Neck gaiters DO work, study finds: Popular face coverings previously ruled ‘counterproductive’ blocked ‘100%’ of large infectious droplets in new tests A previous Duke University study found that fleece neck gaiters may actually spread more infectious particles by splitting them up and scattering them New unpublished Virginia Tech research suggests gaiters work just as well […]
Face masks do not impair indicators of cognitive performance when performing moderate physical work in hot environments
A novel study shows that face mask use does not affect indicators of cognitive performance when the wearers are resting or performing moderate physical work in hot environments. However, wearing a face mask does make it more difficult to breathe when performing moderate physical work in a hot environment. The study is conducted by researchers […]
How do epedemics come to a stop? Scientists consider genetic mutation of the pathogens as a possible cause
How do epedemics come to a stop? Scientists consider genetic mutation of the pathogens as a possible cause. The plague killed about a quarter of the European population in the 14th century. How did it come to a stop? An international team of researchers led by Ben Krause-Kyora from the Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology […]
A childhood fight left me disabled, in lockdown I re-learned what my body can do
The car stopped at the traffic lights and the girl in the passenger seat looked over. I caught her glance as I pushed my bike with its broken chain slowly up the steep hill in the pouring rain towards the train station, dressed only in shorts and a T-shirt, soaked to the skin. And rather […]
Just how much contact tracing and testing do we need to control the spread of the coronavirus?
Early on in the pandemic, lockdown and physical distancing measures were able to slow the spread of COVID-19 and bring case numbers down. But as the U.S. has begun to reopen, the number of new cases has surged in many places. To reopen safely and keep from overwhelming hospital capacities, according to public health officials, […]
How do COVID-19 antibody tests differ from diagnostic tests?
Q: I’ve heard about new antibody testing for COVID-19. What is antibody testing? Is it the same as testing to diagnose COVID-19? A: With all the talk about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing in the news, it’s not surprising that there’s confusion about tests and how they differ. Antibody testing determines whether you had COVID-19 […]
‘Trigger warnings’ may do more harm than good, study finds
Trigger warnings are meant to alert trauma survivors about unsettling text or content that they might find potentially distressing. But these words of caution at the start of films or books may provide no help at all—and might even hamper a traumatized person’s ability to grapple with deep psychological scars, a new study reports. “We […]
Study: Public health campaigns can do better on cannabis harm reduction
Harm reduction strategies have proven effective for use of opioids, alcohol, and tobacco products. University at Buffalo and University of Michigan researchers say harm reduction techniques also have potential for cannabis users—but first, public health practitioners and organizations need to do a better job of making cannabis users aware of those strategies. Researchers assessed harm […]
30 B.S. Excuses for Why Guys Don’t Do Therapy
When it comes to going to therapy to optimize life, work out some issues, being up concerns, or all the other things that therapy can do, guys have reasons for not going. Lots of reasons. Except, well, let us explain why you might want to rethink some of those. Here, your reasons, and insight from […]
How to know if your pandemic drinking is getting out of hand, and what to do about it
A glass of wine or beer is a relaxing way to end the day, but in these times of COVID-19 stress, is it possible to drink a little too much? Casual drinking could tipple into something more if we aren’t mindful of it, said psychologist Becky Ponting, a University of Alberta counsellor who often helps […]