Health & Medicine

  1. Genetics

    New type of stem cells, fuzzy and flexible

    A new way to make stem cells produces fuzzy cells that appear as flexible as other types of stem cells, but are easier to grow in the lab and avoid ethical issues.

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  2. Health & Medicine

    Cells in groups may promote cancer’s spread

    Cellular gangs, not individuals, form distant tumors from breast malignancies, a new study finds.

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  3. Life

    Softer surroundings stifle some chemotherapy drugs

    Some anticancer drugs such as Gleevec are less effective when attacking cancer cells grown in soft surroundings.

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  4. Health & Medicine

    Fatty coat on cancer drugs protects the heart

    Cancer drugs encased in a layer of fat reduce but don’t eliminate heart damage.

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  5. Genetics

    Male smokers more likely to lose Y chromosomes

    Male smokers are more likely to lose Y chromosomes in their blood cells than men who have never smoked or those who have kicked the habit.

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  6. Health & Medicine

    A look back at 2013’s disasters

    The Philippines, India and China each lost more than 1,000 lives in 2013 in mass calamities.

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  7. Earth

    Feedback

    Readers comment on changing bird populations, question the usefulness of a new medical test and discuss the interesting physics behind rainbows.

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  8. Health & Medicine

    Old drug reduces herpes symptoms, spread in animal tests

    The antidepressant tranylcypromine might also work as antiviral against herpes, animal studies suggest.

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  9. Health & Medicine

    For kids, news coverage can bring distant tragedy home

    Media coverage of disasters and other major events can have an emotional effect on kids. Experts suggest that parents limit news exposure and discuss tough topics.

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  10. Health & Medicine

    Children can suffer emotional wounds in a disaster

    Natural disasters and terrorist attacks have taught researchers that a subset of children may face long-term problems. Parent reactions and how quickly life returns to normal can make a difference.

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  11. Health & Medicine

    Ebola vaccine shows no major side effects in small study

    An experimental vaccine against Ebola virus has tested well in people, researchers report.

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  12. Health & Medicine

    Turning the immune system on cancer

    A new class of drugs uncloaks tumors in some patients, awakening home-grown cells to fight several cancer types.

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