Here’s some of HealthDay’s top stories for Thursday, July 15:

Implant restores power of speech to man who lost it through stroke. It could be a real advance for many kinds of patients who are unable to speak: An implanted brain-computer interface that turns brain signals into readable text. Read more

Half of U.S. teens say they want a COVID shot — can that number go higher? Vaccinating American teenagers is key to reaching herd immunity. But experts say that, too often, anti-vax parents are standing in the way. Read more

It’s ‘use it or lose it’ for aging brains. Experts have long known that reading, puzzles and other mental activities can keep brains sharp. Now researchers say people who enjoy such pursuits can delay dementia by an average of five years. Read more

Some states are banning vaccination mandates at public schools. At least seven states — Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Montana, Oklahoma and Utah — have already passed laws prohibiting schools to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination as classes reopen in the fall. Health experts say it’s a dangerous move. Read more

Vaccination beats infection for immune activation against COVID. Some people who think they’ve already had COVID-19 may shun vaccination as redundant. But new research suggests the shots provide nearly triple the protection compared to prior infection. Read more

Five types of Aveeno, Neutrogena sunscreens recalled due to benzene. Maker Johnson & Johnson says it is recalling all lots of five of its popular spray sunscreens because trace amounts of the carcinogen benzene have been found in the products. Read more