A vaccine for cat allergies?

It could be on its way. Researchers in Switzerland and the U.K. have developed a vaccine for cats that suppresses the Fel d 1 protein — which is what most allergy sufferers suffer from. (Link goes to news story; click here for the paper.)

This means a couple of things. No longer will your significant other be able to use “I’m allergic” as an excuse not to adopt a cat. And because the cat has to get the shot, you still have an excuse not to invite weird cousin Kevin to dinner.

Fun fact: It’s not cats’ dander that’s an allergen; it’s their saliva.

A vaccine for chlamydia?

Could be. Those shifty Danes have completed an initial study and found a potential candidate. It’s still early in the process, though, and the researchers have admitted there’s no certainty even these positive results will lead to an actual vaccine.

Terrifying anti-smoking rules

The FDA wants to require cigarettes to have graphic warning labels — and we mean graphic as in “incredibly disturbing.”

It’s released 13 proposed warnings, each including “text statements accompanied by photo-realistic color images depicting some of the lesser-known health risks of cigarette smoking.”

And if you think those images are disturbing, you should see what they use in Australia.

Deadliest tuberculosis cured

Scientists have developed a three-drug regimen that cures the deadliest form of TB — the XDR strain, which essentially resists all antibiotics and is the world’s leading cause of death from infectious disease. (It exists in 28 countries, including the U.S.)

The drug regimen tested on Ms. Msimango has shown a 90 percent success rate against a deadly plague, extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis.

How much vitamin D?

The answer isn’t settled — or simple. Rutgers researchers say that there’s no one-size-fits-all amount to prevent bone loss, despite there being at least two professional guidelines. Age, skin color, race … they can all factor into an individual’s needs.

As for its potential to reduce “all-cause mortality,” they say the research isn’t definitive yet.

Vaping is sending kids to hospital

Across the country, teens are vaping something that’s sending them to the ER. Trouble is, no one is sure what it is — nicotine? Cannabis oil? Something illicit? Or is it a chemical in the vaping cartridge?

Dr. Emily Chapman, chief medical officer for the Children’s Minnesota hospital system, said that in the last month or so, it had treated four cases of acute, severe lung damage — including respiratory failure — in teenagers who had been vaping.

Meanwhile….

The FDA wants to begin to review vaping products for safety, but e-cigarette companies are suing to stop it. The FDA wants to allow only safe products on the market, but vaping companies say — seriously — that it’s too expensive for them to have to meet FDA safety requirements.