Health & Medicine

  1. Genetics

    Faulty gene can turn colds deadly for babies, toddlers

    Children with a faulty virus-sensing gene may land in intensive care after a cold.

    By
  2. Health & Medicine

    Here are a few more things for the childproofing list

    Some seemingly safe objects may be particularly dangerous for little kids.

    By
  3. Neuroscience

    Bayesian reasoning implicated in some mental disorders

    An 18th century math theory may offer new ways to understand schizophrenia, autism, anxiety and depression.

    By
  4. Neuroscience

    Brain waves in REM sleep help store memories

    Mice with disturbed REM sleep show memory trouble.

    By
  5. Health & Medicine

    Early work on human growth hormone paved way for synthetic versions

    In 1966, researchers reported the complete chemical structure of human growth hormone. Today synthetic growth hormone is used to treat growth hormone deficiency.

    By
  6. Health & Medicine

    Healthiest weight just might be ‘overweight’

    The body mass index tied to lowest risk of death has risen since the 1970s. It now falls squarely in the “overweight” category.

    By
  7. Health & Medicine

    This week in Zika: First mouse study proof that Zika causes microcephaly

    Three new studies in mice shore up the link between microcephaly and Zika virus infection.

    By
  8. Health & Medicine

    Mouse studies link Zika virus infection to microcephaly

    Three new studies in mice shore up the link between microcephaly and Zika virus infection.

    By
  9. Health & Medicine

    Heartburn drugs can damage cells that line blood vessels

    A type of heartburn drugs called proton pump inhibitors may damage cells that line the blood vessels. The results, though controversial, hint at an explanation for PPI’s link to serious side effects, including risk of dementia and heart attack.

    By
  10. Environment

    When measuring lead in water, check the temperature

    Lead contamination in drinking water can be much higher during summer than winter, new research suggests.

    By
  11. Health & Medicine

    This week in Zika: An anniversary, how the virus kills brain cells and more

    New weapons in the fight against Zika, how the virus shrinks minibrains, a quick paper-based test for Zika, and more in this week’s Zika Watch.

    By
  12. Microbes

    Leptospirosis bacterium still haunts swimming holes

    Bacterial scourges lurk in warm recreational waters.

    By