The U.S. drug epidemic continues its death march, with new research showing American teens and young adults have lost nearly 1.5 million years of life due to drug overdose deaths in recent years. For the study, the researchers examined years of life lost — the difference between a person’s expected lifespan and when they actually… read on > read on >
All Mommy:
Airborne COVID Virus Drifts Outside Isolation Rooms at Home
Telling people to isolate in a bedroom when COVID-19 strikes may not be enough to keep the virus from spreading to others in the household, a new study suggests. Airborne coronavirus particles were found both inside and outside the rooms of people with COVID-19 who were supposed to be self-isolating at home, according to researchers… read on > read on >
The ‘Oreo Test’ and Other Ways to Help Kids’ Oral Health
Worried your kid isn’t brushing his or her teeth properly? You might want to try the Oreo test. “If the child eats an Oreo and brushes their teeth and the parent can still see the Oreos, they need to be checking and helping them brush,” said Elise Sarvas, a clinical associate professor of pediatric dentistry… read on > read on >
‘Stealth’ Version of Omicron Variant No Cause for Alarm, Experts Say
The so-called “stealth” variant of Omicron isn’t likely to cause another devastating wave of COVID-19, experts say. The new version of the variant, called BA.2, doesn’t appear to cause more severe disease and vaccines are just as effective against it as against the original Omicron variant (BA.1), but BA.2 does show signs of spreading more… read on > read on >
Screens Near Bedtime Bad for Preschoolers’ Sleep
It’s crucial to keep preschoolers away from screens and other sources of light in the hour before bedtime if you want them to get a good night’s sleep, researchers say. That’s because even a little bit of light exposure can trigger a sharp drop in the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin, according to the research team at… read on > read on >
Getting Your School-Age Child Into a Healthy Sleep Routine
Most parents have dealt with having to hurry a sleepy child out the door on a school morning, but experts say taking the time to establish good sleep routines for your kids is worth the effort. Amid the pandemic, there can be a great deal of uncertainty around school, but a set sleep regimen can… read on > read on >
Stay Safe When Winter Storms Cut Your Power
With a major winter storm bearing down on most of the U.S. Northeast, making a plan to keep your family warm and safe if power is knocked out is crucial. That’s true for any kind of big weather event, one expert said. “Preparing in advance is especially important as climate change causes more extreme weather,”… read on > read on >
Watchdog Group Says HHS Not Ready to Battle Future Health Crises
FRIDAY, Jan. 28, 2022 (HealthDay News) – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is falling down on the job when it comes to dealing with numerous public health crises, a nonpartisan government watchdog said Thursday. This includes its communications to the public and healthcare providers, coordinating with federal and state agencies, and managing… read on > read on >
Beyond Antibodies: Vaccines Teach Your Immune T-Cells to Fight COVID Long Term
COVID-19 vaccines activate long-lasting immune system T-cells that target coronavirus variants of concern, including Delta and Omicron, new research shows. The research team at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology in California studied adults who were fully vaccinated with the Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson or Novavax vaccines, but had not received boosters. “The vast… read on > read on >
Did Your Gene Screen Turn Up Dangerous DNA? Study Finds Real Risk Is Low
Most gene variants that have been labeled “pathogenic” may make only a small difference in a person’s risk of actually developing disease, a new study suggests. Scouring genetic data on more than 72,000 individuals, researchers found that most of the gene variants believed to contribute to disease actually have a minor impact: On average, those… read on > read on >