Using social media to understand the vaccine debate in China

THE SITUATION Vaccine acceptance is a crucial public health issue, which has been exacerbated by the use of social media to spread content expressing vaccine hesitancy. Studies have shown that social media can provide new information regarding the dynamics of vaccine communication online, potentially affecting real-world vaccine behaviors. A team of United States-based researchers observed…

Medication treatments led to 80% lower risk of fatal overdose for patients with opioid use disorder

Patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) receiving treatment with opioid agonists (medications such as methadone or buprenorphine) had an 80 percent lower risk of dying from an opioid overdose compared to patients in treatment without the use of medications. The new findings, published online February 25 in the journal Addiction, are a collaboration between researchers…

Coronavirus Live Updates: Outbreak in Northern Italy Poses National Challenge

Here’s what you need to know: ImageThe University of Milan, one of Europe’s largest universities, closed on Monday due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Italy.Credit…Andrea Mantovani for The New York Times An ominous quiet descends on Milan, Italy’s business engine. Milan’s normally bustling streets, stores and restaurants are eerily empty. In Italy’s…

For That PB and J, a Pecan Butter

A new line of pecan butters is hard to resist. They’re just sweet enough, a trifle soupy (chill them, and they firm up) and come in plain, with maple syrup and sea salt; chocolate; espresso (decaf); and cinnamon. They’re superb spooned over ice cream. Sunday Provisions Pecan Butters, $14 for 7.5 ounces, sundayprovisions.com; also $14.95…