Articles by Rhodi Lee
Berkeley gives free medical marijuana to poor patients
Low income Berkeley residents who have been prescribed medical marijuana for treatment of their illness by a competent health service provider may avail of free pot from dispensaries starting August.
Secukinumab for plaque psoriasis shows promise in trials
In one of the two phase III trials, one in four patients who received secukinumab had their psoriasis completely cleared up suggesting that the experimental drug could be an effective treatment for millions of psoriasis sufferers.
Warning: Obesity is more dangerous than smoking, cuts life span by 14 years
Smoking cuts life span by nearly nine years but obese individuals with BMI of at least 55 are likely to die much earlier than smokers, new study finds.
No link between HPV vaccine Gardasil and increased blood clot risk, study confirms
A new study involving half a million female subjects in Denmark contradicts previous reports of a possibility that HPV vaccine, which is given to prevent genital warts and certain cancers, causes serious blood clots.
Breast cancer drug letrozole may help women with polycystic ovaries: Study
For decades, the standard infertility treatment given to women with polycystic ovary syndrome is clomiphene but a new study finds that a drug used as treatment for breast cancer may be more effective in boosting birth rates in women with PCOS.
Having a C-Section? Study suggests stitches is a better choice over staples
Most women undergoing C-section birth have their wounds closed with staples but new study finds that women whose incisions were stitched rather than stapled are less likely to have wound complications.
Soon you can measure your stress level using your smartphone
Soon, your smartphone won't just allow you to make calls and surf the internet. You may also be able to use it to measure your salivary cortisol level on the go.
NIH finds vials of smallpox virus in unapproved lab in Maryland
Scientists cleaning an unused part of a government laboratory in Maryland discovered vials containing smallpox virus. The laboratory is not approved nor equipped to handle the dangerous pathogen.
Ebola update: WHO reports 25 deaths, 50 new cases
The Ebola outbreak in West Africa is not slowing down raising concerns that the disease could spread beyond Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea.
Great white shark bites swimmer at Manhattan Beach Pier in California
A 40-year-old long distance swimmer was attacked by a 7-foot shark that was hooked by a fisherman who reportedly tries to catch shark regularly.
Michelle Obama will fight to bitter end to ensure healthy school lunch
Even though some districts are losing money because children do not want eat the fruits and vegetables, first lady Michelle Obama says she will ensure that school children continue to get healthy school lunches.
New York enacts medical marijuana law for people with terminal, serious illness
New York is the newest state to embrace the medical marijuana after Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed into law a bill that would give patients suffering from serious health conditions access to cannabis for their medical treatment.
FDA conducts $275 million e-cigarette research. Vapes in boom but what are the risks?
The FDA is funding a $275 million research that aims to gain more insight about e-cigarettes and the risks associated with its use before more Americans get hooked to the device.
Can you run from Florida to Maine? A cancer survivor did it.
Sick people tend to avoid engaging in physical activities and sports but Helene Neville started running marathons after she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. On Sunday, she completed a 2,000 mile-run from Florida to Maine.
Birth control goes high tech, fertility chip comes with remote control
A Massachusetts-based startup that specializes in long-term implantable drug delivery technology is developing an implantable birth control chip that can be switched on and off using a remote control.
Statins lowers cholesterol levels and risk of breast cancer
Women with weight problems and high cholesterol levels are likely to develop breast cancer, study finds. Researchers believe cholesterol lowering drug statin may help reduce breast cancer risks.
Joanne, youngest gorilla at San Diego Zoo, doing well at three months
Joanne, a female baby gorilla at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, suffered from complications when she was born via c-section in March. Now four months old, zookeepers said Joanne is healthier and is gaining independence from her mother Imani.
Anthrax in beef leads to hospitalization of five in Hungary
Five individuals are being monitored in Hungary for possible anthrax infection after the disease was identified in frozen meat of illegally slaughtered cattle in a Tiszafured farm.
Oculus halts sales of Rift Dev Kit 2 in China due to extreme reselling
Oculus decided to cancel the preorder and shipment of its Oculus Rift development kit 2 over concerns that many of the limited stocks will not go to legitimate developers but to sellers who intend to resell their orders for profit.
Prosthetist offers girl mauled by dog artificial eye
Victoria Wilcher, who lost her right eye and sustained serious injuries after getting mauled by her grandfather's dogs, is scheduled to meet with Raymond Peters, an ocularist, who volunteered to make the girl an artificial eye.
Four cases of chikungunya in Boston area, confrim health officials
Four individuals in the Boston area who recently traveled to Caribbean islands were diagnosed with the mosquito-borne chikungunya. Health officials said there are no public threats because the disease does not spread between humans.
NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo supports HIV prevention pill
Gilead's Truvada gets more endorsement after New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo unveiled that PrEP is part of his administration's strategy to combat HIV and AIDS. Preventive medicine expected to help reduce AIDs infection rates.
Foster Farms recalls chicken products for possible salmonella contamination
After more than a year of being linked with a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened over 500 individuals, Foster Farms has finally issued a recall of limited fresh chicken products.
25 minutes of meditation may lower your stress, says study
Too stressed out? Findings of a new study suggest, spending about half an hour on mindfulness meditation per day allows you to respond better to stress-inducing situations.
Headbanging is dangerous. Motörhead fan ends up with clot in brain
A heavy metal fan who had been headbanging for years suffered from bleeding in his brain four weeks after attending a Motörhead concert with his son.
Sweet truth: Dark chocolate can help PAD patients walk better
Seniors who have difficulty walking due to poor blood flow were able to walk longer and farther after eating a bar of chocolate with more than 85 percent cocoa content.
Hypertension and beta-blocker user puts women at risk of psoriasis
Women suffering from hypertension have elevated risks of developing psoriasis but those who take beta blockers to reduce their blood pressure are at even greater risks for the condition.
CDC wants drowsy people to hit the sack, not go behind the wheel
Sleeping and drowsy drivers are at risk of road accidents, but there were approximately 1.8 million drowsy drivers in the last 30 days. One in 25 drivers surveyed by the CDC likewise said they have fallen asleep while driving in the prior month.
Bikini and colostomy bags: Images of aspiring model with Crohn's go viral
A former model with Crohn's disease is encouraged to pursue her modeling career once again after a photo of her in bikini and colostomy bag received overwhelming response.
Study favors insulin pumps over injections for Type 2 diabetes patients
Diabetic patients may consider using insulin pumps instead of injections as they appear to be more efficient than the standard therapy when it comes to controlling blood sugar level.
