Health & Medicine

  1. Health & Medicine

    Lithium increases gray matter in the brain

    Used for decades to treat manic depression, lithium may stimulate the production of new brain cells, thus raising hope that it can treat strokes, Alzheimer's disease, and other conditions that kill brain cells.

    By John Travis
  2. Health & Medicine

    Better Form, Same Function: Liposuction doesn’t lessen health risks

    Liposuction doesn't improve the long-term health prospects of very obese people.

    By Nathan Seppa
  3. Health & Medicine

    Blocking an enzyme combats disease

    By blocking an enzyme that breaks down a beneficial compound in the body, researchers are able to help diabetes patients control their blood sugar.

    By Nathan Seppa
  4. Health & Medicine

    Cell transplants stop diabetes in some patients

    Islet cell transplants can reverse diabetes in some patients.

    By Nathan Seppa
  5. Health & Medicine

    Tackling stroke and heart risks

    Lowering cholesterol in diabetes patients lessens their risk of heart attack or stroke, even when their initial cholesterol was in the normal range.

    By Nathan Seppa
  6. Health & Medicine

    Compound in salsa kills off Salmonella

    Cilantro, one of the key ingredients of salsa, harbors an antibacterial compound that attacks Salmonella bacteria.

    By Alexandra Goho
  7. Health & Medicine

    Hepatitis C drugs are less effective in black patients

    A standard drug combination for hepatitis C is less likely to knock out the virus in blacks than in whites.

    By Nathan Seppa
  8. Health & Medicine

    Narcolepsy Science Reawakens

    Recent advances in understanding the biological underpinnings of narcolepsy have created a new diagnostic tool and point toward possible future therapies.

    By Ben Harder
  9. Health & Medicine

    Tea and a Daughter’s Puberty

    The age at which a girl first starts her monthly menstrual periods is later among daughters of tea drinkers than among daughters of moms who typically choose coffee or another beverage.

    By Janet Raloff
  10. Health & Medicine

    Green tea takes on poison

    Green tea contains a broad range of compounds that detoxify dioxin.

    By Janet Raloff
  11. Health & Medicine

    Americans eat faster, and more

    More and more people are eating at fast-food restaurants, and they down significantly more calories on the days they do.

    By Janet Raloff
  12. Health & Medicine

    Statins might fight multiple sclerosis

    Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs might work against multiple sclerosis by reducing inflammation, preliminary evidence suggests.

    By Nathan Seppa