Unvaccinated patients with cancer 7 times more likely to die during pandemic, large study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 17, 2022
The results underscore the vulnerability of people whose immune systems may be weakened by cancer or its treatment, investigators say.
Social stress may speed immune system aging: study
Jun 27, 2022
Exposure to social stress including trauma and discrimination is associated with signs of accelerated immune system aging, a first-time study has found.
Two years into pandemic, we’re better prepared to fight off virus variants
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 02, 2021
Despite the threat of the quickly spreading and highly mutated omicron coronavirus variant — which has just landed in the U.S. — we are safer than we were before the pandemic, some experts say.
Newly identified ‘auto-antibody’ mechanism may play key role in seniors’ COVID deaths
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 23, 2021
The finding may explain why some people — and notably older adults — suffer more severe COVID-19 illness than others. The discovery has implications for treatment timing and vaccination, investigators...
Key CDC advisers set to scrutinize evidence for vaccine booster shots
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 11, 2021
The question of whether a COVID-19 booster shot will be helpful and safe may receive an answer Friday. That is when the CDC’s top vaccine advisers will meet to review updated evidence for recommending...
Fauci: U.S. to quickly prioritize the most vulnerable for COVID-19 booster shots
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 06, 2021
With this week’s COVID-19 cases up 43% and deaths rising, the United States is working to swiftly approve vaccine booster shots for people with weakened immune systems, federal health officials said...
Robust response to virus variants expected in former COVID patients and the vaccinated
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 31, 2021
Blood samples from recovered COVID-19 patients show that they and their vaccinated peers should be able to fend off the virus and its variants in future encounters, NIH researchers say.
Hydroxychloroquine does not prevent COVID-19 in autoimmune disease patients, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 19, 2020
Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis patients taking the drug were no less likely to contract COVID than those who weren’t. The results suggest that hydroxychloroquine will not prevent the disease in the...
Focusing on a single word might improve nursing home residents’ quality of life
By
Tim Mullaney
Aug 28, 2014
An affordable, easily implemented relaxation technique could improve nursing home residents’ psychological well-being. It also could potentially boost their immune systems, according to recently...
Largest-ever Alzheimer’s study unlocks new knowledge about the disease’s genetic roots, researchers...
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 30, 2013
The largest-ever international study of Alzheimer’s disease has significantly expanded the scientific community’s understanding of the disease’s genetic underpinnings, according to a...