Articles by Linda Nguyen
FDA allows new type 1 diabetes test to enter market
The FDA has approved the first type 1 diabetes diagnostic test. It determines whether there is the presence of an autoantibody that is unique to type 1 diabetes patients.
Breathe easy, Sacramento. Patient doesn't have Ebola
California residents can breathe a sigh of relief as the patient who walked into a Sacramento hospital with symptoms consistent with Ebola tested negative for the virus. Hospital officials say cases like these, though, show that the U.S. will be able to deal with an Ebola case if one appears.
Botox might deter stomach cancer
Botox has more uses than just a beauty treatment. Researchers have found a possible application for Botox in cancer treatment.
Children with autism have too many neuron connections
Researchers have found that children with autism have more synapses in their brains than normal. They hope that these findings combined with drugs that may help restore normal synapse pruning in the brain will help combat this disease.
2 is better than 1 for polio vaccines: Doubling vaccines may end disease
Researchers have found that an oral dose of the polio vaccine combined with the injected vaccine is the most effective method in fighting polio. Researchers say this study is a historic step in how we think about vaccines.
Teens aren’t using sunscreen as much: Are melanoma warnings not enough?
Teens are using less sunscreen, and that’s a problem according to a new study. The study found that the number of teens who use sunscreen has dropped by about 11 percent over the last 10 years despite all the warnings about UVA and UVB rays leading to skin cancer.
Screening detects immune deficiency, ‘Bubble Boy’ disease is more common than we thought
Scientists are finding that the number of babies born with compromised immune systems is higher than we originally thought. They are finding that these numbers are one in 58,000 rather than one in 100,000.
Suicide tourism in Switzerland doubled in past 4 years, mainly Germans and Brits
People going to Switzerland seeking an assisted suicide doubled between 2009 and 2012 according to a recent study. Some people say that the foreign countries themselves need to rethink their policies on assisted suicide, which is restricted in most countries.
Regular exercise will prevent irregular heartbeat in older women
The importance of exercise will never cease to surprise you. This time, it’s associated with decreased risk of developing atrial fibrillation in postmenopausal women.
Older adults don't sleep well: Researchers finally know why
Researchers have pinpointed a possible explanation as to why you get less sleep as you get older. The culprit may be a bundle of neurons in the brain.
Man in Shanghai train faints, everyone runs: What happened to Good Samaritans?
Chinese social media is in a heated discussion regarding a foreigner who collapsed on a Chinese subway train. The focus of their discussion, however, was on the near-stampede of passengers who ran away from the scene of the accident.
Teen birth rates decline by 57 percent, CDC reports
Teen birth rates have dropped by 57 percent in the last two decades according to the CDC. Researchers attribute a number of factors to the decline, but say the US still has one of the highest birth rates of developed countries.
Smoking during pregnancy leads to risks much later in child's life
More research shows the dangers of smoking during and right after pregnancy. Researchers have found that the negative consequences of smoking may continue to affect children until their teenage years.
Nut butter recalled for salmonella: What's safe, what isn't?
The FDA has recalled several types of peanut butter and almond butter after the FDA found salmonella during routine testing. The company is in the process of working with stores and consumers to destroy the contaminated jars.
Should nurse practitioners get more independence?
Nurse practitioners are known to be very committed to their patients. Now, they are fighting for the autonomy to continue to provide for their patients even in the absence of a supervising physician.
Your child's sketches hanging on the fridge may predict future IQ
Drawings on the fridge may be more than an adorable child’s sketch - they could indicate intelligence. Researchers have found that figure drawing is moderately associated with intelligence.
AstraZeneca cleared of rigged clinical trial suspicions
The Department of Justice has cleared AstraZeneca’s heart drug clinical trial with no further action needed. The company hopes the success of this drug will prove it to be a strong, independent force.
Parents of girls, rejoice! Daughters are more attentive to elderly parents, study says
Daughters spent twice as much time on average than sons caring for their elderly parents according to a new study. Researchers found an almost seven hour difference a month in elderly parent care between daughters and sons.
In kids, brains and brawn might actually go hand-in-hand
Some kids have it all: brains and brawn. A recent study shows that kids who are physically active have more compact white matter.
CDC bird flu blunder was result of sloppy science
The CDC has conducted an internal investigation following the possibility that two types of bird flu were cross-contaminated. This comes after a series of other mistakes by the CDC.
New vaccine may ward off Chikungunya virus
The Chikungunya virus has reached the United States where four domestic cases of the virus were reported last month in Florida. However, a new vaccine that has shown promise may soon solve the issue.
Marijuana-like drug overdoses NH into state of emergency
The state of New Hampshire has declared a state of emergency over a synthetic marijuana-like drug. The drug, called spice, has already caused more than 40 overdoses.
Gilead shoves off Roche’s claim on Sovaldi hep C drug
Gilead keeps its rights to its costly, but effective Hepatitis C drug after a panel rules in its favor. The panel said the opposing company Roche did not establish any of its claims.
Early respiratory problems up risk of later lung cancer
Scientists have started looking at another factor when identifying patients at risk for lung cancer – previous respiratory disease. Scientists have found associations between having one or more of these diseases and lung cancer.
Researchers target ALS, FTD, fight genetic risk factor
A biomarker may help doctors and researchers combat ALS and FTD. Scientists have identified a genetic mutation and developed a compound that may help patients suffering from these neurodegenerative diseases.
Using growth hormone as a child heightens stroke risk later
Growth hormone has been linked to an increase risk of developing stroke later in life. Growth hormone is popular among children and professional athletes.
Southern foods may damage kidneys: Out of the frying pan, into the hospital?
That Southern-style food ad on the street may look good, but a new study suggests that the long term effects of a Southern diet may be more than some are willing to accept. A study has linked a Southern diet with an increased risk of death.
Too much, too little sodium is bad for heart, so what’s the Goldilocks amount?
To eat salt or not to eat salt, that is the question. According to a new study, too much sodium and too little sodium both may lead to greater risk of cardiovascular risk.
Obesity ups risk of developing 10 most common cancers
A new study linked obesity and being overweight to 10 different types of cancer. Researchers believe that if the rates of obesity stay constant, there will be an additional 3,700 cases of cancer every year.
Inability to sleep increases suicide risk for baby boomers
Recent research has shown that sleep deprivation and suicide may be related in older adults. Difficulty sleeping is one of the top 10 warning signs for suicide.
