Health & Wellbeing
On these pages you'll find everything from devices designed to give you a better night's sleep to the latest work being done to tackle the obesity epidemic. Live long and prosper!
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Novavax COVID-19 vaccine hits 90% efficacy in large US trial
Novavax has announced data from its Phase 3 COVID-19 vaccine trial, revealing over 90 percent protection from symptomatic infection and 100 percent protection from moderate to severe disease. The vaccine is hoped to be a vital new weapon in the pandemic. -
Nitrous oxide, or "laughing gas", rapidly relieves severe depression
A Phase 2 clinical trial has found a single treatment session with nitrous oxide can deliver significant and rapid improvements in patients with treatment-resistant depression, and the research indicates these benefits can last for at least two weeks. -
First new Alzheimer’s drug in decades receives controversial FDA approval
A new Alzheimer’s treatment has been controversially approved for use in the US despite an independent FDA panel reporting last year the drug’s trial results were inconclusive. The approval marks the first new treatment for Alzheimer’s in almost 20 years. -
Pros and cons to vegan diets for children, detailed new study finds
A study is offering insights into the nutritional, cardiovascular and growth differences between vegan, vegetarian and meat-eating children. It found vegans have healthier cardiovascular profiles but are shorter and display bone mineral deficiencies. -
FDA approves "game-changing" new weight loss drug
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a new weight management drug called Wegovy (semaglutide). First approved as a type 2 diabetes treatment in 2017, the drug has been described as a “game-changer” for obese or overweight adults. -
Assistive tech for seniors uses finger-buzzes to prevent falls
As a senior's sense of balance deteriorates, their chances of experiencing a serious fall increase accordingly. Help may be on the way, however, in the form of a system that buzzes the user's fingertip in order to keep them upright. -
Caloric restriction-mimicking gene extends health and lifespan of mice
Our health inevitably declines as we age, but maybe we can slow it down. A new study has found that boosting a certain gene in mice can increase their lifespan and keep them in better health for longer by mimicking the effects of caloric restriction. -
Getting COVID-19 after vaccination is incredibly rare, CDC report finds
A CDC report has found less than 1,000 cases of COVID-19 needed hospitalization out of more than 100 million fully vaccinated people. The CDC admits it may be undercounting positive cases, but it's still a reminder of the real-world effectiveness of vaccines. -
New imaging tech finds hidden lung damage in long COVID patients
A new type of imaging tech has detected lung damage not visible on MRI or CT scans in patients suffering from the long-term effects of COVID-19. The technology will help clinicians understand the breathing impairments seen in long COVID. -
Severe COVID-19 in men linked to low testosterone levels
A study tracking testosterone in hospitalized COVID-19 patients found a link between low levels in men and severe disease outcomes. The research offers important clues as to why men seem to be at greater risk of death due to coronavirus than women. -
Plant-based supplement shown to reduce anxiety in mice
Although depression is a common disorder, its frequent companion, anxiety, can be at least as serious. There may be new hope for anxiety disorder sufferers, however, in the form of an existing natural supplement. -
"Smart" tampons and pads could detect yeast infections
Although women in First World countries are routinely diagnosed with and treated for vaginal yeast infections, doing so isn't always possible for women in impoverished nations. New fungus-detecting hygiene products, however, could make things easier.
