Americans Are Eating More Ultra-Processed Foods

Americans' increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods is putting their health at risk, researchers warn.

Ultra-processed foods are ready-to-eat or heat, include additives, and contain little, if any, whole foods. They include frozen pizza, soda, fast food, sweets, salty snacks, canned soup and most breakfast cereals.

Previous r...

Two-Thirds of Parents of Kids Ages 5-11 Plan to Get Them Vaccinated Against COVID: Poll

In some heartening news on the vaccine front, two-thirds of American parents of children ages 5 to 11 plan to get their youngsters vaccinated when COVID-19 shots are approved for that age group, a new survey shows.

"While we're encouraged to see that a majority of parents intend to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 once they are el...

Another Study Finds Pfizer, Moderna Shots Effective Against COVID Variants

The Moderna and Pfizer COVID vaccines protect against a number of coronavirus variants, including highly contagious Delta, another study confirms.

The findings come as breakthrough infections in vaccinated people raise questions about the vaccines' ability to protect against emerging variants.

The shots do "induce high levels of anti...

Horseback Riding Carries Big Risk for Serious Injury: Study

Days in the saddle can be risky, with horseback riding a potentially deadly activity, according to a new study.

"Hospital admission risk from horseback riding is higher than football, auto and motorcycle racing, and skiing," the study authors noted. Chest injuries are most common among riders, but head and neck injuries are the deadliest.<...

Nature Helped Many Kids Cope During Lockdown: Study

Children who spent more time in nature during pandemic lockdowns suffered fewer behavioral and emotional problems, British researchers say.

The investigators also found that children in wealthier families tended to increase their connection to nature during the pandemic more than those from poorer families.

The new study included 37...

Heart Defibs in Schools Are Saving Staff Lives: Study

Adult staff in schools are more likely than students to suffer sudden cardiac arrest, but automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are often used and improve the chances of survival, a new study finds.

AEDs are portable devices that deliver an electric shock to try and restart the heart. If appropriate action isn't taken immediately, card...

FDA Panel Supports Moderna Booster Shot for Older Adults, People at High Risk

Mirroring a similar recommendation issued last month for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, an expert advisory panel to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday recommended a half-dose booster shot of the Moderna vaccine be given to certain recipients six months after their second shot.

Panelists recommended that everyone aged 65 or old...

Former FDA Chief Robert Califf a Contender to Head Agency Again

Former U.S. Food and Drug Administration commissioner Robert Califf is under strong consideration by the White House to once again lead the agency.

The FDA hasn't had a permanent head for more than eight months and is being overseen by acting commissioner Janet Woodcock. Under federal law, President Joe Biden has until mid-November to pick...

'Feel Good' Hormone Won't Help Ease Kids' Autism, Study Finds

THURSDAY, Oct. 14, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Despite hints of promise from early research, a new clinical trial finds no evidence that kids with autism benefit from nasal sprays containing the "love" hormone oxytocin.

Researchers called the findings disappointing.

But they said the study also offers important inform...

Is a Really Bad Flu Season on the Way?

It could be a bad flu season this year — and for a couple of years to come — in places in the United States where COVID-19 restrictions like social distancing and masking have been lifted, researchers warn.

These sorts of measures caused flu cases to decline by more than 60% within the first 10 weeks after COVID-19 lockdowns were imple...