ScienceDaily: Top Health News


Vaccines and previous infection could offer some 'stronger than basic' protection to Omicron, early study suggests

Posted: 12 Dec 2021 05:53 AM PST

One of the earliest, peer-reviewed studies looking into the Omicron variant of COVID-19 suggests that people previously infected with COVID, and those vaccinated, will have some, 'stronger than basic' defence against this new strain of concern.

Infant immune systems are stronger than you think, research shows

Posted: 10 Dec 2021 11:07 AM PST

Immunologists have found that the infant immune system is stronger than most people think and beats the adult immune system at fighting off new pathogens.

A longer-lasting COVID vaccine? New study points the way

Posted: 10 Dec 2021 09:18 AM PST

Researchers have identified rare, naturally occurring T cells that are capable of targeting a protein found in SARS-CoV-2 and a range of other coronaviruses. The findings suggest that a component of this protein, called viral polymerase, could potentially be added to COVID-19 vaccines to create a longer-lasting immune response and increase protection against new variants of the virus.

Melatonin exacerbates asthma, study finds

Posted: 10 Dec 2021 07:31 AM PST

Asthma sufferers generally find their condition gets worse at night. Now researchers may understand why. Melatonin, a sleep hormone that is sometimes prescribed to treat insomnia, exasperates the constriction of the bronchus -- the pathway that moves air to and from your lungs, according to a new study.