Latest science news in Health & Medicine
Profit Motive Drives Surgery Patients Home Too Early
The desire of hospitals to make a buck is driving some surgery patients home before they’re ready, a new study finds.
Even Mild Traumatic Brain Injury May Alter the Brain
Even mild head injuries can cause significant abnormalities in brain function that last for several days, which may explain the [...]
High-fat diet lowered blood sugar and improved blood lipids in diabetics
People with Type 2 diabetes are usually advised to keep a low-fat diet. Now, a study at Linköping University shows [...]
Doctors stage sit-in over refugee health care cuts
About 80 doctors have staged a sit-in at the Toronto office of federal cabinet minister Joe Oliver, with the activists demanding to meet with the minister to raise concerns about...
Maternal gluten sensitivity linked to schizophrenia risk in children
Babies born to women with sensitivity to gluten appear to be at increased risk of developing schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders later in life, according to new findings from Karolinska...
Contraceptive ring, patch carry blood clot risks
Women who use some non-oral forms of hormonal contraception are at higher risk of blood clots than those not taking any hormone-based birth control, a Danish study suggests.
Pneumonia and preterm birth complications are the leading causes of childhood death
Researchers examined the distribution of child deaths globally by cause and found that 64 percent were attributable to infectious causes and 40 percent occurred in neonates.
Inducing labor can reduce birth complications without increasing Cesareans, study suggests
Induction of labor beyond 37 weeks of pregnancy can reduce perinatal mortality without increasing Cesarean section rates, finds a new study.
Vitamin K2: New hope for Parkinson's patients?
Neuroscientists have succeeded in undoing the effect of one of the genetic defects that leads to Parkinson's using vitamin K2. The discovery gives hope to Parkinson's patients.
UN appoints high-level development advisory panel
The leaders of Indonesia, Liberia and the United Kingdom will co-chair a UN panel advising on development after the MDGs expire.
'Switch' to boost anti-viral response to fight infectious diseases
Scientists have for the first time, identified the molecular 'switch' that directly triggers the body's first line of defense against pathogens, more accurately known as the body's "innate immunity."
Arthritis, Cancer: New screening technique yields elusive compounds to block immune-regulating enzyme
Scientists have found the first chemical compounds that act to block an enzyme that has been linked to inflammatory conditions such as asthma and arthritis, as well as some inflammation-promoted...
Thinking about health as an investor might
A “proof-of-concept” study applying financial portfolio theory to U.S. biomedical research funding shows that the nation’s health might gain the largest benefit by increasing funding on heart, lung, and blood diseases, and might...
Seafood labelling under fire
Seafood labelling under fireNature News , 11052012 doi: 10.1038/nature.2012.10626Daniel CresseyStudy finds that some stocks certified as 'sustainable' are overfished.
Senate Bill Would Preserve Helium Supply for Research
Changes in how the current U.S. reserve is tapped follows recommendations from expert panel
Being Born in Winter Can Mess With Your Head
More and more evidence links season of birth to behavior and mental health later in life.
B.C. seniors' population to double by 2030
The number of seniors living in B.C. is expected to double by the year 2030 and experts are concerned about how the burgeoning numbers will be properly cared for and...
Double-lung transplant recipient leaves hospital again
Double-lung transplant recipient and viral-video sensation Hélène Campbell is back at her temporary home in Toronto after being discharged from hospital a second time, her mother wrote today in her...
New treatments could reduce odors in cotton fabric
Socks, T-shirts and other garments could become less hospitable to odor-causing bacteria, thanks to new antimicrobial treatments being investigated by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists in New Orleans, La.
One-two punch knocks out aggressive breast cancer cells
Doctors have long known that treating patients with multiple cancer drugs often produces better results than treatment with just a single drug. Now, a study from MIT shows that the order and...
Itemized medical bills should be standard operating procedure
Most bills from L.A. County healthcare providers are short on details, but patients deserve a full accounting of what treatment was provided and at what price.It's tough enough to be...
Botox given go-ahead for migraine sufferers
Nice has reversed its previous opposition and is recommending the injections as a treatment for adults who are badly affectedBotox, best-known for smoothing wrinkles, is to become available on the NHS to thousands...
Diet Drug Wins Approval of F.D.A. Advisers
Government advisers recommended that the F.D.A. approve the weight-loss drug lorcaserin.
DNA match fingers suspect 14 years after murder
A DNA match led to the arrest of a man accused of murdering a teenaged New York girl 14 years ago in what had been an unsolved case, city prosecutors...
Gut-throat competition: Native bacteria fend off invaders, suggesting new way to stop dangerous forms of E. coli
From tiny villages in developing nations to suburban kitchens in the U.S., dangerous strains of E. coli bacteria sicken millions of people each year – and kill untold numbers of...
Neurodegeneration 'switched off' in mice
Researchers have identified a major pathway leading to brain cell death in mice with neurodegenerative disease. They were able to block the pathway, preventing brain cell death and increasing survival...
Romanian baby born with stunted intestines dies
BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) -- A Romanian baby born with virtually no intestines who confounded doctors by tenaciously clinging to life and captured international attention and offers...
More than one in five pregnant white women smoke cigarettes
A new report shows that 21.8 percent of pregnant white women aged 15 to 44 currently (within the past 30 days) smoked cigarettes. The study also showed that cigarette smoking...