Health & Medicine
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		Health & MedicineBehavioral therapy can help kids with Tourette disorder
A ten-week course of practicing techniques to countermand tics works better than counseling.
By Nathan Seppa - 			
			
		Health & MedicineCell phone-cancer study an enigma
An epidemiological study of a link between cell phone usage and brain cancer proved inconclusive.
By Janet Raloff - 			
			
		Health & MedicineCaring for a spouse with dementia leaves caregiver at risk
Wives and husbands who attend to mates have greater chance of developing problems themselves, a new study finds.
By Nathan Seppa - 			
			
		EarthInterphone study finds hints of brain cancer risk in heavy cell-phone users
A major decade-long international study concludes that, overall, cell-phone users show no increased risk of developing brain tumors. The same study reports that among people who have used cell phones the most and longest — for at least 10 years and on average 30 minutes or more a day — risk of brain tumors is substantially elevated when compared to people who don’t use cell phones. And the real enigma: Tumor risks calculated for each of the lower cell-phone use categories was substantially under that seen in people who use regular, corded phones.
By Janet Raloff - 			
			
		EarthInterphone’s data on cell phones and cancer: The spin begins
A May 16 press release by the cell phone industry reports that “The International Journal of Epidemiology today published a combined data analysis from a multi national population-based case-control study of glioma and meningioma, the most common types of brain tumour.” In fact, the journal hasn’t. Yet. But the industry group was anxious to put its spin on the paper’s findings after a handful of UK newspapers reported on this study – well in advance of the scheduled lifting of a news embargo on its data.
By Janet Raloff - 			
			
		LifeLight shows fMRI works as advertised
Optogenetic method validates assumption underlying brain imaging technique.
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		LifeEureka, brain makes real mental leaps
Studies of rats reveal neuron activity changes en masse during aha moments.
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		AnimalsMirror, mirror on the wall, you’re the scariest fish of all
That thing in the mirror may be more upsetting than a real fish.
By Susan Milius - 			
			
		Health & MedicineGlobal child deaths on decline
Infectious diseases kept numbers for 2008 staggeringly high, with 8.8 million children dying before age 5, a new survey shows.
By Nathan Seppa - 			
			
		Health & MedicineSickle-cell anemia tied to cognitive impairment
Patients with the hereditary condition score worse on standardized tests than people without it.
By Nathan Seppa - 			
			
		Health & MedicineTaste of power goes to the head, then muscles
Just a swish of the carbohydrates in an energy drink can increase muscle performance, a study suggests.
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		Health & MedicineGenetic switch makes old mice forgetful
Reversing a chemical change restored the animals’ memory-making ability.