Articles by Tabitha Laffernis
High employee illness rates? An open-plan workspace might be to blame
Researchers from Stockholm University in Sweden have found that employees who work in open plan offices take more sick days than those who work in traditional offices, likely due to lessened control over the spread of germs.
Patients co-infected with Hepatitis C and HIV at higher risk of liver diseases
A recent study from the University of Pennsylvania has found that patients with both Hepatitis C and HIV are at an increased risk of developing liver diseases, despite positive responses to antiretroviral drugs taken to treat HIV.
Infomercial huckster sentence to ten years in prison
Kevin Trudeau, 51, has been sentenced to ten years jail time after being found guilty of misrepresenting the contents of his weight loss books on infomercials. Trudeau also owes $37 million in judgement in a related civil case, though claims to be unable to pay.
Study finds 12 percent of headache visits result in brain scans, overstepping guidelines
A recent study from University of Michigan researchers has shown that unnecessary brain scans cost around $1 billion per year, with millions of headache patients needlessly exposed to radiation from excessively prescribed scans.
Say farewell to the humble inhaler: asthma treatments get injectable
Several pharmaceutical companies are in the process of developing injectable biotech medications for sufferers of severe asthma, thought to reduce the rate of attacks around 40 to 60 percent.
Female patients experience a lag in heart attack treatment
New research from Canada's McGill University has found that female patients experience delays in treatment for heart attacks and chest pains, with their symptoms more typically associated with anxiety.
Less than a quarter of people with flu present symptoms, study says
British researchers have found that just 23 percent of people infected with either seasonal or H1N1 swine flu present symptoms, with only 17 percent visiting a primary care doctor for treatment. They also found little difference between pandemic symptoms and seasonal symptoms.
Saturated fat may not be the bad guy of heart health
Saturated fats might not cause heart disease, with a new large study finding no concrete link between the maligned fats and cardiovascular failings.
GIFS, twerking, and March Madness bring Obamacare home
The sign-up deadline for Obamacare is approaching, and the White House has ramped up efforts to increase registrations among young people. Using the March Madness bracket template, GIFS, and basketball stars, the White House hopes to see youth enrollments make up 40 percent of total enrollments.
28 Attorneys General urge retailers to nix cigarette sales
28 U.S. attorneys general have sent a letter to major retailers including Walmart, Safeway, Walgreen, and Rite Aid, urging them to reconsider the sale of tobacco products. The move comes after CVS announces the decision to have shelves free of cigarettes by October 1 2014.
Tequila ingredient agave could aid weight loss and insulin regulation
Agave, the naturally-occurring fructose sugar that tequila is made from, could be instrumental in weight loss efforts and diabetes management. Mexican researchers have recently presented findings to the American Chemical Society, with mice receiving agavins experiencing a reduction in food intake and blood sugar.
Increase in colonoscopy screenings sees 30% decline in colon cancer cases
Researchers from the American Cancer Society have found that regular colonoscopies for those over 50 have led to a 30% drop in colon cancers, with the screening process proving beneficial to those at risk.
Cannabis job fair in Colorado gives job seekers a new high
At least 1,000 job seekers in Denver tromped, Thursday, to investigate a burgeoning industry - marijuana. Sponsored by vaporizer company O.penVAPE, the job fair CannaSearch offered traditional jobs with a 'cannabis twist.'
Man who woke up in a body bag has now died
Walter 'Snowball' Williams, 78, woke up two weeks ago in a body bag after being presumed dead by medical staff. Fifteen days later, the Mississippi man is in fact dead, with family grateful for the extra time they had with him.
Social interactions have you breaking into a sweat? Try visiting your local library
New research has found that people who attend libraries more frequently tend to be more socially engaged, tech-savvy, and ultimately happier.
Water to wine Miracle Machine revealed as hoax
It turns out that some things are too good to be true, with water to wine maker The Miracle Machine unveiled as a hoax. However, it's a hoax with the best of intentions, attracting press and donations to the Wine to Water charity, which provides clean water to those who need it the most.
Oscar Pistorius murder trial Week 2: Did champion bladerunner murder his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp?
The second week of Oscar Pistorius' murder trial has come to a close, with emotions running high in the court all week. The focus has largely been on the failings of the Pretoria police force, as well as forensic analysis from uncontaminated evidence.
Malaysia Airlines MH370: What do we know so far?
It's been almost a week since Malaysia Airlines MH370 has disappeared, with few clues to what happened or where the aircraft may be. It's now thought the plane headed towards the Indian Ocean, with further suggestions of foul play also entering the realm of possibility.
Kristin Cavallari is the latest celebrity anti-vax mom
Former Hills star Kristin Cavallari, who is married to Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, has publicly announced her stance against vaccinations for children, becoming yet another prominent anti-vaxxer. Cavallari believes that there may be a link between vaccinations and autism.
Autism linked to high levels of air pollution
Pregnant women exposed to high levels of environmental toxins and air pollution are found to be twice as likely as those who are not to give birth to children with autism. Exposure to toxic elements also increases rates of intellectual disability and reproductive malformations.
Stem cell study discredited; head of Riken urges retraction
A Japanese STAP stem cell study has now been discredited, with the head author considering the possibility of retraction. Dr. Haruko Obokata has been urged to retract the study by several researchers, including the Riken institute head Ryoji Noyori.
Pistorius vomits in court again as images of Steenkamp's injuries are inadvertently shown
Oscar Pistorius has again vomited in court, this time in response to photographs of victim Reeva Steenkamp's injuries. The images were mistakenly shown to the court as police officers and forensic analysts described the scene of the crime.
Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 remains subject of countless theories; communication breakdown could be key
Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 is yet to be found, with several countries now participating in the search. It's thought the shut down times of the data reporting system and the transponder hold clues to where the flight crashed.
Blood test can weigh risks of head injuries sustained on the sports field
Swedish researchers have developed a blood test that allows them to determine the risks associated with sending a player back onto the field after a head injury. The test looks at proteins present when one sustains a concussion.
Diabetes during pregnancy enhances risk of heart disease
Women who develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy are found to be at a higher risk of atherosclerosis, an key indicator of heart disease later in life.
Man's skull reconstructed thanks to 3D printing
Stephen Power suffered a serious motorcycle accident, leaving him with broken cheekbones, a broken nose, and broken jaw, as well as fractures throughout his skull. Thanks to pioneering 3D printing technology, however, his face and skull have now been rebuilt.
Two common surgeries found equally effective in treating female incontinence
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that two commonly practiced surgeries are equally beneficial at repairing female incontinence, with surgeons advised to opt for the one they feel most comfortable conducting.
Malaysia Airlines MH370: Could crowdsourcing reveal pieces of the puzzle?
One of the latest developments in the hunt for answers around the vanishing Malaysia Airlines MH370 flight is the dawn of crowdsourced data. Millions of participants across the world are joining DigitalGlobe's attempt to find clues in thousands of kilometers worth of images of possible crash sites.
Forensic analysis key to clarity in the Oscar Pistorius trial
Oscar Pistorius is halfway through the second week of his murder trial, and the role of forensic analysis in uncovering truth is becoming more apparent.
FDA gives green light to migraine prevention tool
Cefaly, a migraine prevention device that uses electrical nerve stimulation, has now been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for sale and marketing in the United States.
