Health & Medicine
-
Health & MedicineAir pollution makes chromosomes look older
Traffic exhaust appears to shorten telomeres, a sign of cellular aging.
By Janet Raloff -
Health & MedicineHow Down syndrome works against cancer
A surplus of cancer-suppressing protein encoded by a gene on an extra copy of chromosome 21 may explain in part why people with Down syndrome seldom get cancer.
By Nathan Seppa -
Health & MedicineUndiagnosed diabetes is costly
A new study quantifies the number of Americans who don't realize they have diabetes — and the costs they pay to deal with it.
By Janet Raloff -
Health & Medicine‘Super Size’ diet increases insulin resistance
Scientists study effects of a month-long fast food binge, finding that weight gain and insulin resistance may be related.
-
ChemistryBPA: On the way out? Sort of
Half-hearted bans won't really protect babies, much less the rest of us.
By Janet Raloff -
PsychologySchool-age lead exposures most harmful to IQ
New studies find lead exposure has greater potency in school-age children than in infants and toddlers, including effects on brain volume.
By Janet Raloff -
Health & MedicineScorpion venom neutralized
An antivenom drug commonly used in Mexico counteracts poisonous scorpion stings, researchers in Arizona find.
By Nathan Seppa -
LifeFor blood stem cells, the force is strong
Blood flow boosts production of blood stem cells, two new studies show.
-
ChemistryNonstick chemical pollutes water at notable levels
Residues of nonstick chemicals — from unknown sources — appear to be approaching concentrations associated with adverse effects in laboratory animals.
By Janet Raloff -
Health & MedicineToothpicks match needles for acupuncture
Sham acupuncture works as well as the real thing for back pain, a study shows.
By Nathan Seppa -
LifeMisread epigenetic signals play role in leukemia
A genetic mistake causes misinterpretation of epigenetic marks, leading to cancer.
-
EarthU.S. radiation dose has doubled
New analysis finds radiation-based medical procedures have skyrocketed.
By Janet Raloff