Articles by Rhodi Lee
Whooping cough reaches epidemic level in California
Epidemiologists expect up to 100 whooping cough cases per month. California had over 800 in the past two weeks prompting health officials to declare an epidemic.
Weight loss surgery may lower risk of cancer, improve diabetes in obese patients
Obese individuals who have difficulty losing weight through exercise and dieting can opt for bariatric surgery and new studies find the procedure can help reduce risks for cancer and positively impact those who have diabetes.
Teens veer away from smoking but texting while driving on the rise: CDC survey
The number of teens who smoke, get involved in physical fights and sex is declining but teenagers engage in risky behaviors such as texting while driving and not using condoms.
African-Americans respond better to diabetes drug Metformin
The clinical trials the standard of care for the drug metformin was based on were largely made up of white participants but researchers found that blacks, who are more vulnerable to Type 2 diabetes, respond better to the medication than whites.
Whooping cough declared epidemic in California: Get vaccinated now
The California Department of Public Health urged pregnant women, infants, older children and adults to get vaccinated as the number of whooping cough cases in the state skyrocketed.
Medtronic's CoreValve for high risks heart surgery patients gets FDA nod
The FDA initially green-lighted Medtronic's CoreValve system for severe aortic stenosis patients who are too sick to undergo open heart surgery but it now extended its approval to include healthier patients with high risk for the standard treatment.
Fruitland American Meat recalls 4,000 pounds of beef due to possible mad cow risk
Missouri-based Fruitland American Meat recalled about 4,000 pounds of beef as the products may contain pathogen associated with mad cow disease. The disease is known to cause the fatal variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans.
High protein diet lowers risk of stroke. Meat lovers, rejoice!
A protein rich diet may help reduce your death and disability risks. Researchers found an association between high protein intake and reduced risk for stroke, one of the leading causes of disability and death in the U.S.
Pregnant women should consume more fish, says FDA
For years, the FDA and EPA warned pregnant women that the mercury in fish can pose threats to their baby. On Tuesday, the two agencies revised their advisories on fish intake and advised pregnant women and nursing mothers to consume more fish.
How to combat malaria? Send an army genetically-modified mosquitoes
Researchers genetically modified mosquitoes so they produce only male offspring. The process eliminated populations of malaria-causing mosquitoes within six generations.
Sexting during surgeries? Yes, it happens and a doctor did it
An anesthesiologist in Seattle had his medical license suspended for sending sexually explicit text messages. He was also accused of having sex with one of his patients and of improperly prescribing controlled substances.
The more you love red meat, the higher your risk for breast cancer
Eating processed meat and red meat may not be beneficial for a woman's health. Researchers found a link between protein food sources and elevated risks for breast cancer.
Hungry men find larger, curvy women more attractive: Study
Men tend to find larger and big-breasted women attractive when they are hungry. The attraction wanes once they have eaten a good meal.
59 percent of breast cancer patients don't meet recommended physical activity guidelines
Engaging in physical activities can improve the survival odds of breast cancer patients. Unfortunately, more than half of breast cancer patients do not exercise enough.
FDA approves Biogen's Eloctate for hemophilia A therapy
Hemophilia A patients have a new therapeutic option following FDA's approval of Biogen's Eloctate. Prophylactic infusions with the therapy can be done every three to five days.
Exercise helps with diversity of gut bacteria, lowers obesity risk
Increased variation of gut bacteria is associated with reduced obesity risks and the prevention of other health problems.Exercise and diet appear to have an impact on the diversification of these microbes.
Cost of caring for people suffering from autism can reach $2.4 million per year
Special education, wages lost and other expenses incurred in caring for individuals with autism can be reach up to $2.4 million. This number does not even cover the expenses associated with raising kids, which is around $241,000.
Alexander Imich, world's oldest man, dies at 111
Imich managed to live through World Wars 1 and 2 as well as the era of the internet. In April this year, he was declared the oldest man alive.
Farmers, owners must vaccinate horses, protect animals from West Nile virus
Authorities urged horse owners to get their animals vaccinated in preparation for the mosquito season when diseases such as the West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis can become prevalent.
Psoriasis also causes anxiety, depression among family members of patients
Psoriasis patients are not the only ones who suffer because of their skin problem. Research shows the quality of life of those living with psoriasis sufferers is also negatively affected by the condition.
'The Big Fat Surprise' triggers debates. What's the real score about saturated fat?
Citing flaws in earlier studies that became the basis for current nutritional recommendations, Nina Teicholz challenges the conventional medical wisdom that saturated fat causes heart disease.
Periods of long fasting enhances immune system, promotes healthier aging
Fasting for two to four days can help renew the body's ability to fight off diseases and infection. Study finds prolonged fasting regenerates the body's declining immune system caused by aging.
Text messaging to quit smoking? Yes, new study suggests
Smokers who want to quit smoking may want to enroll to a text messaging-based program called Text2Quit. Study finds the program more effective compared with another smoking cessation method.
Mad cow disease claims life of Texas man. No need to panic, says CDC
The CDC confirmed that a man from Texas died of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, which is linked with mad cow disease. Officials assured there are no public health threats associated with the man’s infection.
Some antidepressants may lead to some minimal weight gain, study confirms
Patients who take the antidepressant drug Celexa are likely to gain more weight than those who take Wellbutrin and Sensoval. Use of antidepressant drugs is generally associated with minimal weight gain, researchers say.
Saudi authorities warn locals, tourists to stay away from camels amid MERS virus outbreak
With growing evidence pointing to camels as the likely source of MERS, Saudi's Health ministry warns against getting near camels and consuming camel milk. Plans are also in place to test domestic camels for MERS-CoV.
Schoolgirl dies of cancer, leaves a secret message for family and friends
Athena Orchard may have wanted her family to read her note after her death. The girl was 13 when she died of osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer that commonly affects children and teens.
Watercress tops list of powerhouse vegetables and fruits
A researchers from the William Paterson University came up with a clear definition of powerhouse foods and identified 41 fruits and vegetables that meet the criterion. Watercress received the highest nutrient density score of 100.
Here's why you don't bite your tongue while chewing
Researchers used a special form of rabies virus to better understand why we seldom bite our tongue when we eat, whether or not we pay attention to out chewing movement.
Study links blood pressure to dementia, mental performance
It pays to keep tabs of your blood pressure at a young age. Researchers found evidence that blood pressure in midlife can have an impact on your cognitive abilities and risks for brain problems later in life.
