Nathan Seppa
Biomedical Writer (retired September 2015)
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All Stories by Nathan Seppa
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Health & Medicine
Bug Zapper: Novel drug kills resistant bacteria
A newly recognized compound can wipe out some of the most troublesome antibiotic-resistant bacteria, lab tests show.
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Humans
Legal Debate: Assumptions on medical malpractice called into question
The notion that many medical-practice lawsuits are frivolous and intended to generate undeserved riches for their plaintiffs and lawyers isn't borne out in a new study.
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Health & Medicine
Defending against a Deadly Foe: Vaccine forestalls fearsome virus
A single injection of an experimental vaccine prevents infection by the lethal Marburg virus in monkeys.
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Health & Medicine
Liver regeneration tied to bile acids
Bile, a digestive juice, plays an integral role in the regeneration of liver tissue.
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Health & Medicine
Two drugs are equal in preventing breast cancer
A commonly prescribed anti-osteoporosis drug works as well at preventing breast cancer as the sole drug currently prescribed for the task.
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Health & Medicine
Small Wonder: Taking the bite out of anthrax toxin
Using a submicroscopic synthetic blob called a liposome, scientists have neutralized anthrax toxin in rats.
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Health & Medicine
Decent Interval; Well-spaced babies may have advantage
Babies conceived between 18 months and 5 years after their mothers' previous birth are healthier than are babies conceived before or after these two points in time.
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Tech
A better test for lung cancer?
A genetic test of cells lining the windpipe can detect lung cancer in smokers.
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Health & Medicine
Hot-pepper ingredient slows cancer in mice
Capsaicin, the component of red pepper that makes it hot, kills cancer cells in a test tube and inhibits their growth in mice.
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RNA test might reveal early cancer, offer drug target
Short strands of genetic material called microRNAs could allow scientists to determine which colorectal cancers are likely to recur and might offer targets for new anti-cancer drugs.
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Health & Medicine
Estrogen Safety: Studies raise cancer, blood clot questions
Two studies provide conflicting findings on estrogen therapy's effect on breast cancer risk, while a third study suggests that the hormone contributes to blood clot formation.
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Health & Medicine
Polyp Stopper: Controversial drug may prevent colon growths
An anti-inflammatory drug currently prescribed for arthritis and pain can prevent formation of precancerous growths in the colon and rectum.