One flu shot to rule them all

How it could ward off the next pandemic

IN a nutshell Hi, friends! Flu season is in full swing. And while I've been enjoying using the tripledemic as my go-to excuse to cancel all plans, I don't love constantly worrying about getting sick. Truthfully, the flu is no joke. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that as many as 710,000 people are hospitalized with the flu each year. So today we're giving an update on research into a universal flu vaccine and why it could be a powerful weapon against the next pandemic. Some other stuff we're excited to talk about today include: • the case for wearing socks to bed • a new gadget for your sleep tech arsenal • using sleep to fight off viruses • more health stories you need Stay sharp, Ginger Wojcik Newsletter Editor, Healthline

Written by Ginger Wojcik December 14, 2022 • 6 min read

what's got us buzzing We're getting closer to a universal flu vaccine For over a decade, researchers have been working on a universal flu vaccine. At the end of November, results from an animal study showed things are headed in the right direction. The mice and ferrets the vaccine was tested on produced significant antibodies to all 20 known strains of the flu. Not only would a universal flu vaccine protect against the seasonal flu — which kills between 12,000 and 52,000 people every year and hospitalizes hundreds of thousands more — it could stop the next pandemic in its tracks. Influenza has caused four pandemics since 1918, and experts believe it's only a matter of time before the next one hits. A universal flu vaccine would be a major improvement on the current flu vaccine, which can only protect against four strains. Each year, researchers tweak the vaccine to try to make it "match" the current flu strains as much as possible. While it usually reduces flu cases by 40% to 60%, its effectiveness during any given flu season is never a sure bet. (On that note, the CDC says this year's flu shot is very effective.) But don't get too excited yet. Research has a long way to go before a universal vaccine will be ready for the public. Phase I of clinical trials, which is testing the vaccine on humans, is supposed to be completed in March 2023. tl;dr: New results from an animal study showed the experimental vaccine produced antibodies against all 20 known strains of the flu. This is a major step forward in the development of a universal flu vaccine, which experts believe could help us avoid another pandemic.

great finds Editor faves with health perks You know those great finds you just *have* to tell your friends about? That's how we feel about the products we recommend here. Every pick has been vetted by our editorial team, and we genuinely think it'll make your life better.       Amazon Halo Rise Pop quiz: What's one of the most important ways to stay healthy through flu season? If you guessed sleep, you're right! Amazon's new Halo Rise is a bedside sleep tracker, wake-up light, and smart alarm that may help you get better rest. Unlike wearable sleep trackers, the Halo Rise sits on your bedside table. It connects with an app and tracks your sleep stages and quality based on your breathing and movement pattern. It then offers recommendations on ways to improve. It also pairs with Alexa and compatible Echo devices to monitor the light, temperature, and humidity of your room and help you make adjustments for optimal sleep. When you buy the Halo Rise, you'll get a free 6-month membership to the Halo app. After 6 months, it auto-renews for $3.99 per month. You may find it's a small price to pay for smarter sleep! Shop now

say what   Look who's talking "ChatGPT is scary good. We are not far from dangerously strong AI." – Elon Musk     Last week, the tech world was turned upside down when startup Open AI released ChatGPT. The AI tool's ability to give creative, human-like responses to complex prompts — this, for example — has spurred a zillion new articles about how the new technology may change everyday life, not to mention the course of human history. Here's an explainer we found helpful.

Wednesday Kick Start The case for wearing socks to bed Speaking of sleep, did you know wearing socks to bed may improve your sleep on multiple fronts? Before all you socks haters start composing angry emails, allow us to make our case. In one small 2018 study participants who wore socks to bed: • fell asleep 7.5 minutes faster • dozed an entire 32 minutes longer • woke up 7.5 times fewer throughout the night But why might it help? One theory suggests that warming your feet can signal your circadian rhythm that it's time to sleep by decreasing your core temperature. (Yes, strangely, increasing skin temp actually cools your core body temp. In fact, some research suggests this is the reason we nest and cozy up before bedtime.) Some of you may be thinking, "It's way too hot to wear socks to bed!" But did you know that keeping your sleeping area relatively cool may also improve your sleep health? Research suggests that 66 to 70°F (19 to 21°C) is the optimal room temp for quality snoozing. Check out our guide for more sleep hygiene tips.

health stories you need What we're reading next Low vax rates put 40 million children at risk of getting measles. Young children are particularly at risk of serious complications from measles, which is spreading in some parts of the world. How a simple "thank you" can help your relationship. A study found that feeling appreciated by your partner can help your relationship stay strong through tough times. Is krill oil the next big thing in brain health? Researchers found that krill oil can protect against many neurodegenerative processes in worms and human cell lines.

you're up OK, I know we've already talked about sleep a lot today, but I just can't stop. I'm convinced it's the most important part of staying healthy. And it's even more important during flu season, as sleep plays an important role in your immune system. These days, I have my sleep routine down to a T, but it was a long journey to get here. I was perpetually underslept for most of my young life, though I didn't realize it at the time. I would have benefited so much from someone sitting me down and telling me how and why to get good sleep. So on the off chance there's someone out there who needs to hear it, I'm opening the floor for sleep tips and stories. We want to know: What are your nonnegotiable sleep conditions? And how has sleep affected your life? Let us know at wellnesswire@healthline.com. (Please note that we may use your name and response in an upcoming edition!)

Last week we asked you what piece of advice you'd give your younger self. We got so many wonderful responses. Here are some of our faves: Choose one thing to enjoy and be thankful for each day and let that feeling shine out of your eyes. — Shela S. Set boundaries for yourself. Like how much bullsh*t you will tolerate. — J. S. Use sunscreen, don't bake in the sun and don't use tanning beds! — Sheryl F. …look into any medication prescribed thoroughly and question all diagnoses closely… — Emma H. You'll never feel ready but you are. — Shaeffer S. Thanks for reading, and Morgan will be back in your inbox on Friday!

Until next time, Take care of yourself, and we'll see you again soon!     This edition was powered by the socks I put on every night before bed.   View in browser Did a friend send you this email? Subscribe here. To see all newsletters, click here. Privacy    |    Unsubscribe © 2022 Healthline Media 1423 Red Ventures Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29707