Health, features and articles | Educational Science

Jan 31, 2021

FDA clears Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use on Saturday (Feb. 27), making it the third shot cleared for use in the country. The authorization of this vaccine expands the availability of vaccines, the best medical prevention method for COVID-19, to help...

Dec 31, 2020

Endangered ferrets get experimental COVID-19 vaccine

While humans are still awaiting a jab with a coronavirus vaccine, endangered black-footed ferrets in Colorado have already gotten their shots. One hundred and twenty of the ferrets (Mustela nigripes) — once thought completely extinct — have been vaccinated with an experimental veterinary COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Associated Press....

Dec 31, 2020

Virus variant found in S. Africa may resist antibodies

Antibodies against the novel coronavirus may not work as well against a new variant of the virus identified in South Africa, early data suggest. Scientists recently raised concerns that the variant, known as 501.V2, may be resistant to COVID-19 vaccines, Live Science previously reported. Experts noted that the variant has...

Dec 31, 2020

Pfizer vaccine works against coronavirus mutation in UK and S. Africa variants

Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine is effective against a key mutation found in variants of the virus that are spreading faster than the original strain, according to an early study. While viruses mutate all the time, scientists worry that some of the new mutations in the novel coronavirus, specifically those in a...

Dec 31, 2020

Worrisome California coronavirus variant is tied to large outbreaks

A worrisome coronavirus variant is being found in more and more outbreaks in California — including a large outbreak in San Jose in which an air-powered Christmas tree costume led to 90 infections, according to news reports. Scientists don't know yet whether the variant, called L452R, is more transmissible than...

Dec 31, 2020

The pandemic broke the CDC. New director will try to fix it.

The incoming CDC director has a lot of work to do, and she knows it. Dr. Rochelle Walensky said on Tuesday (Jan. 19) that over the last four years, scientists with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have been muzzled and science hasn't been heard. Walensky, formerly a...

Dec 31, 2020

UK coronavirus variant may be more deadly, early evidence suggests

Officials in the United Kingdom say the U.K. variant of the novel coronavirus may be more deadly than other strains, but they stress that the evidence for this is still very uncertain. This variant, called B.1.1.7, was first identified in Kent, England, in September 2020 and has since spread around...

Dec 31, 2020

Allergic reactions to Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine are extremely rare, report finds

Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine rarely causes severe allergic reactions, according to new data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Between Dec. 21 and Jan. 10, more than 4.04 million people were given Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine, but only 10 developed a serious, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis....

Dec 31, 2020

Why cats and dogs may need their own COVID-19 vaccines

Cats and dogs may eventually need their own COVID-19 vaccines to prevent the coronavirus from evolving further and spilling back to humans, according to one group of researchers. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is known to infect a number of animals besides humans, including cats, dogs, minks, tigers and...

Dec 31, 2020

Can moms pass COVID-19 immunity to their newborns?

If a woman catches COVID-19 during pregnancy, can her baby pick up any immunity to the virus in the womb? Early data hint that the answer is yes, but many questions still remain. In a new study, published Jan. 29 in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, scientists analyzed blood samples from...

Nov 30, 2022

Do humidifiers help with congestion?

Humidifiers can help combat troublesome symptoms that arise in dry seasons, but can humidifiers help relieve nasal congestion? Humidifiers work by adding moisture to the air. You pour water into the humidifier's reservoir and it outputs a gentle, filtered mist. The relative humidity in your home — meaning the density...

Nov 30, 2022

Do New Year's resolutions really work?

With the holiday season underway, thoughts may soon turn to New Year's resolutions as many seek to eradicate bad habits and establish new and healthier ones. But do New Year's resolutions actually work — and is Jan. 1 the best time for a new goal? One phenomenon, dubbed the fresh...

Oct 31, 2022

How to hydrate skin for a healthy glow

Figuring out how to hydrate skin is likely top of your to-do list if the cooler weather is already leaving it parched, cracked and itchy. When it comes to skin health, hydration is one of those mystical, highly coveted prizes we all seem to be searching for, but getting the...

Oct 31, 2022

Seven possible signs of an underactive thyroid

What are the tell-tale signs of an underactive thyroid – a chronic condition in which your thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones for your body’s needs? Symptoms can range from a lack of energy to creeping weight gain, although it’s important to stress that these particular symptoms could also...

Oct 31, 2022

Save 44% on the Fitbit Inspire 2 with this early Black Friday Deal

Looking for a reliable fitness tracker, or thinking of buying your first running watch? With this fantastic early Black Friday deal you can save a tidy $44 on the Fitbit Inspire 2 at Amazon. This is one of the best fitness trackers we've tested, scoring a solid 4/5 stars in...