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Dec 19 2024HEALTH

Why are Chicago's Vaccination Rates So Low?

This winter, Chicago's vaccination rates for flu and COVID-19 are slightly down from last year. Public health experts say this could be due to people being tired of vaccines and lots of misinformation circulating. Only about 10. 7% of Chicagoans have gotten the updated COVID-19 vaccine as of mid-Dec

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Dec 19 2024HEALTH

The Unusual Journey of Blood in the Brain

Meet John, a 54-year-old man who had a special map of his brain's blood vessels made. This map, called a computed tomography angiogram (CTA), showed something unique. John's left posterior cerebral artery (PCA) wasn't just getting blood from the vertebrobasilar system, like most people. It also had

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Dec 19 2024HEALTH

Vaccines and Fear: A Timeline and Some Truths

Shots have been making headlines for years, way before COVID-19 hit the scene. You might remember talk about vaccines for measles, mumps, and the flu. These chats often stem from false info and personal tales. Fast forward to 2024, a large study shed light on safety issues like heart inflammation, n

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Dec 19 2024HEALTH

Why Do African American Smokers Struggle to Quit?

African American smokers often face more hurdles when trying to quit smoking compared to White individuals. They not only have less success but also deal with more health issues related to tobacco. Understanding what makes quitting harder for them is crucial. This study looked into several factors t

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Dec 19 2024HEALTH

Refugee Women's Views on IPV Screening in Australia: A Fresh Perspective

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a widespread issue, affecting one in three refugee women in Australia. These women deal with many challenges after resettlement, making them a priority for IPV screening and support. A recent study called SAHAR explored whether refugee women using resettlement serv

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Dec 18 2024HEALTH

Plant Power for Peak Performance: The Secret Weapon for Athletes

Did you know that plants can make you a better athlete? For three decades, scientists have been exploring how exercise pushes our bodies to the limit. They've discovered that certain plant compounds, like polysaccharides and antioxidants, can turn up the volume on your workouts. Polysaccharides, fo

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Dec 18 2024ENVIRONMENT

Beijing's Road Dust: A Size and Source Saga

In the bustling city of Beijing, China, scientists have been investigating the buildup of pollutants in road-deposited sediments (RDS) of various sizes. They collected samples from four different roads to compare how pollutants are distributed. Interestingly, the more dry days there are, the more RD

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Dec 18 2024HEALTH

Vaccine Comments Stir Debate: RFK Jr. Faces Scrutiny from Experts

Long before vaccines, polio epidemics were deadly. In the 1916 outbreak, over 5000 people died in the U. S. alone. By 1952, the worst outbreak saw 57, 000 cases, with 21, 000 paralyzed and 3, 145 deaths. The polio vaccine since then has dramatically reduced cases worldwide by over 99%, saving millio

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Dec 18 2024HEALTH

Healthcare: What Should It Be?

Imagine if someone said you can pick only two of these: the best, right now, and cheap. Sounds tough, right? This is what happens in our healthcare system. People want great care quickly without it costing a lot. But that's not how it works. Our system has two faces - for some, it's a public good, l

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Dec 18 2024HEALTH

Health Risks: Sarcopenia and Malnutrition After Cardiac Surgery

In the world of heart surgery, doctors often notice two things happening together in adults with heart problems: sarcopenia (muscle loss) and malnutrition (poor nutrition). Researchers wanted to find out if these conditions before surgery could lead to serious heart and brain issues after the surger

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