Health & Medicine
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HumansOur increasingly not-so-little kids
Little kids are meant to get big. Just not too quickly. When overfeeding spurs the girth of young children, youngsters find themselves propelled down the road towards diabetes and heart disease, a new study finds. In just the past decade, for instance, the share of kids with diabetes or pre-diabetes skyrocketed from 9 percent to a whopping 23 percent.
By Janet Raloff -
Health & MedicineSevere sleep apnea tied to cancer risk
A chronic lack of oxygen caused by disrupted rest may explain the association, researchers say.
By Nathan Seppa -
LifeGood cholesterol may not be what keeps the heart healthy
Genetic study suggests that higher levels of HDL aren’t directly responsible for the lower risk of cardiovascular disease seen in population studies.
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HumansRedefining ‘concern’ over lead
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced May 16 that it would no longer designate any particular blood-lead value in children as representing a “level of concern.” Its justification: There is no threshold below which lead exposures are not a concern.
By Janet Raloff -
Health & MedicineCoffee gives jolt to life span
Unlike wine's, coffee's benefits apparently keep increasing well beyond the first two servings.
By Nathan Seppa -
Health & MedicineEven moderate noise may harm hearing
Chronic, low-level sound exposure causes deficits in rats.
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LifeGene study links stronger memories, PTSD
New finding may help explain why some people experience psychological problems after traumatic experiences.
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Health & MedicineProcedure offers hope in type 1 diabetes
A new approach restored adequate, lasting insulin production in seven of 12 mice tested.
By Nathan Seppa -
Health & MedicineRare neurons found in monkeys’ brains
Cells linked to empathy and consciousness in primates may offer clues to human self-awareness.
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Health & MedicineProtein tweak may trigger Alzheimer’s
An unusual version of the disease-linked amyloid-beta molecule sows destruction in mouse brains.
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Health & MedicineWeight loss reduces cancer risk factor
Indicators of inflammation drop with diet and weight loss.
By Nathan Seppa -
Health & MedicineTest drug eases behavioral symptoms seen in autism
In mouse experiments, the compound curbs repetitive behaviors and improves sociability.