At least 48 passengers and crew members on Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas — the world’s largest cruise ship — have tested positive for COVID-19 and have been quarantined, the company said Monday. Of the 48 people who tested positive during the sailing, 98% were fully vaccinated. That’s not surprising, since the overall vaccination… read on > read on >
A growing number of pregnant women are using marijuana or other cannabis products, and a new study suggests that relief of symptoms such as morning sickness may be a primary reason. In recent years, studies have documented a rise in cannabis use during pregnancy. One U.S. government study found that between 2002 and 2017, the… read on > read on >
Large, simultaneous heat waves have become much more common in northern regions worldwide due to climate change and could have disastrous consequences, researchers warn. The investigators also found that these concurrent heat waves are becoming larger and hotter. “More than one heat wave occurring at the same time often has worse societal impacts than a… read on > read on >
If you’re among the many people who use space heaters and generators during the winter, you need to guard against fire and carbon monoxide (CO) hazards, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says. In the United States, that’s especially true for Black Americans, who have the highest rate of fire deaths — nearly twice… read on > read on >
The deadly tornadoes that devastated communities in multiple states this past weekend have destroyed many homes and left others without power. But if people turn to generators to manage in the aftermath, they should use caution, the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) warns. Portable generators can expose users to increased risk of carbon monoxide… read on > read on >
The world isn’t ready to prevent or deal with another pandemic because many nations aren’t taking the necessary steps to prepare for what is likely an inevitable future scenario, a new report shows. The Global Health Security (GHS) index — an assessment of preparedness for various health emergencies and problems — is produced by the… read on > read on >
If you think you’re fine to drive after drinking, there’s a good chance you’re wrong, new research shows. The study found that despite being over the legal driving limit, half of the participants believed they were safe to drive. The study included 90 volunteers, average age 24, in Germany who drank either wine or beer… read on > read on >
People who’ve already had COVID-19 have a higher risk of reinfection with the Omicron coronavirus variant than with earlier variants, new research shows. The South African scientists who reported the findings believe that vaccination will have the power to stop severe illness, however. Speaking at a World Health Organization briefing, study team member Anne von… read on > read on >
If you’re getting together with others outdoors, a windy day might be best, researchers say. The investigators found that when people socialize outside, the risk of coronavirus infection is as much as 45% greater when there’s hardly any breeze than when there are stronger winds. “The issue is really about an increased danger of infection… read on > read on >
The first confirmed U.S. case of the Omicron variant has been reported in California, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Wednesday. The patient was a traveler, apparently from the San Francisco area, who returned from South Africa on Nov. 22, the CDC said in a statement. The person, who was fully vaccinated,… read on > read on >
