Latest science news in Health & Medicine
Cost to control Ebola shoots up
World Health Organization projects 20,000 deaths and requests $490 million to control epidemic.Nature News doi: 10.1038/nature.2014.15790
Justin Bieber compares fender bender to Princess Diana's car crash
Annie MartinLOS ANGELES, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Justin Bieber was rear-ended by paparazzi Tuesday, and compared the incident to Princess Diana's fatal car crash in 1997.
Speed, dangerous road factors in crash that killed 5
Gabrielle LevyNORTH BABYLON, N.Y., Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Family and friends are mourning five people including three children killed in a fiery crash on New York's Southern State Parkway on...
Lose weight to gain brain power? Study says it may work
Weight-loss surgery can make you thinner. But can it make you smarter too?
Patients with eating disorders have increased risk of autoimmune diseases
An association between eating disorders and several autoimmune diseases has been observed in people with different genetic backgrounds. These findings support the link between immune-mediated mechanisms and development of eating...
Symptoms after breast cancer surgery need to be treated on an individual basis
For those affected, breast cancer is a dramatic diagnosis. Patients often have to endure chemotherapy and surgery, which, depending on the individual scenario, may mean breast conserving surgery or breast...
Eye implant could lead to better glaucoma treatments
Lowering internal eye pressure is currently the only way to treat glaucoma. A tiny eye implant recently developed could pair with a smartphone to improve the way doctors measure and...
Health care workers in poor nations lack gear needed to protect from hiv and other bloodborne infections like ebola
Health care workers in some of the world’s poorest countries lack basic equipment to shield them from HIV and other bloodborne infections during surgical and other procedures, new research suggests....
Fibre-based satiety ingredient shown to make you eat less
The effectiveness of a fibre-based dietary ingredient that makes people feel less hungry and consume less food has been demonstrated by a team of scientists. "What is notable is this...
Lack of naturally occuring protein linked to dementia
The first evidence that the lack of a naturally occurring protein is linked to early signs of dementia has been provided by researchers. An absence of MK2/3, in spite of...
Change in tube feeding practice improves nutrition for ICU patients, audit finds
While the importance of enteral nutrition, or feeding patients through a tube, in an intensive care unit is well understood, underfeeding is still common. A practice of a certain amount...
Young driver's gender linked to crash type, injury severity
Gender differences do exist in young drivers when it comes to safety, a study finds. Gender is often related to what type of severe or fatal crash a young male...
New statin guidelines an improvement, study shows
New national guidelines can improve the way statin drugs are prescribed to patients at risk for cardiovascular disease, a study has found. The research also showed the new guidelines produce...
Surgery to repair hip fracture reduces lifetime health care costs by more than $65,000 per patient
Each year, more than 300,000 Americans, primarily adults over age 65, sustain a hip fracture, a debilitating injury that can diminish life quality and expectancy. A new study found that...
100 recent fetal surgeries for spina bifida performed at one American hospital
Reporting on 100 recent cases of fetal surgery for spina bifida, specialists at a premier fetal surgery program achieved results similar to those published three years previously in a landmark...
Expanding age of eligibility for measles vaccination could increase childhood survival in Africa
Expanding the age of eligibility for measles vaccination from 12 to 15 months could have potentially large effects on coverage in Africa, according to a new report. If combined with...
Challenges ahead in improving child health by increasing access to sanitation in India
A study on large-scale rural sanitation programs in India highlights challenges in achieving sufficient access to latrines and reduction in open defecation to yield significant health benefits for young children.
What can 14th century Venice teach us about Ebola, other emerging threats?
The way in which the Italian city of Venice dealt with the outbreak of the plague in the 14th century holds lessons on how to even mitigate the consequences of...
The man who grew eyes
Growing nerve tissue and organs is a sci-fi dream. I met the pioneering researcher who grew eyes and brain cells Continue reading...
Link Between Prenatal Antidepressant Exposure And Autism Risk Questioned
Some epidemiological papers have linked an increased risk of autism in children with women who took antidepressants during pregnancy. Suggestions have been that antidepressants or severe maternal depression cause autism....
Amputee hails new prosthetic: 'It's like they've given me my leg back'
Implant attached to bone in pioneering technique that helps prevent infection and discomfort Continue reading...
Badger cull targets are announced
A target number of badgers to be killed in this year's pilot cull to tackle tuberculosis in cattle is announced.
Allow use of electronic cigarettes to assess risk
Monitoring the outcomes of incentivized e-cigarette use, not endless research, will be the key to sensible regulation, says Daniel Sarewitz.Nature 512 349 doi: 10.1038/512349a
Atop Food Chain, Ospreys Ingest Many Poisons, Revealing Environmental Dangers
As apex predators, ospreys get a mega-dose of contaminants—and help identify health threats.
Epidemic Ethics: Four Lessons From The Current Ebola Outbreak
A Liberian nurse disinfects a looted mattress taken from an elementary school that was used as an Ebola isolation unit in West Point, Monrovia, Liberia. AHMED JALLANZO/EPABy Ian Kerridge, University...
Multitasking Gene May Help Drone Operators Control Robotic Swarms
A genetic variant that keeps dopamine levels high could lead to personalized training and also benefit personnel in ERs and air traffic control towers -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Let doctors report suspected drunk drivers, physician says
A Toronto emergency room doctor believes there is a loophole that needs to be closed, which involves drunk drivers and the medical system.
Fact or Fiction?: If You Shave (or Wax), Your Hair Will Come Back Thicker
It may look that way, but looks can be very deceiving -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com