I Hid My Disability for Years. Now I’m Trying to Be the Change I Want to See.

Chris Ruden was born with a congenital birth defect which means he only has two fingers on his left hand. He struggled with insecurity and hid his disability for years, but after finding a sense of purpose and self through weightlifting and fitness, he has since become a motivational speaker and author. He competed in […]

Study finds inflammatory mechanism responsible for bone erosion in rheumatoid arthritis

In a study aimed at investigating the mechanism responsible for exacerbating rheumatoid arthritis in smokers, researchers at the Center for Research on Inflammatory Diseases (CRID), linked to the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil, discovered a novel path in the inflammatory process associated with the bone damage caused by rheumatoid arthritis. The discovery opens […]

Researchers provide complete clinical landscape for gene linked to epilepsy and autism

Researchers from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) affiliated with the CHOP Epilepsy Neurogenetics Initiative (ENGIN) have compiled a complete genetic and clinical analysis of more than 400 individuals with SCN2A-related disorder, which has been linked to a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders, including epilepsy and autism. By linking clinical features to genetic abnormalities in a standardized […]

China approves a fourth COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use

China has approved a new COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, one that was developed by the head of its Center for Disease Control, adding to its arsenal. Gao Fu, the head of China’s CDC, led the development of a protein subunit vaccine that was approved by regulators last week for emergency use, the Chinese Academy […]

Experts say getting back to a mask-free norm may take time for some

As more people across the country become vaccinated against COVID-19, the CDC released guidelines last Monday allowing for fully vaccinated people to gather together without masks. But pulling off the mask and adjusting to life before the pandemic will come with a learning curve, according to experts. Dr. Aderonke Pederson, an instructor of psychiatry and […]

Cardiologists recommend COVID-19 vaccine for heart patients

Because people with heart disease are likely to experience complications from COVID-19, Rush cardiologists are encouraging their patients to get the COVID-19 vaccine when they are eligible. “I strongly recommend that everyone receive the COVID-19 vaccine,” says Joseph Mularczyk, MD, a cardiologist at Rush University Medical Center. “The vaccination is especially important for people who […]

Specialist trauma mental health services a necessity for UK healthcare staff after COVID

Almost 60% of UK frontline health and social care workers (HSCWs) experienced a mental health disorder during the first COVID-19 lockdown, with many of those surveyed suffering “very high rates of distress”, suggests a new study led by researchers at UCL and the University of Haifa, Israel. Given the significantly high levels of mental health […]

Risk for chronic kidney disease even more critical due to COVID-19 pandemic

An estimated 1 in 10 people worldwide have chronic kidney disease, but most of them don’t know it. That lack of awareness is especially concerning because people with chronic kidney disease who are infected with COVID-19 are at higher risk for serious illness. It is important that people understand their risk for developing chronic kidney […]

Cleared for takeoff? World eyes ‘health passports’

From digital certificates to “health passports”, countries and airlines across the globe are hoping to relaunch travel by letting people prove their COVID-free status. But with patchy vaccine access around the world and mounting concerns over data privacy, questions are swirling about how the measures will work in practice. There’s an app for that? Most […]