German Nurse Suspected of Giving Saline Instead of COVID Vaccine

Editor’s note: Find the latest COVID-19 news and guidance in Medscape’s Coronavirus Resource Center. A nurse in Germany is suspected of giving saline solution rather than a COVID-19 vaccine to more than 8,500 people at a vaccination center earlier this year, according to CBS News. Those who may be affected are being informed about their

The Kid-Friendly Snacks You Should Stock Up On at Costco

Spotting the “goldilocks” of kid-friendly snacks is easier said than done. As you stand in the snack foods aisle, staring at the endless brands and options, three questions run through your mind: Is this snack healthy enough? Is it too healthy? And, most importantly, will the kids even like it? They’re all valid questions, but

From AstraZenophobia to Zoomba: the A to Z guide to life in lockdown

For our free coronavirus pandemic coverage, learn more here. In the tradition of The Dag’s Dictionary, here are some new words to get us through these difficult times. AstraZenophobia: the unreasonable prejudice towards the main weapon we have against COVID-19. Beach-coma: the deep oblivion towards the rules, perfected each weekend by groups of sunbakers on

Metabolism changes with age, just not when you might think

Most of us remember a time when we could eat anything we wanted and not gain weight. But a new study suggests your metabolism—the rate at which you burn calories—actually peaks much earlier in life, and starts its inevitable decline later than you might guess. The findings will appear Aug. 12 in the journal Science.

Engineers develop algorithm to aid kidney transplant exchanges

An historic kidney transplant exchange recently took place in the Middle East, but it might never have transpired without an algorithm developed at Stanford by Itai Ashlagi, a Stanford associate professor of management science and engineering, and his graduate student Sukolsak Sakshuwong. In all, three ailing recipients received life-sustaining transplants while three healthy donors gave

New Rules for Unvaccinated People, Delta Continues to Surge

These are the global coronavirus stories you need to know about this week. As hospitalizations for Covid-19 continue to increase in Israel, with a significant share involving vaccinated patients, the country is considering a fourth confinement of the population in September, during the major Jewish holidays. The decision will largely depend on the impact of the

Study: Domestic control of COVID-19 takes priority over international travel bans

Since COVID-19 reached global pandemic status, many countries have faced containment pressures from both domestic and international transmission after experiencing multiple epidemic waves. But according to a new paper co-written by a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign urban and environmental economics expert, taming domestic transmission of the novel coronavirus ought to be prioritized over international travel

Position on medical imaging radiation limits issued

When a medical imaging exam provides a clinical benefit, the only risk that should be considered is the exam itself rather than a patient’s previous radiation exposure, according to a statement by three scientific groups representing medical physicists, radiologists, and health physicists. The American Association of Physicists in Medicine, in conjunction with the American College

Why is poverty linked with exposure to toxic chemicals?

Research suggests that people with lower incomes have more exposure to toxic pollution, particularly in areas where they live and work. Structural racism exacerbates these issues. The degradation of the environment through toxic pollution has a direct effect on human health. This burden falls disproportionately on the world’s poor and is disproportionately due to specific

The Subtle Message Your Food Cravings Are Trying To Tell You

Peanut Butter Research suggests that craving high-fat foods triggers the production of uplifting brain chemicals. Peanut butter, while delicious, happens to be rich in beta-sitosterol, a plant compound that eases anxiety and enhances wellbeing. Research has shown that beta-sitosterol significantly increased levels of feel-good neurotransmitters in the brain. Peanuts are also high in calming magnesium

Researcher Urges UK to Donate Vaccines Rather Than Give Boosters

LONDON (Reuters) – Booster shots for COVID-19 vaccines are not currently needed and the doses should be given to other countries, Oxford vaccine chief Andrew Pollard said on Tuesday in contrast to the position taken by Britain’s health minister. Pollard, who heads the Oxford Vaccine Group, said that a decision to boost should be based

HIMSS21 tech news: Secure telehealth connections, remote diabetes care with Fitbit

Kajeet, a vendor of wireless connectivity and software and hardware solutions for controlled Internet access, has debuted Kajeet Connected Health, an Internet of Things (IoT) solution designed to enable the secure and reliable delivery of telemedicine services. The global telemedicine market is expected to reach $397 billion by 2027, according to Fortune Business Insight. To support a

Why Tap Water May Not Be Right For Your Plants

Houseplants can be finicky. Between finding the right room temperature, sunlight exposure and humidity, you may have a different regimen for each stem in your house. While you may think that your browning leaves come from overwatering, they may actually come from the type of water that you’re using. Just like the amount of sunlight

Spain approves human trials of homegrown virus vaccine

Spain’s medicines agency approved Tuesday a first round of clinical trials on humans for a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Spanish firm Hipra. “This is the first trial on humans of a vaccine made in Spain,” the agency said in a statement. Dozens of volunteers will be recruited from Spanish hospitals “as soon as possible” for

Could fasting help fight some infections?

Fasting and fasting-based therapies are gaining recognition and acceptance as popular tools for promoting health. However, research is inconclusive regarding their value for fighting infections. Now, a new study in mice finds that fasting can neutralize Salmonella infections. It appears the beneficial bacteria in the gut outcompete Salmonella for scarce nutrients during a fast. There

Wildfires ravage firefighters’ long-term physical, mental health

(HealthDay)—Roaring, fast-moving blazes. Choking smoke. Fiery tornados. Thunderstorms and lightning. The Dixie Fire—now the single largest wildfire in California history—continues to spread, having burned through more than 750 square miles of forest land north of Sacramento. The astonishing spread of smoke from the fire, causing discomfort and illness to people hundreds or thousands of miles,