New research may have people with asthma breathing a little easier: Doctors found the airway disease doesn’t raise the risk of being hospitalized due to COVID-19. The researchers also noted that people with asthma weren’t more likely than people without it to need a ventilator to help them breathe. “A lot of people with asthma… read on >
People with lupus aren’t at increased risk of hospitalization from COVID-19 due to steroidal medications they take to reduce immune system activity, a new study finds. And a related study found that people with inflammatory forms of arthritis — such as rheumatoid arthritis — aren’t more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 than people without… read on >
Face masks and hand-washing are a good start, but to protect your kids from the coronavirus you’ll need to up your game on the road, too, a leading pediatricians’ group says. There are a number of things parents should do to protect children from COVID-19 infection when they’re traveling in cars or using other types… read on >
Even light smokers are much more likely to die of lung disease or lung cancer than nonsmokers, a new study warns. “Everyone knows that smoking is bad for you, but it’s easy to assume that if you only smoke a little, the risks won’t be too high,” said study co-leader Pallavi Balte, of Columbia University… read on >
Indoor spaces often contains harmful chemicals, say researchers who found high levels of toxic flame retardants in the dust of some U.S. college classrooms. The chemicals have been linked to thyroid disease, infertility, decreased IQ, cancer and other health problems. They were released by furniture in the facilities. When they get into dust, the chemicals… read on >
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is telling the nation to prepare for distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine this fall. The CDC has notified public health officials across all 50 states that limited vaccine doses might be available by late October, and that they should prepare now as to how the vaccine will… read on >
In the midst of the ‘Me Too’ movement, a new study finds that people sexually harassed at work may be at increased risk for attempted suicide and suicide. The findings out of Sweden show that workplace sexual harassment may “represent an important risk factor for suicidal behavior,” said study author Linda Magnusson Hanson, an associate… read on >
Pregnant women are understandably worried about everything that goes into their bodies. But here’s one worry they can cross off that list: flu shots. A large, new study has confirmed that an expectant woman’s flu shot doesn’t increase the risk of autism in her child. And that’s true even if the vaccine is given during… read on >
Cellphone activity could be used to monitor and predict spread of the new coronavirus, researchers say. They analyzed cellphone use in more than 2,700 U.S. counties between early January and early May to identify where the phones were used, including workplaces, homes, retail and grocery stores, parks and transit stations. Between 22,000 and 84,000 points… read on >
Drug use is common among people taking part in virtual raves and happy hours during the coronavirus pandemic, a new study finds. “We explored whether stay-at-home orders changed how people use drugs — and it appears that drug use during virtual gatherings is somewhat prevalent among the party-going population we studied,” said study author Joseph… read on >
