A new flu vaccine, a surprising discovery about singing mice and a sleep condition that affects 30 million Americans – here’s today’s health news.
cleveland —
Smarter flu vaccines are coming
The same mRNA technology behind COVID-19 vaccine Your annual flu shot may soon be boosted. a major clinical trial The study found that the experimental mRNA flu vaccine reduced influenza prevalence by about 27% compared with a standard-dose shot, and that the protection worked across age groups, strains and underlying health conditions, including adults 65 and older who were most at risk.
Side effects are slightly more common than with standard injections and include pain at the injection site and fatigue, but most side effects are mild and short-lived. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected to make an approval decision by August 5.
The singing mouse—and what it means for human language
It sounds like something out of a children’s book, but some mice really do sing. Researchers are at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Research has found that some rodents communicate through a unique, buzz-like song that lasts up to 16 seconds. Using a specialized sequencing technique to map individual neurons and their connections throughout the brain, the scientists found that the mice carried expanded neural pathways that expanded their vocal ranges.
Researchers say the same genetic mutation may have paved the way for the development of human language. The research was published in the journal Nature.
Restless legs: more than just tossing and turning
Approximately 30 million Americans live in restless legs syndrome — Conditions that cause restless, itchy, or painful sensations, often before bedtime, can significantly disrupt sleep. Sleep experts at the Cleveland Clinic say low iron is one of the most common culprits, whether it’s malabsorption or not enough iron in the diet.
Supplementing iron through food or supplements may help. But for some people, medications or wearable devices that stimulate leg movement may also be an option. If you think restless legs syndrome may be affecting your sleep, talk to your healthcare provider.
