Lab Error Leads CDC to Suspect Health Officials May Be Infected With Ebola

Medicine & Technology Dec 29, 2014

The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report saying a number of its scientists may have been exposed to the deadly Ebola virus. The scientists are said to have transferred a live Ebola sample to another lab by mistake.

Irish High Court Rules In What They Believe is Best Interest for Dead Mother and Unborn Fetus

Dec 27, 2014

After nearly a month of debates and testimonies arguing the legal rights of an unborn fetus, a three-judge panel of the Irish High Court ruled on Friday Dec. 26 that in the case of a pregnant mother being declared clinically dead, that doctors may choose to turn off life support, and in-effect terminate the pregnancy, if the fetus has little chance of survival.

Scientists Use Human Skin Cells to Develop Gametes

Dec 27, 2014

In a significant development in the science world, scientists have used human skin cells and embryonic stem cells to create gametes. This breakthrough at the University of Cambridge is the first for human cells.

First Caramel Apples, Now the Ice Cream May be Infected—Listeria Epidemic

Dec 26, 2014

First it’s the caramel apples, now it’s contaminated ice cream. Where will the CDC draw the line? In a recent international outbreak of bacterial infection Listeria, health officials from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have investigated recent deaths and sourced the outbreak back to potentially bad batches of pre-made caramel apples sold in retail stores such as Safeway over the past few months. But now, as the holiday season is in full bloom and more cases are popping up day after day, CDC officials are finding other sources, as well, and are now putting a warning on ice cream potentially infected in some areas of the nation.

After CDC Warning, Safeway Pulls Caramel Apples From Shelves

Dec 25, 2014

U.S. consumers are being advised to avoid eating caramel apples that have been commercially produced. This recommendation follows an outbreak of listeriosis in several states across the U.S. that has been linked to commercial caramel apples. Now, Safeway has withdrawn from its shelves caramel apples in response to the latest warning issued by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), along with a few threats of lawsuits looming around the corner.

Early Man and the Issue of Weak Bones: How Sedentary Lifestyle Led to Now

Dec 25, 2014

The age of agriculture brought stable food supply to the human population―but it also brought weak bones.

Cones & Rods Fossilized in Ancient Fish Eyes, What they Tell Us About the View from the Past

Dec 25, 2014

The newest discovery of fossilized fish, whose eyes have remained largely intact, has provided the proof that the human eye's ability to see in color developed hundreds of millions of years ago.

Can the Blood of Survivors Help Cure Ebola? The Limitations and Expectations of a New Vaccine

Dec 24, 2014

The antibodies from the blood of survivors of the deadly disease may finally enable researchers to create a treatment that is effective against all the strains of the virus and stop its spread across Africa and the rest of the world.

Indoor Tanning Can Lead to Health Hazards Such as Burns and Skin Cancer

Dec 24, 2014

A recent study found that indoor tanning is not as harmless as it appears to be. According to the study conducted by researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), indoor tanning has sent people to hospitals after getting burns, eye injuries, and loss of consciousness. Among the long-term effects associated with the activity are: cancer of the skin, cataracts and melanoma.

New Study of the Brain Reveals Smartphone Use Changes It

Dec 23, 2014

Ever think your electronics may change the way your brain functions? Well as it so happens a new study shows that smartphone usage leaves a mark on the part of your brain that processes touch, although it actually makes you smarter. Swiss researchers were curious about the effect of using digital devices on the digits doing the swiping and tapping, and now according to the study published in the journal Current Biology, all of the typing with your thumb and swiping with your index and middle fingers may be training your brain's somatosensory cortex.

Tick-Bourne ‘Bourbon Virus’ Wreaks Havoc on Kansas

Dec 23, 2014

While these little arachnids are not much to look at, ticks are the carriers of a myriad of diseases, which makes them of great importance to researchers. History has shown that they can cause sepsis, this past summer researchers discovered that the Lone Star tick can create a severe allergy to red meats, and now health officials from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that a new tick-borne virus can even cause multiple organ failure.

Hep-C Treatment On a Budget - Why Prices are Plummeting

Dec 23, 2014

After months of waiting and anticipation, the hepatitis C treatment price wars are finally getting under way. Express Scripts, the largest pharmacy benefits manager in the U.S., has released a new treatment from AbbVie as its exclusive treatment for patients with genotype 1, the most common form of the chronic disease. This drug covers 75% of the estimated 3.2 million Americans who are infected. And this new drug will likely change the market for the hepatitis C treatments that are currently led by a pair of medications from Gilead Sciences which is likely to reach $20 billion in revenue next year thanks to demand for its treatments.

Mother's Depression When Children Are Young Linked To Risky Teen Behaviors

Dec 23, 2014

According to a new Canadian study, having a depressed mother during elementary or middle school increases the likelihood that a child will engage in risky behaviors like drinking and smoking during the teen years.

Dr. Oz's Health Recommendations Fall Short of Science

Dec 23, 2014

Dr. Mehmet Oz, better known as Dr. Oz or "America's Doctor," comes under scrutiny this week as researchers from Canada's University of Alberta publish a study that proves less than one-third of his medical suggestions are based in scientific fact.

Why the CDC Says Bay Area Residents are In For the Flu Season of Their Lives

Dec 23, 2014

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a warning that this year's flu season could be one of the worst to date. The CDC issued a warning on Friday that the flu season has started earlier than expected and is spreading rapidly. Already reaching 29 of the 54 states and territories, this year's flu is spreading faster than previously seen. In comparison, at the same time last year, it had only spread to four states.