Articles by Anne Francis
Britain will have 500,000 centenarians by 2066 and its hospitals should be ready
A new study shows that centenarians in the UK need better nursing homes and planned health services so they won't always have to be admitted to the hospital in the last weeks of their life. This could significantly lower the cost to the NHS.
Boys with autism most likely exposed to high hormone levels in womb
A new study showed that compared to those developing normally, boys with autism had higher levels of sex hormones while they were in the womb. The findings may help researchers find causes of autism and explain why boys are more likely to be diagnosed with the condition than girls.
XStat by RevMedx can plug gunshot, shrapnel wounds in seconds
A medical technology company created a device that can plug up and stop the bleeding of a gunshot or shrapnel wound. The FDA has approved the XStat injection which could be out in the market in 2014.
Immunotherapy may give hope to women with advanced cervical cancer
A new study shows the first promising therapy that can impact solid cancer tumors. The HPV-targeted adoptive T-cell therapy, boosts a cervical cancer patient's natural immune response to the virus by removing T-cells from the patient, growing it and putting them back in.
NY, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Ohio move to legalize marijuana
The U.S. House voted to allow individual states to make their own laws on medical marijuana. However, there are still issues with what the feds are still allowed to control, its authorized distributions and requirements for getting the medical marijuana card in each state.
World Cup 2014: Experts recommend seeing your doctors before heading to Brazil
The World Cup 2014 is just around the corner and thousands of people are expected to flock Brazil to witness this big event. Public health experts issue warnings on the possible risks of joining a mass event and tips on how to avoid it.
Having surgery? Avoid weekends, afternoon schedules. Here's why
If you are going under the knife a study has pointed out that there are schedules that you might want to avoid. Here's why.
Neil DeGrasse Tyson thinks aliens found humans, creatures on Earth uninteresting
Astrophysicist and Cosmos host Neil DeGrasse Tyson said aliens may have already visited Earth but could not make contact with humans who found their messages unintelligible. He said we could also be sending messages to aliens via radio waves in the solar system.
Drug for canine parvovirus demonstrates 90 percent cure rate in trial
Avianax has found a treatment for parvovirus, a life-threatening and contagious viral disease for dogs. It could offer a cheaper and quicker alternative to the disease's current treatments.
Laser can help regrow, repair teeth. Forget root canal
Lasers have been found to stimulate the growth of lost calcified tissues called dentin in rats, an implication that it could be used to regrow damaged teeth in the future. If the technique proves effective on humans, it could replace root canal treatments and fillings in the future.
Study profiles new American heroin addicts: Predominantly white, middle-class, suburban
A new study shows that typical heroin users are no longer from minority groups living in the city. Most heroin users are now young, middle-class suburban dwellers.
Watching too much porn? Your brain might be shrinking!
Based on a new study, frequent use of pornography may shrink a part of the brain which is responsible for decision-making, memory and attention. Researchers claim that the greater the use of sexually explicit material, the smaller the striatum gets.
Low-carb vegan diet helps in losing weight, lowering risk of heart disease
A low-carbohydrate vegan diet may help reduce body weight and risk of heart disease, says a new study. The Eco-Atkins diet is plant-based and consists of carbohydrates, fat and protein.
Using Wikipedia to self-diagnose is dangerous to your health. Here's why
As per research, nine out of 10 of the costliest medical conditions are erroneously described on Wikipedia. It is shocking that not only a huge number of Internet users go to the website for reference, physicians and medical staff also does.
Changes in brain activity after chemo may explain multitasking difficulties: Study
According to Belgian researchers, chemotherapy changes the brain activity and reduces mental functioning of some female breast cancer patients while they multitask. The team believes that cognitive effects are just as important as other treatment-related side effects.
2.1 billion people are now obese or overweight, new report urges governments to act
A new study showed that no country has lowered its obesity rates for more than thirty years. This pressing public health concern is increasing and if not addressed properly, could lead to more chronic diseases and problems for health-care systems worldwide.
Mexico City's breastfeeding campaign sends wrong message, too racy, says critics
Mexico City has launched a campaign geared towards promoting breastfeeding among new mothers. However, health advocates criticized the advertisements, saying sexualized celebrities show a wrong portrayal of motherhood while sending the wrong message to new moms.
Yelp points NY health officials to food poisoning outbreaks
New York City found a new way to detect unreported food poisoning. The project aims to improve early detection of potential foodborne disease outbreaks to better prevent it.
Donald Levine, Father of G.I. Joe, succumbs to cancer
Hasbro former head and father of G.I. Joe died due to cancer. The toy industry takes a moment to honor Donald Levine for his profound influence on the industry.
If Google acquires Dropcam, it might be watching your home for you soon
While Apple works on its universal home remote, reports emerge that Google considers buying Dropcam, a company that sells app-controlled cameras. It is speculated that Google will use this to improve its growing smart home division.
Creationist Ken Ham claims humans, dinosaurs co-existed and Allosaurus fossil is proof
Creation Museum will launch a new exhibit featuring an Allosaurus specimen called Ebenezer. Founder Ken Ham claims that the specimen is evidence that the Biblical flood really happened and that dinosaurs used to co-exist with humans.
New Zealand's small kiwi is related to Madagascar's extinct nine-foot elephant bird
The iconic kiwi from New Zealand appears to be from the extinct Madagascar elephant bird and not from Australia's emu. Based on a DNA test, the birds were also able to fly before becoming flightless not very long ago.
E-cigarettes are not healthy alternatives to smoking, make superbug more potent
Based on new research, e-cigarettes are not safer alternatives to traditional cigarettes. The vapor is found to be just as dangerous and affects resistance to antibiotics.
Nintedanib, Pirfenidone cancer drugs give hope to patients battling idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
According to new clinical trial results, two drugs were able to make breathing easier among IPF or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis sufferers. Nintedanib and Pirfenidone might be available in the market in 2015.
Trained dogs can detect prostate cancer with 98 percent accuracy: Study
A new study suggests that dogs may be used as an early warning test for prostate cancer. With 98 percent accuracy, dogs were able to detect the disease through its byproduct smell.
Four glasses of wine in two hours can be dangerous to your health, says study
A new study shows that alcohol binges may be more dangerous than previously thought. The study includes evidence of greater gut permeability and higher levels of endotoxins.
Men with sperm, semen problems have higher risk of death
According to a new study, men with semen abnormalities were twice more likely to die than those who do not have any. It could be that infertility is caused by pre-existing health problems that may actually be the cause of death of the subjects.
Vaccine for measles kills cancer, makes golf ball-sized tumor disappear in small clinical trial
The Mayo Clinic announced a remarkable finding that a massive measles vaccine eliminated a woman's incurable blood cancer. This method could become the standard treatment for other types of cancer in the near future.
Why do Olympians and top caliber athletes get an F for dental hygiene?
Olympians are the epitome of the ideal human body and capability but they are not so great where dental health is concerned. It appears that many Olympians have neglected their oral health, bad enough to bar them from joining the games.
Cases of magnet ingestion among kids are up, says study
According to a new study, the number of magnet ingestion in children have increased over a 10-year period. The new and stronger neodymium-iron-boron magnets are being sold in the market as toys and it poses a serious risk to children despite toy standards and label requirements.
