Health & Medicine
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Health & MedicineHIV may date back to the 1930s
Genetic analysis of the AIDS virus suggests it first infected humans in the first third of the 20th century.
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Health & MedicineAIDS drugs may cause bone loss
Using X rays to measure bone density in HIV-infected men, researchers find a possible link between bone loss and long-term use of protease inhibitors.
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Health & MedicineResearchers Probe Cell-Phone Effects
Scientists are trying to find out whether biological changes associated with cell-phone use represent health risks.
By Janet Raloff -
Health & MedicineWorm genes take on bacterial foes
Creatures as simple as worms have an effective immune defense.
By John Travis -
Health & MedicineNo worry that this secret will leak
The recently discovered protein angiopoietin-1 appears to protect blood vessels from leaking, a finding with implications for research into diseases that involve swelling, such as arthritis and asthma.
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Health & MedicineLung cancer gene has gender bias
The X chromosome's gastrin-releasing peptide receptor gene is turned on by nicotine to produce a protein that promotes lung cancer, a combination of factors that could explain why women are more susceptible to the disease than men are.
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Health & MedicineNovel diabetes strain has rapid onset
Japanese researchers have confirmed that some patients with type 1 diabetes have a novel form of the disease that's not caused by immune cells attacking the pancreas.
By Nathan Seppa -
Health & MedicineDiet Pills: It’s Still Buyer Beware
With some half of the adult U.S. population overweight–many individuals severely so–is it any wonder that the fastest growing segment of the dietary supplement industry is weight-loss aids? Since 1997, sales of diet pills and related supplements have been increasing 10 to 20 percent annually to the point where last year they reached $2 billion. […]
By Janet Raloff -
Health & MedicineNew Antidote to Botulism: Drug neutralizes toxin in mouse tests
An experimental drug disables deadly botulism toxin much better than current treatment does.
By Nathan Seppa -
Health & MedicineFullness Factor: Gut hormone tells brain the stomach is well fed
A hormone produced by the intestines could be the primary satiety signal sent to the brain.
By John Travis -
Health & MedicineUlcer bug linked to stroke
Potent strains of an ulcer-causing bacterium may also trigger strokes.
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Health & MedicineLab tool may spawn new antiviral drugs
Short strands of RNA can be used to stop viruses such as HIV.
By John Travis