Articles by Linda Nguyen
Depression in cancer patients often left untreated
Researchers have found that people with cancer and depression are likely to not receive treatment for their depression. Researchers propose a depression care intervention for these cases.
Experimental Novartis drug may reduce heart failure deaths, study reveals
A new heart failure drug has the power to change how treatment is viewed. The drug has been shown in a recent clinical trial to cut risk of cardiovascular death and hospital admission by a fifth.
Experimental Ebola drug ZMapp cures monkeys in clinical trial: Humans, next?
Researchers have been able to prove the efficacy of ZMapp in a trial with 18 monkeys infected with the disease. They found that even at later stages of disease progression, the drug was still able to combat the disease.
China’s latest beachwear, the ‘facekini’, is more than adequate sun protection
The latest fashion from China involves masks, similar to the one you would see on a wrestler or a bank robber. The trend, which garnered global attention when it was published in CR Fashion Book, has left many people amused.
Positive HIV test halts U.S. adult film industry
The adult film industry was put on hold after one of its performers tested positive for HIV. Though the moratorium is not binding, the industry is usually pretty compliant with it.
Sorting real drug-withdrawal tremors from fake? There’s an app for that
Researchers have developed an app to determine whether patients who come into the emergency room from alcohol withdrawal really have the symptoms or are faking them. The app is reported as good as junior physicians in discerning whether the patient is faking.
No trans-fat? Think again
Seeing 0 trans fat on a food label doesn’t exactly mean it doesn’t contain trans fat. A study from the CDC found that many foods with partially hydrogenated oils, the main source of trans fat, advertise 0 g trans fat.
The app that screens newborns for jaundice: Smartphones get medical
Scientists have found a way to detect newborn jaundice, a potentially fatal condition in newborns. Newborn jaundice is the result of excessive bilirubin in an infant’s blood.
Scientists can zap the brain into remembering
Scientists have found that using transcranial magnetic stimulation on humans can help improve memory in participants. They aim to stimulate the superficial area of the brain near the hippocampus.
MERS virus doesn't spread easily between humans
Scientists have found that the transmission of MERS from person-to-person is not as dangerous as people thought. In a recent study, they found a 4 percent transmission rate in MERS.
NYC fatal heroin overdoses rise tremendously
The number of deaths from heroin overdose has been increasing over the last few years. Researchers are also finding that the profile of a heroin user has also changed within the last decade.
Scientists switch out bad memories for good in mice: Hope for PTSD?
Memory is not reliable and there are oftentimes good and bad emotions tied to memories, but scientists have found a way to manipulate those emotions. In this process, they have also made several observations about memory association and emotional processing.
Add more tomatoes, reduce your risk of prostate cancer
Researchers have found that men who consume at least 10 portions of tomatoes a week have a lower risk of developing prostate cancer. Researchers say that eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables are important in lowering cancer risk.
Can older Parkinson patients undergo deep brain stimulation?
Researchers have found no difference in complications from deep brain stimulation in older versus younger patients with Parkinson's disease. This could help inform physicians and surgeons about the risks associated with DBS.
MS patients find balance in Wii games: Fun with a dose of neural plasticity
Researchers have found a way to use the Wii balance board to help patients with multiple sclerosis. Ongoing use of the balance board is needed to maintain the helpful changes via neural plasticity.
Hey teenagers, even your doctors want you to sleep in
Doctors recommend school districts push high school and middle school start times later. Research has shown that adolescents are sleep deprived, and pushing school start times would help align school to their biological clock.
Legal medical marijuana linked with fewer fatal opioid overdoses
A recent study suggests that combining marijuana with opioid painkillers can help patients take lower and safer doses of the painkillers. This study, along with others, raises the issue of marijuana use.
Disoriented? Confused? You may be sleep drunk
A new study reports that it’s possible to become sleep drunk. Sleep drunkenness is described as waking up confused and not remembering what happened later.
This gut bacteria may stop your peanut allergies
Scientists have found a bacteria that may reverse peanut allergy in a person. The bacteria has proven effective in mice, so they hope to one day be able to use it on humans.
Cutting carbon emissions: Boon for healthcare, boon for economy
There could be monetary benefits to cutting carbon emissions: healthcare savings. A recent study by MIT researchers shows that savings in healthcare costs can make up for the cost of some carbon-reducing initiatives.
E-Cigarettes pave the road to quitting, though only as last resort
The American Heart Association is advocating for the use of e-cigarettes as a last resort for people who want to quit smoking. Though the previous research is inconclusive, the AHA suggests doctors give their patients the option while informing them that it is unregulated and unproven.
‘Robo Brain’ uses videos, photos to learn human mimicry
Robots may soon be able to understand the world around them just a little better. Scientists have been hard at work downloading pictures, videos and books into a cloud for robots to access to better carry out human tasks.
Parents - start your kids on fluoride at an early age, AAP says
Doctors are recommending parents start their kids on toothpaste with fluoride as soon as their baby teeth start kicking in. Fluoride has a long history of preventing tooth decay in children.
Students create roofie-detecting nail polish
A group of undergrads from North Carolina State University have developed a nail polish that has a unique function – it detects date rape drugs in drinks. The company hopes to empower women by giving them another line of defense against date rape.
Study claiming instant noodles bad for women's health, receives flak
College students may be out of luck. A recent study suggests that excessive intake of instant noodles can lead to health issues.
Oklahoma cop charged with sexually assaulting black women while on duty
An Oklahoma police officer has been accused of sexually assaulting at least seven women. Formal charges are expected to be filed by Aug.29.
Starbucks 'pay it forward' streak in Florida comes crashing, thanks to a grouchy guy
A man breaks a 457-person pay-it-forward streak at a Florida Starbucks saying it was becoming a marketing ploy. He tipped his barista $100, but said the streak was probably more out of guilt than genuine kindness.
Where is Agustin Zeferino? Arrest warrant issued for contagious, drug-resistant TB patient
Health officials have issued a warrant for the arrest of a tuberculosis patient who refused treatment. Officials said since TB is contagious, this is a matter of public health.
Wyoming police officer charged with K9 death: Dog was locked in hot car for six hours
A Wyoming police officer has been charged with animal cruelty following the death of his K9 partner after the dog was left in a police patrol car for more than six hours. The Mills police department said the officer is not on active duty, and that it is rethinking its policies regarding its K9 program.
Limit your tuna intake if you're expecting
Consumer Reports suggests that young children and pregnant women avoid buying canned tuna. They are worried about spikes in mercury levels of tuna.
