Mothers are unlikely to pass COVID-19 to their newborns if they follow recommended precautions, a small study suggests. “We hope our study will provide some reassurance to new mothers that the risk of them passing COVID-19 to their babies is very low. However, larger studies are needed to better understand the risks of transmission from… read on >
When it comes to homemade face masks, two or three layers of fabric is best, researchers say. That’s what you need to keep droplets from your nose and mouth from spreading the virus, the Australian scientists found. Several kinds of material have been suggested for making masks, but there’s little or no evidence of how… read on >
America saw its coronavirus case count pass 4 million on Thursday, as health officials across the country reported a third day of more than 1,000 new COVID-19 deaths. Alabama posted a record-setting 2,390 new cases on Thursday, while four other states — Hawaii, Indiana, Missouri and New Mexico — also hit their single-day peak for… read on >
In a small study from France, an immune-dampening drug used by people battling rheumatoid arthritis showed promise in patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19. The drug, called anakinra, targets pro-inflammatory responses that kick into high gear in advanced COVID-19 — the so-called “cytokine storm.” A team led by Dr. Gilles Kaplanski, of the Public Assistance Hospital… read on >
Coffee has been tied to many potential health benefits, but people should drink it for pleasure, and not disease prevention. That’s one of the main conclusions of a new research review. In it, researchers give an overview of the evidence on coffee and caffeine — the subjects of many health studies over the years. “The… read on >
COVID-19 is no joke for tens of thousands of ill Americans, but a new report shows just how dangerous it can be for those already fighting cancer. The study was based on an analysis of the health records of 212,000 people living with cancer. It found that a COVID-19 diagnosis raised a patient’s odds of… read on >
Hopes for robust, long-term antibody protection after a bout of COVID-19 have been dampened by a new study that finds the protection may only last a few months. Still, experts noted that the body’s immune system has more than one way to defend against viruses it has already encountered, so the findings don’t dash hopes… read on >
For the first time in nearly two months the daily U.S. coronavirus death toll topped 1,000 on Tuesday, with President Donald Trump acknowledging that the country’s outbreak will likely “get worse before it gets better.” Trump’s comments came during the first coronavirus task force briefing he’s held since April, as he conceded there were now… read on >
A genetic variant that acts as a natural pain reliever may explain why some women don’t require pain relief during childbirth, researchers say. The level of pain and discomfort experienced during childbirth varies widely, so researchers at the University of Cambridge in England decided to investigate why some women have less pain during labor and… read on >
On the front lines of the war against COVID-19, masks have become a flashpoint. How well do they protect against the new coronavirus — if at all? To separate facts from fiction, two experts from Penn State Health weigh in to clear up common misconceptions. They laid to rest the claim that no studies have… read on >
