A new episode of our podcast, “Show Me the Science,” has been posted. At present, these podcast episodes are highlighting research and patient care on the Washington University Medical Campus as our scientists and clinicians confront the COVID-19 pandemic. When we launched this podcast in March 2020, our first guest was a doctor who had […]
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Meet the Retired Nurse Who Could Give Covid Shots But Couldn’t Get One
Martha Gallagher, a 75-year-old retired school nurse, wanted to volunteer for the Delaware Medical Reserve Corps to administer covid-19 vaccines. She knew Delaware might need more vaccinators and thought, “Why not do something to help get the vaccine out?” Plus, Gallagher figured, it would be a good way for her to get vaccinated, too. When […]
COVID conspiracy theorists: Concerned only about own health but reluctant to vaccinate
COVID-19 conspiracy theorists are more concerned about their own health and less concerned about the health of others, according to a study led by University of Queensland researchers. Professor Jolanda Jetten from the UQ School of Psychology said the research found conspiracy theorists were also more likely to respond to COVID-19 with self-focused strategies rather […]
Covid vaccines block disease, but do they stop infection?
As reports this week from Scotland and Israel—where much or most of the population have gotten COVID jabs—confirm that vaccines largely prevent people from getting sick, another question is emerging: do they also block infection? A lot depends on the answer, experts say. If vaccines being rolled out worldwide ward off not only symptoms but […]
Fertility treatment affects children’s growth patterns but not for long
Children born as a result of fertility treatment have different growth patterns to naturally-conceived children but, by the time they reach the age of 17, they are of similar height, weight and body mass index (BMI), according to research published today (Wednesday) in Human Reproduction. The study of 81,461 children from the Norwegian Mother, Father […]
Biden’s First Order of Business May Be to Undo Trump’s Policies, but It Won’t Be Easy
The party split in Congress is so slim that, even with Democrats technically in the majority, passing major health care legislation will be extremely difficult. So speculation about President-elect Joe Biden’s health agenda has focused on the things he can accomplish using executive authority. Although there is a long list of things he could do, […]
Opiate overdoses spike in black Philadelphians, but drop in white residents since COVID-19
While it has been reported that opioid overdose deaths have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new study looking at data in Philadelphia showed that this hardship has been overwhelmingly suffered by Black individuals. Researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania analyzed the period of time after the city’s stay-at-home […]
Virginity is make-believe, but the damage it causes women is very real
Let me begin by telling you that virginity is a myth. It is a patriarchal social construct promoted by men who thought that their penis was so important, it had the power to fundamentally change who a woman is and how she should be viewed by society. Virginity is not medical, nor is it scientific. […]
UN: Skiing may not spread coronavirus but slopes still risky
As several European countries have suspended access to the ski slopes to stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, the World Health Organization’s emergencies chief said the risk of catching COVID-19 while skiing is likely minimal. “I suspect many people won’t be infected barreling down the slopes on their skis,” said Dr. Michael Ryan said […]
Therapy has saved me during lockdown, but many others won’t be so lucky
When I was furloughed from my job in a theatre in March, my mental health plummeted. At first, the idea of being paid to stay home seemed too good to be true. While my self-employed friends panicked about their rent, I felt lucky to be eligible for a monthly income from the Coronavirus Job Retention […]