Articles by Anne Francis
Brazil World Cup: Experts issue dengue fever high alert for three cities
The outbreak of dengue fever during the 2014 FIFA World Cup is serious enough that it warranted a high alert in three of the 12 host cities in Brazil. The country has the most recorded dengue infections in the world and the World Cup falls just in time when the outbreak usually happens in the year.
FDA requires lower starting dose for Lunesta to 1 mg. Here's why
The FDA required a label change for Lunesta after it was associated with psychomotor and memory impairment. This adverse side effect could put people on the medication who drive to work the next day at risk.
Japanese women live longest, global average life expectancy up: WHO
Based on a new study by the UN's WHO, life expectancy increased an average of six years globally. However, there is still a major divide between rich and poor countries when it comes to chances of a longer life.
Popular sun creams fail Which? protection test
Fifteen brands of sun creams were put to strict tests to see if they meet the SPF levels their labels claim to have. Three popular brands failed the tests.
Major U.S. insurers to publish health care prices for transparency
Health insurance companies agreed to be more transparent and publish their prices and service information online. This portal will be maintained by HCCI, believed to be beneficial not only to customers but also to insurers, employers and regulators.
Vigorous daily exercise makes you twice as prone to heart attack, stroke: Study
Based on two new studies, strenuous exercise may increase the risk of heart disease mortality. However, while there are links between intense exercise and death from stroke or heart disease, moderate exercise is still beneficial and recommended.
Experts urge Britons to improve diet, decrease intake of fat, sugar, and salt
According to a recent survey, Britons eat too much fat, salt and sugar and do not meet the five-per-day recommended servings of fruits and vegetables. The excessive sugar intake is increasing every year, urging health officials to encourage people to subscribe to a more healthy diet and lifestyle.
NHS proposes home births for women of Britain. Why?
The National Health Service advises pregnant women to choose home birth with a midwife in charge, saying it is even better for them and their babies that traditional hospital labor wards. The policy comes at a time when labor wards are finding it hard to cope with the highest birth rate in 40 years.
AstraZeneca's lung cancer AZD9291 shrinks tumor in 50 percent of patients during trial
AstraZeneca introduced a new experimental drug that shrank tumors in 51 percent of cancer patients. The company has dubbed it as the "new great white hope" in its battle not only against cancer but also against Pfizer's planned takeover.
'Quit quitting': Man loses 200 pounds in 36 weeks
Jonathon Walters lost 200 pounds in nine months because he quit quitting. The husband and father of three says everybody can achieve what he had if they are motivated and determined not to give up.
FCC set to vote on new net neutrality rules. What has been and what might be.
FCC proposes to allow companies to pay Internet service providers and be prioritized over those that do not have such deals. However, service providers, lawmakers and advocates urge the agency to reclassify broadband from being a utility.
Evolocumab shot may lower bad cholesterol levels by as much as 75 percent
A new drug called Evolocumab is found to lower LDL cholesterol levels in conjunction with statins. If further studies show that it can lower the risk of heart disease, more patients on statin may be able to benefit from it.
Netflix accounts for 34.21 percent of downstream traffic in U.S.: Report
Netflix has become the second largest driver of Internet traffic in Ireland and the UK. Its increase to 35.67 million users accounts for its Super HD content.
Parents who smoke must quit if you don't want your kids to be heavy smokers
A new study shows that adolescent children who have heavy smokers as parents are more likely to become heavy smokers themselves. The study encourages parents to quit smoking so their children will less likely pick up the unhealthy habit in the future.
Finding your life purpose is key to long life, says study
Both old and young people may benefit from a sense of purpose in life. A life purpose, along with positive relations with others and positive emotions appear to prolong one's life.
'Cold water challenge' high school fad for charity sounds alarm bells after reported death, injuries
The dangerous fad "Cold Water Challenge" is fast gaining traction and public safety officials are concerned. Reported death and injuries of those who take part of this challenge are increasing by the day.
15-year-old student from Vancouver creates new HIV test as simple as pregnancy test
A 10th grader from Vancouver has developed an HIV test that many scientists spend their whole lives trying to develop. The point-of-care HIV diagnosis test is as simple and fast as a pregnancy test and it could potentially save thousands of lives especially in developing countries.
Best friends since birth: 'Mono mono' twins holding hands upon C-section delivery in Ohio
A set of 'mono mono' identical twins were born in May 12 in Ohio. Doctors say it was a miracle that the babies, who were first seen holding hands, survived.
Britain's water shows traces of cocaine, points out high use of drug
A new study shows that the water supply in Britain is contaminated with traces of cocaine and other drugs. This finding is an indication of how widespread the use of cocaine in the UK has become.
Blame frequent meals and snacking for fatty liver, abdominal fat: Study
Researchers found that frequent meals and a high calorie diet cause abdominal obesity and fatty liver. It is the first study that claims eating more frequently instead of large meals causes fatty liver.
Saudi Arabia, Jordan report new deaths due to MERS
In the eve of WHO's emergency meeting on MERS outbreak, another death due to the virus was reported in Jordan. The "killer bug" still has no vaccine or antiviral drugs to prevent or treat it.
Hurricane stress: Katrina and Rita might be responsible for stillbirths in badly hit areas
According to a new study, Hurricanes Katrina and Right may have caused many stillbirths in severely damaged areas. As the level of destruction increases, the risk of stillbirth increases as well.
Endurance exercise at 40? Experts say it will still benefit your heart
According to a new study, it does not matter which age you start taking endurance training. Even if you take it after age 40, exercise offers you similar health benefits as it does to those who started before their 30th birthday.
Scientists find a way to induce lucid dreams. Buh-bye nightmares. So long Freddy Krueger
Based on a new study in Germany, people can experience lucid dreams and a heightened awareness during sleep by applying an electric current to the brain. This technique might be useful in treating patients with schizophrenia, PTSD and even obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Health Canada suspends cancer drug manufacturer Biolyse Pharma. More harm than good?
Biolyse Pharma Corp. was temporarily shut down by Health Canada for serious manufacturing concerns. Paclitaxel is the only drug manufactured at the company's facility and shortage of it could mean a hike in price which is currently one of the most inexpensive in the market today.
Motorcycle accident makes man's heart rotate 90 degrees. Here's how it happened
A 48-year-old man survived a motorcycle accident which caused his heart to rotate 90 degrees to an unusual spot in the chest. Doctors explain the possibilities of how it happened and how the man survived through it.
FDA shows green light to Zontivity, blood-clot drug that lowers stroke, heart attack risks
The U.S. FDA approved Zontivity, a new drug to reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack and death from cardiovascular diseases. Zontivity increases the risk of bleeding and the FDA issues a recommendation on how to safely use it.
Future doctor who auctions virginity for $800,000, backs out
Medical student Elizabeth Raine started a virginity auction which ended at $801,000. The adventure, scandal and eroticism are what attracted her to do it but that did not stop her from backing out at the last minute.
Detectives in British Columbia use grocery loyalty cards to help contain hepatitis A outbreak
Disease detectives in Canada found a new advantage from grocery loyalty cards and that is to access the food purchasing history of people infected with a food-borne disease. By being able to trace the source of the infection early, health authorities may be able to stop an outbreak.
U.S. teen pregnancy, abortion rates lowest in 30 years. Here are the numbers
According to a new report from Guttmacher Institute, the rates of teen pregnancy, teen abortion and teen birth have all declined across states in the U.S. A sharp decline was also seen among ethnic and racial groups.
