A new flu vaccine, a surprising discovery about mice that sing and the sleep condition affecting 30 million Americans — here’s today’s health news.
CLEVELAND —
A smarter flu shot on the horizon
The same mRNA technology behind COVID-19 vaccines may soon supercharge your annual flu shot. A major clinical trial finds an experimental mRNA flu vaccine cuts confirmed flu illness by about 27 percent compared to standard-dose shots — and the protection holds across age groups, strains and underlying health conditions, including adults 65 and older who face the greatest risk.
Side effects are slightly more common than with standard shots — injection site pain and fatigue among them — but most are mild and short-lived. The Food and Drug Administration expects to decide on approval by August 5th.
Mice that sing — and what it means for human language
It sounds like something out of a children’s book, but some mice actually sing. Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have discovered that certain rodents communicate through a unique buzz-like song lasting up to 16 seconds. Using a specialized sequencing technique that maps individual neurons and their connections throughout the brain, scientists found these mice carry expanded neural pathways that broaden their vocal range.
The same genetic mutation, researchers say, may have paved the way for the development of human language. The study appears in the journal Nature.
Restless Legs: More than just tossing and turning
About 30 million Americans live with restless legs syndrome — a condition that causes sensations of restlessness, itchiness, or pain, usually at bedtime, that can seriously interfere with sleep. A Cleveland Clinic sleep specialist says low iron is one of the most common culprits, whether from poor absorption or not enough iron in the diet.
Boosting iron through food or supplements can help. But for some, medication or a wearable device that stimulates leg movement may also be an option. Talk to your provider if you think restless legs syndrome may be affecting your sleep.