Author: Michelle Korhonen

Experts say the new COVID boosters are a much closer match to currently circulating variants than prior vaccines and boosters. Frederick J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Frederick J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images Experts say the new COVID boosters are a much closer match to currently circulating variants than prior vaccines and boosters. Frederick J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images In spring 2023, COVID hospitalizations and deaths hit their lowest levels since the start of the pandemic. Masks came off and schools and some workplaces were back in person. The nation emerged from the three-year COVID nightmare –…

One of American fiction’s core preoccupations, these days, seems to be the question of what causes unhappiness. Many of our major writers are earnest anatomists of discontent and its social, psychological, and existential causes. This kind of fiction can be very powerful. Reading about loneliness when you’re lonely can provide both diagnosis and solace; encountering a character trapped by student debt or patriarchal expectation can inspire a sense of camaraderie in a reader facing similar frustrations. But more often than not, contemporary novelists handle their subject matter with immersive seriousness and sincerity—and sincerity, after a while, gets tiring. Misery may…

Are hospital coffee machines responsible for spreading pathogens? No, recent research indicates that hospital coffee machines are unlikely to be significant contributors to the spread of superbugs. A study published in The BMJ in December 2023 assessed the microbial population in healthcare-associated coffee machines and found several key points:Hospital machines had more bacteria than home machines but mostly harmless: While hospital coffee machines harbored about three times more bacteria than home machines, most were commensals, meaning they exist on human skin or gut without causing harm.Few medically relevant pathogens: Only a few types of medically relevant pathogens were identified, and none were resistant to antibiotics. These were…

“I always compare dishes from our childhood as like a warm blanket,” says Polish food writer Michał Korkosz of gogl-mogl. “They remind you when you were the happiest in your life.” Sophia Pappas for NPR hide caption toggle caption Sophia Pappas for NPR “I always compare dishes from our childhood as like a warm blanket,” says Polish food writer Michał Korkosz of gogl-mogl. “They remind you when you were the happiest in your life.” Sophia Pappas for NPR As long as there have been scratchy throats, runny noses, and hacking coughs, there have been home remedies different cultures have turned…

The reaction to the events of October 7 has made the growing radicalization of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party—and, in particular, its indulgence of anti-Semitism—more clear than ever. And it has highlighted President Joe Biden’s role in resisting the leftward pull of those progressives, a stand of increasing importance not just for his party, but for the country as a whole.In the early-morning hours of a Jewish holiday, Simchat Torah, the terrorist group Hamas launched an unprovoked attack, committing the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. Civilians were intentionally targeted, and constituted the overwhelming majority of casualties.…

Mirror hand syndrome, also known as ulnar dimelia, is a very rare congenital birth defect that affects the hands. It essentially means a person is born with one or both hands having mirror-image duplication of fingers and bones. Here’s a breakdown of the key aspects:People with mirror hand syndrome typically have 7 to 10 fingers on one or both hands. These fingers often mirror each other, meaning a central finger flanked by three fingers on either side, resembling a reflection in the middle.The bones behind the extra fingers, including carpal bones (wrist), metacarpal bones (palm), and phalanges (fingers), are also duplicated.The affected arm may…

NPR is reporting on the latest science of longevity and all the ways people strive to live healthy, engaged lives as they age. And we’d like to hear from you. No matter your age, it’s never too soon — or too late — to set yourself up for a long, healthy and purposeful life. So tell us: What works for you? What habits and lifestyle hacks have you adopted that you’d recommend to others? And if you’re still figuring this out, no worries — we are too! Tell us what concerns you most about aging and what information are you…

This is an edition of The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here.Many Americans—of both parties—have become untethered from reality. When the voters become incoherent, electing leaders becomes a reality show instead of a solemn civic obligation.First, here are three new stories from The Atlantic:National HypochondriaIt’s been a stormy Monday on the East Coast, but with all respect to the Carpenters, I happen to like rainy days and Mondays. So I promise that what I am about…

Research Found Chia Seeds Powerful to Prevent High Blood Pressure  – Chia seeds, once a prized food of ancient civilizations, are back in the spotlight for their impressive nutritional punch and potential health benefits. Scientists at Oregon State University have unlocked the secrets within these tiny seeds, revealing not just their rich content of omega-3s, protein, and fiber, but also exciting possibilities for treating diseases like cancer and high blood pressure.Oregon State researchers sequenced the chia genome, uncovering a treasure trove of genes linked to properties valuable for drug development. This genetic data mining, published in Frontiers, dives deep into…

The U.S. Census Bureau has proposed changes to how its annual American Community Survey produces estimates of how many people with disabilities are living in the country. smartboy10/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption smartboy10/Getty Images The U.S. Census Bureau has proposed changes to how its annual American Community Survey produces estimates of how many people with disabilities are living in the country. smartboy10/Getty Images A proposal to change how the Census Bureau produces a key set of estimates about the number of people with disabilities in the United States has sparked controversy among many disability advocates. Some are concerned that…