If a superhero saved over 2 million people in four years, we might call them the best in the world. That title could instead go to COVID-19 vaccines. From 2020 to 2024, these vaccines saved 2.5 million lives.
They prevented one death for every 5,400 doses given. Researchers also calculated 14.8 million years of life gained from vaccination. The study was published in JAMA Health Forum by Università Cattolica and Stanford University researchers.
In addition to its early devastation, COVID-19 has left lasting damage. Millions of Americans now suffer from long-term symptoms after infection. Fatigue, chronic pain, and brain fog impact daily life and work. ME/CFS and post-COVID syndrome (PCS) now pose major health risks.
The Long COVID crisis continues with few clear answers. Every new finding helps build a better picture of the illness. A recent study published in Allergy offers fresh hope. It shows a strong link between gut health and PCS fatigue.
Researchers in Vienna found the gut barrier may play a key role. They tracked patient gut health before, during, and after infection. Blood, saliva, and stool samples were used to find biomarkers. People with prior gut issues were more likely to develop PCS.
These patients also showed shifts in their immune system markers. The study suggests PCS could begin with immune and gut disruptions. Researchers say tracking symptoms and biomarkers may lead to earlier diagnosis. This could help identify at-risk patients and guide treatment.
The HBO drama The Last of Us opens with a heavy conversation. Two scientists argue about the threat fungi could pose in the future. One scientist warns that fungi may become a major threat to humans.
He says climate change will help fungi adapt to warmer temperatures. That could make fungal infections more dangerous and harder to control. The other scientist brushes off these concerns.
The Last of Us focuses on a fungus called Cordyceps. While Cordyceps is not currently a real threat to humans, another fungus is: Aspergillus.
Aspergillus fungi are everywhere. They infect people, animals, and plants. A new study warns that Aspergillus will spread north as the planet warms. The more severe the warming, the more intense the spread. Human health risks will likely increase as Aspergillus reaches new regions.
Non-sustainable packaging is a growing health concern for young children. Many people know about the risks of plastic byproducts like microplastics. But it’s alarming to see these chemicals affect early development. A new study shows just how widespread this problem has become.
The study was published in Environmental Science & Technology. Researchers tested urine from 201 children aged 2 to 4. They looked for 111 different chemicals across many product types. The results showed high levels of chemical exposure in these young children.
Ninety-six chemicals were found in at least five children. Forty-eight chemicals showed up in more than half of the participants. Thirty-four chemicals were found in over 90% of the children tested. Nine of these chemicals are not tracked by national health surveys.
These results suggest key exposures may go undetected by current programs. Young children are being exposed to a wide range of harmful substances. More monitoring and safer packaging choices are urgently needed to protect their health.
Brian and Erika Parker spent a year and a half completing adoption paperwork. They adopted their daughter, Emily, from India. While they waited, the Parkers sent care packages and received reports about her.
When Emily was seven and a half, the Parkers noticed she was losing coordination. ER doctors from India at the Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania asked if she had measles. They suspected SSPE (subacute sclerosing panencephalitis), a fatal brain disorder linked to measles complications.
A few months later, Emily slipped into a coma. She died a month after her eighth birthday. After Emily’s passing, the Parkers founded Emily’s Hope. The foundation promotes awareness of measles, SSPE, and the safety of the MMR vaccine.
As measles cases in many countries rise, families like the Parkers bear the brunt of international risks. Global disease trends have prompted a new CDC warning. The CDC recommends that all international travelers get fully vaccinated for measles.
