New COVID-19 booster shots could soon pass the needed hurdles for vaccinations to begin next week. Sources familiar with U.S. Food and Drug Administration plans say boosters could be approved as soon as Friday, NBC News reported. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is scheduled to meet on…  read on >  read on >

A new test detects a type of cervical cancer often missed by a standard Pap test, providing an important advance in detection. The test was developed by scientists at Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center in New York City. “Our novel test appears sensitive for detecting cervical adenocarcinoma [ADC] — which now accounts for up to 25%…  read on >  read on >

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common viral infection that affects people of all ages, with infants and older adults being particularly vulnerable to severe complications. Preventing the spread of RSV requires a multi-pronged approach that includes vaccination, good hygiene practices and public health initiatives. You may have seen recent reports about newly approved vaccines…  read on >  read on >

While it doesn’t prevent infection altogether, new research shows the mpox vaccine does reduces the severity of disease in those who fall ill from the virus. An international team of scientists found that those people who had either mpox vaccination or a previous infection in 2022 had less severe disease. The researchers studied 38 mpox…  read on >  read on >

Going vegan doesn’t have to mean going broke, with new research finding that steering clear of meat and dairy can lower food costs by about 16%. “A vegan diet based on fruits, vegetables, grains and beans has always been a more affordable diet than one that includes meat, dairy and other animal products,” said study…  read on >  read on >

Being fit doesn’t just help your body — it also helps your mind, a new study reports. People in better physical condition appear to have less need for drugs to treat mood disorders, Norwegian researchers have found. “We find that people who are in better shape fill fewer prescriptions for anxiety and depression medications,” said…  read on >  read on >

A stressful or traumatic childhood experience — anything from parents divorcing to a sibling’s drug problem — may have long-term effects on a woman’s sexual health. These adverse childhood experiences may be linked to sexual inactivity and dysfunction in women later in life, a recent study reports. Health care providers should screen their patients with…  read on >  read on >