Health
What should I know about the delta variant?
What should I know about the delta variant? It's the most contagious coronavirus mutant so far in the pandemic, but COVID-19 vaccines still provide strong protection against it. Nearly all hospitalizations and deaths are among the unvaccinated. Still, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cited the delta's surge… Read
Soccer defenders more at risk of dementia in later life says new research
Defenders are more likely than their teammates to suffer dementia caused by heading the ball, according to new research into neurological disease in former players. The latest data from the University of Glasgow's study has been labelled the "missing link" between soccer and the risk of degenerative brain disorders. Results… Read
Research looks for possible COVID tie to later Alzheimer’s
Researchers are trying to unravel why some COVID-19 survivors suffer “brain fog” and other problems that can last for months, and new findings suggest some worrisome overlaps with Alzheimer’s disease. One study of older adults in Argentina found a surprising amount of dementia-like changes in memory and thinking for at… Read
COVID-19 could cause male infertility and sexual dysfunction – but vaccines do not
Contrary to myths circulating on social media, COVID-19 vaccines do not cause erectile dysfunction and male infertility. What is true: SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, poses a risk for both disorders. Until now, little research has been done on how the virus or the vaccines affect the male reproductive… Read
Never too late: Cancer centers push patients to quit smoking
When cancer patients stop smoking, they heal faster, experience fewer side effects from treatment and lower their chances of tumors returning. Now, top cancer hospitals are helping patients quit as evidence mounts that it’s never too late. The newest research, reported Monday, shows lung cancer patients who stopped smoking gained… Read
Study: Vaccinated people can carry as much virus as others
In another dispiriting setback for the nation’s efforts to stamp out the coronavirus, scientists who studied a big COVID-19 outbreak in Massachusetts concluded that vaccinated people who got so-called breakthrough infections carried about the same amount of the coronavirus as those who did not get the shots. Health officials on… Read
After COVID jab, BioNTech sets sights on malaria vaccine
Germany's BioNTech, which developed a coronavirus vaccine with U.S. giant Pfizer in record time, says it aims to start trialling a malaria vaccine next year using the same breakthrough mRNA technology. If successful, the vaccine could be a crucial step in the fight against the mosquito-borne disease, which kills more… Read
WHO sounds alarm on 'harmful' e-cigarettes
Electronic cigarettes and similar devices are dangerous to health and must be regulated to curb the tobacco industry's "criminal" tactics to get young people hooked on nicotine, the World Health Organization warned this week. "Nicotine is highly addictive. Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are harmful, and must be better regulated,"… Read
Screentime can make you feel sick – here are ways to manage cybersickness
Do you ever feel like the light of your computer screen is burrowing into your eyes and making your head pulse? Or feel dizzy or nauseous after looking at your phone? While you might think these sensations are just eye strain or fatigue from looking at your screen for too… Read
Do vaccinated people need to go back to masking?
With the Delta variant pushing U.S. COVID cases back up, fully vaccinated people are wondering whether they need to start masking indoors again. COVID vaccines remain extremely effective against the worst outcomes of the disease -- hospitalization and death -- and breakthrough infections remain uncommon. But experts told AFP that… Read
