Health Headlines
Strange Things You Can Do Sleepwalking
NPR - Tuesday, May 13, 2008 5:20 a.m.
A Florida man was just acquitted of lewd conduct charges. His defense? He didn\'t mean to touch a young girl because he was sleepwalking, which is indeed a legitimate line of reasoning, according to Dr. Ana Kreeger, director of the N.Y.U. Sleep Disorders Center.
All poultry in Seoul killed after bird flu outbreak
AP - Monday, May 12, 2008 7:14 p.m.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- South Korean officials said Monday they have killed all poultry in Seoul, the capital, to curb the spread of bird flu following a new outbreak of the disease in the city....
Families make case for vaccine link to autism
AP - Monday, May 12, 2008 6:02 p.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Parents claiming that childhood vaccines cause autism should not be rewarded by the courts when the scientific community has already rejected any link, government lawyers argued Monday on the first day of a hearing in federal court....
Genetically modified human embryo stirs criticism
AP - Monday, May 12, 2008 2:39 p.m.
NEW YORK (AP) -- News that scientists have for the first time genetically altered a human embryo is drawing fire from some watchdog groups that say it\'s a step toward creating "designer babies."...
Study: Older brains don't benefit from painkillers
AP - Monday, May 12, 2008 1:30 p.m.
CHICAGO (AP) -- Results from a large government experiment are dimming hopes that two common painkillers can prevent Alzheimer\'s disease or slow mental decline in older people....
Don't Count on a Doctor on Board
NPR - Monday, May 12, 2008 1:28 p.m.
As many as three out of four flights have a doctor, nurse or paramedic on the passenger list. But one doctor advises passengers with chronic medical conditions to make sure they\'re taking all necessary precautions.
Nagging via text messages to help teens remember meds
AP - Monday, May 12, 2008 12:26 p.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- 4gt yr meds? Getting kids to remember their medicine may be a text message away. Cincinnati doctors are experimenting with texting to tackle a big problem: Tweens and teens too often do a lousy job of controlling chronic illnesses like asthma, diabetes or kidney disease....
Bill and Melinda Gates Name New Foundation Head
NPR - Monday, May 12, 2008 10:14 a.m.
Jeff Raikes, a 27-year veteran of Microsoft, will take over the $37 billion Gates Foundation in September. Bill and Melinda Gates tell NPR that they picked Raikes because he shares their passion to try to help minimize poverty around the globe.
Mammoth Tomatoes Arose from Genetic Mutation
NPR - Monday, May 12, 2008 10:10 a.m.
Those softball-size tomatoes at the supermarket get their heft from a simple genetic mutation that creates extra compartments.
Denver Drivers Learn How to Boost Fuel Economy
NPR - Monday, May 12, 2008 5:41 a.m.
Around 400 Denver residents, including the city\'s mayor, are part of an experiment to see if drivers can be trained to drive "greener." A device in their cars will track whether they have bad driving habits that increase fuel consumption, thus contributing more to greenhouse gas emissions.
Warming Waters Threaten 'Unicorns of the Sea'
NPR - Sunday, May 11, 2008 2:45 p.m.
Researchers studying the impact of climate change on arctic creatures say that the Narwhal — the long-tusked whale that gave rise to the myth of the unicorn — could be in danger. Narwhals hunt in ice-covered areas and may be among the first animals to feel the heat of warming arctic waters.
Chilean Volcano Erupts, Forces Evacuations
NPR - Sunday, May 11, 2008 2:44 p.m.
The Chaiten volcano in the remote Patagonia region of southern Chile has been dormant for 2,000 years. But for more than a week, lava, ash and huge plumes of smoke have spewed from the volcano. Thousands of people in surrounding towns are being forced to leave their homes and livestock behind.
Doctor Dispels Myth that Corpses Spread Disease
NPR - Saturday, May 10, 2008 3:59 p.m.
It has been a week since a cyclone devastated the Myanmar coastline. Tens of thousands of bodies have yet to be identified or buried. United Nations consultant and expert on directing disaster relief Claude de Ville de Goyet talks with Andrea Seabrook about the difficult task ahead for Myanmar.
Study: Smart Fruit Flies Are Finished First
NPR - Saturday, May 10, 2008 3:28 p.m.
The New York Times ran an article this week about a study that found intelligent fruit flies don\'t live as long as unintelligent ones. The scientist who performed the study, Tadeusz Kawecki, talks about what this means for the smart-guys of bugs and humans alike.
Norwegian Deep-Sea Divers Sue Government
NPR - Saturday, May 10, 2008 7:12 a.m.
Former diver Bernie Schwerdtfeger talks about working 500 feet under the water off the coast of Norway, where he helped assemble oil rigs. Many former divers are complaining of health problems and are suing for damages.
Feds: Teen use of pot can lead to dependency, mental illness
AP - Friday, May 9, 2008 6:17 p.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Depression, teens and marijuana are a dangerous mix that can lead to dependency, mental illness or suicidal thoughts, according to a White House report being released Friday....
Elvis, bin Laden and Hitler Join Mission to Mars
NPR - Friday, May 9, 2008 1:02 p.m.
A Mars spacecraft carrying a DVD of thousands of names was intended to increase public interest in space missions. But the unintended consequence was lasting space memorials to Donald Duck, John Lennon, Adolf Hitler and Malcolm X.
Flu vaccine makers to set new doses record for next season
AP - Friday, May 9, 2008 12:25 p.m.
ATLANTA (AP) -- Flu vaccine manufacturers expect to make a record number of doses for next flu season despite concerns that demand may drop because this year\'s vaccine was largely ineffective....
Doctors Reject Drug Company Cash
NPR - Friday, May 9, 2008 10 a.m.
Some leading medical experts have decided to end an age-old tradition — taking money from drug companies. These doctors used to get paid for making speeches, but they say they\'re reclaiming their tarnished credibility.
Scientists Mark 25 Years of HIV Research
NPR - Friday, May 9, 2008 7 a.m.
In May 1983, the first scientific papers were published describing the possible connection between a retrovirus and the development of AIDS. The virus went on to become known as HIV. Experts discuss whether, 25 years later, scientists any closer to a cure for AIDS or to a vaccine to prevent HIV transmission.
Is It Better to Eat Locally or Eat Differently?
NPR - Friday, May 9, 2008 7 a.m.
When it comes to greenhouse gas emissions, what you eat may be more important than where your food comes from. A new study finds that replacing red meat and dairy products with chicken, fish or vegetables could have the same impact as shifting to an entirely locally-grown diet.
Mysterious Memristor: Electronics' Missing Link?
NPR - Friday, May 9, 2008 7 a.m.
Introductory electronics classes focus on circuit diagrams involving combinations of resistors, capacitors and inductors. Now, researchers have discovered a fourth passive circuit element — one that fills in a gap in equations describing relationships between voltage, current and magnetic flux.
Common Weedkiller May Cause Hormonal Problems
NPR - Friday, May 9, 2008 7 a.m.
Researchers report that atrazine, the second-most-applied weedkiller in the U.S., may be able to disrupt hormonal signaling in humans. The herbicide, which has been banned in Europe, is suspected of playing a role in sexual abnormalities in fish, frogs and other aquatic organisms.
Study: Sahara Gradually Dried Up Over 6,000 Years
NPR - Friday, May 9, 2008 7 a.m.
What made the Sahara Desert go dry — and are there ancient waters still hidden below the sands? In a controversial study published in the journal Science researchers argue that the drying of the Sahara took place over thousands of years — not suddenly as was previously thought.
77 more hepatitis cases may trace to clinic, officials say
AP - Friday, May 9, 2008 6:56 a.m.
LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Seventy-seven more people that were treated at a Las Vegas outpatient clinic have been diagnosed with hepatitis C, health officials said....
Water-Cooled Supercomputer Set to Study Climate
NPR - Friday, May 9, 2008 4:37 a.m.
IBM has designed a supercomputer that is water-cooled. It\'s the first one in the United States, and it is destined for scientists working on models of how climate is likely to change regional weather patterns — one of the most demanding problems in the climate science world.
Medical know-how raises suicide risk for doctors
AP - Thursday, May 8, 2008 8:19 p.m.
CHICAGO (AP) -- There\'s a grim, rarely talked-about twist to all that medical know-how doctors learn to save lives: It makes them especially good at ending their own. An estimated 300 to 400 U.S. doctors kill themselves each year - a suicide rate thought to be higher than in the general population, although exact figures are hard to come by....
New rule would limit insurers contact with elderly, disabled
AP - Thursday, May 8, 2008 3:28 p.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Agents selling private health insurance plans to the elderly and disabled would be barred from cold-calling, door-to-door solicitations and pitching their products outside hospital waiting rooms or pharmacies, under a federal rule proposed Thursday....
Q&A: Doctors on Puberty-Delaying Treatments
NPR - Thursday, May 8, 2008 2:11 p.m.
A new medical treatment suppresses hormones that would bring on puberty in children with gender identity issues. Two doctors talk about the ethics of using the therapy for transgender teenagers and adolescents.
Chantix recommended to quit smoking despite safety concerns
AP - Thursday, May 8, 2008 1:57 p.m.
CHICAGO (AP) -- The federal government\'s new advice to doctors for helping smokers quit recommends the drug Chantix, which has recently been linked with depression and suicidal behavior. The new guidelines mention the psychiatric risks but also say the popular Pfizer Inc. drug is the most effective at helping people get off cigarettes....
Too much, too little sleep tied to ill health in CDC study
AP - Thursday, May 8, 2008 1:57 p.m.
ATLANTA (AP) -- People who sleep fewer than six hours a night - or more than nine - are more likely to be obese, according to a new government study that is one of the largest to show a link between irregular sleep and big bellies....
More than half of US diabetics have arthritis
AP - Thursday, May 8, 2008 1:39 p.m.
ATLANTA (AP) -- More than half of U.S. adults with diabetes also have arthritis, raising a serious obstacle for diabetic patients urged to exercise, according to a government study....
Parents Consider Treatment to Delay Son's Puberty
NPR - Thursday, May 8, 2008 1:01 p.m.
After years of struggling with their son\'s gender identity issues, Robert and Danielle decided to seek treatment. One option they are looking into would buy Armand, now Violet, more time to decide whether he wants to physically become a female. But it comes with risks.
Is Lying to Others a Form of Lying to Yourself?
NPR - Thursday, May 8, 2008 11:35 a.m.
A study published in the journal Emotion says that embellishing stories to friends is not really an attempt to deceive others, but rather, an attempt to express your true hopes and goals. Self-serving exaggeration, the researchers say, is psychologically very different from other forms of lying.
For Prospective Moms, Biology and Culture Clash
NPR - Thursday, May 8, 2008 10:20 a.m.
The average age of mothers is steadily rising as more women wait to have children until after attending college and starting a career. But how long is too long to wait?
Group asks government to end use of birth-control patch
AP - Thursday, May 8, 2008 9:45 a.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A consumer advocacy group petitioned the government Thursday to pull the birth-control patch off the market, calling it far riskier than the pill....
Police Who Died of Sept. 11-Linked Illnesses Honored
NPR - Thursday, May 8, 2008 6:41 a.m.
The New York Police Department has added eight more names to its wall of heroes. The officers died of illnesses they developed from their rescue and recovery work in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The ceremony comes as other Ground Zero workers pursue a lawsuit against the city over health issues.
Drunk-Driving Blocker Called Threat to Tradition
NPR - Thursday, May 8, 2008 6:24 a.m.
A new device called Interlock disables a car\'s ignition if the driver has had too much alcohol. An organization opposed to the system bought an ad arguing the technology will put an end to the American traditions like wedding toasts.
Death toll from child viral disease up to 30 in China
AP - Thursday, May 8, 2008 4:09 a.m.
BEIJING (AP) -- The death toll from a viral illness that is striking children across China has risen by two to 30, health officials said Thursday, as the number of reported cases jumped to nearly 20,000....
Old Drug Offers New Hope for Marfan Syndrome
NPR - Wednesday, May 7, 2008 10:23 p.m.
New evidence indicates that the connective tissue disorder, which can be deadly, may be treatable with a common blood pressure drug.
Humane Society releases new video of mistreated livestock
AP - Wednesday, May 7, 2008 7:14 p.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Humane Society of the United States released video footage Wednesday of sick and injured livestock the group says were mistreated at auction sites and stockyards where cattle are sold for slaughter....
Proving a Building 'Green' Can Be Daunting
NPR - Wednesday, May 7, 2008 4:48 p.m.
The massive City Center development in Las Vegas is huge, expensive and environmentally friendly. It meets the building industry\'s green building, or LEED, standards. But critics knock LEED\'s one-size-fits-all point system and the cumbersome certification process.
Six Protected Sea Lions Found Dead Along River
NPR - Wednesday, May 7, 2008 3:40 p.m.
Six sea lions were found dead along the Columbia River between Oregon and Washington. The sea lions feed on chinook salmon, much to the annoyance of fisherman. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife had set traps to catch and remove the sea lions. Agency spokesman Rick Hargrave talks about the investigation into their deaths.
Two Families Grapple with Sons' Gender Preferences
NPR - Wednesday, May 7, 2008 1 p.m.
Thousands of miles apart, two families noticed their toddler sons gravitated toward toys, colors and clothes generally associated with girls. Each family eventually decided to go with radically different approaches to their child\'s identity issues, as directed by their therapists.
Q&A: Therapists on Gender Identity Issues in Kids
NPR - Wednesday, May 7, 2008 12:19 p.m.
Two therapists talk about what causes kids to have gender identity issues, how to diagnose them, and the ethics of supporting and suppressing their desires to be the opposite sex.
Platypus Is Even More Strange Than It Looks
NPR - Wednesday, May 7, 2008 11:32 a.m.
Researchers have sequenced the platypus\'s genome and discovered that the mammal doesn\'t just look funny — its genes are odd, too.
Restaurant Grease Becoming Hot Target for Thieves
NPR - Wednesday, May 7, 2008 5:23 a.m.
With demand for biodiesel on the rise, the market value of fry grease that can be used to make it has tripled in recent years. "Grease bandits" are stealing used fry grease from restaurants and rendering plants, reports Ben Arnoldy of the The Christian Science Monitor.
Calling all carbs: Dietitian hired to arrest officer obesity
AP - Tuesday, May 6, 2008 6:07 p.m.
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Rana Parker tells pudgy police they have the right to remain chubby, but it can and will be used against them on the streets of Los Angeles. The dietitian lays down the law for recruits, veterans and top brass, letting them know that eating right can help them do a better job and could even save their lives....
Listening In on a Bat Cave
NPR - Tuesday, May 6, 2008 3:49 p.m.
Four of New York\'s six species of hibernating bats are suffering from "white-nose syndrome," which is decimating bat populations throughout the Northeast. Biologists from New York\'s Ulster County go underground as they try to work out what is killing the bats.
Study: Doctors Over-Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder
NPR - Tuesday, May 6, 2008 1:51 p.m.
A new study suggests that many people are being diagnosed as bipolar even though they do not meet the criteria for the disorder. Researchers at Rhode Island Hospital found that about half of 700 patients who\'d been diagnosed as bipolar should not have been.
Study: Restaurant tobacco bans influence teen smoking
AP - Tuesday, May 6, 2008 1:28 p.m.
BOSTON (AP) -- A Massachusetts study suggests that restaurant smoking bans may play a big role in persuading teens not to become smokers. Youths who lived in towns with strict bans were 40 percent less likely to become regular smokers than those in communities with no bans or weak ones, the researchers reported in the May issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine....
Pandemic flu threat remains substantial, health experts say
AP - Tuesday, May 6, 2008 1:27 p.m.
GENEVA (AP) -- The world still faces a substantial threat of a flu pandemic and countries need to speed up preparations for a global outbreak, health experts said Tuesday....
Chow Mein Plays Special Role in Aging Mother's Life
NPR - Tuesday, May 6, 2008 1 p.m.
When commentator Jay Keyser\'s mother moved into an assisted-living community, he noticed a change in her behavior. At their weekly lunches at a Chinese restaurant, she would order only one thing: chicken chow mein. Keyser says he thinks there may have been a deeper meaning behind her dependence on the dish.
Man Who Held Daughter Captive to Plead Insanity
NPR - Tuesday, May 6, 2008 11:17 a.m.
Prosecutors are preparing the case against Josef Fritzl, a 73-year-old Austrian man who held his daughter captive for 24 years in his basement and fathered seven children with her. Fritzl\'s lawyer is preparing an insanity defense for his client, stating Fritzl has a serious mental disorder.
European athletes in asthma study at Beijing Olympics
AP - Tuesday, May 6, 2008 10:13 a.m.
ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- Athletes from 10 European countries will take part in an allergy and asthma study at the Beijing Olympics....
Adopted Teens Face Higher Risk for ADHD
NPR - Tuesday, May 6, 2008 7:56 a.m.
A new study finds that, while most adopted youths are psychologically healthy, they face twice the risk for some emotional and behavioral disorders than their non-adopted counterparts do.
Death Toll at 15,000 After Myanmar Cyclone
NPR - Tuesday, May 6, 2008 6:50 a.m.
Official media in Yangon say 10,000 people were killed in one town alone after Cyclone Nargis. Another 30,000 people are said to be missing and aid has reportedly been delayed by government reluctance to grant visas.
10M children worldwide die from lack of health care
AP - Tuesday, May 6, 2008 4:41 a.m.
MANILA, Philippines (AP) -- More than 200 million children worldwide under age 5 do not get basic health care, leading to nearly 10 million deaths annually from treatable ailments like diarrhea and pneumonia, a U.S.-based charity said Wednesday....
Abu Dhabi Aims to Build First Carbon-Neutral City
NPR - Monday, May 5, 2008 9:14 p.m.
Planners hope to transform an empty stretch of desert into Masdar, a city of 50,000, within a decade. They aim for it to be powered entirely by renewable energy, to reuse water and to recycle even human waste.
Caution urged in choosing gene tests
AP - Monday, May 5, 2008 5:48 p.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Everyone\'s genes spell out a risk for some disease, and a coming anti-discrimination law is about to give genetic testing a boost....
New Form of Fungus Threatens Wheat Supply
NPR - Monday, May 5, 2008 5:05 p.m.
Fifty years ago, a fungus called stem rust was a major threat to the world food supply. But scientists came up with new wheat varieties that kept the disease in check. Now, a new variety of rust has arisen in Africa and is rapidly spreading around the globe.
Coots Overstaying Welcome in Calif. Neighborhood
NPR - Monday, May 5, 2008 2:46 p.m.
Can coots (a black and white bird the size of a football) co-exist with the homeowners of a wealthy California subdivision? The homeowners say the birds have to go, but the plan to shoot them or poison them seems problematic with children around. And the coot is protected by the Migratory Bird Act.
FDA study: Insulin pumps linked to injuries, deaths in teens
AP - Monday, May 5, 2008 1:56 p.m.
CHICAGO (AP) -- Insulin pumps are used by tens of thousands of teenagers worldwide with Type 1 diabetes, but they can be risky and have been linked to injuries and even deaths, a review by federal regulators finds....
Official says Russia 'not ready' for tough HIV steps
AP - Monday, May 5, 2008 1:54 p.m.
MOSCOW (AP) -- Russia is "not ready" to adopt measures that could prevent thousands of people from getting infected with the virus that causes AIDS, the country\'s chief public health officer said Monday....
Unhealthy Ozone Levels Detected in Kansas Park
NPR - Monday, May 5, 2008 1:49 p.m.
A pollution sensor in a state park in a remote area of Kansas is registering ozone levels in the unhealthful range on some summer days. The park is hundreds of miles from anything approaching a major city.
The Science Behind Iron Man's Super Suit
NPR - Monday, May 5, 2008 12:03 p.m.
After learning of an evil plot that puts the world at peril, billionaire weapons inventor Tony Stark designs a super-armored suit that helps him foil the plan and save the earth. Prof. James Kakalios, author of The Physics of Superheroes, talks about the science of the action flick Iron Man.
Anti-psychotic drug use soars in UK children, too
AP - Monday, May 5, 2008 11:32 a.m.
CHICAGO (AP) -- American children take anti-psychotic medicines at about six times the rate of children in the United Kingdom, according to a comparison based on a new U.K. study....
Replicating Birds' Magnetic Vision
NPR - Monday, May 5, 2008 10 a.m.
There\'s a theory that birds can "see" a magnetic field because of a chemical reaction in their eyes. Peter Hore, a physical chemist at the University of Oxford, thinks he has replicated this reaction in the lab.
Another Reason Not to Take Cod Liver Oil
NPR - Monday, May 5, 2008 10 a.m.
A study suggests that if taken in childhood, cod liver oil may lead to decreased bone density in women due to its ultra high Vitamin A content. Medical expert Dr. Sydney Spiesel discusses what types of cod liver oil are worst.
Global Warming: It's All About Carbon
NPR - Monday, May 5, 2008 8:46 a.m.
The 12th Annual Webby Awards are announced tomorrow. Robert Krulwich — and his team of Odd Todd and BPP Video Producer Win Rosenfeld — are nominated in the Best Use of Animation/Motion Graphics category for their feature on carbon.
Who should MDs let die in a pandemic? Report offers answers
AP - Monday, May 5, 2008 6:47 a.m.
CHICAGO (AP) -- Doctors know some patients needing lifesaving care won\'t get it in a flu pandemic or other disaster. The gut-wrenching dilemma will be deciding who to let die....
China says hand, foot and mouth disease spreading among children
AP - Monday, May 5, 2008 5:55 a.m.
BEIJING (AP) -- China reported a jump Monday in the number of children sickened with hand, foot and mouth disease, saying more than 9,700 cases have been reported....
Oil-Rich Abu Dhabi Builds Renewable-Energy City
NPR - Monday, May 5, 2008 4:24 a.m.
In the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi sits on nearly 10 percent of the world\'s oil reserves. So it may be surprising to hear that climate leaders there have launched a major initiative in sustainability. Masdar, a demonstration city of 50,000 inhabitants, will have a zero carbon footprint.
Australian doctor proposes paying $47,000 for a kidney
AP - Monday, May 5, 2008 2:49 a.m.
SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- An Australian doctor proposed Monday that the government pay up to $47,000 for kidney donations to overcome a chronic shortage....
UAE Has Mixed Motivations for Eco City
NPR - Sunday, May 4, 2008 10:18 p.m.
Once it\'s completed, Masdar City will house 50,000 residents and use only renewable energy. The project in the oil-rich United Arab Emirates, residents say, is driven by future business opportunities and a desire for change.
Slow but Sure Environmental Progress in Cairo
NPR - Sunday, May 4, 2008 11:40 a.m.
A short distance from the new $30 million Al-Azhar Park in Cairo, Egypt, young environmentalists are installing solar hot-water heaters in poor neighborhoods. They\'re overcoming setbacks — and bridging religious divides — to bring change in a time of environmental upheaval.
Part II: Straining to progress, as family challenges mount
AP - Sunday, May 4, 2008 9:26 a.m.
Day 1 at Project Walk fell on their 13th wedding anniversary. In years past, John and Marci Pou might have gone to dinner....
Global Warming Solutions for Egypt, U.S.
NPR - Sunday, May 4, 2008 6:52 a.m.
NPR\'s Science Editor David Malakoff joins Liane Hansen in the studio to reflect not only on the three climate change stories reported from Egypt, but also on NPR\'s Climate Connections series as a whole.
Tornado's Gifts: Greensburg Rebuilds, Revitalizes
NPR - Sunday, May 4, 2008 6:10 a.m.
A year after one of the most powerful tornados on record obliterated Greensburg, Kan., wind turbines, dozens of houses and some of the world\'s most environmentally friendly buildings have sprouted where the storm left only splintered rubble.
Part I: Hunting for a miracle, grasping at a chance
AP - Saturday, May 3, 2008 9:25 a.m.
It was only a chair, but it had become his purgatory....
'Father of LSD' Dies at 102
NPR - Saturday, May 3, 2008 7:47 a.m.
Albert Hofmann, the self-described "father of LSD," discovered the substance while working for a pharmaceutical company in 1938. Rick Doblin of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies talks about Hofmann\'s discovery and later research.
Doctors to reassess antibiotics for 'chronic Lyme' disease
AP - Friday, May 2, 2008 9:13 p.m.
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- Patients who believe they suffer long-term problems from Lyme disease are claiming victory over a national doctors group. The Infectious Diseases Society of America has agreed to review its guidelines, which say there\'s no evidence long-term antibiotics can cure "chronic Lyme" disease - or even that such a condition exists....
FDA says wider use of Cephalon drug carries risks of misuse
AP - Friday, May 2, 2008 1:28 p.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Government regulators on Friday said encouraging wider use of a powerful painkiller made by Cephalon Inc. raises the risk of potentially fatal misuse of the drug....
The Androgynous Pharaoh? Akhenaten had feminine physique
AP - Friday, May 2, 2008 1:13 p.m.
BALTIMORE (AP) -- Akhenaten wasn\'t the most manly pharaoh, even though he fathered at least a half-dozen children. In fact, his form was quite feminine, which has puzzled experts for years. And he was a bit of an egghead....
Life Expectancy Declines for Poor Women in U.S.
NPR - Friday, May 2, 2008 10:44 a.m.
Women living in America\'s poorest counties have seen their average life expectancy decline in recent years. New research shows that the gaps between the best-off and worst-off groups are widening — as much as 18 years between the two — in connection with smoking, high blood pressure and obesity.
Advances in Gene Therapy Treatment for Blindness
NPR - Friday, May 2, 2008 10:37 a.m.
Researchers using a gene therapy technique to treat one form of congenital blindness have reported some success. Two teams of scientists have used modified viruses injected into the eye to partially restore vision to people who have Leber congenital amaurosis, an illness that results in the degradation of the retina.
U.S. Carbon Footprint Difficult to Reduce
NPR - Friday, May 2, 2008 10:20 a.m.
According to a new survey, even the people in the U.S. with the lowest energy usage have a carbon footprint about twice as high as the average global citizen. What changes can an American make to have a significant effect on emissions?
Peering into the Human Brain with fMRI Techniques
NPR - Friday, May 2, 2008 9:45 a.m.
What\'s really going on inside your head when you make a decision, make a mistake, or have a few drinks? Researchers are using fMRI techniques to monitor blood flow through the brain and are hoping to shed light on the mysterious inner workings of the human mind.
Salt Water Irrigation Yields Tasty Tomatoes
NPR - Friday, May 2, 2008 9:34 a.m.
Researchers report that growing cherry tomatoes in diluted seawater can make them tastier and richer in antioxidants. The findings could encourage the use of slightly brackish water in tomato agriculture, extending precious supplies of fresh water.
Genetic Discrimination Bill Clears Hurdle in House
NPR - Friday, May 2, 2008 6:23 a.m.
The House voted Thursday to give final approval to a landmark bill that would bar discrimination in health insurance and employment on the basis of a person\'s genetic information. The bill has been 13 years in the making; President Bush is expected to sign it.
Injured GI's Care Reflects Army's Uneven Progress
NPR - Thursday, May 1, 2008 9:01 p.m.
Following the controversy over shoddy care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and other hospitals, the Army has changed the way it treats injured soldiers like Sgt. Scott Metcalf. Still, problems such as shortages of trained staff remain.
CDC: Measles cases in US top 70, highest in 6 years
AP - Thursday, May 1, 2008 1:36 p.m.
ATLANTA (AP) -- Measles outbreaks in several states have led to more than 70 cases so far this year, the worst in six years, health officials said Thursday....
CDC: 3 out of 4 new moms in US now breast-feed their infants
AP - Thursday, May 1, 2008 1:36 p.m.
ATLANTA (AP) -- More than 3 out of 4 new moms now breast-feed their infants, the highest rate in the U.S. in at least 20 years, according to a a government report released Wednesday. About 77 percent of new mothers breast-feed, at least briefly, up from 60 percent in 1993-1994, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said....
OxyContin that's harder to abuse? FDA debates new version
AP - Thursday, May 1, 2008 1:36 p.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The government is evaluating a new version of OxyContin - the potent painkiller sometimes called "hillbilly heroin" - designed to be harder to abuse....
Low-Oxygen Zones Spreading to Deep Ocean
NPR - Thursday, May 1, 2008 1 p.m.
The world\'s oceans have always had large zones of low-oxygen water. But new studies find that those zones appear to have been growing for the past 50 years. The cause is uncertain, but it could be related to human-induced climate change.
Elite Gymnastics Not All It's 'Chalked Up' to Be
NPR - Thursday, May 1, 2008 11:06 a.m.
In her new memoir, Chalked Up, Jennifer Sey, the 1986 National Gymnastics Champion, exposes the merciless coaching and aggressive parenting that can push young athletes far beyond their physical and emotional limits.
Unusual Reno Earthquakes Remain a Mystery
NPR - Thursday, May 1, 2008 10:16 a.m.
Richard Brong, the science department chair at a Reno, Nevada high school, talks about the string of earthquakes hitting Reno, and why seismologists are still struggling to understand the causes.
Autism: The Unlikely New Campaign Issue
NPR - Thursday, May 1, 2008 9:21 a.m.
It\'s no surprise that all three presidential candidates have said the case isn\'t closed on whether childhood vaccines cause autism or not, according to Arthur Allen, author of Vaccine: the Controversial Story of Medicine\'s Greatest Lifesaver.
Audit: Vets with brain injury still not getting proper care
AP - Thursday, May 1, 2008 9 a.m.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Many Iraq war veterans with traumatic brain injury are not getting adequate health care and job assistance for their long-term recovery despite years of government pledges to do so, Veterans Affairs Department investigators say....
Some Patients Say Life After Lasik Not Perfect
NPR - Wednesday, April 30, 2008 10:56 p.m.
About 5 percent of patients are unhappy with the results of their Lasik procedure. Some cite lack of information about possible results to be key. The FDA is beginning a Lasik study and wants to hear from those who are dissatisfied.
