The Omicron variant of Covid-19 may flame out as quickly as it rose. Omicron became the predominant strain of new Covid cases in the U.S. in just a few weeks. But in South Africa, where the strain was first found, it’s already in steep decline. What’s more, a preliminary study there shows that Omicron carries an 80% lower risk of hospitalization than the Delta variant. Experts believe that South Africa’s experience with Omicron is running two to three weeks ahead of the United States.
Traditional books are making a come-back. A new study in the journal Pediatrics finds that toddlers engage more with parents when reading from a print book rather than when they’re using a tablet. Shared reading stimulates language development and can benefit school success. The study shows that when parents read to kids from a book, it brings an increase in conversations and quality of interactions.
And finally… your microwave could be making your dog really anxious. Research in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science shows that high-frequency sounds can be painful for your pup. The study finds that most owners misread their pet’s reactions–the body language they use to communicate. Pets can express stress through trembling, turning away, or stiffening their entire bodies. And what may be worse? A burnt meal triggering smoke alarms.
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