Health & Medicine

  1. Health & Medicine

    For a lucky few, ‘dioxins’ might be heart healthy

    Dioxins and their kin are notorious poisons. They work by turning on what many biologists had long assumed was a vestigial receptor with no natural beneficial role. But it now appears that in a small proportion of people, this receptor may confer heart benefits.

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  2. Health & Medicine

    Temporary hearing impairment leads to ‘lazy ear’

    A rodent study shows that even after ear infections clear up, brain rewiring may cause long-term hearing problems.

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  3. Health & Medicine

    First complete look at families’ genes

    Comparing the complete genetic material of family members pinpoints genes involved in three rare inherited diseases.

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  4. Health & Medicine

    Scientists offer compelling images of Gulf War illness

    BLOG: Researchers have just rolled out a host of brain images — various types of magnetic resonance scans and brain-wave measurements — that they say graphically and unambiguously depict Gulf War Syndrome.

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  5. Health & Medicine

    Cocktails ward off the bulge

    A large study has found that middle-aged women who drink moderately gain less weight over the years compared to their teetotaling peers.

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  6. Life

    Boys and girls differ in genetic response to what mom eats

    Expectant mothers’ diets may influence gene activity differently in the placentas that feed sons and daughters, a new mouse study reveals.

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  7. Health & Medicine

    Gene linked to pain perception

    A common genetic variant that appears to increase sensitivity could lead to the development of better medications.

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  8. Life

    Researchers distinguish two different types of blood stem cells

    Working in mice, scientists find that red and white blood cells arise from different progenitors.

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  9. Health & Medicine

    Old drug may be first choice for childhood petit mal epilepsy

    Three-way trial shows ethosuximide edging out two newer choices.

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  10. Health & Medicine

    Coffee not linked to heart arrhythmia

    A large survey of insured people finds no extra hospitalizations in java swillers.

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  11. Health & Medicine

    Hormone may be heart-healthy insulin substitute

    A study in mice finds leptin lowers blood sugar without raising cholesterol.

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  12. Health & Medicine

    Germs in tobacco are potential source of respiratory infections blamed on smoking

    Tests find hundreds of bacterial species in major cigarette brands.

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