Scientific American Podcast: 60-Second Health

Emulsifiers in Food Linked to Obesity in Mice

Wed, 25 Feb 2015 13:00:00 -0000

The common food additives altered mice microbiomes to encourage gut inflammation and overeating. Dina Fine Maron reports

Menopause Symptoms Have Unappreciated Staying Power

Tue, 17 Feb 2015 15:18:00 -0000

Although clinical guidelines assume just two years for hot flashes and night sweats, a large study finds a median symptom duration of more than three times that length. Dina Fine Maron reports

Wearable Step Counters Offer Exercise Leg Up

Wed, 11 Feb 2015 21:30:00 -0000

High-tech pedometers do a decent job of counting steps accurately. Dina Fine Maron reports.

Millions Risk Alcohol–Medication Interactions

Thu, 29 Jan 2015 20:50:00 -0000

Some 42 percent of U.S. adults who drink have been prescribed a drug that may interact negatively with alcohol. Dina Fine Maron reports

Life Extension May Add Just Bad Time

Tue, 20 Jan 2015 16:01:00 -0000

Strains of the lab workhorse roundworm C. elegans that lived longer added more time being frail and had the same portion of their lives being healthy as normal worms. The work has implications for life-extension ideas such as caloric restriction. Dina Fine Maron reports

6 Steps to Women’s Heart Health

Tue, 13 Jan 2015 13:20:00 -0000

Researchers tracked 70,000 for decades to find lifestyle clues for better cardiovascular condition. Dina Fine Maron reports

Avoid Back-Lit Reading before Bed

Tue, 23 Dec 2014 11:01:00 -0000

Volunteers who read from an iPad before bed took longer to fall asleep and had less restful nights than when they read from a printed book. Dina Fine Maron reports.

Raw Milk Sicknesses Rise

Tue, 16 Dec 2014 16:45:00 -0000

Nonpasteurized milk is fueling more outbreaks and hospitalizations. Dina Fine Maron reports

Abortions in Medical Settings Rarely Have Major Complications

Tue, 09 Dec 2014 11:19:00 -0000

Careful tracking of more than 50,000 women during the six weeks after the procedure finds that serious adverse effects are rare. Dina Fine Maron reports

Diabetes Prevention in Midlife Helps Protect Aging Brain

Wed, 03 Dec 2014 19:07:00 -0000

People with type 2 diabetes in middle age had greater cognitive impairment in the following decades than did their nondiabetic counterparts. Dina Fine Maron reports

Drownings Kill 140,000 Kids Annually

Tue, 25 Nov 2014 08:00:00 -0000

The World Health Organization issues a new report on the neglected public health issue of drowning

Steamy Smooches Share Batches of Bacteria

Thu, 20 Nov 2014 15:40:00 -0000

A 10-second makeout session can also transfer some 80 million oral bacteria. Dina Fine Maron reports

Snake DNA Left in Bite ID's Serpent Assailant

Wed, 12 Nov 2014 11:16:00 -0000

A first-of-its-kind study finds it’s possible to analyze snake DNA left in a bite victim’s wound to identify the species—and thus the correct antivenom. Dina Fine Maron reports

Plan Now for Future Ebola Outbreaks

Fri, 31 Oct 2014 17:52:00 -0000

Diagnostics, vaccines and new drugs could vastly improve the way future Ebola outbreaks manifest in Africa, according to emerging infectious disease expert Jeremy Farrar. Steve Mirsky reports

Ebola Efforts Helped by Flu Shots

Fri, 24 Oct 2014 14:52:00 -0000

Should Ebola continue to crop up in the U.S., having fewer people coming to emergency rooms with the similar symptoms of flu will help the public health system respond. Steve Mirsky reports

Kids Who Exercise Don’t Sweat Tests

Thu, 09 Oct 2014 18:30:00 -0000

Physically active children are healthier and score better on intellectual tests than their sedentary peers. Dina Fine Maron reports

Smart Park Benches Weigh Sitters

Tue, 30 Sep 2014 19:16:00 -0000

In a bid to boost fitness, new park benches in Moscow will let sitters see their weight and receive health tips. Dina Fine Maron reports

Dry Roasting May Up Peanut Allergic Potential

Wed, 24 Sep 2014 12:33:00 -0000

A study in mice suggests that chemical changes that occur during dry roasting may increase the odds of an allergic reaction. Dina Fine Maron reports

Drug-Resistant Bacteria Hang Out in Hog Workers

Tue, 16 Sep 2014 08:00:00 -0000

A new study reveals that bacteria associated with staph infections can hitch a ride in workers’ noses. Dina Fine Maron reports

Graying Parent Care Falls to Daughters, Not Sons

Tue, 26 Aug 2014 12:00:00 -0000

Sisters spend double the time caring for parents as their brothers. Dina Fine Maron reports

Tweets Identify Food Poisoning Outbreaks

Wed, 20 Aug 2014 09:42:00 -0000

In Chicago monitoring Twitter for reports of food poisoning led to 133 restaurant inspections for health violations, with 21 establishments shut down. Dina Fine Maron reports

Poor Diabetics Suffer More Amputations

Tue, 12 Aug 2014 17:10:00 -0000

Patients in low-income zip codes were up to 10 times more likely to lose a leg or foot than diabetic patients in more affluent zip codes. Dina Fine Maron reports

Heat Fells More Distance Runners Than Do Hearts

Thu, 31 Jul 2014 13:43:00 -0000

An analysis of 130,000 runners in events during a seven-year span revealed that competitors were 10 times more likely to experience heat stroke than serious cardiac problems. Dina Fine Maron reports

Prescription Refill Appearance Change Puts Patients off Meds

Thu, 24 Jul 2014 20:10:00 -0000

When refilled prescriptions for post–heart attack care resulted in the same medication looking different in shape or color, patients were significantly more likely to stop taking their meds. Dina Fine Maron reports

Heavy Metal Headbanging Rare Risk Revealed

Mon, 14 Jul 2014 12:39:00 -0000

Headbanging can cause pain or even whiplash. But a 50-year-old Motörhead fan developed a more serious condition, bleeding in the brain that required surgical repair, after headbanging at a concert. Dina Fine Maron reports

Robotic Exoskeleton Gets First-Ever FDA Approval

Tue, 01 Jul 2014 16:00:00 -0000

The ReWalk exoskeleton allows some people paralyzed from the waist down to walk again, with the aid of crutches. Dina Fine Maron reports

Tanning Mice Get Physically Addicted

Tue, 24 Jun 2014 16:50:00 -0000

Mice regularly exposed to UV light produced feel-good endorphins and behaved like addicts. If humans do, too, it could explain why we seek sun, despite damage. Dina Fine Maron reports

Hi-Tech Helmet Heads Off Stroke Damage

Tue, 17 Jun 2014 11:00:00 -0000

A helmet placed on the head of a stroke victim sends low-intensity microwaves through the brain to quickly determine whether a blockage or hemorrhage is taking place, making faster treatment possible. Wayt Gibbs reports

Wikipedia Dicey as Medical Info Source

Tue, 10 Jun 2014 22:00:00 -0000

Researchers who compared peer-reviewed articles to the Wikipedia pages for the 10 most costly medical conditions in the U.S. discovered incorrect information on nine out of 10 pages. Dina Fine Maron reports

Heroin Has Expanded Its User Base

Wed, 04 Jun 2014 09:50:00 -0000

Compared with 50 years ago, today's heroin user is whiter, more suburban and had prescription opioids for a gateway. Dina Fine Maron reports

Laser Light Coaxes Damaged Rodent Tooth Repair

Wed, 28 May 2014 14:25:00 -0000

Low-power laser light shined on damaged rat teeth activates growth factors that cue stem cells to generate the tooth constituent dentin, leading to regeneration. Dina Fine Maron reports

Vitamin C Helps Pregnant Smokers Have Healthier Babies

Tue, 20 May 2014 12:45:00 -0000

Children of smokers who popped vitamin C during pregnancy had better lung function than kids of other women who also smoked during pregnancy. Dina Fine Maron reports

Some Nail Salon Dryers Bombard Skin with UV

Tue, 06 May 2014 20:35:00 -0000

Just a few nail drying sessions under the highest output UV bulbs used in some salons could age the skin and bump up the risk of skin cancer. Dina Fine Maron reports

Snot Clouds Achieve Unexpected Buoyancy

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 16:11:00 -0000

Sneeze and cough particles form a cloud whose turbulence pulls in surrounding air, which allows the goop to maintain buoyancy and move farther than expected. Cynthia Graber reports

Morning Light Exposure Tied to Lower Weight

Fri, 18 Apr 2014 11:32:00 -0000

Exposure to bright light in the morning appears linked to reduced appetite and lower body weight, regardless of sleep patterns. Sophie Bushwick reports

Hand Soap Ingredient Can Up Body Bacteria Burden

Wed, 09 Apr 2014 12:15:00 -0000

Residues of the antimicrobial agent triclosan can paradoxically boost bacterial growth in our bodies, by giving microbes a comfortable biofilm in which to rest. Christopher Intagliata reports

Many More Americans Issue End-of-Life Instructions

Fri, 04 Apr 2014 12:10:00 -0000

The number of Americans aged 60 or more who issued advance directives governing their end-of-life care went from 47 percent in 2000 to 72 percent in 2010. Dina Fine Maron reports

Goo Keeps Bones Strong but Supple

Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:30:00 -0000

Bones are filled with a viscous fluid that’s key to their function as support structures, and which could inform osteoporosis research. Dina Fine Maron reports

Dodgers Doc: No Noninjury Tommy John Surgery to Improve Performance

Tue, 18 Mar 2014 15:32:00 -0000

Stan Conte, vice president of medical services for the L.A. Dodgers, advised parents and coaches of young athletes to not consider Tommy John surgery on healthy arms for the sake of improving performance. He spoke at the SABR conference in Phoenix on March 13. Steve Mirsky reports

Flu Vaccine Keeps Connecticut Kids from Hospitals

Tue, 11 Mar 2014 19:55:00 -0000

After flu shot regulations upped Connecticut kids' vaccination rate, their hospitalization risk went down. Dina Fine Maron reports

Bedroom TV Linked to Kid Weight Gain

Tue, 04 Mar 2014 20:03:00 -0000

The mere presence of a TV in a child's bedroom is linked with weight gain—regardless of how many hours per week a youngster watches it. Dina Fine Maron reports

Store Receipts on Thermal Paper Can Transfer BPA

Tue, 25 Feb 2014 19:16:00 -0000

Volunteers who handled receipts containing the hormone-altering compound bisphenol A for two hours showed elevated BPA levels in their urine. Dina Fine Maron reports

Concussions Abound in Soccer, Too

Wed, 12 Feb 2014 12:25:00 -0000

A meta-analysis finds that concussions accounted for between 6 and 9 percent of all injuries sustained on soccer fields. Dina Fine Maron reports

Dengue Fever Makes U.S. Inroads

Mon, 03 Feb 2014 16:11:00 -0000

The CDC reports that locally acquired Dengue killed a Texas woman in 2012 who had been misdiagnosed with West Nile virus. Dina Fine Maron reports

Secondhand Smoke Exposure Doubled Asthmatic Kids' Hospital Readmissions

Tue, 28 Jan 2014 15:10:00 -0000

A study of more than 600 asthmatic children at one Ohio hospital found that if the kids’ saliva tested positive for markers of nicotine exposure, the children were about twice as likely to be readmitted over the next year for breathing issues. Dina Fine Maron reports

Diet Soda Mixers Up Breathalyzer Readings

Tue, 14 Jan 2014 12:32:08 -0000

People who drank vodka with a diet mixer had breath alcohol levels 18 percent higher than when they drank alcohol with full-calorie soda. Sophie Bushwick reports

The Mercury's Falling...in Women's Seafood Consumption

Mon, 06 Jan 2014 19:17:08 -0000

Between 1999 and 2010 changes in seafood consumption meant that blood levels of mercury in women of childbearing age dropped by a third, and the percentage of such women who have worrisome blood levels of mercury dropped by two thirds. Dina Fine Maron reports

Teens and Docs Abstain from Sex Talk

Tue, 31 Dec 2013 19:53:08 -0000

In annual physicals teens and docs failed to talk sex a third of the time and usually too briefly when the subject was addressed. Dina Fine Maron reports

Older Couch Potatoes Benefit from Even a Little Exercise

Tue, 24 Dec 2013 10:42:08 -0000

Middle-aged to elderly adults with no history of exercising still saw significant health benefits from even small additions of regular physical activity to their schedules. Dina Fine Maron reports

Apple a Day Could Keep Statins Away

Tue, 17 Dec 2013 18:30:08 -0000

A population model suggests that a small dietary change, such as eating a daily piece of fruit instead of the equivalent calories in less healthful fare, may stave off as many heart-related deaths as would statins. Christopher Intagliata reports

Resurgence of Swaddling Brings Hip Fears

Thu, 21 Nov 2013 21:09:08 -0000

Swaddling infants is safe when done correctly. But done wrong, it raises the risk of osteoarthritis and the need for hip replacement in middle age. Dina Fine Maron reports

Mondays Top Quit-Smoking Google Searches

Tue, 12 Nov 2013 10:00:08 -0000

Based on the number of searches for info about smoking cessation on Google, it appears more people consider quitting on Mondays than any other day. Dina Fine Maron reports

TV Drug Ads May Cause Disinfo Swallowing

Tue, 22 Oct 2013 20:35:08 -0000

An analysis of TV drug ads finds that six of 10 for prescription drugs and eight of 10 for OTC drug ads are misleading. Katherine Harmon reports.

Different Placebos Can Have Different Effects

Tue, 27 Aug 2013 15:24:08 -0000

In a study of patients asked to tolerate discomfort, different placebo treatments achieved different levels of relief, in keeping with individual expectations. Katherine Harmon reports

Anorexics Display Behaviors Common in Autism

Tue, 20 Aug 2013 12:52:08 -0000

Understanding that, for example, anorexics and autists both tend to have high interest in systems could inform treatment choices. Erika Beras reports

Breakfast Is the Most Important Meal for Dieters

Thu, 15 Aug 2013 21:02:00 -0000

Women who ate half of 1,400 daily calories at breakfast lost almost 80 percent more weight than women who ate half their 1,400 calories at dinner. Katherine Harmon reports

Use Care with Cat Caca

Thu, 18 Jul 2013 18:39:08 -0000

Our feline friends might be carrying hazardous organisms in their waste, so be careful when scooping that poop. Katherine Harmon reports

Skimping on Sleep Packs On Pounds

Tue, 09 Jul 2013 20:00:08 -0000

Sleep deprivation raises levels of hormones associated with hunger, and provides more awake hours for eating. Katherine Harmon reports

Exercise without Diet Still Benefits Type 2 Diabetics

Tue, 25 Jun 2013 20:51:08 -0000

A small group of type 2 diabetes patients lost significant amounts of fat around their hearts and in their livers and abdomens with regular exercise, even without dietary changes. Katherine Harmon reports

New Runners Need Not Sweat over Shoes

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 20:36:08 -0000

Run-of-the-mill neutral running shoes do not lead to more injuries for beginning joggers whose feet pronate or supinate. Katherine Harmon reports

Patients Prefer Diet Skinny from Big Docs

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 14:13:08 -0000

Overweight patients are more likely to take weight-loss advice from overweight doctors, but the advice from thin doctors may be of higher quality. Katherine Harmon reports

Confessional Tweeting May Help Dieters

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 16:03:08 -0000

Participants in a media-assisted weight-loss program had some success, and those who tweeted about their efforts lost a bit more. Karen Hopkin reports

Fluoride Loosens Bacterial Enamel Grip

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:24:08 -0000

Rather than significantly hardening tooth enamel, fluoride may cut cavities by making it harder for oral bacteria to stick around. Karen Hopkin reports

Nightcap Drink Disrupts Important Sleep

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 21:03:08 -0000

Two or more drinks cut REM sleep, which is important for memory and health. Katherine Harmon reports

Skin-Cancer Spotting Apps Miss Their Marks

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 19:52:08 -0000

New smart phone apps that purport to assess patients' skin lesions as cancer or not are unreliable, according to a new study. Katherine Harmon reports

Surgical "Never" Events Happen Nevertheless

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 09:00:08 -0000

The errors known as surgical "never events," which are never supposed to happen, still occur some 4,000 times annually in the U.S. Katherine Harmon reports

Video Helps with Weight Info Basics

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 20:00:08 -0000

The American Chemical Society has produced a YouTube video with info to help you survive the holiday eating season. Katherine Harmon reports

Flu Web Searches Predict Disease Outbreaks

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 10:22:08 -0000

Weather prediction models armed with citizens' flu symptom query data enable researchers to predict flu outbreaks. Katherine Harmon reports

E-Visits to Doctors Might Streamline Care

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 19:53:08 -0000

A study finds that patients who enter information online about common infections get decent diagnoses from docs, although antibiotics may be overprescribed. Katherine Harmon reports.

Patients Should Ask Docs to Scrub

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 16:24:08 -0000

Patients know that health care workers should wash their hands, but are are often reluctant to ask a doctor or nurse to lather up. Katherine Harmon reports

Exercise Lengthens Life Regardless of Weight

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 20:43:08 -0000

Just a couple of hours of physical activity each week adds years to average life expectancy. Katherine Harmon reports

Your Fat Needs Sleep, Too

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 16:46:08 -0000

A small study finds that sleep-deprived fat cells are less sensitive to insulin, a condition that often precedes diabetes. Katherine Harmon reports

Facebook Community Can Help Cut STIs

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 16:53:08 -0000

Young adults at risk for getting a sexually acquired infection were more likely to use a condom if they followed a social media's sex education campaign. Katherine Harmon reports

Peeking at Doctors' Notes Helps Patients

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 11:47:08 -0000

Patients are more likely to follow doctors' orders if they have access to their notes. Katherine Harmon reports

Kids Gulp 7 Trillion Calories Per Year

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 08:45:08 -0000

Obese kids have higher cardiovascular risks as adults, and sugary beverages are stoking that obesity epidemic. Katherine Harmon reports

Make Healthy Choices Easier Options

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 19:52:08 -0000

Making bad choices harder is actually the best way to help people get healthier, say public health experts. Katherine Harmon reports

Experts Offer Tips to Lower Risk of West Nile

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 19:31:08 -0000

This year has had the most recorded cases of West Nile virus on record in the U.S. Public health experts offer tips to avoid the virus. Katherine Harmon reports

Organic Benefits Don't Include Enhanced Nutrition

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 19:30:08 -0000

Produce grown organically cuts pesticide use and the promotion of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. But nutrient levels appear similar to conventionally grown fruits and vegetables. Katherine Harmon reports

Better Sidewalks Could Bring Improved Public Health

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 05:00:08 -0000

Better sidewalks and other changes to the physical environment could encourage more activity and improve the overall health of the public. Katherine Harmon reports

Doc Calls Deconditioning a Condition

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 18:16:08 -0000

A Mayo Clinic doc says physicians may miss the signs of extreme deconditioning and prescribe medication instead of long-term exercise programs. Katherine Harmon reports

Color-Coded Food Helps Consumers Make Healthful Choices

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 19:52:08 -0000

Six months after color coding its food choices as least, somewhat or most healthful, Massachusetts General Hospital saw its cafeteria users substantially decreased their least healthful food choices and increase the more healthful ones. Katherine Harmon reports

Many Olympians Suffer from Asthma

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 23:28:00 -0000

The most common chronic condition among all Olympic athletes is asthma. But many don't start suffering symptoms until their later years, suggesting that endurance training could be a trigger. Katherine Harmon reports

Food Diary Helps Cut Pounds

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:24:08 -0000

Dieting women who kept a diligent food diary lost more weight than other women in a cohort. Skipping meals and eating out slowed weight loss. Katherine Harmon reports

Mice Hit Protein to Stop Hunger

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 19:37:08 -0000

Normal mice fed protein stopped eating much sooner than mice that lacked the receptor to sense they were eating protein. Katherine Harmon reports

Meta-Study: Moderate Coffee Cuts Cardiac Failure

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 15:57:08 -0000

Sixteen ounces of coffee a day cut the risk of heart failure, but 40 daily ounces of coffee upped the odds of ticker trouble. Katherine Harmon reports

Hotel Rooms House Bountiful Bacteria

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 15:16:00 -0000

A new study locates the bacterial hot spots of your hotel room. Tip: don't turn anything on. Katherine Harmon reports

Hospital Noise May Disrupt Patient Improvement

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 10:44:08 -0000

Hospital sounds raised volunteer sleepers' heart rates, and the effects on sick patients may be impeding recovery. Katherine Harmon reports

Aspirin Could Lower Some Cancer Mortality Risk

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 19:20:08 -0000

Daily aspirin could lower the risk of dying from some nonvascular-related diseases, including specific cancers. Katherine Harmon reports

Bloodletting Makes Comeback for Metabolic Syndrome

Wed, 30 May 2012 12:13:08 -0000

A small study shows that a little blood loss might improve cardiovascular health for obese people with metabolic syndrome. Katherine Harmon reports

Waves of Walkers Wander without Waking

Tue, 22 May 2012 10:57:08 -0000

A large survey finds evidence that millions of Americans had at least one episode of sleepwalking in the last year. Katherine Harmon reports

Car Commutes Can Counter Conditioning

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:19:08 -0000

Car commutes are linked to increased metabolic health problems, and the longer the ride the worse the issues. Katherine Harmon reports

Pacifiers Won't Make Newborns Shun Breast

Tue, 01 May 2012 21:57:08 -0000

The conventional wisdom that pacifiers can interfere with early breast-feeding efforts might not hold milk. Katherine Harmon reports

Blood Flow Fingered in Ice Cream Headaches

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:43:08 -0000

The anterior cerebral artery widens just before brain freeze, sending warming blood to the brain but increasing the pressure to painful levels. Katherine Harmon reports

U.S. Fast Food Contains More Salt

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 20:03:08 -0000

Fast food chains say it's hard to hold the salt, but outlets in other countries are already cutting back on sodium. Katherine Harmon reports

Biological Clock Ticks Despite Technology

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 18:40:08 -0000

Women who wish to conceive later in life have benefited from improvements in reproductive technology. But even those have expiration dates. Katherine Harmon reports

Kids Fail to Get Outdoors

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:18:08 -0000

Boys get more outside playtime than girls, and almost half of parents do not take their preschool-aged kids out to play once a day. Katherine Harmon reports

Frequent Chocolate Eaters Have Lower BMIs

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 21:50:08 -0000

People who ate chocolate frequently consumed more calories and more saturated fat, yet had lower average body mass indexes than those who did not eat chocolate. Katherine Harmon reports

How Yoga Might Relieve Stress-Linked Ailments

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 19:14:08 -0000

Yoga may increase parasympathetic nervous system activity and neurotransmitter levels, helping to decrease symptoms of some stress-related illnesses. Katherine Harmon reports

Exercise Instantly Affects DNA

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 21:03:08 -0000

Signals to improve muscle tone alter the expression of genes after just one workout. Katherine Harmon reports

Teen Brain Takes Biggest Sports Hits

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 19:48:00 -0000

The teen brain suffers more long-term damage from concussions than does the child or adult brain. Katherine Harmon reports

Stress Linked to Aging Chromosomes

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:43:08 -0000

Chromosome-protecting telomeres are shorter in people with depression--which has been linked to irregular stress hormone levels. Katherine Harmon reports

Stem Cells Help Heal Broken Hearts

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:19:08 -0000

After a heart attack, cells from the patient's bone marrow can help improve heart function. Katherine Harmon reports

Smart-Phone App Catches Depression Onset

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:34:08 -0000

A smart-phone app in development for depression patients tracks contacts and movement, and prompts activities when patterns show withdrawal. Katherine Harmon reports

Honey Helps Heal Wounds

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:30:08 -0000

Manuka honey stopped a skin strep in its tracks. Katherine Harmon reports

Brown Fat Furnishes Physiological Furnace

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:26:00 -0000

Men with more brown fat burn more calories in the cold to keep warm. Katherine Harmon reports

Dish Color Affects Serving Size

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:31:08 -0000

When dishes were the same color as the food served, people took bigger portions. Katherine Harmon reports

Soda Tax Could Turn Health Profit

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:26:08 -0000

A penny-per-ounce tax on sweetened drinks would cut consumption, obesity and health care costs. Katherine Harmon reports

Hit the Gym to Help Hit the Books

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:50:08 -0000

A meta-analysis finds that keeping kids active also boosts their academic performances. Katherine Harmon reports

Fat May Put Hypothalamus on the Fritz

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 17:26:08 -0000

Obesity and high-fat diets might alter brain function, changing, in particular, the hypothalamus and hunger. Katherine Harmon reports

Cruise Ship Bug Takes to the Skies

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:03:00 -0000

Norovirus, famous for ruining cruises, sickened successive crews and passengers on an Air New Zealand plane. Katherine Harmon reports

Motorcycles Take Bite out of Snake Venom Deaths

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 19:20:08 -0000

In rural Nepal volunteer motorcyclists are transporting snakebite victims to medical care soon enough to cut deaths by 95 percent. Katherine Harmon reports

Soccer Headings Can Harm Brain

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:00:08 -0000

A specialized form of brain imaging finds that soccer players who head the ball more than 1,000 times a year face risks similar to those with head trauma. Katherine Harmon reports

Get Ready to Gobble Drug-Resistant Bacteria

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:00:08 -0000

Many meat and poultry products probably carry drug-resistant bacteria before cooking. Katherine Harmon reports

1 in 5 Has Significant Hearing Loss

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:36:08 -0000

One in five Americans has their daily life affected by hearing loss--and earbuds blaring loud music may be just a small factor. Katherine Harmon reports

Hybrid Grapefruit Busts Drug Interactions

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:02:08 -0000

Common grapefruits have a compound that can negatively interact with some medications. A new hybrid grapefruit solves the problem. Katherine Harmon reports

Computer Training Boosts Bedside Manner

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:43:08 -0000

A computer training program improves how oncologists respond to negative patients. Katherine Harmon reports

BP Meds at Night Lowers Cardiovascular Risk

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 12:16:08 -0000

People who took at least one of their blood pressure medications before going to bed had a reduced risk of circulatory problems compared with morning pill poppers. Katherine Harmon reports

Hairdressers Can Be Skin Cancer Detectors

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 17:03:08 -0000

Hair care pros often spot possible skin cancers on the scalp. Dermatologists recommend they be trained to do it more and better. Katherine Harmon reports

Diet Counters Bad Gene

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:00:08 -0000

People with genetic variant 9p21, which predisposes them to heart disease, lowered their risk with a healthful diet. Katherine Harmon reports

Sewage Is a Virus Gold Mine

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 18:15:08 -0000

Researchers looking to expand our knowledge of viruses should dip into some raw sewage. Katherine Harmon reports

Docs Think We Get Too Much Doctoring

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:42:08 -0000

Many U.S. physicians think that their patients and their patient's purses could get by with less medical care. Katherine Harmon reports

Eternal Vigilance Fingers the Flu

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 17:32:08 -0000

The influenza virus is hiding and changing in animal populations. Virologist Ab Osterhaus explains how that could make it more lethal and how we have to keep a constant eye on its development. Katherine Harmon reports

Five Factors Cut Diabetes Risk

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 05:00:08 -0000

Dealing with any one of five key lifestyle risk factors can lower the risk of developing diabetes by about a third. Katherine Harmon reports

Yellowing Eyes May Keep Seniors Awake

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 18:33:08 -0000

Yellowing of the eye lenses changes the array of incoming light wavelengths, which can affect circadian rhythms, including sleep patterns. Katherine Harmon reports

Best Acne Treatment Remains Elusive

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 19:42:08 -0000

For picking off pimples, few reliable studies exist to show clear benefits of one treatment over another. Katherine Harmon reports

Being Married Affects Heart and Waist

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 05:00:08 -0000

Married women gain weight but survive bypass surgery better than unmarried people do. Katherine Harmon reports on two studies

Pre-Bed Booze May Bust Rest

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:41:08 -0000

A nightcap may force the body to work harder at repair during sleep, making for a less restful night. Katherine Harmon reports

Beat Gluttony with Gullibility

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 13:22:08 -0000

Eating-behavior expert Brian Wansink offers tips on fooling yourself into eating less. Katherine Harmon reports

Study Says Avoid Colon Cleanses

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:59:08 -0000

The alternative therapy of colon cleansing typically does little good, and may cause significant harm. Katherine Harmon reports

Hospitals Try to Become Mickey Mouse Institutions

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 23:41:08 -0000

Hospitals are hiring Disney to help them create environments that patients prefer. Katherine Harmon reports

Health Literacy Affects Individuals' Health

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 13:44:08 -0000

People who have trouble understanding health and medical information are more likely to get hospitalized. Katherine Harmon reports

Sodium and Potassium Together Determine Risk for Heart Disease Death

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:05:08 -0000

A new study says high sodium and low potassium intake are the twin culprits in many cardiovascular syndromes. Katherine Harmon reports

Women's Study: Exercise, Good Diet and Non-Smoking Greatly Reduce Sudden Heart Death Risk

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 15:57:08 -0000

The Nurses' Health Study finds that the risk of death from sudden cardiac arrest in white women can be lowered by 92 percent through lifestyle maintenance alone. Katherine Harmon reports

Cleaner Water Worldwide But Still Out of Reach for Millions

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 00:03:08 -0000

In the last decade, more than a billion people have seen improved water safety and sanitation. But 800 million are still at risk of water-borne disease. Katherine Harmon reports

Accurate Blood Pressure Needs Multiple Measurements

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 06:56:08 -0000

Many blood pressure assessments rely on too few measurements in an intimidating environment. Katherine Harmon reports

Infant Exposure to Pets May Lower Risk of Later Allergies

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 00:02:08 -0000

Having pets in the house during a baby's first year was associated with a lower risk for allergies through the child's teens. Katherine Harmon reports

Mouse Study: Yo-Yo Dieting Beats Not Dieting at All

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 15:13:08 -0000

Mice fed an alternating high-fat and low-fat diet lived almost as long as mice on a constant low-fat diet--and longer than mice on a constant high-fat diet. Katherine Harmon reports

Cell Phones in Hospitals May Be Covered with Germs

Tue, 31 May 2011 17:49:08 -0000

A study in a hospital in Turkey found that three quarters of cell phones belonging to patients and visitors carried staph bacteria. Katherine Harmon reports

Future Cars Could Count Miles per Heartbeat

Tue, 24 May 2011 00:00:08 -0000

On the drawing board are cars that would monitor the health markers of its passengers. Katherine Harmon reports