Search results

Researchers have been able to identify a gene that determines maleness in mosquitoes, and if that were introduced into females it could potentially help wipe out the vector for the Zika virus infection. This method could also be applied to fighting other diseases such as yellow fever, Dengue and Chikungunya.

While Apple wages a legal battle with the FBI, and the debate rages on over whether the privacy of every cell user could eventually be jeopardized if Apple complies and unlocks a terrorist's phone, interestingly there may be some private information on your phone that you might voluntarily want to make available, under certain circumstances.

Despite the global ubiquity of the smartphone, there are still those who would like one of their own, but due to physical limitations involving their hands and fingers they remain out of reach. But with a new invention -- the world's first touch-free smartphone -- that is now changing.

A real-world chronic kidney disease comparison makes an important point about how positive science and health outreach gets done.

"Pop-up" clinics, which serve the uninsured around the country, are helping to bring health care to those who cannot afford even routine services. Services are free mainly because medical practitioners are work voluntarily. Many would-be patients sleep in their cars the night before to help ensure that they will be seen.

Wearable devices, like wrist phones and fitness trackers, have become one of the most popular trends in recent years. But drivers may get in on the action, with Ford training its high beams on wearable health monitors, which it hopes to use in its vehicles with the goal of increasing driver safety.

A large fraction of studies on humans at major academic centers listed on clinicaltrials.gov are never reported. Over one-third never come to light, and many others take far too long. This leads to a distortion of science-based public health.

It's easy to be led astray by trusting to logic when evaluating health advice. But sometimes logic is borne out by science, as in the case of a recent study of prevention of knee arthritis by weight loss in overweight and obese women.

Compounding pharmacies are part of a Justice Dept. probe for healthcare fraud. One involves Aspire Rx, which makes a pain cream called Rx Pro that's promoted by Favre, the former NFL great. The investigation comes amidst a backdrop of recent hazardous practices that have led to many deaths and a range of disabilities.

A new study of older American men with low testosterone levels, and some symptoms of it, benefited from testosterone supplementation. Not all the studied parameters improved, but most did, including sexual function.

Dietary cholesterol, especially eggs, have often been demonized as a source of high blood cholesterol levels, and thus taboo for people with an elevated risk of heart disease. But a recent study once again gives dietary cholesterol, and eggs, a clean bill of health.

Those brownish black spots on fully ripe bananas may unlock a faster diagnosis of skin cancer in humans, boosting survival chances.

Jennifer Sass of the NRDC takes issue with the evil empire known as Lumber Liquidators, claiming the company plays Russian Roulette with the health and well-being of our children by selling formaldehyde-spewing laminate flooring. Unfortunately, she cites flawed methodology, delivering only an alarmist rant.

Can people be motivated to change their behavior to improve their health? Encouraging weight loss by financially rewarding individuals isn't particularly effective. But a new study suggests that using a "stick," with fines that penalize inactivity, just might be more effective than a dangling the money "carrot."

As a young, active person, it never once occurred to me that at age 28 I would suffer from lower back pain. I avoid going to the movies and long car rides because I can't sit that long. And at its worst, I can barely make it through dinner before I have to stand up and stretch. I suffer from sciatica, and it's a real pain.

Though it may seem like it is recent, chemophobia has been building up for decades. Generations ago activists were using the language of scientists - possible, known, etc. - against science.

Chest pressure. Shortness-of-breath. Cold sweats. Individually, these symptoms could be signs of some minor health issue. Or taken together, they can be misdiagnosed signs of a heart attack especially if you re someone under 40.

There's nothing like a medical scare to bring out the kooks; Zika has done just that. And as facts pile up showing that Zika is causing microcephaly, so do the conspiracy theories. While a new CDC study gives solid evidence connecting the virus to birth defects, others think Bill Gates is a madman out to depopulate the world.

A new study of elderly Germans assessed the possible link between acid-blocking drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and new-onset dementia. A 44 percent increased risk of dementia was found among those on PPIs long-term, but no cause-and-effect link can be established based upon this study.

While the U.S. population continues to struggle with a well-known obesity epidemic, according to the results of a new Gallup poll it appears that the problem is getting worse before it will get better. The nation's obesity rate has climbed to a record high, with 28 percent of all adults falling into this category.

Far too many antibiotic prescriptions are written for infections that cannot be treated by them. A new study published in JAMA shows how some simple behavioral interventions can change prescribers habits toward more evidence-based prescribing.

George Washington may be the only popularly elected ruler in history who, when his supporters offered to crown him King, relinquished his power instead.

Is a certain kind of artificial turf harmful? So far it is just claims by lawyers prepping for a lawsuit but it merits study because they have scared parents. What doesn't need study, the facts are in, is that Coke has managed to frustrate Food Nazis once again - by being successful with smaller serving sizes

A British microbiologist found that some beard bacteria contains anti-adhesion molecules, which prevent bacterial binding to surfaces. That means that hipster beards may harbor bacteria capable of killing drug-resistant bacteria.

Imagine going to a family get-together and seeing the same face on both your mom and your second cousin. Or not being able to recognize either one of them. Welcome to the frustrating world of the face-blind. But a new test hopes to improve on previous ones that have kept sufferers in the dark.