Health & Medicine

  1. Health & Medicine

    Stem Cell Gain: Bone marrow cells seem to have what it takes

    Tests show that a rodent bone marrow cell similar to one found in people acts as a multipurpose stem cell, much as embryonic stem cells do.

    By Nathan Seppa
  2. Health & Medicine

    Enough Isn’t Enough: An epidemic of vitamin D deficiency

    Many U.S. women of childbearing age, particularly those of African descent, lack sufficient vitamin D even though they consume the recommended amount.

    By Ben Harder
  3. Health & Medicine

    Let Them Eat Cake: Altered mice stay svelte on a high-fat diet

    A protein that links gluttony and weight gain may be a novel target for antiobesity drugs.

    By Kristin Cobb
  4. Health & Medicine

    Chinese chimneys slash lung cancer risk

    People in rural China who replace rudimentary domestic hearths with well-ventilated stoves enjoy both less-smoky homes and a dramatic reduction in their risk of developing lung cancer.

    By Ben Harder
  5. Health & Medicine

    New clue stirs up lithium mystery

    Lithium and two other mood-stabilizing drugs may all work by depleting nerve cells of a chemical that the cells use to signal each other.

    By John Travis
  6. Health & Medicine

    Drug cuts risk of seizures in pregnancy

    An inexpensive drug treatment lessens the risk of seizures that sometimes strike and even kill women during pregnancy or immediately after delivery.

    By Ben Harder
  7. Health & Medicine

    USDA gives nod to irradiating meats

    The federal government approved food irradiation, the only technology known to kill an especially lethal strain of bacteria, for use on raw meats.

    By Janet Raloff
  8. Health & Medicine

    This roe’s got a fish-E surprise

    Scientists discovered a potent, new form of vitamin E, an antioxidant, in fish adapted for life in cold water.

    By Janet Raloff
  9. Health & Medicine

    The salmon that went moo

    People allergic to milk products could face potentially life-threatening risks by eating casein-treated fish.

    By Janet Raloff
  10. Health & Medicine

    Boning Up

    Biologists have discovered a mechanism for communication between two types of bone cell, and they're exploring the possible bone-growth-stimulating effect of popular cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins.

    By John Travis
  11. Health & Medicine

    Hemispheric Cross Talk: Brains show two sides of language function

    Some people coordinate language use with both sides of their brains, allowing them to retain verbal skills after damage to one side or the other.

    By Bruce Bower
  12. Health & Medicine

    Smart Drugs: Leukemia treatments nearing prime time

    Three new drugs stop acute myeloid leukemia in mice, suggesting the treatments will work in people with this deadly blood cancer.

    By Nathan Seppa