Mink farms could be breeding grounds for future pandemics in humans, new research suggests. That’s because in mink and other carnivorous (meat-eating) animals, three key genes required to detect and respond to infection by pathogens have lost their function. If these genes were working, they would activate inflammatory responses to fight off these disease-causing organisms.… read on > read on >
The health impact of wildfires is already huge, and new research suggests it might also raise a mom-to-be’s risk for preterm birth, according to a new study. Wildfire smoke contains high levels of PM 2.5, the deadliest type of pollution from particles so fine they can embed deep in the lungs and pass into the… read on > read on >
When COVID-19 patients are discharged from the hospital, most are far from being well — even if their hospital stay was fairly short. That’s among the initial findings of a study that followed Americans hospitalized for COVID-19 during the pandemic’s “third wave” — the fall of 2020 through early 2021. Researchers found that of 253… read on > read on >
Two new government reports confirm that while the power of coronavirus vaccines wanes over time, they still protect strongly against severe disease, even as the highly contagious Delta variant overtakes America. One study that looked at Los Angeles County reaffirmed that fully vaccinated people are far less likely than unvaccinated people to be hospitalized, admitted… read on > read on >
WEDNESDAY, Aug.. 25, 2021Johnson & Johnson reported Wednesday that a booster shot of its vaccine dramatically raised the levels of antibodies against the coronavirus. Johnson & Johnson said it will submit its data to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which is evaluating similar studies from Pfizer and Moderna. “We have established that a single… read on > read on >
All births are not created equal, new U.S. research reveals: Differences in the quality of hospital care contribute to a higher chance of complications among Black and Hispanic newborns compared to white and Asian infants. The analysis of more than 480,000 live births at term (at least 37 weeks’ gestation) in New York City from… read on > read on >
Major pandemics aren’t all that rare and they’re likely to occur more often in the future, a new study claims. “The most important takeaway is that large pandemics like COVID-19 and the Spanish flu are relatively likely,” study co-author William Pan said in a news release from Duke University, where he is an associate professor… read on > read on >
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 25, 2021 (HealthDay News) – Breastfeeding provides a baby with many positive benefits, but it doesn’t always happen easily. When a new mom feels overwhelmed by the challenge, a lactation consultant can help, according to two breastfeeding experts from Penn State Health. “We’re here to make sure new moms can get to where… read on > read on >
TUESDAY, Aug. 24, 2021 (HealthDay News) – The coronavirus pandemic has posed significant challenges for many, but it did not appear to drive U.S. preteens and young teens to drugs. Repeated surveys of more than 7,800 10- to 14-year-olds between September 2019 and August 2020 found the overall rate of drug use remained stable, according… read on > read on >
“Off-label” use of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine in children younger than 12 is “not appropriate,” the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Monday. Off-label use refers to an approved medicine being used in ways or in patients it’s not FDA-approved for. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also “strongly discourages” such use. On Monday, the… read on > read on >
