Health, features and articles | Educational Science

Jan 31, 2009

New Artificial DNA Points to Alien Life

CHICAGO — A strange, new genetic code a lot like that found in all terrestrial life is sitting in a beaker full of oily water in a laboratory in Florida, a scientist said today, calling it the first example of an artificial chemical system that is capable of Darwinian evolution....

Jan 31, 2009

Pill Could Erase Bad Memories

Scientists have discovered a drug that could erase fearful memories in humans. The method, using existing blood pressure pills, could be useful for weakening or erasing bad memories in people with post-traumatic stress disorder, the researchers say. Unfortunately, other research has shown, bad memories stick better than good ones. Studies...

Dec 31, 2008

'Tetris' Game Quells Bad Flashbacks

Tetris, one of the most popular video games ever, could help reduce flashbacks among people with post-traumatic stress disorder. A study of healthy volunteers who played the falling-blocks game for 10 minutes a half hour after viewing traumatic images of injury, including advertisements highlighting the dangers of drunk driving, showed...

Dec 31, 2008

The Recession Could Make You Fat

Studies have shown that obesity and income are related. One reason: Poor neighborhoods tend to have more fast food restaurants and fewer grocery stores, so it's harder for residents to eat well. In Seattle we have found that there are fivefold differences in obesity rates depending on the zip code...

Dec 31, 2008

Caffeine Can Cause Hallucinations

People who take in the caffeine equivalent of three cups of brewed coffee (or seven cups of instant) are more likely to hallucinate, a new study suggests. The researchers found that people with a caffeine intake that high, whether it came from coffee, tea, chocolate or caffeinated energy drinks or...

Dec 31, 2008

Report: Older Drivers in Fewer Deadly Crashes

As the baby boomer generation ages, the elderly are becoming a bigger segment of the driving population. And while some are racing around town like the little old lady from Pasadena, a growing number seem to be becoming more cautious. Contrary to expectations, older drivers are involved in fewer fatal...

Dec 31, 2008

Mellow Demeanor May Stave Off Dementia

People who are socially active and mellow may be less likely to develop dementia, a new study finds. Dementia is a loss of mental function, such as memory and reasoning, that is severe enough to interfere with everyday life. Several diseases can cause dementia, including Alzheimer's (the most common cause...

Dec 31, 2008

Acupuncture Works ... As Placebo

Headache sufferers can find relief in acupuncture, even if the needles are stuck in the wrong places, scientists now say. Two separate systematic reviews of data show that acupuncture is an effective treatment for prevention of headaches and migraines. But the results also suggest that faked procedures, in which needles...

Dec 31, 2008

FDA Approves Test to Inject Embryonic Stem Cells into Humans

The federal government has approved the first study by a company that will use human embryonic stem cells injected into a human. The Geron corporation announce the approval today. The therapy used in the study is designed to treat spinal cord injuries by injecting stem cells — which are able...

Nov 30, 2010

ADHD May Foster Criminal Behavior in Some Adults

Celebrity designer Ty Pennington is known for inspiring people with remodeled dream homes and providing tips for functional, stylish decor. He is also one of millions of Americans who struggle with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Other stars like game show host Howie Mandel and Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps have...

Nov 30, 2010

The Future of Flavor: Strawberry's Genetic Code Sequenced

Some 50 years ago, when consumers turned from local markets to grocery stores, the strawberry lost its burst of flavor. Now researchers say the newly sequenced genome of the woodland strawberry, a relative of the cultivated berry, may help bring back the fruit's tasty tang. Traditionally, strawberries have been bred...

Nov 30, 2010

Craving for Alcohol May Be Linked to Obesity

People with a family history of alcoholism, especially women, have an elevated risk of also becoming obese, according to a new study. And the link between the two appears to be strengthening — the risk of becoming obese, for people with alcoholics in their family, is higher now than in...

Oct 31, 2010

Modern Miracle: Skin Transformed into Blood

Got blood? Future patients who need transfusions for surgery and cancer treatments could get it from a patch of their own skin. Canadian researchers took the huge step of transforming adult human skin directly into blood, as detailed in the Nov. 7 issue of the journal Nature. That should provide...

Oct 31, 2010

Are Cruise Ships a Health Risk?

Don't worry playing shuffleboard probably doesn't increase your chances of blowing out a knee. But if you're going on a cruise, make sure you wash your hands: Cruise ships can be a hotbed for viruses. We're not talking about the piddly viruses that cause the common sniffle. No, the big...

Oct 31, 2010

Study: Injured Monkeys Grow New Spinal Cord Nerves

Some patients with spinal cord injuries later experience a substantial recovery of movement, and a new study in monkeys may explain why this is. The findings may lead to better ways to treat patients with spinal cord injures. The researchers found certain nerve fibers that were not damaged when the...