Nathan Seppa
Biomedical Writer (retired September 2015)
 
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All Stories by Nathan Seppa
- 			 Health & Medicine Health & MedicineU.S. childhood obesity rate continues to riseOnly a few states buck the trend toward greater weight gain in kids age 10 to 17, a new survey shows. 
- 			 Health & Medicine Health & MedicineEpigenetic changes show up in people with PTSDStudy finds alterations in genes tied to immune system and brain development, but whether they cause the disorder remains unclear. 
- 			 Health & Medicine Health & MedicineVitamin E, diabetes drug may reverse fatty liver diseaseTest results in obese people suggest these two treatments may work against cirrhosis precursor. 
- 			 Health & Medicine Health & MedicineMarker protein may help breast cancer screeningHigh amounts of EGFR can show up in the blood as much as 17 months before disease is diagnosed, a study finds. 
- 			 Health & Medicine Health & MedicineColorectal cancer risk linked to stomach bacterium, inflammationStomach infection and high levels of inflammatory proteins are more common in people with colon polyps or disease, two studies show. 
- 			 Health & Medicine Health & MedicineInsulin pump and computer mated to regulate blood sugarA test in type 1 diabetes patients suggests that technology exists to create wearable, self-controlled “artificial pancreas.” 
- 			 Health & Medicine Health & MedicineIntentional weight loss in old age not detrimental, study findsAmong obese group, those who shed pounds as part of diet study were less likely to die during follow-up years. 
- 			 Health & Medicine Health & MedicineLung function still impaired by dust from World Trade CenterFirefighters and emergency medical teams continue to have breathing problems years after the 2001 terrorist attack. 
- 			 Health & Medicine Health & MedicineExisting antibiotic might help keep wraps on AIDS virusThe acne drug minocycline inhibits HIV activation in infected immune cells, lab tests show. 
- 			 Health & Medicine Health & MedicineUV radiation, not vitamin D, might limit multiple sclerosis symptomsThe rarity of MS in the tropics may be due to higher ultraviolet light exposure, not necessarily increased vitamin production, new research suggests. 
- 			 Health & Medicine Health & MedicineExperimental blood pressure drug takes natural approachDual-action compound tests well in large group of people with mild to moderate hypertension 
- 			 Health & Medicine Health & MedicineOld drug may be first choice for childhood petit mal epilepsyThree-way trial shows ethosuximide edging out two newer choices.