One in 10 people with COVID-19 could still be infectious beyond 10 days, and some could remain so for as long as two months, a new study suggests. U.K. researchers reported that a new test can detect whether the coronavirus is potentially still active. They used it to analyze samples from 176 people who had… read on > read on >
All Mommy:
Masks Cut Distance Coronavirus Travels in Half, Study Finds
Face masks are touted as a key tool in preventing the spread of COVID-19, and a new study offers more proof that they work. Florida researchers found face masks cut the distance that airborne pathogens such as the coronavirus can travel by more than half. The findings suggest that some COVID-19 social distancing guidelines could… read on > read on >
For Transgender People, Starting Hormone Therapy in Teens Helps Mental Health
Transgender people get greater mental health benefits if they start gender-affirming hormone treatment when they’re teens instead of waiting until they’re adults, a new study finds. “This study is particularly relevant now because many state legislatures are introducing bills that would outlaw this kind of care for transgender youth,” said study lead author Dr. Jack… read on > read on >
COVID Hospitalizations Rising in Kids Too Young for Vaccine
While COVID-19 has taken the lives of many children and caused serious illness for many more, it is generally agreed that the virus is much less likely to inflict severe damage in the young. But new data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has revealed a concerning trend: The rate of COVID-19-linked… read on > read on >
Worried About Your Teen’s Social Media Use? Experts Offer Help
Is your teen staring at their smartphone all day? There’s many things parents can do to protect kids from the potentially negative effects of social media, experts say. While there are positive aspects to social media, there’s evidence it can pose risks to teens’ mental health due to issues such as bullying, body image concerns… read on > read on >
Study Bolsters Effectiveness of ‘Guided Play’ for Learning
Hands-on learning can be fun, and new research suggests that it works as well as more traditional teaching methods. Known as “guided play,” the technique involves educational activities that are gently steered by an adult but give kids the freedom to explore while learning. They include games that require children to read, write or use… read on > read on >
Nearly 600,000 U.S. Kids Had COVID Last Week
In a sign that the highly contagious Omicron variant is sparing no one, a new report shows that new COVID-19 cases among U.S. children spiked to a high of more than 580,000 for the week ending Jan. 6, a 78% increase from the week before. “Since many children remain unvaccinated — or are too young… read on > read on >
As Omicron Rages, How Important Are Case Counts Anymore?
The record-breaking numbers surrounding the Omicron surge are dizzying, with so many Americans falling prey to the highly infectious COVID-19 variant. The United States reported more than 1.3 million COVID cases on Monday, the highest daily total recorded for any country in the world. The seven-day case average has tripled in two weeks, reaching more… read on > read on >
U.S. May Soon See Sharp Drop in Omicron Cases, Experts Say
The Omicron surge may have peaked in Britain and could be about to do the same in the United States, experts report. That’s because the COVID-19 variant first detected in South Africa in mid-November is so contagious that the variant may already be running out of people to infect, the Associated Press reported. In Britain,… read on > read on >
BinaxNOW Test Catches COVID Infection in Many People, Study Shows
Countering earlier concerns, a real-world study finds that a widely used at-home coronavirus test called BinaxNOW is as effective at detecting Omicron as other COVID-19 variants. The study of Abbot’s rapid antigen test included more than 700 people who visited a walk-up testing site in San Francisco. The test detected 65% of infections caught by… read on > read on >