A growing body of research has shown that misshapen and misfolded alpha-synuclein, the protein culprit behind Parkinson’s disease and its characteristics, travels from the gut to the brain, where it spreads and sticks together in lethal clumps known as Lewy bodies. As these clumps accumulate, they cause brain cell death….
Teen’s scars tell a story of her frightening first 2 years
Madeline “Maddie” Ramon is used to being asked about the scars that can often be seen poking out the top of her shirt. “When I was younger, I had a heart problem and I had heart surgery,” she tells people. “And I’m good now.” Katie Ramon smiles when she hears…
Europe first region to pass 500,000 virus deaths
Europe became the first region in the world on Thursday to pass the milestone of 500,000 coronavirus deaths, according to an AFP tally based on official sources shortly before 1500 GMT. The 52 countries and territories of the European region counted at least 500,069 deaths—ahead of Latin America and the…
FDA Approves First Over-the-Counter Fully At-Home Test for COVID-19
TUESDAY, Dec. 15, 2020 — The first nonprescription COVID-19 test that enables people to collect samples and get results at home has received emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Last week, the FDA approved a different at-home test, but it requires samples to be mailed to…
Which Americans will get the COVID vaccine first?
The Pfizer and Moderna COVID vaccines could be approved in a matter of weeks, but who in the United States will get them first? Though nothing has yet been decided, US experts may differ from other countries in prioritizing “critical workers” who keep society running—potentially even before people at highest…
Perth’s Aboriginal babies show first signs of ear disease at just eight weeks
Telethon Kids Institute researchers have found close to 40% of Aboriginal babies begin to develop middle ear infections between two and four months of age in a first of its kind study in metropolitan Perth. By six—eight months this increased to over 50% of kids according to results published in…
Scotland becomes first country to offer free period products
Scotland on Tuesday voted to offer free universal access to period products, becoming the first country in the world to do so. The Scottish Parliament voted unanimously in favour of the Period Products Bill, which makes it a legal right to have free access to sanitary products in public buildings….
FDA authorizes first COVID-19 test for self-testing at home
Yesterday afternoon, the U.S. FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to a COVID-19 molecular diagnostic test that provides individuals with a result within 30 minutes, in the comfort of their home. As opposed to currently available at-home testing products, which have patients self-collect a nasal swab sample and ship…
Pacific’s Vanuatu records first COVID-19 case
Vanuatu reported its first COVID-19 case Wednesday, ending the Pacific island nation’s status as one of the few remaining virus-free countries in the world. Health officials said a 23-year-old man who recently returned from the United States had tested positive on Tuesday while in quarantine. As the rest of the…
Spain becomes first EU nation with one million virus cases
Spain has become the first European Union nation to surpass a million coronavirus infections, official data showed Wednesday, as the government mulls fresh restrictions on public life to curb the spread of the disease. The country recorded 16,973 confirmed cases of COVID-19 over the past 24 hours, the health ministry…
Canada reports no new COVID-19 deaths for first time in six months
For the first time in six months, Canada on Friday reported no new COVID-19 deaths. Reuters said the last time that happened was on March 15, at the start of pandemic-related lockdowns, CBS News reported. As of Saturday, there had been 137,676 COVID-19 cases and 9,214 deaths from the illness…