Health & Medicine
- Health & Medicine
For most centenarians, longevity is written in the DNA
A study of people who live past 100 reveals many genetic paths to a long life.
- Health & Medicine
Breast screening tool finds many missed cancers
A relatively new imaging option outperforms all comers in scouting for hidden breast tumors. Indeed, argues radiologist Rachel Brem, her team’s new data indicate that that “almost 10 percent of women with breast cancer have another [tumor] that we wouldn’t know about without this technology.”
- Health & Medicine
Stem cells from blood a ‘huge’ milestone
New technique promises to be easier, cheaper and faster than other harvesting methods.
- Earth
Ivy nanoparticles promise sunblocks and other green products
I’ve developed a love-hate relationship with English ivy that’s been devolving towards hate-hate. But a new paper may temper my antipathy. Apparently this backyard bully also offers a kinder, gentler alternative to the potentially toxic metal-based nanoparticles used in today’s sunscreens.
- Health & Medicine
Controlling blood sugar may prevent eye problems in diabetes patients
Careful monitoring of glucose levels and taking drugs to control blood lipids and cholesterol can pay dividends, a large trial finds.
- Life
Resveratrol shows activity against insulin resistance and retinal disease
A widely touted anti-aging compound shows activity in people and may work in new ways to fight eye disease.
- Health & Medicine
How resveratrol (in grapes, peanuts and wine) fights fat and disease
Resveratrol, a constituent of grapes and certain other plants, can fight the proliferation of fat cells and improve the uptake of sugar from the blood, a pair of new studies indicate. These observations offer some mechanisms to explain why grape products, including wine, have developed a reputation as heart healthy, obesity-fighting and beneficial for people developing diabetes.
- Health & Medicine
Snakes on the brain
In a bizarre experiment, researchers delve into the neural roots of courage.
- Health & Medicine
Stopping platelets at the source
An experimental treatment may prevent harmful clotting and less need for drugs that increase bleeding risk, a study in baboons shows.
- Health & Medicine
Abuse of pharmaceuticals is rising sharply
In 2008, the most recent year for which data are available, an estimated 1 million Americans entered a hospital emergency room for treatment of an overdose due to “nonmedical” use of an over-the-counter or prescription drug. That’s double the number of such visits five years earlier, federal data show.
- Life
Baby’s first bacteria depend on birth route
C-section newborns may harbor fewer helpful microbes than infants born vaginally.
- Health & Medicine
Feds probe Gulf spill health risks
The Institute of Medicine will be hosting a small public workshop in New Orleans, June 22 and 23, on possible health risks to Gulf coast residents and workers in the wake of the catastrophic BP oil spill. A June 16 congressional hearing previewed some of the concerns likely to arise at the meeting. They ranged from potential long-terms risks of DNA damage to claims that BP failed to provide protective gear to contract crews hired to clean up oil.
