Global Population Will Peak by Mid-Century, Shifting Economic Power

The world's population is shifting, with a new analysis predicting it will peak in 2064 at around 9.7 billion people and fall to 8.8 billion by the end of the century.

The United States will have population growth until just after mid-century (364 million in 2062). That will be followed by a moderate decline to 336 million by 2100. At ...

Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine 'Promising' After Early Trial

A leading COVID-19 vaccine contender has passed its early safety trial with flying colors.

The vaccine, created by Moderna, produced an immune response in all 45 healthy participants who received two shots 28 days apart, according to findings reported July 14 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The vaccine (named m...

Obesity in Childhood Quickly Harms Heart Health

In a finding that suggests the seeds for heart disease are sown early in life, researchers report they found evidence of stiff, thickened arteries in children who had been obese as toddlers.

"Public health efforts are needed in the very early years to prevent problems with obesity and being overweight, to avoid the risk of adolescent ...

139 Clients, No COVID Infections: Hair Salon Study Shows Face Masks Work

While Americans continue to debate whether face masks can stop the spread of coronavirus, a new report offers compelling evidence that the coverings do indeed work.

In May, two hairstylists at a Missouri salon who had COVID-19 but wore face masks cut the hair of 139 masked customers for roughly a week, and did not infect a single clien...

What Jobs Are Toughest on the Knees?

Joint replacements for knee osteoarthritis are becoming more common, and now researchers have identified jobs that may lead to one.

Based on a review of 71 studies that included nearly one million workers, the riskiest occupations include agriculture, construction, mining, service jobs and housekeeping. And jobs that demand excessive ...

Tough Decisions as COVID-19 Causes Cancer Surgery Delays

Many cancer patients have faced delays to their health care during the coronavirus pandemic, but with what consequences?

Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston analyzed 15 years of data to determine how long surgery for certain types of cancer can be delayed without harming patients' chances of survival. The stud...

Sleep Problems in Early Childhood Linked to Teens' Mental Health Issues

Teens who had sleep problems as babies or tots may be at risk for mental health disorders, a new study suggests.

Researchers analyzed data from more than 13,000 people who were part of a British study in the 1990s. Their parents reported their sleep behavior six times between the ages of 6 months and 5.8 years.

Those who had ...

Scientists Move Closer to Mapping Entire Human Genome

Although much of the genetic makeup of humans has been mapped, hundreds of missing DNA sequences remain.

Until now.

Scientists from the U.S. National Human Genome Research Institute report they have produced the complete DNA sequence of a single human chromosome. That discovery could allow researchers to sequence the entire h...

Stressful Days, Worse Blood Sugar Control for People With Diabetes

When something as routine as grocery shopping might lead to a deadly COVID-19 infection, stress is inevitable -- and that extra tension can make it harder for people with diabetes to manage their disease.

The reason? The stress hormone cortisol is linked to higher blood sugar levels, according to a new study.

Under stress,...

AHA News: After 3 Heart Attacks, Meteorologist Hopes for Clear Skies Ahead

Meteorologist Mark Larson was preparing for his noon television show in Wichita, Kansas, when he started to feel foggy and fatigued. Out of nowhere, sharp pain stabbed the inside of his left elbow.

He knew he was in no shape to appear on air and went to tell the news director, who immediately noticed Larson's pasty skin and pained expres...

AHA News: As Pandemic Disrupts Research, Scientists Look for New Ways Forward

Amid the coronavirus crisis, closed classrooms are the most visible blow universities have taken to their core mission to acquire and share knowledge. But interruptions in clinical trials and lab research also are hampering that mission, administrators say.

As authorities issued shut-down orders and "safe-at-home" guidance in the spring,...

Common Heartburn Drugs May Be Tied to Higher COVID Risk

Popular heartburn medications such as Prilosec (omeprazole) and Nexium (esomeprazole) may inadvertently up your chances of catching COVID-19, new research suggests.

An online survey of more than 53,000 Americans, all with a history of acid reflux, heartburn or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) found that many took a proton pump in...

More States Roll Back Reopenings as Coronavirus Cases Climb

California and Oregon rolled back their reopenings on Monday, two of several states across the country that are struggling to get surging coronavirus case counts under control.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered the statewide closure of all bars and halted the indoor operations of restaurants, wineries, theaters and a handful of ...

What If a COVID-19 Vaccine Arrived and Many Americans Said No?

With several potential COVID-19 vaccines now in clinical trials, U.S. policymakers need to plan for the next hurdle: Ensuring Americans actually get vaccinated.

That's according to a new report from the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. It lays out recommendations for winning the public's trust of any future vaccine, and helpin...

Prisoners Nearly 6 Times More Likely to Get COVID

The rate of COVID-19 in U.S. prisons is nearly six times higher than in the general population. And the COVID death rate among prisoners is likely tripled, researchers report.

"While these numbers are striking, we actually think the disparities within prisons is much greater," said study lead author Brendan Saloner, associate professor...

Lockdown Led to Less Sex, Lower Use of HIV-Preventing Drugs: Survey

About one-third of people prescribed drugs to prevent HIV stopped taking the medications when they were forced to stay home due to the coronavirus pandemic, a new survey finds. The reason, they said: They weren't having sex.

Many discontinued the drugs without their doctor's say-so, which has experts concerned.

"Reducing the ...

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Doesn't Harm Lungs: Study

Treatment with the immunosuppressant methotrexate does not raise the risk of lung disease among rheumatoid arthritis patients, two new studies claim.

At least 5% to 10% of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients develop interstitial lung disease, which leads to inflammatory changes in lungs that are accompanied by a dry cough and br...

Getting Your Protein From Plants a Recipe for Longevity

Swapping out tofu for your morning eggs or using beans instead of ground beef in your chili could help you live longer, a new study reports.

Getting your daily protein from plants instead of animals appears to reduce your overall risk of early death, researchers found.

Every 3% of a person's daily energy intake coming fro...

Beta Blocker Heart Meds Might Pose Special Risks for Women

Millions of Americans are prescribed blood pressure medicines called beta blockers, especially after a heart attack. But a new Italian study finds that these go-to drugs might not work as well for women as they do for men.

"What we found presents a solid case for reexamination of the use of beta blocker therapy for women with hypertens...

COVID-19 May Trigger High Blood Sugar, Raising Death Risk: Study

Bodies stressed by severe COVID-19 could produce abnormally high blood sugar levels, even in people without diagnosed diabetes. And that appears tied to a doubling of the odds of dying from COVID-19, Chinese researchers report.

High blood sugar (glucose) levels, measured at the time of admission to the hospital, were also linked to mor...