Latest science news in Health & Medicine
Sleep deprivation has genetic consequences, study finds
Researchers say a lack of sleep affects the function of genes related to stress and cell renewal, possibly contributing to poor health.Doctors know that being chronically sleep-deprived can be hazardous...
Jane C. Wright, Pioneering Oncologist, Dies at 93
Dr. Wright defied racial barriers in a profession long dominated by white men and helped found the American Society of Clinical Oncologists.
Keystone XL effect on environment seen as minimal, U.S. says
A State Department review does not make a recommendation on the controversial oil pipeline from Canada, but the findings are likely to increase the project's chances of approval.WASHINGTON — A...
Arm lifts BigDog robot to new level
A four-legged robot called BigDog now also sports an arm powerful enough to lift and throw breeze blocks.
New study shows cannabis effects on driving skills
Cannabis is second only to alcohol for causing impaired driving and motor vehicle accidents. In 2009, 12.8% of young adults reported driving under the influence of illicit drugs and in...
Seniors with rheumatoid arthritis more vulnerable to infection
Seniors with rheumatoid arthritis are at high risk of serious infections that could be overlooked, Canadian doctors say.
Why internet addiction is a controversial diagnosis
Internet Use Disorder will be officially recognized in a widely used mental health manual this spring as an area that warrants further investigation, but not everyone thinks that is progress.
Friendster post-mortem, linked rat brains: This week in off-beat tech stories
A look back at some of the quirky and strange science and technology stories of the week
Postmenopausal women who smoked are more likely to lose teeth due to periodontal disease
Postmenopausal women who have smoked are at much higher risk of losing their teeth than women who never smoked, according to a new study.
Pregnancy Really Does Change Foot Size
Pregnant women have long said that being pregnant changes their foot size - a new confirms that but also found that the size and shape change is permanent. Flat feet are...
A better bone marrow transplant: Preventing graft-versus-host disease
Bone marrow transplant is a key treatment for patients with leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and other blood disorders.
The patient satisfaction chasm
New research finds insufficient support from hospital management to improve the patient experience by engaging physicians and nurses in the process.
Living through a tornado does not shake optimism
Even in the face of a disaster, we remain optimistic about our chances of injury compared to others, according to a new study. Residents of a town struck by a...
New Plastic Helps Mend Broken Bones
The new material acts like a scaffold for bone tissue and blood vessels.
Mechanisms regulating inflammation associated with type 2 diabetes, cancer identified
A new study has identified epigenetic mechanisms that connect a variety of diseases associated with inflammation.
'Switched at Birth' goes silent to make a point
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- "Until hearing people walk a day in our shoes, they will never understand," says a guidance counselor at a high school for...
How do bacteria clog medical devices? Very quickly
A new study demonstrates that bacteria can quickly and catastrophically clog medical devices by forming slimy ribbons that tangle and trap other cells.
'Defective' virus surprisingly plays major role in spread of disease
Defective viruses, thought for decades to be essentially garbage unrelated to the transmission of a virus, now appear able to play a much more important role in the spread of...
J&J gambled on hip implant safety, lawyer alleges
Johnson & Johnson 'knew this hip was defective' but failed to warn patients, a plaintiff's attorney says. The company said it acted properly and 'put patients above money.'Healthcare giant Johnson...
CEO: Risks key for Merck to succeed, help patients
NEW YORK (AP) -- Merck & Co. CEO Kenneth C. Frazier is convinced nearly everyone, from patients to long-term investors, wants the world's third-largest drugmaker to...
New Study Links BPA and Childhood Asthma
Kids exposed to a commonplace chemical early in life are more likely to have asthma, according to a study published today. [More]
Gel manicures can be tough on nails
Dermatologist recommends moderation as gel polish linked to nail problems.
Winter Pregnancies May Stunt Babies' Bone Growth
A lack of sunlight during winter could lead to Vitamin D deficiency at birth.
Rats ARE like the Borg
The reaction caused by the recent news that technologically linked rat brains can communicate across continental distances resulted in reassurances that we are in no danger of creating a rat-version of the Borg....
Important control mechanism behind autoimmune diseases discovered
Researchers have discovered a new control mechanism in our immune system. The discovery is of potential significance to the treatment of serious diseases such as MS (multiple sclerosis), rheumatoid arthritis,...
How spirituality induces liberal attitudes
(Phys.org) —People become more politically liberal immediately after practising a spiritual exercise such as meditation, researchers at the University of Toronto have found.
River Blindness Marker Found In Patients
Diagnostics: Discovery of parasite-derived metabolite could aid effort to wipe out tropical disease
Drug-resistant tuberculosis: we can stop this epidemic in its tracks
For the first time in half a century drugs that could cure DR-TB are being tested, but the global health community needs to act fast"The side effects were intolerable," said MSF patient...