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Key Takeaways Researchers at the University of Virginia studied Prozac’s impact on AMD in two different ways.They examined the drug’s effects on animal models and evaluated data from health insurance companies on people who were taking fluoxetine. Based on these findings, the authors of the study are urging that clinical trials be conducted to test fluoxetine as a treatment for dry AMD. The October study was published in the journalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences....

Key TakeawaysVitamin D deficiency has been linked to severe cases of COVID-19 and death from the virus.A new study is examining whether taking high doses of vitamin D can prevent severe COVID-19 and lower transmission risk.More than 40% of Americans may have low levels of vitamin D. Key Takeaways Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to severe cases of COVID-19 and death from the virus.A new study is examining whether taking high doses of vitamin D can prevent severe COVID-19 and lower transmission risk....

Key TakeawaysCoVac-1, a new vaccine developed in Germany, was found to induce strong immune responses in immunocompromised people like cancer patients.The new vaccine enhances a response from T-cells, another type of immune cell that can help protect the body against infection.More data is needed to support the use and effectiveness of CoVac-1. Key Takeaways CoVac-1, a new vaccine developed in Germany, was found to induce strong immune responses in immunocompromised people like cancer patients....

Key TakeawaysUsing information found online via posts and reviews can help researchers identify foodborne illness outbreaks, according to a recent study.Foodborne illness is a major concern in the United States, and exposure to contaminated food can result in outcomes like diarrhea and vomiting.Although foodborne illness outbreaks occur every year, many go unreported. Key Takeaways Using information found online via posts and reviews can help researchers identify foodborne illness outbreaks, according to a recent study....

Key TakeawaysLong COVID currently affects millions of people in the U.S. Symptoms can include brain fog, tremors, sleep disorders, and shortness of breath.The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other academic medical centers recently launched clinical trials aimed at finding treatments for long COVID.Researchers think that there may be different causes of long COVID symptoms in different people, which is why they are conducting different clinical trials in many centers around the country....

Key TakeawaysA new online assessment tool may help researchers predict which viruses that originate in wildlife couldcause pandemicslike COVID-19.Zoonotic viruses, those that spill over from animals into humans, are an increasing threat as humans move into areas that were once isolated.The online risk assessment tool is open source, which means that epidemiologists, veterinarians, and infectious disease specialists around the world can add information and check the risk of new viruses as they are discovered....

Key TakeawaysA pre-pandemic study found a 38% increase in overdose deaths among non-Hispanic Black people between 2018 and 2019 in four states including Kentucky, New York, Ohio, and Massachusetts.Researchers say an antiracist public health approach is needed to address the opioid overdose epidemic.The data has helped communities focus more intentionally on reducing inequities. Key Takeaways A pre-pandemic study found a 38% increase in overdose deaths among non-Hispanic Black people between 2018 and 2019 in four states including Kentucky, New York, Ohio, and Massachusetts....

Key Takeaways Researchers are challenging widely accepted recommendations that advise mothers to wait at least two years after giving birth to become pregnant again. While these recommendations are designed to reduce the risk of complications like preterm birth and small birth weight, a new study finds that this wait time may not be necessary for all. Researchers analyzed data from 5.5 million births to 3.8 million women in high-income countries including Australia, Finland, Norway, and the U....

Key TakeawaysDHA and EPA are omega-3 fatty acids important to our health, yet many Americans are not meeting the daily recommended intake.Omega-3s are naturally found in oily fish. For those who avoid fish products, a newly-created genetically modified source of DHA and EPA offers similar effects on plasma levels as fish oil.A non-fish alternative can help people who do not consume fish reap the health benefits of omega-3s. Key Takeaways DHA and EPA are omega-3 fatty acids important to our health, yet many Americans are not meeting the daily recommended intake....

Key TakeawaysChallenge studies intentionally infect participants under very strict regulations to observe the full lifecycle of a virus.A U.K.-based study purposely infected 36 volunteers with COVID-19.Researchers gained insight into how the virus works in younger, healthy adults. Key Takeaways Challenge studies intentionally infect participants under very strict regulations to observe the full lifecycle of a virus.A U.K.-based study purposely infected 36 volunteers with COVID-19.Researchers gained insight into how the virus works in younger, healthy adults....

Key TakeawaysA new combination drug therapy could help people with type 1 diabetes continue to make their own insulin.The treatment was effective during clinical trials and helped patients' bodies develop their own insulin.Researchers hope the treatment may even help prevent type 1 diabetes in at-risk patients. Key Takeaways A new combination drug therapy could help people with type 1 diabetes continue to make their own insulin.The treatment was effective during clinical trials and helped patients' bodies develop their own insulin....

Key Takeaways Parkinson’s disease (PD) is infamously difficult to diagnose, so much so that only an autopsy can serve as definitive proof of its presence in the brain. Research suggests, however, that a cadre of scientists may have cracked the code. Some challenges remain, but overall, Kanthasamy tells Verywell, “I think what we made is a huge leap in terms of grabbing some peripheral biomarkers for parkinsonism, including Parkinson’s disease.”...

Key TakeawaysThere is currently no public-facing memory device in Spanish for stroke symptoms to watch for.The RAPIDO memory tool hopes to receive funding to roll out to hospitals and Spanish-speaking community spaces. Key Takeaways There is currently no public-facing memory device in Spanish for stroke symptoms to watch for.The RAPIDO memory tool hopes to receive funding to roll out to hospitals and Spanish-speaking community spaces. When someone is having a stroke, time is of the essence before irreparable damage occurs....