U.K. Approves Vaccine Booster That Targets Omicron
Video Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories - Duration: 01:31s - Published
U.K. Approves Vaccine Booster That Targets Omicron
U.K. Approves , Vaccine Booster , That Targets Omicron.
The United Kingdom has become the first country
to approve vaccine boosters specifically designed
to counter the omicron variant of COVID-19.
The United Kingdom has become the first country
to approve vaccine boosters specifically designed
to counter the omicron variant of COVID-19.
NPR reports that the decision paves
the way for people in the U.K. to receive
their shots early in the fall season.
The Moderna vaccine booster is "bivalent,"
meaning that it combines two
different versions of the vaccine.
Half of the mix is aimed at the original strain
of COVID, while the other half is formulated
to fight the original omicron variant.
What this bivalent vaccine gives us
is a sharpened tool in our armory to
help protect us against this disease
as the virus continues to evolve, Dr. June Raine, Head of the U.K.'s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, via NPR.
What this bivalent vaccine gives us
is a sharpened tool in our armory to
help protect us against this disease
as the virus continues to evolve, Dr. June Raine, Head of the U.K.'s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, via NPR.
According to researchers in the U.K., the omicron
booster "triggers a strong immune response" that defends
against both the 2020 strain of COVID and omicron.
According to researchers in the U.K., the omicron
booster "triggers a strong immune response" that defends
against both the 2020 strain of COVID and omicron.
NPR points out that the combo booster differs
from the omicron-specific booster which officials
in the United States hope to roll out this fall.
The U.S. FDA has requested vaccine developers to target later omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5.
Those two strains currently make
up a majority of cases in the U.S.
According to NPR, officials hope to authorize omicron-specific boosters by mid-September
Study Investigates Link Between, COVID, Mental Health and Insomnia.
PsyPost reports that a new study by Phenikaa University
in Vietnam has highlighted one of the more common and
lingering symptoms of COVID-19: insomnia.
PsyPost reports that a new study by Phenikaa University
in Vietnam has highlighted one of the more common and
lingering symptoms of COVID-19: insomnia.
As a sleep researcher, I received
many questions and complaints
from relatives, friends, and colleagues
about their sleep disturbances
after recovering from Covid-19, Dr Huong T. X. Hoang, Lead author of the article
published in 'Frontiers in Public Health,' via PsyPost.
I found that the majority of papers
focused on hospitalized patients.
The environment of their treatment
and quarantine would differ greatly
from those with milder symptoms, Dr Huong T. X. Hoang, Lead author of the article
published in 'Frontiers in Public Health,' via PsyPost.
Patients were asked to compare the quality and length
of their sleep, as well as how easy it was for them to
fall asleep, before and after they contracted COVID.
Patients were asked to compare the quality and length
of their sleep, as well as how easy it was for them to
fall asleep, before and after they contracted COVID.
Of the 1,056 people surveyed, over 76.1% of
participants said they experienced insomnia.
22.8% of those surveyed reported
experiencing severe insomnia.
The study found that two groups experienced
a statistically significant increased rate of insomnia,
including those with depressive or anxious symptoms.
The authors of the study note that further
investigation of the connection between COVID,
mental health problems and insomnia is needed.
Since this is a cross-sectional
study, the relationship of anxiety
and depression with insomnia
cannot be fully investigated, Dr Huong T. X. Hoang, Lead author of the article
published in 'Frontiers in Public Health,' via PsyPost.
In addition, collecting data
online and a convenience
sampling method can cause
recall bias and selection bias. , Dr Huong T. X. Hoang, Lead author of the article
published in 'Frontiers in Public Health,' via PsyPost
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Families who have lost loved ones to Covid-19 have gathered at the National Covid Memorial Wall to commemorate their lives. Volunteers for the National Covid Memorial Wall were joined at noon on London’s South Bank on Sunday by members of the public.
Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Homes Linked to Diddy , Are Raided by Federal Officials.
HSI New York "executed law enforcement actions
as part of an ongoing investigation with assistance
from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami and our local law enforcement partners" on March 25, authorities said.
Sean "Diddy" Combs does not own the home in Los Angeles, but the mansion has ties with his company, Bad Boys Film Production.
The Miami residence, however, was bought
by Combs in 2021, NPR reports. .
Phones belonging to Combs
were seized by Homeland Security
officials in Miami prior to the 54-year-old
attempting to board a flight to the Bahamas.
The motive for the raids has not been made clear, .
but they follow a lawsuit alleging that Diddy leads an enterprise that could be considered a "widespread and dangerous criminal sex trafficking organization.".
I drive by a lot, and I see that — a lot of girls, maybe five or six girls outside, some leaving, some not, some going in. I never thought anything of it. But now, it’s crazy, Ryan Mendelsohn, 20, who used to live
in and still frequents the area, via NBC News.
The rapper and producer has also been accused
of the "solicitation and distribution of illegal narcotics and firearms," NBC News reports. .
That suit follows other claims of sexual misconduct, assault, sex trafficking and rape, most notably put forth by Combs' ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. .
Producer Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones has also
sued Diddy for alleged sexual assault.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Biden Forgives $6 Billion in Student Debt , for Public Service Workers.
On March 21, the Biden administration canceled nearly $6 billion in student loans for approximately 80,000 public service workers, NPR reports.
Such workers include teachers,
nurses, firefighters and more.
Such workers include teachers,
nurses, firefighters and more.
Such workers include teachers,
nurses, firefighters and more.
These public service workers have
dedicated their careers to serving their
communities, but because of past
administrative failures, never got the
relief they were entitled to under the law, President Joe Biden, via statement.
Because of the fixes my administration
has made, we have now canceled student
debt for over 870,000 public service workers —
compared to only about 7,000 public
service borrowers ever receiving
forgiveness prior to my administration, President Joe Biden, via statement.
Those who are eligible for this round of student
loan forgiveness will receive an email next week.
Thousands more who are enrolled in the
Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
will receive emails "if they are within two years
of having their debt forgiven," NPR reports. .
The announcement comes as the president travels the country to campaign for reelection.
From day one of my administration, I promised
to fix broken student loan programs and make
sure higher education is a ticket to the
middle class, not a barrier to opportunity, President Joe Biden, via statement.
I won't back down from using every
tool at my disposal to deliver student debt
relief to more Americans, and build an
economy from the middle out and bottom up, President Joe Biden, via statement
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
California Voters Pass Proposition 1 , to Address Homelessness Crisis.
In a state that accounts for close to a third
of all homeless people in the United States.
California counties will now be required to
spend money "on housing and drug treatment programs" to fight homelessness, NPR reports. .
Gov. Gavin Newsom raised over
$13 million to promote the measure.
Proposition 1 represents California's first mental health system update in 20 years, NPR reports. .
This is the biggest change in
decades in how California tackles
homelessness, and a victory for
doing things radically different, Gov. Gavin Newsom, via statement.
Now, counties and local officials must
match the ambition of California voters. , Gov. Gavin Newsom, via statement.
This historic reform will only
succeed if we all kick into action
immediately – state government
and local leaders, together, Gov. Gavin Newsom, via statement.
Revenue from a tax on millionaires, enacted in 2004, brings in about $2 billion to $3 billion a year toward California's mental health budget, NPR reports. .
Counties will now be required to spend two-thirds
of that money to tackle homelessness. .
The state will also be allowed to borrow
$6.3 billion to create an additional 6,800 beds for mental health and addiction treatment.
That money can also be used to
construct 4,350 housing units. Half of
those housing units will be for veterans
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
RGB Award Ceremony Canceled , Amid Recipient Controversy.
Since 2019, the Dwight D. Opperman Foundation
has presented accomplished women with the Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Leadership Award, NPR reports. .
Previous recipients include
Barbra Streisand and Queen Elizabeth II.
This year, however, the foundation
selected four men to receive the
award, in addition to Martha Stewart. .
This year, however, the foundation
selected four men to receive the
award, in addition to Martha Stewart. .
Those men are Elon Musk, Rupert Murdoch, Michael Milken and Sylvester Stallone.
Those men are Elon Musk, Rupert Murdoch, Michael Milken and Sylvester Stallone.
Those men are Elon Musk, Rupert Murdoch, Michael Milken and Sylvester Stallone.
Those men are Elon Musk, Rupert Murdoch, Michael Milken and Sylvester Stallone.
Justice Ginsburg fought not only for women but for everyone, Dwight D. Opperman Foundation Chair
Julie Opperman, via statement.
Going forward, to embrace the
fullness of Justice Ginsburg's
legacy, we honor both women
and men who have changed the
world by doing what they do best, Dwight D. Opperman Foundation Chair
Julie Opperman, via statement.
Ginsburg's family condemned the foundation's recipient selection, NPR reports. .
This year, the Opperman Foundation
has strayed far from the original
mission of the award and from
what Justice Ginsburg stood for. , Jane Ginsburg, daughter of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, via statement.
On March 18, foundation Chair Julie Opperman
said that the April ceremony is now canceled. .
This year we selected
leaders in different fields. We honored men for the first time, Dwight D. Opperman Foundation Chair
Julie Opperman, via statement.
We thought RBG's teachings
regarding EQUALITY should be
practiced. We did not consider politics, Dwight D. Opperman Foundation Chair
Julie Opperman, via statement.
Opperman went on to say that the foundation will decide whether to continue after reevaluating its mission, NPR reports.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Aging Energy Infrastructure, Plus Climate Change, Are a Growing Risk.
NPR reports that Texas investigators say that a power pole , "that appeared to be decayed at the base", was the cause of the worst wildfire in the state's history.
Xcel Energy, the state's electric
utility, said in a statement that , "its facilities appear to have been involved
in an ignition of the Smokehouse Creek fire.".
Rob Gramlich, president of consulting firm
Grid Strategies, warns that many of the U.S.'s
power lines were built 60 to 70 years ago. .
According to Gramlich, most electric utility providers
in the U.S. lack the technology to let them know
when power lines are overheating or sagging.
Combined with increased temperatures
and drier vegetation, this aging infrastructure
could spark larger, more intense wildfires.
There are some utilities
that are really leaders and
are getting ahead of the risk, Michael Wara, director of the Climate and Energy
Policy Program at the Woods Institute for
the Environment at Stanford University, via NPR.
And then there are others
that we look at and think are
walking into a catastrophe, Michael Wara, director of the Climate and Energy
Policy Program at the Woods Institute for
the Environment at Stanford University, via NPR.
According to experts, wildfire prevention
can not only impact safety, but also the
cost of energy bills across the nation.
We cannot afford – literally,
in terms of our pocketbooks –
to have utilities be perceived
by their investors as high risk, Michael Wara, director of the Climate and Energy
Policy Program at the Woods Institute for
the Environment at Stanford University, via NPR.
There is a set of practices
that utilities can take that
do not cost an arm and a leg
that can dramatically cut
the risk of outcomes
like we saw in Texas, Michael Wara, director of the Climate and Energy
Policy Program at the Woods Institute for
the Environment at Stanford University, via NPR
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
FDA to Outlaw Soda Ingredient , Already Banned Around the World.
Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO) has been used as an emulsifier in various products
since the 1930s, ScienceAlert reports. .
Countries such as India, Japan and nations within
the European Union have banned BVO for years.
California also outlawed it in 2022.
Studies have indicated that BVO builds up in fat tissue when consumed and prevents iodine from properly functioning within the thyroid. .
BVO has also been linked with heart and behavioral problems, ScienceAlert reports. .
Recent toxicology studies prompted
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
to propose banning BVO in November.
The proposed action is an example of how
the agency monitors emerging evidence
and, as needed, conducts scientific research
to investigate safety related questions, , James Jones, FDA deputy commissioner
for human foods, via ScienceAlert.
... and takes regulatory action when the
science does not support the continued
safe use of additives in foods, James Jones, FDA deputy commissioner
for human foods, via ScienceAlert.
Over the years many beverage makers
reformulated their products to replace
BVO with an alternative ingredient, and
today, few beverages in the US contain BVO, James Jones, FDA deputy commissioner
for human foods, via ScienceAlert.
The FDA's BVO reclassification will still need to
go through a review process before completion.
James Jones, FDA deputy commissioner
for human foods, said that regulations
for authorizing other food additives are
currently being reviewed by the agency...
... in order to automatically block
the approval of ingredients known to
cause cancer in animals or humans
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
FDA Warns These , Cinnamon Brands , Could Contain Lead.
NPR reports that the Food and Drug Administration
has issued an advisory that several brands
of cinnamon could potentially contain lead.
The six brands impacted by the advisory are: , La Fiesta, Marcum, MK, Swad,
Supreme Tradition and El Chilar. .
These brands are commonly on sale at
discount stores and were found to contain
between 2.03 and 3.4 parts per million of lead.
The FDA said that while no illnesses have been
linked to the products, it has recommended
a voluntary recall of the cinnamon brands.
It is important to note that the lead
levels found in the ground cinnamon
products listed above are significantly
lower than lead levels in cinnamon in
the recalled apple sauce pouches
removed from the market this past fall, FDA statement, via NPR.
The FDA added that the impacted products , "could be unsafe for prolonged use.".
NPR reports that long-term lead exposure
in children can lead to slower development,
brain and nervous system damage,
as well as behavioral and learning problems.
According to the CDC, while adults
can experience similar impacts, higher
amounts of exposure are necessary.
The FDA said that "historically, lead chromate has
been illegally added to certain spices" to increase
their weight and enhance their color, "which
increases the monetary value of the adulterated spices." .
FDA's leading hypothesis
remains that this was likely
an act of economically
motivated adulteration, FDA statement, via NPR
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
FDA Approves Marketing , That Cites Yogurt's Ability , to Reduce Diabetes Risk.
NBC reports that the Food and Drug Administration
has decided that food makers can advertise
that regularly consuming yogurt could
reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes.
NBC reports that the Food and Drug Administration
has decided that food makers can advertise
that regularly consuming yogurt could
reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes.
The decision comes following a 2018 petition from
Danone North America, which owns major yogurt
brands Dannon, Activia, Wallaby Organic and Silk. .
The decision comes following a 2018 petition from
Danone North America, which owns major yogurt
brands Dannon, Activia, Wallaby Organic and Silk. .
The petition sought to have the FDA allow the
company to market yogurt's ability to reduce
the risk of Type 2 diabetes without objection.
On March 1, the FDA confirmed that
it would not oppose the marketing
campaign, while including some caveats. .
Those caveats include that the marketing must
note that evidence is limited to eating two cups,
equal to three servings, of yogurt per week. .
NBC reports that Danone's petition is
part of a standard process which the
FDA calls "qualified health claims.".
While these claims do not require the FDA's
approval, companies often petition the
agency to define the specific language
necessary to avoid making false claims.
The petition reportedly cited yogurt's nutrient
profile of proteins, vitamins and low sodium.
The petition also cited studies which have supported
the link between regularly consuming yogurt and
reduced risk of diabetes and related conditions.
The petition also noted that
the evidence supports the health
effects of yogurt as a food rather
than related to any single nutrient
or compound and thus is
independent of fat or sugar content. , FDA announcement, via NBC
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Expert Advice About Daily , Caffeine Consumption.
NBC reports that while research has shown the
positive long-term health effects of coffee,
high caffeine consumption also comes with risks. .
Studies have found that those include
increased risk of dementia and stroke, in addition to
a higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease. .
According to experts, people with
pre-existing health conditions may experience
more of coffee's negative side effects. .
The Food and Drug Administration suggests
people limit daily caffeine intake to 400 milligrams,
equal to about four or five 8-ounce cups.
According to the FDA, people are unlikely to
experience serious side effects unless they consume
1,200 milligrams, or approximately 12 cups daily.
Tricia Psota, a dietitian with Nutrition on Demand, warns
that even 400 milligrams of caffeine can be associated with
side effects like jitteriness, anxiety and difficulty sleeping.
According to Psota, some people have a lower
tolerance for caffeine and are more likely
to experience negative side effects.
According to Jessica Sylvester, a dietition at the
Florida Nutrition Group, with everyone's tolerance varying, there are warning signs that you've had too much caffeine. .
Within those milligram or cup of coffee
recommendations, if you start feeling
overly tired and the caffeine is not
helping, then you’ve got to stop, Jessica Sylvester, Dietition at the Florida Nutrition Group, via NBC.
If your heart starts beating
incredibly fast, you’ve got to stop.
It’s different for each person, Jessica Sylvester, Dietition at the Florida Nutrition Group, via NBC
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
New COVID Boosters To Be Released , Before They’re Tested on Humans.
According to a 'Wall Street Journal' report, the FDA is set to approve the new booster shots that target Omicron and its..
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
A new bivalent vaccine which targets both the original and Omicron Covid strains is to be rolled out this autumn as part of a booster programme. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at..