Articles by Tabitha Laffernis
Chimerix backtracks, gives cancer-stricken boy access to experimental drugs
Josh Hardy, who at just seven years old is a four-time cancer survivor, became well-known as his family petitioned for pharmaceutical company Chimerix to donate experimental drugs to him on compassionate grounds. The company initially refused, saying brincidofovir was too risky, but has now reneged on their earlier decision.
Monster cat holds family hostage; will be undergoing therapy
Lux, the 22-pound cat that's stolen the hearts and imaginations of the Internet since Monday, will be seeing a pet psychologist to ensure no more attacks occur.
One is one too many: Low alcohol consumption during first trimester linked to underweight and premature babies
Researchers have found a link between low-level alcohol consumption in the early stages of pregnancy and increased risk of birth complications, including premature delivery and low birth weight.
Glucosamine supplement found ineffective in treating knee pain
Researchers from the University of Arizona have completed a double-blind study to test the efficacy of glucosamine in treating knee pain, cartilage damage, and bone bruises (bone marrow lesions). The findings have revealed that glucosamine is no more effective than a placebo.
Obesity bumps up likelihood of developing ovarian tumors
Research has found that overweight and obese women have a higher chance of developing ovarian cancer, with each additional five points on the Body Mass Index (BMI) meaning an increase likelihood of developing tumors by six percent.
Doctor in your pocket: smartphones become real-time diagnostic tools
Researchers from the University of Houston have created a smartphone attachment that can diagnose illness by determining the chemical reaction between pathogens and molecules, allowing for real-time diagnosis.
Malaysia Airlines MH370 mystery deepens: Phone calls go unanswered, oil slicks not from missing plane, 4 passengers used stolen passports to board
Questions around the missing Malaysian Airlines flight (MH370) continue, with no answers apparent as yet. Oil slicks thought to be from the plane are now found unrelated, while some relatives have been able to call passenger's phones.
Gallup-Healthways poll finds number of uninsured Americans dropping: Is Obamacare the answer?
A Gallup-Healthways poll has found that more Americans have purchased health insurance, with coverage attributed to the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, President Barack Obama's signature legislation.
Co-author of revolutionary stem cell study calls for retraction
Japanese scientist Teruhiko Wakayama has called for a retraction of the breakthrough stem cell study - focused on the STAP method - claiming that the data and images do not align with the findings.
Traffic pollution may alter structure of the heart; promote heart failure
Researchers have found the increase exposure to nitrogen oxide - commonly found in traffic air pollution - change the structure of the human heart, leading to a higher incidence of heart failure in previously healthy patients.
Mobile devices may distract parents and caregivers at the dinner table
Research from the Boston Medical Center finds that parents and caregivers often pay attention to their mobile devices during meal times.
Wake up and smell the bacon with Oscar Mayer
Oscar Mayer and Apple have teamed up to release Wake Up and Smell the Bacon, an iOS alarm clock app that sounds and smells like frying bacon. The app and accompanying scent attachment are only available to winners of an Oscar Mayer promotion.
Tampa family falls ill after unknowingly consuming LSD-laced beef
A family in Tampa unwittingly ate beef contaminated with the hallucinogenic drug, LSD, purchased at a local Walmart. The Tampa Bay police force is conducting an investigation with Walmart and supplier Cargill's cooperating to determine how the beef came to be tainted.
Oscar Pistorius' murder trial: Week One
Oscar Pistorius murder trial has completed its first week, with an ex-girlfriend and several neighbors offering testimonies in the court.
Rising temperatures lead to rising malaria rates, suggests study
A study from the University of Michigan has linked global warming to higher rates of malaria contraction. Researchers observed fluctuating temperatures in elevated highlands of Ethiopia and Colombia, observing an increase in patients with the disease.
FDA requests investigation of cholesterol drug's neurocognitive risks
The FDA has asked that Sanofi and Regeneron test a new cholesterol-fighting drug, alirocumab, for the possibility of neurocognitive inference or damage.
Garden State Comcast subscribers to become first viewers of marijuana commercial
Comcast subscribers in New Jersey will become the first to see MarijuanaDoctors.com's television advertisements, with commercials set to air over a two week period.
Young skin cancer survivors at higher risk of different cancers in the future
A large study has found that patients who develop skin cancer prior to the age of 25 are 23 times more likely to develop further cancers in the future, particularly bone, blood, and brain cancers.
Higher vitamin D levels tied to breast cancer survival
Researchers have found that increased levels of vitamin D in breast cancer sufferers can bode well for their recovery, with an anticipated survival rate 44 percent higher than those with low vitamin D levels.
Free birth control does not encourage unsafe sex, study shows
Researchers have found that no-cost contraception does not lead to a higher incidence of risky sex or increased promiscuity. Free birth control is instead tied to lower rates of abortion, sexually transmitted infections, and unplanned pregnancies.
Facebook frequenters may be at higher risk of disordered eating
A recent study demonstrates a link between frequent Facebook use and disordered eating. Facebook isn't all fun and games, unfortunately, with a recent study linking the social network to a higher instance of eating disorders among young women.
Thoratec issues warning about heart pump controller linked to four deaths
Thoratec has issued a warning about its popular heart pump, the HeartMate II, after four people died due to misuse of the controller.
Something fishy going on: bacterial infection linked to New York's Chinatown districts
The aquarium granuloma infection, from the mycobacterium marinum, has surface in New York City's three Chinatowns - in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens. The fish is still safe to eat, but those handling it have been advised to take precautions to prevent the development of lesions and pain in hands and arms.
Testosterone replacement drug Aveed gets the FDA's stamp of approval
Endo Pharmaceutical's testosterone replacement drug, Aveed, has been approved by the FDA. Aveed is used in cases of male hypogonadism, characterized by a lack of testosterone production.
Lilly's Type 2 diabetes drug trials halted by the FDA
The FDA has denied an application for approval of Type 2 diabetes drug empagliflozin, citing quality control standards at the manufacturing plant. The drug is been produced by Eli Lilly and Co and Boehringer Ingelheim.
Baby born with HIV likely cured of the virus, thanks to early treatment
Doctors in Los Angeles believe that a baby born with HIV has been cured of the virus. Starting treatment four hours after the birth, the baby is showing no traces of the virus a year later.
The not-so-sweet truth: Sugar intake 'should be halved,' says WHO
The World Health Organization has recommended that sugar intake not exceed five percent of one's daily energy intake per day - half of the previous guidelines, established in 2002. Excessive sugar consumption has been linked to obesity and tooth decay.
CDC's Vital Signs report finds antibiotics are inconsistently prescribed
CDC report finds that hospitals often over or mis-prescribe antibiotics, a practice that can lead to higher drug resistance, diarrhea, and allergies.
Mississippi is America's fattest state, according to Gallup-Healthways obesity poll
The 2013 Gallup-Healthways State of the States obesity poll has found that Mississippi is the nation's fattest state, with 35.4 percent of its population obese.
Hangover proves no barrier to further drinking
Researchers have found that hangovers are not seen as a deterrent to frequent drinkers, due to the association of drinking with the more pleasant sensation of intoxication than the symptoms that characterize the morning after.
