Morning Medical Update: Older folks found to foist more moist particles into the air; Covid Czar leaves White House; New drug for marijuana addiction shows promise

Older folks found to foist more moist particles into the air; Covid Czar leaves White House

Research shows that people over 60 are expelling higher amounts of respiratory particles than their younger counterparts. People ages 60-76 expelled 310 particles per liter while younger subjects only released 105 particles per liter. These numbers have experts thinking of new mitigation efforts for future pandemics.

Covid Czar leaves White House

The Biden administration’s Covid Czar role will end on June 15. The title has been held by Ashish Jha since April 2022. “We now have the tools to manage COVID-19 and the virus no longer controls our daily lives,” President Biden said in a statement. “He effectively translated and communicated complex scientific challenges into concrete actions that helped save and improve the lives of millions of Americans.” Jha will return as the dean of Brown University’s School of Public health.

New drug for marijuana addiction shows promise

A new drug, currently labeled as AEF-0117, has shown promising results for treating marijuana addiction. An estimated 30% of marijuana users are addicted. The medication works by eliminating the “good effects” of smoking. Researchers say the results are “very encouraging.”