| Date |
Show
Title |
Description |
| Dec. 27 |
Heavy
Metal Roundup |
The half-human,
half-machine "cyborg" is a staple of science fiction.
But real-life engineers have been working on various mechanical
assistive devices for years. The latest is a project to design
a wearable frame that could amplify people's speed and strength. |
| Dec. 20 |
Food
and Mood |
Foods and
beverages contain a variety of chemicals that go right to our
brains, affecting our mood, alertness -- even our thinking ability.
We tell you about three studies detailing the latest on diet
and the brain. |
| Dec. 19 |
Squirrel
Drug |
After a
stroke, damaging chemicals called free radicals sweep through
the brain, killing healthy cells. But it turns out that a protein
found in the brain of a common critter could lead to a treatment
for this problem. |
| Dec. 17 |
Drugs
and Teenage Brain |
Adolescence
can be a tough time of life. Many teens have to deal with increased
peer pressure to experiment with risky behaviors like drinking,
smoking, or taking drugs. And according to a new study, their
developing brains may be especially vulnerable to the effects
of such substances. |
| Dec. 16 |
Deadly
Dyes |
The U.S.
blood supply is one of the safest in the world. But the recent
discovery that West Nile virus might be transmitted through
transfused blood has renewed concern about whether merely testing
blood is enough. Find out about another approach to ensuring
blood safety that's on the horizon. |
| Dec. 13 |
Rodent
Roundup |
Lab rats
and mice play a major role in just about every medical discovery.
We tell you about three recent studies in which mice have helped
the study of aging, cancer, and muscular dystrophy. |
| Dec. 11 |
Transplant
Tolerance |
Unlike
other parts of the body, the eye doesn't swell up in response
to injury or infection. Swelling can damage the eye's fragile
tissues, so a safety mechanism there prevents that from happening.
Now, researchers are looking at how the eye does this as a way
to help organ transplant recipients. |
| Dec. 4 |
Iron
Pots |
Most people
the world over cook with aluminum pots. They're cheap, lightweight,
and easy to clean. But a new study shows that the popularity
of aluminum might be contributing to a common nutritional deficiency. |
| Nov. 29 |
Health
and Happiness |
This time
of year brings out a range of emotions in people -- some get
stressed and depressed; others feel nothing but holiday cheer.
Now, two new studies show how people who manage to stay happy
might be more likely to stay healthy as well. |
| Nov. 19 |
Swaddling |
Putting
a fussy baby to sleep can try the patience of any new parent.
But researchers say that the ancient practice of swaddling might
help ease these nighttime struggles. |
| Nov. 12 |
Frog
Pharmacy |
One of
the deadliest poisons known comes from the skin of a species
of an arrow frog found in South America. It turns out that other
frogs from the region also have powerful chemicals in them.
Scientists believe these chemicals could lead to a host of new
medicines, to treat everything from chronic pain to heart disease. |
| Nov. 11 |
Solar
Surgery |
A laser
sends out an intense beam of highly focused light -- a property
that has made it an important surgical tool. Now, one scientist
is designing an instrument that's just as effective as the laser
but without the high cost. |
| Nov. 8 |
The
Brain |
Some of
the most exciting research today involves neuroscience -- the
study of the brain. We tell you about two new developments:
one a promising advance into understanding brain disease, and
the other, an insight into a mystical experience. |
| Nov. 6 |
Olive
Oil and Cholesterol |
Olive oil
has a reputation as the good oil, since it actually reduces
the incidence of heart disease. Now new research reveals which
olive oils work best and why. |
| Oct. 30 |
Cancer-Fighting
Cells |
Most options
for treating cancer rely on eradicating the tumor directly --
by cutting it out of the body, blasting it with radiation, or
killing it with chemicals. But a new approach focuses on the
body's own cancer fighter -- the immune system. |
| Oct. 25 |
Veggie
Roundup |
Some of
Nature's most toxic plants yield life-saving drugs, including
the heart drug, digitalis, and the cancer-fighting medicine,
taxol. We have a roundup of current science news, leading off
with a new cancer-fighting drug derived from a poisonous flower.
|
| Oct. 24 |
Maggot
Medicine |
Doctors
use antibiotics and other treatment strategies to help their
patients' wounds to heal. But some doctors are rediscovering
the benefits of old medical therapies -- and using them on their
less squeamish patients. |
| Oct. 16 |
Botulism
Drug |
The U.S.
government has placed bioterrorism high on its list of threats
to national security. They're worried that terrorists may take
pathogens, like the one that causes botulism, and use them as
weapons. But a new drug may render that particular threat obsolete. |
| Oct. 10 |
Hyperinfectious
Cholera |
Each year,
cholera infects hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. Researchers
are now learning some basic facts about the cholera bacterium
that could one day lead to a better vaccine for the disease. |
| Sept. 30 |
Whole
Grains |
Nutritionists
recommend eating 6-11 servings of carbohydrates each day. Whole
grain foods, in particular, pack in much-needed fiber, vitamins,
and minerals. Now, scientists are discovering more reasons to
make whole grains part of a healthy diet. |
| Sept. 27 |
Dust
and Stuff |
We have
a slew of stories today, including a new way to watch for chemical
and biological agents, microchips that help stroke victims walk
again, and a report on how pets can prevent asthma. |
| Sept. 11 |
Broccoli
and Bacteria |
Some folks
avoid broccoli because it upsets their stomach, while others
believe is cures their digestive problems. One scientist tests
broccoli's stomach-soothing powers. |
| Sept. 9 |
Healing
Light |
An eye
that's been injured is usually covered up by a bandage or patch,
giving the eye a chance to heal in the dark. But a new therapy
aims to treat damaged eyes with a little light instead. |
| Sept. 6 |
Nose
Stories |
Cold and
flu season is fast approaching, and scientists are looking for
new ways to keep people healthy. We look at some of the latest
developments in the world of medicine. |
| Aug. 28 |
Stroke
Bacteria |
Doctors
are always warning their patients to watch their cholesterol
because of artherosclerosis. That's when cholesterol and other
fatty substances build up on the walls of blood vessels, narrowing
them dangerously. Sometimes these deposits break off and travel
to the brain -- blocking blood flow and causing a stroke. But
now, scientists have identified a potential new risk factor
for stroke that goes beyond the cholesterol connection. |
| Aug. 12 |
Cancer
Spread |
Patients
ahve a better chance of defeating cancer if it's caught in the
early stages -- before it has spread to other parts of the body.
Now scientists have discovered a key part of the process that
allows cancer to move around. |
| Aug.
5 |
Cavity-Fighting
Bacteria |
To make
yogurt, dairy farmers add bacteria, including one called lactobacillus
to vats of milk. The bacteria ferment the milk, changing it
into yogurt. Now scientists have found a way to use these bacteria
to prevent disease. |
| July 25 |
Wound-Healing
Bandage |
When folks
get a cut or a small scrape, they usually clean the wound and
douse it with an antiseptic liquid. Some folks may even tape
a bandage over the wound to prevent infection. Now one scientist
wants to turn the bandage into more than just an afterthought.
He has plans to make it an integral part of healthy healing. |
| July 19 |
Anthrax
Antibodies |
The way
that vaccines help prevent disease is by challenging the immune
system to make antibodies -- proteins that target particular
viruses or bacteria, and help the body fight them off. Now,
one group of scientists reports success in creating antibodies
against anthrax. |
| July 17 |
Headache
Prevention |
Once known
only to aging actresses and their plastic surgeons, Botox injections
are becoming increasingly popular as a way to erase facial wrinkles
and smooth a creased brow. Doctors have been using Botox in
this way for more than a decade, even though the FDA just approved
the drug for that use in April. Now, doctors have found another
so-called 'off-label' use for Botox. |
| July 15 |
Blood
Cell Delivery |
Many medications
work best when they're delivered to the body slowly over time.
That's why a lot of drugs require patients to take pills or
get shots several times a day. But now, researchers have found
a natural time-release drug delivery system right in our own
bodies. |
| July 12 |
Melanoma
Resistance |
According
to the American Cancer Society, more than 50,000 people will
develop melanoma this year, and more than 7,000 will die of
the disease. Now, we learn about new findings that reveal why
this skin cancer is so difficult to treat. |
| July 10 |
Bone
Healing |
Aspirin
and ibuprofen can be found in many people's medicine cabinets,
and they're often the first line of treatment for relieveing
pain. But new research suggests that people with broken bones
might want to look for alternatives. |
| July 5 |
Ginseng
Berries |
Herbalists
highly value the root of the ginseng plant, but the berry is
considered worthless. Therefore, it's usually thrown out when
the plant is harvested. But new research may change that. |
| July 3 |
Predicting
Evolution |
Penicillin
was touted as a miracle drug when it was first introduced in
the 1940s. But in just a few years, certain bacteria developed
a resistance to it. That pattern has been played out hundreds
of times since with penicillin and other, newer antibiotics.
Now, one group is working on a way to anticipate resistance
problems before they become an issue. |
| June 20 |
Roasted
Peanuts |
Roasting
brings out the delicious flavor of peanuts, and as a resul,
they're almost always eaten that way. But new research is showing
that roasting might be one reason why some people can't eat
peanuts at all. |
| June 19 |
Malaria-Proof
Mosquitos |
Malaria
kills two million people each year, mostly children and mostly
in Africa. The only real defenses now are drugs to treat those
infected and eradicating the mosquitos that transmit the disease.
But now, scientists are working on another plan of attack. |
| June 17 |
Memory
Synchronization |
Memories
can be fragile. Things that seem like they should be easy to
remember suddenly can become hard to recall. But new research
suggests that some of those memories might not be completely
lost -- just temporarily out of sync. |
| June 11 |
Aluminum
& Alzheimer's |
Aluminum
is one of the most abundant elements on the planet, and is found
in everything from antacid tablets to frying pans to cooking
foils. But is it true that this common material can cause serious
illness in old age? |
| June 7 |
Alcoholic
Lungs |
It's no
secret that chronic drinking is disastrous for your health.
But now doctors have found another important reason to stay
sober. |
| June 5 |
Kidney
Transplants |
Patients
who need organ transplants have to surmount many hurdles: first,
finding a suitable organ donor -- and then, once the organ's
been transplanted, keeping their bodies from rejecting it. But
a new procedure promises to make both these difficulties easier
to face. |
| June 3 |
Bacteria
Breath Test |
People
used to think ulcers were caused by stress. But in recent years,
doctors have found that ulcers are most often the result of
a bacterial infection. Now they're using that knowledge to make
ulcer diagnosis easier on both doctor and patient. |
