Health & Safety

Health & Safety

Popular nasal decongestant doesn't relieve congestion, FDA advisers say

5:12am September 13, 2023

A panel of advisers to the FDA concluded that a common ingredient in cold and allergy medication doesn't actually work. That could lead the agency to pull these products from store shelves.

Sudafed and other common nasal decongestants containing pseudoephedrine are on display behind the counter at Hospital Discount Pharmacy in Edmond, Okla., Jan. 11, 2005.

A popular nasal decongestant doesn't actually relieve congestion, FDA advisers say

11:41pm September 12, 2023

by The Associated Press

The FDA asked advisers to take another look at phenylephrine, which became the main drug in over-the-counter decongestants when medicines with an older ingredient were moved behind pharmacy counters.

New COVID-19 vaccines received the backing of a panel of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Tuesday. The shots will be available across the country later this week.

Health & Safety

CDC advisers back broad rollout of new COVID boosters

8:31pm September 12, 2023

A panel of doctors and scientists advising the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention voted to recommend that people 6 months of age and older get new COVID boosters this fall.

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Patients and doctors in 3 states announce lawsuits over delayed and denied abortions

5:22pm September 12, 2023

by Selena Simmons-Duffin

The Center for Reproductive Rights has announced lawsuits in Tennessee, Idaho and Oklahoma that tell dramatic stories describing how abortion laws interfered with patients' care.

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Gerhardt Boukes, chief scientist at Afrigen Biologics and Vaccines, formulates mRNA for use in a vaccine against COVID-19. The company — based in Cape Town, South Africa — is the linchpin of a global project to enable low- and middle-income countries to make mRNA vaccines against all manner of diseases.

Whatever happened to the project to crack the wealthy world's lock on mRNA vaccines?

4:02pm September 12, 2023

by Nurith Aizenman

Lower-income countries did not get the COVID vaccines they needed. So the World Bank and other partners tapped a South African company to cook up the (undisclosed) recipe for the Moderna mRNA vaccine.

The rich savory flavor of miso soup is one way to experience umami, the fifth major taste.

Health & Safety

How umami overcame discrimination and took its place as the 5th taste

1:42pm September 12, 2023

by Yuki Noguchi

Everything about this savory flavor is mysterious, from how it tastes to why it took so long to get recognized as the fifth taste. What is it, and how does it make food taste delicious?

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Health & Safety

CDC advisers will meet to consider who should get the new COVID booster

5:06am September 12, 2023

by Maria Godoy

The CDC is likely to recommend the shots for anyone who's at high risk for serious complications from COVID, such as older people and those with weaker immune systems or other health problems.

Tips for keeping your ears healthy in a loud world

5:36pm September 11, 2023

by Margaret Cirino

A recent study found that 1 billion people between the ages of 12 and 34 are at risk for noise-induced hearing loss. Here are some tips for building a solid ear care regimen.

UN members face immense challenges meeting goals on hunger and gender equality

5:12pm September 11, 2023

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Mandeep Tiwana, who is attending the UN general assembly as the representative for the civic engagement organization CIVICUS, about the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Health problems have followed many 9/11 survivors, CDC shows in new museum exhibit

4:39pm September 11, 2023

by Ellen Eldridge

Many who survived the 9/11 terrorist attacks have health problems. The CDC in Atlanta is hosting an exhibit that pays tribute to those suffering and shows what public health experts have learned.

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