Rats Blamed for Spreading Disease More Than They Do

June 22, 2022 – Scientists have long suspected rats might be one reason cities are petri dishes for disease in a way that isn’t seen in rural communities. But a new study published in Nature Ecology and Evolution suggests that rats may not deserve this bad reputation. To study the problem, scientists wanted to see…

Biden Moves to Limit Nicotine Levels in Cigarettes

Editor’s note: This story has been updated.  June 21, 2022 – The White House today announced an effort to require tobacco companies to reduce nicotine levels in cigarettes sold in the U.S. The Department of Health and Human Services posted a notice that details plans for a new rule to create a maximum allowed amount…

‘Patient Influencers’ Partnering With Drug, Medical Companies

June 21, 2022 – In July 2020, reality star Khloe Kardashian appeared on the television show The View. During her segment, Kardashian, who has 255 million followers on Instagram, touted the benefit of migraine drug Nurtec ODT. She became a paid spokesperson for Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, maker of the migraine drug, a few weeks before her…

Products to Remove Moles, Skin Tags Can Be Harmful

By Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter MONDAY, June 20, 2022 (HealthDay News) — It may seem tempting to remove a mole or skin tag you don’t like with a product that promises to make them disappear quickly. Don’t do it, experts say. Dermatologists and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration both warn about the dangers of…

Tongue, Lip Piercings May Harm Teeth and Gums

By Robert Preidt HealthDay ReporterHealthDay Reporter MONDAY, June 20, 2022 (HealthDay News) — Getting your tongue or lips pierced? Don’t be surprised when your dentist is unhappy about it. These piercings can do damage to your teeth and gums, a new study warns. “Our study found that many people with oral piercings had deep pockets…

Beer Might Do a Man’s ‘Microbiome’ Good

By Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter THURSDAY, June 16, 2022 (HealthDay News) — Putting a new spin on the term “beer gut,” a small study suggests that a bottle a day may do a man’s gut bacteria some good. In a clinical trial of 19 healthy men, researchers found that a daily bottle of beer —…

How We Treat Acute Pain Could Be Wrong

June 17, 2022 — In a surprising discovery that flies in the face of conventional medicine, McGill University researchers report that treating pain with anti-inflammatory medication, like ibuprofen or aspirin, may promote pain in the long term. The paper, published in Science Translational Medicine, suggests that inflammation, a normal part of injury recovery, helps resolve…

The Tragedy of Child Drownings

On a summer morning in 2013, Jeffrey Brown dropped off his 6-year-old son, Grant, at a local summer camp in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The family had just come into town from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to visit friends. In addition to a week filled with barbecues, a Durham Bulls baseball game, and other summer fun, Grant…

How Much Weight Did We Really Gain During COVID Lockdown?

June 17, 2022 — A small helping of good news from the COVID-19 pandemic: Americans didn’t seem to fill all that time spent at home during the early months of the outbreak by filling their stomachs. A study of over 100,000 adults found that the nation, as a whole, put on the same amount of…

CDC Gives Final OK for COVID Vaccinations for Youngest Kids

June 18, 2022 — COVID-19 vaccines for children 6 months to 5 years of age are now ready to go. Centers for Disease Control Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle, Walensky, MD, has endorsed a unanimous recommendation by the agency’s vaccine panel today, allowing vaccinations to begin early this week. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices…