New Scientist - Health

1. Bird flu virus that infected a person in Missouri had a rare mutation
   Genetic analysis of a bird flu virus detected in a person in Missouri who didn’t previously have contact with animals offers more details on the case, but experts say there isn’t substantial evidence to suggest human-to-human transmission is happening
2. Snoring isn't just a nuisance, it's dangerous. Why can't we treat it?
   Snoring is often viewed as harmless, at least to the snorer, but we are now uncovering its potentially serious effects on cardiovascular health. And finding ways to stop is surprisingly challenging
3. Antibiotic resistance forecast to kill 39 million people by 2050
   The number of people worldwide directly killed by antibiotic resistance will rise to 1.9 million a year by 2050, according to the most comprehensive study so far
4. Evidence grows for dramatic brain remodelling during pregnancy
   A woman's brain was scanned throughout her pregnancy, adding to the growing body of evidence that dramatic remodelling takes place in preparation for motherhood
5. The complicated role loneliness plays in 26 common health conditions
   Loneliness was long thought to cause health conditions ranging from diabetes to cardiovascular disease, but new research paints a more nuanced picture
6. Blood test could diagnose ALS with up to 97 per cent accuracy
   ALS, the most common form of motor neuron disease, can take a long time to diagnose, but a blood test could help doctors spot the condition sooner
7. One dose of a smallpox vaccine still gives good protection for mpox
   A single dose of a smallpox vaccine seems to lower the risk of catching mpox by around 60 per cent, and two doses would probably be even better
8. Chronic fatigue syndrome could be quickly diagnosed via a blood test
   Levels of certain cells, fatty molecules and proteins in the blood are different in people with chronic fatigue syndrome than in those without it, which could help doctors spot the condition sooner
9. Clown visits may shorten the amount of time children spend in hospital
   Medical clowns, who play with children in hospitals, may help them be discharged sooner by reducing their heart rates
10. Evidence mounts that saline nasal drops and sprays help treat colds
    Saline drops and sprays have already been linked to reduced cold symptoms in adults and now a study suggests they also work in children