THURSDAY, Oct. 7Two new studies confirm that the immunity offered by two doses of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine drops off after about two months, although protection against severe disease, hospitalization and death holds strong. The reports, from Israel and Qatar, add to evidence that suggests even fully vaccinated people need to continue to guard against COVID-19… read on > read on >
A shift in thinking means it’s OK to skip your monthly breast self-exam — but don’t miss your regular professional checkup and diagnostic imaging, health experts say. A periodic visual check in a mirror can be helpful, breast health experts from the Cedars-Sinai health system in California suggest. “Beginning at age 40, women with an… read on > read on >
The Biden administration said Wednesday that it plans to purchase $1 billion worth of rapid, at-home coronavirus tests and take other actions to quadruple the number of tests available to Americans by December. By the end of the year, the number of at-home tests should increase to 200 million a month, according to the White… read on > read on >
The first vaccine to protect against malaria has been endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and could prevent the deaths of tens of thousands of children a year. Malaria kills about half a million people worldwide annually. Nearly all of those deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa and include 260,000 children under the age of… read on > read on >
Since the rise of the Delta variant, one Texas hospital has seen a surge in severe COVID-19 among pregnant women — nearly all unvaccinated. Researchers at the Dallas hospital found that in late August and early September, 10% to 15% of pregnant patients who tested positive for COVID-19 needed to be hospitalized for severe illness.… read on > read on >
Almost 200,000 Ellume COVID-19 home testing kits have been recalled because they may be more likely to give a false positive result. The problem with the rapid antigen tests was identified in mid-September and caused by variations in the quality of one of the raw materials used in the products, Ellume CEO Dr. Sean Parsons… read on > read on >
The rings of stately pines on the coasts of North and South Carolina offer telling long-term evidence of climate change and a chilling forecast for the future. The upshot: The last 300 years have gotten wetter and wetter, making hurricanes ever more dangerous. “Our findings suggest that the maximum amount of rainfall from these storms… read on > read on >
While mammograms have reduced deaths by detecting breast cancers when they’re small and easier to treat, it’s less effective for women with dense breasts. However, a new study finds that supplemental MRI screening can make a difference for these women, who are more likely to develop breast cancer. And new technology is being used to… read on > read on >
Child abuse and neglect can do significant and long-lasting damage, according to a six-decade review of British data. The analysis of records dating to the late 1950s found that children who experienced physical or sexual abuse were more likely to die early as adults. “Our work shows the long-lasting consequences that specific types of child… read on > read on >
Even in normal times, getting regular exercise and spending less time on screens can be good for kids. So it should come as no surprise that researchers discovered that kids who exercised more and used technology less during the pandemic had better mental health outcomes. “Both as a pediatrician and as a mother, it was… read on > read on >
