People’s fear of 5G technology is rational. Such technology does emit radiation, even if it’s at low levels. But 5G isn’t all that different from 4G, and it certainly doesn’t cause COVID-19 despite such rumors having spread rapidly across the…
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The Pfizer vaccine may not be the best choice for frail people, but it’s too early to make firm conclusions
Reports of about 30 deaths among elderly nursing home residents who received the Pfizer vaccine have made international headlines. With Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) expected to approve the vaccine imminently and the roll out set to begin next month,…
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Vitamin K: A little-known but noteworthy nutrient
When Danish scientist Henrik Dam fed a cholesterol-free diet to baby chicks in his lab about 90 years ago, he noticed excessive bleeding in some of them. It did not stop after he replaced the cholesterol. Dam ultimately concluded the…
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Ready, set, vaccinate! But how can the government boost coverage?
The rapid availability of effective COVID-19 vaccines is a good thing, and the government has launched a nationwide campaign to promote vaccination. But will that campaign work? Florian Heine, researcher at Tilburg University, believes it will, provided the government communicates…
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COVID-19 tied to rare but severe eye infection
(HealthDay)—A rare, sight-stealing infection might be triggered by COVID-19, a new study suggests. In the space of two months, three patients suffering from COVID-19 in one New York health system developed keratitis, an inflammation of the cornea, which then led…
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LA shuts restaurants as virus surges, but Europe eases lockdowns
A restaurant dining ban in Los Angeles was due to come into force Wednesday as officials warned Americans to stay home for the Thanksgiving holiday, while parts of Europe eyed looser lockdowns over the festive season. The three-week order in…
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Most adults over 50 say they’ll get vaccinated against COVID-19, but many want to wait
Once enough people receive effective vaccines against the novel coronavirus, experts say, the end of the pandemic may be in sight. But a new poll of older adults—one of the highest-priority groups for vaccination—suggests an uphill climb lies ahead to…
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Therapy has saved me during lockdown, but many others won’t be so lucky
When I was furloughed from my job in a theatre in March, my mental health plummeted. At first, the idea of being paid to stay home seemed too good to be true. While my self-employed friends panicked about their rent,…
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Underinsurance is growing, but HSAs aren’t keeping up: study
High deductible health plans (HDHPs) have become much more common among all racial/ethnic and income groups, but the health savings accounts (HSAs) that make these plans potentially workable are far less common among Black, Hispanic, and lower-income enrollees—and the gap…
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Want to record your doctor’s appointment? Great idea, but first, check it’s legal
As you fire up your computer for a telehealth appointment, or prepare to walk in to see your doctor, you may be wondering whether to record your appointment. You might even think about doing it without asking permission first. But…
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