Public Health

‘Natural immunity’ from COVID-19 omicron can be limited and weak

In a recent study from Gladstone Institutes and UC San Francisco, researchers found that in unvaccinated people, infection with the omicron variant of COVID-19...

This test could detect COVID-19 infection and severity very quickly

In a recent study from George Washington University, researchers developed a blood test that quickly detects if someone has COVID-19 and predicts how severely...

Widely used drugs may reduce ‘long COVID’ death risk by 50%

In a recent study from the University of Florida, researchers found that among patients hospitalized for COVID-19 who seemingly recovered, severe systemic inflammation during their hospitalization...

Smoking, vaping linked to higher risk of severe COVID-19, death

Scientists from the University of Louisville found people who reported smoking or vaping prior to their hospitalization for COVID-19 were more likely to experience...

COVID-19 likely first spread to humans from animals in a Wuhan market, study finds

Scientists from Scripps Research and elsewhere found the COVID-19-causing coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, likely first spread to humans from animals in two separate transmission events in...

Smoking could cause this chronic skin disease

Scientists from Hangzhou Medical College found smoking, but not alcohol consumption is causally associated with psoriasis. The research is published in the British Journal of Dermatology...

COVID-19 doubles risk of mental health and financial problems in older people

Scientists from the University College London found that people over the age of 52 appear to be twice as likely to develop mental health...

Is e-cigarette a healthier choice for smokers? Not necessarily

Some studies have suggested electronic cigarette, or EC, use may be a healthier alternative to cigarette smoking. A University of California, Riverside, study shows this...

Drinking alone could strongly increase your risk of alcohol use disorder

Scientists from Carnegie Mellon University found that drinking alone during adolescence and young adulthood strongly increases the risk for alcohol use disorder (AUD) later...

Why the FDA is seeking to ban menthol cigarettes

What are menthol cigarettes? Menthol is a chemical compound, obtained naturally from peppermint oil or produced synthetically using thymol, a compound in the herb thyme. When...