Health & Medicine

  1. Health & Medicine

    Born to Love Salt

    A growing body of research hints that some type of biological programming may occur in the womb to foster a preference for salty foods.

    By Janet Raloff
  2. Health & Medicine

    Double Dose: Two ways to boost kidney-transplant viability

    By evaluating kidneys obtained for transplant from older people—then culling the worn-out organs—scientists can identify kidneys likely to last longer in their new hosts, especially when implanted in pairs.

    By Nathan Seppa
  3. Health & Medicine

    Old idea fights ovarian cancer

    Delivering chemotherapy directly into the abdomen improves survival in women with advanced ovarian cancer.

    By Nathan Seppa
  4. Health & Medicine

    Defenses Down: Mutation boosts West Nile risk

    A genetic mutation has been identified that increases a person's susceptibility to West Nile virus.

    By Nathan Seppa
  5. Health & Medicine

    Caffeinated Liver Defense

    Caffeinated beverages appear to protect beleaguered livers.

    By Janet Raloff
  6. Health & Medicine

    In Pixels and in Health

    By simulating individual cells and their behavior inside the human body using a computer technique called agent-based modeling, scientists are gaining new insight into disease progression.

    By Naila Moreira
  7. Health & Medicine

    Cancer and Soft Drinks? Oops, Never Mind

    When it comes to cancer, soft drinks are not the villains implied by recent news accounts.

    By Janet Raloff
  8. Health & Medicine

    Put Down That Fork: Studies document hazards of obesity

    Being overweight or obese in middle age increases a person's risk of heart or kidney problems later in life.

    By Nathan Seppa
  9. Health & Medicine

    Musical therapy for sounder sleeping

    Regularly playing a droning wind instrument native to Australia significantly reduced snoring and sleep problems, Swiss researchers found.

    By Janet Raloff
  10. Health & Medicine

    Bright Lights, Big Cancer

    A woman's blood provides better sustenance for breast cancer just after she's been exposed to bright light than when she's been in steady darkness.

    By Ben Harder
  11. Health & Medicine

    Alzheimer Clue: Busy brain connections may have downside

    Brain areas that are chronically activated have excess amyloid beta, the waxy protein associated with Alzheimer's disease.

    By Nathan Seppa
  12. Health & Medicine

    Protein exposes long-term risk from heart problems

    Elevated blood concentrations of a certain protein can signal risk of death in people with heart problems.

    By Nathan Seppa