Older adults managing high blood pressure might just have one more tool in the toolbox.  A new study suggests that artificial intelligence (AI)-powered voice agents can help older adults manage their high blood pressure, potentially transforming how remote patient care is delivered.  These preliminary findings were presented Sunday during an American Heart Association meeting in…  read on >  read on >

A single dose of LSD eased anxiety symptoms for many folks and the benefits lasted up to three months, a new study reports. The findings were published Sept. 4 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers tested several doses of LSD in nearly 200 patients with moderate-to-severe anxiety. At four weeks, patients receiving…  read on >  read on >

Folks who start using weed to cope with anxiety, depression or pain might end up with a worse mental state than before, a new study says. People self-medicating with marijuana had higher levels of paranoia, anxiety and depression, researchers reported recently in the journal BMJ Mental Health. By comparison, those using weed for “fun” or…  read on >  read on >

Florida may soon become the first state in the U.S. to eliminate all vaccine mandates, a major shift in health policy that may increase risk of disease outbreaks. The plan was announced this week by State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, who described current vaccine rules as “immoral.” “People have a right to make their…  read on >  read on >

Community hospitals don’t often transfer severely injured patients to higher-level trauma centers that could provide the care they need, a new study says. Fewer than half of severely injured people are transferred from a low-level trauma center to larger or more advanced hospitals, researchers reported in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. The…  read on >  read on >

A single dose of RSV vaccine might protect seniors for two cold and flu seasons in a row, a new study says. Vaccination reduced seniors’ risk of hospitalization by 58% during two RSV seasons, researchers reported Aug. 30 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. “These results clearly demonstrate that the RSV vaccines prevent…  read on >  read on >

As people enjoy the waning days of summer outdoors, a Virginia Tech veterinary expert reminds pet owners about a potentially deadly hazard: Toxic blue-green algae. “Toxic cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae, can be fatal to pets within minutes of exposure,” said Dr. Alexandra Reddy, a veterinarian at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in…  read on >  read on >

The shingles vaccine not only protects against the painful skin infection, but also might provide heart health benefits, a new study says. Shingles vaccination also appears to lower a person’s risk of heart attack and stroke, according to an evidence review presented Thursday at the European Society of Cardiology’s annual meeting in Madrid. “We looked…  read on >  read on >