Nathan Seppa
Biomedical Writer (retired September 2015)
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All Stories by Nathan Seppa
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Health & Medicine
Experimental drug targets Alzheimer’s
A novel drug reverses some Alzheimer's-type symptoms in mice.
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Health & Medicine
Defect Detector: Plugging holes in a breast cancer–gene screen
A genetic test not available in the United States catches many potentially cancer-causing BRCA-gene mutations not detected by the sole U.S. test.
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Health & Medicine
Stent Repair: Coated replacements better than radiation
To clear clogged stents, the small mesh cylinders that doctors implant to prop open blood vessels, inserting a second, specially-coated stent works better than treatment with radiation.
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Health & Medicine
Ear Protection: Combo vaccine prevents some infections
A vaccine that triggers immunity against two common bacteria can prevent many ear infections in babies.
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Health & Medicine
A link between emotional stress and heart attacks
In some people with heart disease, a stressful event precipitates changes in blood components and flow that may trigger a heart attack.
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Health & Medicine
Indigestion drug makes headway
An experimental drug relieves symptoms of a form of chronic indigestion called functional dyspepsia better than a placebo does.
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Health & Medicine
Do Over: New MS drug may be safe after all
The experimental drug natalizumab, which limits relapses in patients with multiple sclerosis, may get a second chance after being withdrawn from use in 2005.
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Health & Medicine
Birth Deterrent: Stress hormone cited in early miscarriages
High levels of a stress hormone in newly pregnant women might make them more likely to have miscarriages.
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Health & Medicine
Saw palmetto flunks prostate exam
An herbal supplement used by 2.5 million men in the United States has failed to outperform a dummy capsule taken for urinary problems.
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Health & Medicine
Looking Ahead: Tests might predict Alzheimer’s risk
Two tests show promise in detecting Alzheimer's disease or other cognitive impairment years before symptoms arise.
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Health & Medicine
Alzheimer’s drug shows staying power
The drug memantine slowed mental decline in people with moderate-to-advanced Alzheimer's disease in a 12-month trial, the longest test of the drug to date.
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Humans
SUVs no safer for kids than passenger cars
Children in sport utility vehicles are just as likely as children in passenger cars to be injured in an accident, despite the SUVs' greater weight.