Vaccine wars escalate as new antibody escape variants raise the bar

When a new mutation within the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD) emerges that a particular antibody can no longer neutralyze, it is often called an escape variant. With the rapid identification of these new variants within the infected population, and also in lab-generated versions of the spike protein, an exhaustive escape variant matrix […]

New studies clarify which genes may raise breast cancer risk

Two large studies give a much sharper picture of which inherited mutations raise the risk of breast cancer for women without a family history of the disease, and how common these flawed genes are in the general population. Doctors say the results published Wednesday by the New England Journal of Medicine can help women make […]

Prenatal Cannabis Exposure May Raise Risk for Psychopathology

THURSDAY, Oct. 15, 2020 — Prenatal cannabis exposure is associated with a greater risk for psychopathology during middle childhood, according to a study published online Sept. 23 in JAMA Psychiatry. Sarah E. Paul, from Washington University in St. Louis, and colleagues evaluated whether cannabis use during pregnancy is associated with adverse outcomes among offspring. The […]

New virus outbreaks raise alarm as India cases hit 1 million

Fresh coronavirus outbreaks, even in places as far flung as China’s western Xinjiang region, are prompting worldwide moves to guard against the pandemic, as the number of confirmed cases globally approaches 14 million. India on Friday said it had surpassed 1 million cases, third only to the United States and Brazil, with more than 25,000 […]

Taking vitamins during chemotherapy could raise death risk

Taking vitamin supplements during breast cancer chemotherapy could raise death risk by 40% and make the cancer more likely to return, study finds Antioxidants may prevent the exact process chemotherapy relies on Pills including vitamins A, C, E and B12 were found to have negative effects Doctors now have evidence to tell patients to avoid […]