The sooner girls are vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV), the lower their future risk of cervical cancer, a new study finds. Compared to unvaccinated women, the risk of cervical cancer was 87% lower among those who received the bivalent vaccine Cervarix at ages 12 or 13. By contrast, it was 62% lower in those who… 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 >
U.S. health officials say they’re keeping close watch on a ‘Delta plus’ variant that’s been detected in at least eight states. While the AY.4.2 “sub-lineage” of Delta may spread faster than the original variant, there’s no evidence that it causes more severe illness, and authorities say current vaccines remain effective against it, CBS News reported.… read on > read on >
Contaminated water is the leading cause of large-scale outbreaks of infectious diseases that can be transmitted from animals to people, researchers say. These health threats are called zoonotic infectious diseases, and recent outbreaks include COVID-19 and Ebola. “In the age of COVID-19, it is understandable that many people may not realize how many outbreaks of… read on > read on >
Two placenta-related markers could reveal older women’s risk of serious pregnancy problems such as stillbirth and premature or very small babies, British researchers say. They analyzed blood samples and medical data from 527 pregnant U.K. women, including 158 in their 20s; 212 in their 30s; and 157 in their 40s. The study found that levels… read on > read on >
So-called “forever chemicals” might increase pregnant women’s risk of a dangerous condition known as preeclampsia, researchers say. Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used and long-lasting chemicals found in the drinking water of many U.S. communities. A new study found a link between PFAS exposure and late-onset preeclampsia, a condition characterized by high blood pressure and… read on > read on >
The U.S. government’s COVID-19 vaccination program for children ages 5-11 will be ready to roll on Nov. 8, the White House said Monday. On Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved vaccines for the 28 million American children who fall into this age group, but the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still… read on > read on >
