FRIDAY, Aug. 27, 2021 (HealthDay News) — A drug that lowers cholesterol might help save hospitalized patients with COVID-19, a new, small Israeli study suggests. Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem noted that COVID causes a big buildup of cholesterol, which results in inflammation in cells. In lab experiments, theyContinue Reading

FRIDAY, Aug. 27, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Despite all of the criticism of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, new research suggests there was a silver lining: more shut-eye for middle and high school students. “Without the required transportation time or time required to get ready for school in theContinue Reading

THURSDAY, Aug. 26, 2021 (HealthDay News) — A new approach to spinal cord stimulation may drastically reduce chronic back pain, a small pilot study suggests. The study, of 20 patients with stubborn low back pain, tested the effects of implanting electrodes near the spinal cord to stimulate it with “ultra-low”Continue Reading

THURSDAY, Aug. 26, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Do you have an implanted defibrillator or pacemaker? Try keeping your smart watch or smart phone a few inches away from them. New research from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration finds that your phone or watch could interfere with implanted heart devices.Continue Reading

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 25, 2021 (HealthDay News) — COVID-19 infection significantly increases the risk of dangerous blood clots after surgery, a new study finds. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a potential complication of surgery in which blood clots form in the veins. It is a leading preventable cause of death in hospitalContinue Reading

TUESDAY, Aug. 24, 2021 (HealthDay News) — The recommended age to start screening overweight and obese people for diabetes will be lowered by five years from 40 to 35, the nation’s leading panel of preventive health experts has announced. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has decided an earlierContinue Reading

MONDAY, Aug. 23, 2021 (HealthDay News) — You’ve heard the warnings about kids who are forever glued to their screens, but all that screen time can have devastating health effects for grown-ups. If you’re under 60, too much time using a computer, watching TV or reading could boost your riskContinue Reading

FRIDAY, Aug. 20, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Early treatment with COVID-19 survivors’ blood plasma doesn’t prevent disease progression in people who have mild COVID-19 symptoms but are at risk for more severe illness, a new clinical trial finds. “As physicians, we wanted this to make a big difference in reducingContinue Reading

THURSDAY, Aug. 19, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Antibodies generated by COVID-19 vaccines are effective against the Delta variant and other coronavirus variants of concern, new research shows. The findings may help explain why most vaccinated people have avoided the surge of Delta variant cases sweeping across the United States. “InContinue Reading

THURSDAY, Aug. 19, 2021 (HealthDay News) — A new pill specifically designed to prevent migraines appears to do the job, a new clinical trial finds. Atogepant cut patients’ migraine days in half over 12 weeks of treatment, without causing serious side effects, the researchers said. Experts said the drug, ifContinue Reading

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 18, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Racial and ethnic minorities in the United States are severely underrepresented in clinical trials testing cutting-edge treatments for pancreatic cancer, researchers say. “There are a ton of obstacles to get these patients into clinical trials,” said senior author Dr. Jose Trevino, chairman ofContinue Reading

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 18, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Here’s an unexpected silver lining to the pandemic: New research shows there was a decline in overall drinking and binge drinking among U.S. college freshmen during the early months of the new coronavirus’ spread across America. “We found that social factors, like socialContinue Reading

TUESDAY, Aug. 17, 2021 (HealthDay News) — There’s strong evidence that the steroid drug dexamethasone can significantly lower hospitalized patients’ risk of dying from COVID-19, but many who might benefit from it the most aren’t getting it. “Dexamethasone is a steroid that is used for the treatment of arthritis, inflammationContinue Reading