Health
U.S. health panel says Merck pill can prevent grave COVID infections
An anti-COVID pill developed by Merck has proved effective in treating the disease, the US Food and Drug Administration said Friday in a much-awaited preliminary report. But the report, from an FDA advisory panel, cautioned that pregnant women should not use the drug, known as molnupiravir, saying the potential benefits… Read
Foods high in added fats and refined carbs are like cigarettes – addictive and unhealthy
Every year millions of Americans try to cut down on ultra-processed foods – industrial formulations that are typically high in added fat, refined carbohydrates or both. Think cookies, cakes, potato chips and pizza. For many, the desire to change what they eat is triggered by concerns about potentially life-threatening health… Read
Mapping how 100 billion cells in the brain all fit together is the brave new world of neuroscience
The brain plays an essential role in how people navigate the world by generating both thought and behavior. Despite being one of the most vital organs of life, it takes up only 2% of human body volume. How can something so small perform such complex tasks? Luckily, modern tools like… Read
Vaccine targeting ticks may offer protection against Lyme and other tick-borne diseases
A new laboratory-stage mRNA vaccine that teaches the immune system to recognize the saliva from tick bites could prevent these bugs from feeding on and transmitting tick-borne diseases to people, according to a recent study my colleagues and I conducted in the Fikrig Lab at the Yale School of Medicine.… Read
Diet-related illness increases with availability of red meat: study
As global trade in red and processed meats has increased, so have chronic diseases associated with meat consumption, a study looking at data from 154 countries has found. Researchers focused on illness and death rates from three diseases strongly linked to red and processed meat consumption: colorectal cancer, type-2 diabetes… Read
Should everyone get a COVID booster? Experts divided
The United States is set to become the latest country to widen COVID booster eligibility beyond the immunocompromised, elderly and high risk. Many scientists tracking the data believe it's the right time for the move -- though some have expressed misgivings, since the original vaccines are still holding up well… Read
'Landmark' study probes crucial phase of embryo development
An unprecedented glimpse of the human embryo at an early stage of development has provided critical clues on how undifferentiated cells become the specialised ones of which we are made, researchers report. As an embryo begins to form, it is composed of stem cells with the potential to become any… Read
Companies pushing sweetened drinks to children through advertising and misleading labels
Walking down the drink aisle at any grocery store will take you past hundreds of drinks, from sodas to sports drinks. Children’s drink sections are filled with a vast array of products as well. Most parents want to buy what is healthy for their children, but with so many options… Read
Cancers are in an evolutionary battle with treatments
Cancer was the second leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2020. Although billions of dollars have been poured into cancer research, the results are still disappointing for many patients who pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to extend their lives for just a few more months. But why… Read
Pfizer asks U.S. to authorize COVID pill
U.S. pharmaceutical company Pfizer on Tuesday asked regulators to authorize its COVID pill after it was shown to cut hospitalization or death by nearly 90 percent among newly-infected high risk patients. The move comes a few weeks after Merck also approached the Food and Drug Administration seeking a green light… Read
