Latest science news in Health & Medicine
Device may speed up bacterial infection diagnosis
Stephen FellerBOSTON, May 9 (UPI) -- Harvard scientists created a device to diagnose bacterial infections in two hours, sending the results to a smartphone and far outpacing lab culture tests.
Testosterone therapy does not raise risk of aggressive prostate cancer
Men with low levels of the male sex hormone testosterone need not fear that testosterone replacement therapy will increase their risk of prostate cancer, suggests a new study.
Study of elite paralympic athletes supports benefits of exercise for children with cerebral palsy
For highly trained Paralympic athletes with cerebral palsy, bone mineral density and other measures of body composition are similar to those of able-bodied adults of similar age, reports a new...
PAD patients on statins may have lower amputation, early death risk
People with peripheral artery disease (PAD) who take cholesterol-lowering statins may have a lower risk of amputation and early death than PAD patients who don't take statins. The risk of...
First safe way to deliver drugs to the placenta
Scientists provide proof of principle for safe, targeted delivery of drugs to the placenta during pregnancy, for the first time. The discovery could one day help prevent some premature births...
'Noah' and 'Emma' Top List of Most Popular Baby Names
The 10 most popular baby name picks in the U.S. for 2015 were released today by the Social Security Administration (SSA), a list released annually.
Preventive asthma drug for children getting closer, researchers say
Stephen FellerTUCSON, May 6 (UPI) -- Researchers plan to enroll 1,000 babies in a clinical trial to see if a bacterial extract reduces asthma symptoms during their first few years...
Ducklings parade through Massachusetts elementary school
Daniel UriaMILTON, Mass., May 6 (UPI) -- A Massachusetts elementary school played host to a group of newly hatched ducklings as they paraded through the school's halls.
Police: 2 dead, 2 wounded in suburban D.C. shootings; person of interest sought
Amy R. Connolly and Doug G. WareBETHESDA, Md., May 6 (UPI) -- Maryland police are investigating separate shootings at two shopping malls that killed two people and wounded two others,...
Michael Weatherly teases 'death' on final 'NCIS' episode
Annie MartinLOS ANGELES, May 6 (UPI) -- Michael Weatherly previewed his final appearance as Tony DiNozzo on "NCIS" ahead of the Season 13 finale.
Baby box programs spread to US, encourage safe sleeping
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Doctors in Philadelphia hope to lower the city's high infant mortality rate by distributing baby boxes that encourage safe sleeping....
Study: Stroke treatment varies widely between doctors
Stephen FellerANN ARBOR, Mich., May 6 (UPI) -- Doctor judgment is as significant to stroke outcome as patient location, based on a survey showing wide variability among doctors when selecting...
Severe stroke prognoses differ depending on the doctor
Families rely on doctor recommendations after a brain hemorrhage, but new research shows different physicians make very different decisions.
Quick test for Zika effectively detects virus in monkeys
Scientists have developed a low-cost, rapid paper-based diagnostic system for strain-specific detection of the Zika virus, with the goal that it could soon be used in the field to screen...
Scientists put some muscle behind their research
An old-fashioned neurobiology technique has been used by researchers to explore new avenues for treatments to reverse a late-onset neurodegenerative disease that robs men of the capacity to walk, run,...
Drug-like peptides show promise in treating 2 blood diseases
Synthetic peptides called minihepcidins may potentially treat two serious genetic blood diseases in children and adults, new research suggests. Although those diseases, beta-thalassemia and polycythemia vera, have opposite effects on...
Penguin that wore a wetsuit and starred in kid's book dies
A San Francisco penguin that once sported a wetsuit after losing his feathers and who starred in a children's book has died at the age of 33, officials said this...
DHS S&T to Conduct Airflow Study in NYC Subway
DHS S&T will conduct a airflow study in portions of the NYC subway system May 9 to May 13 to gather data on the behavior of airborne particles in the...
Retiring: Group Doctor Visits Gain Ground
Shared medical appointments are still relatively rare, but the number is growing in a system rife with 15-minute doctor visits.
New treatment for children with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) affects hundreds of thousands of people each year, many of them children. Now, a recent study investigates the effects of a new steroid treatment on...
Gene linked to Alzheimer's disease impairs memory by disrupting brain's 'playback system'
Scientists have discovered how the major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease causes memory impairment. A specific type of brain activity important for memory replay is disrupted in mice with...
Researchers: Your newborn isn't imitating you
Stephen FellerBRISBANE, Australia, May 6 (UPI) -- The long-held theory that young infants imitate the facial features and movements of their parents is wrong, say researchers in Australia and England.
Three injured in shooting outside Bethesda, Md., mall; suspect on the run
Amy R. ConnollyBETHESDA, Md., May 6 (UPI) -- Two men and a woman were shot outside Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, Md., on Friday morning. The shooter is still on...
Does the moon affect our mood or actions?
While the full moon cannot turn people into werewolves, some people do accuse it of causing a bad night's sleep or creating physical and mental alterations. But is there any...
UN establishes a trust fund to help combat the Zika virus
UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has established a U.N. trust fund to help finance urgent priorities in combatting the Zika virus....
National study casts doubt on higher weekend death rate, proposals for seven-day hospital services
A new analysis of all patients across England receiving emergency hospital care has shown that, contrary to popular belief, fewer patients die after being admitted to hospital at the weekend...
Doctors call for single-payer healthcare to improve on Obamacare
Stephen FellerCHICAGO, May 6 (UPI) -- More than 2,200 doctors in the United States have endorsed a plan calling for the creation of a single-payer health insurance system to replace...
Agency: Bars can't ban pregnant women or refuse them drinks
NEW YORK (AP) -- Pregnant women can't be kept out of New York City bars or refused alcoholic drinks just because they're expecting,...