Month: September 2013

Science-fiction becomes reality: a prosthesis that “reads” minds.        

By C. E. Huggins NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Rates of overweight and obesity in U.S. children and teens may be leveling off, but kids at the extreme – the severely obese – are still swelling in numbers and need attention, according to a new statement from the American Heart Association (AHA). Between 4 percent and 6 percent of youth in the United States are severely obese, with serious accompanying health problems, the researchers say. “Four to six percent of all children and adolescents in the U.S. …

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says congressional critics of the 3-year-old health care law have become more irresponsible in their attempts to kill it the closer the law comes to full implementation.

The humble water bottle will once again see the ‘smart’ prefix added to its name if a new Indiegogo campaign hits its funding goal.

By Sophie Knight TOKYO (Reuters) – The pharmaceutical head at Swiss firm Novartis AG apologized to the Japanese public for alleged manipulation of data in trials of its best-selling blood pressure drug Diovan, saying an employee had acted inappropriately. Divisional head David Epstein made the comments after meeting with Japanese health minister Norihisa Tamura in Tokyo. He agreed to cooperate with the ministry to resolve the issue. “We express our deep regret for the concern that the issue has brought to patients, to the medical society as well as the ministry,” Epstein said. …

By Genevra Pittman NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Mobile dermatology applications may help people learn about UV rays or keep tabs on their moles, but they are not a substitute for seeing a doctor, researchers said Wednesday. They searched online stores and found over 200 dermatology apps, half of them made for non-doctors. Those included sunscreen recommendation guides, mole photo storage apps and tools meant to help diagnose melanoma. “I am very hopeful that these applications will increase access to medical knowledge,” Dr. …

How Could We Recognize Pain in an Octopus? Part 2