer, even in advanced stages, believed their diagnosis had brought some beneficial effects to their lives. In surveys of 133 colon cancer patients, researchers found that nearly all — 95% — said their lives had benefited in some… read on > read on >
New research on illness in English bulldogs has discovered a previously unknown genetic health condition — and could save the lives of some beloved family pets. Researchers were attempting to better understand B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (BCLL), a common cancer, when they uncovered a non-cancerous syndrome called polyclonal B-cell lymphocytosis. This benign condition has many… read on > read on >
A task force of allergists and immunologists recommends those administering the COVID-19 vaccine ask patients some key questions beforehand. While reactions to vaccines are extremely rare, the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) said anyone being vaccinated should be asked if they have a history of a severe allergic reaction to an injectable… read on > read on >
President-elect Joe Biden plans to release nearly all available doses of COVID-19 vaccine when he takes office, reversing the Trump administration’s strategy of holding back half the supply to ensure second doses are available. The potentially risky move is meant to boost a nationwide COVID-19 vaccination program that has gotten off to a slow start,… read on > read on >
As Americans await their COVID-19 shot, a new study of a different vaccine shows the power of Facebook posts in fueling “anti-vax” resistance to immunization. The study included more than 10 years of public Facebook posts on the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. It found that nearly 40% of 6,500 HPV vaccine-related posts from 2006 to… read on > read on >
A record-shattering number of coronavirus infections and deaths were reported Thursday in the United States, as health officials fretted about a new, more contagious variant that has now been detected in eight states. The grim statistics? At least 280,000 new cases and more than 4,000 deaths on Thursday, according to The New York Times. There… read on > read on >
The nation is in a state of shock and outrage over Wednesday’s riotous siege on the U.S. Capitol Building by supporters of President Donald Trump, and there could be still worse to come before the Jan. 20 inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. So, taking care of your mental and physical health will be important in… read on > read on >
