Shingles: What triggers this painful, burning rash?

If you have chickenpox as a child, the virus stays in your body, and can emerge later in life as a painful, burning rash called shingles. It’s not fully understood what triggers a resurgence of the virus, but factors that weaken the immune system increase the risk of developing shingles, and it is more common in people over age 60.

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Grandparents as scribes of the pandemic

Since children’s memories of the pandemic are likely to fade, or be forgotten entirely, grandparents have the opportunity to offer them a legacy of sorts by making the effort to record their own personal thoughts about their experiences during this time.

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Magnets, sound, and batteries: Choosing safe toys

If you're choosing gifts to give or donate to children this year, be sure safety is on the list. Here are tips for toys to consider — those that encourage creativity, imagination, and movement  — and toys to try to avoid, due to safety concerns or for other reasons.

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Why are mRNA vaccines so exciting?

The  first vaccines approved in the US to prevent COVID-19 were an entirely new type: mRNA vaccines. Over the past year, they've proven unusually effective and safe. How do mRNA vaccines differ from traditional vaccines, and what makes them so exciting?

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Will eating more chilis help you live longer?

A new report suggests eating chili peppers regularly could lower the risk of dying of cancer or cardiovascular disease. One theory attributes such health benefits to capsaicin, an antioxidant that brings the heat. But just how strong are these findings?

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Do thunderstorms worsen asthma and COPD symptoms?

Weather affects respiratory function, but many of its effects remain unclear. Researchers analyzed Medicare claims to determine whether storms led to an increase in emergency room visits related to asthma and COPD.

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