Why is it so easy for bilingual folks to switch back and forth from one language to another? Researchers have discovered that the brain uses a shared mechanism that makes using multiple languages completely natural. “Languages may differ in what sounds they use and how they organize words to form sentences,” said lead study author…  read on >  read on >

All U.S. adults younger than 60 should be vaccinated against hepatitis B, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended Wednesday. Until now, the shots were recommended only for certain groups of adults, including prisoners, health care workers, international travelers, people with diabetes and certain other conditions, and those who inject drugs or who have multiple…  read on >  read on >

Moms who had COVID-19 when they gave birth may help stimulate their infant’s burgeoning immunity against the virus by breastfeeding, a small study hints. It’s well known that breast milk contains certain maternal antibodies that can help protect infants from infections as their own immune systems develop. Studies indicate that’s true of SARS-CoV-2, as well:…  read on >  read on >

THURSDAY, Nov. 4, 2021The discovery that up to 80% of white-tailed deer in Iowa may be infected with COVID-19 has scientists worried that the animals could become a reservoir for variants that could come back to haunt humans. In the new study, samples were collected lymph node samples from hundreds of dead deer across the…  read on >  read on >

THURSDAY, Nov. 4, 2021A recall of aromatherapy sprays connected with fatal cases of a rare tropical disease called melioidosis has been expanded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency previously identified four cases of melioidosis — two of them fatal — linked with Better Homes & Gardens Lavender & Chamomile Essential…  read on >  read on >

An Arizona man infected his dog and cat with the new coronavirus, according to a new case study that researchers say is the first in the United States to use genetics to document such transmission. The owner wasn’t vaccinated, did little to protect his pets, and had houseguests who weren’t vaccinated. The owner recovered from…  read on >  read on >

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday backed the emergency use of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine among kids ages 5-11. First, the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel voted unanimously to recommend the approval. Hours later, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky signed off on the recommendation, essentially opening the floodgates of vaccination for 28 million…  read on >  read on >

Many people pop a zinc supplement at the first sign of a cold, and there’s new evidence supporting the habit. Australian researchers found that the supplements appear to help shorten respiratory tract infections, such as colds, flu, sinusitis and pneumonia. Many over-the-counter cold and cough remedies offer only “marginal benefits,” the researchers noted, making “zinc…  read on >  read on >

As teens dramatically stepped up their screen time during COVID-19 lockdowns, their well-being took a hit, a new study reveals. Recreational screen time among U.S. teens doubled from before the pandemic to nearly eight hours per day during the pandemic, according to the report. And this estimate doesn’t include time spent on screens for remote…  read on >  read on >