August 2011 - NPR Health Blog - The Network of Care

Can Potatoes Give Your Health A Boost? A Chemist Thinks So

Potatoes may lower blood pressure if they're cooked right, according to new research. Beneficial compounds in potatoes may survive microwaving better than deep-frying. And avoiding the extra fat may make the weight gain linked to potatoes in other...

Published Wed, Aug 31 2011 2:47 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Odds Of Drinking A Soda Are A Coin-Flip For Americans

Chance are good that you consumed something sugary (or high fructose corn syrupy) in the last day. On any particular day, half the people in the U.S. drink a soda, fruit or sports drink, or similar calorie-rich beverage. Read More...

Published Wed, Aug 31 2011 1:01 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Lots Of Acne Treatments, But Scant Evidence For Which Ones To Choose

Researchers say that little is known about how well products to treat acne compare against each other. That means that dermatologists could be prescribing the wrong treatments to some patients. Read More...

Published Wed, Aug 31 2011 12:44 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Latest Frontier In Reducing Childhood Mortality: Neonatal Deaths

In the last two decades, neonatal mortality rates have declined. But in eight countries, including five in Africa, the rates have climbed. Overall, 41 percent of deaths in kids under five now happen during the period soon after birth. Read More...

Published Wed, Aug 31 2011 9:57 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Cell Phones Could Help Doctors Stay Ahead Of An Epidemic

Researchers tracked the movements of cell phone users through their SIM cards in Haiti during the cholera epidemic. Their study shows that cell phone data could help doctors and others better provide relief during a disaster or epidemic. Read More...

Published Tue, Aug 30 2011 9:01 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Cellphones Could Help Doctors Stay Ahead Of An Epidemic

Researchers tracked the movements of cellphone users through their SIM cards in Haiti during the cholera epidemic. Their study shows that cellphone data could help doctors and others better provide relief during a disaster or epidemic. Read More...

Published Tue, Aug 30 2011 9:01 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

A Remnant From Algae In Malaria Parasite May Prove Its Weakness

Scientists say a new finding may help them design or look for specific kinds of drugs that inhibit a critical chemical for the malaria parasite. Read More...

Published Tue, Aug 30 2011 2:23 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Commission: Researchers Knew Of Ethical Problems In Guatemala STD Study

The panel, which was asked by President Obama to investigate the Guatemala study in October 2010, came to the conclusion after learning that the researchers had conducted similar research with American prisoners in 1943 but had given them the chance to...

Published Tue, Aug 30 2011 11:51 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Taming High Health Costs Takes Taming High-Tech

Two economists doubt accountable care organizations, a key tool for improving costs and quality under the federal health overhaul, will be able to temper the medical system's lust for the latest expensive technology. Costs and quality of care are...

Published Tue, Aug 30 2011 10:49 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Lung Cancer Pill Holds Promise For Those Who Pass Test

Only people with lung cancer that tests positive for a particular genetic variation are candidates for treatment with Pfizer's twice-a-day cancer pill called Xalkori. Most of those who qualified in clinical tests saw dramatic shrinkage of their tumors...

Published Tue, Aug 30 2011 5:11 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Uninsured Largely Unaware Of Benefits Coming From Overhaul

A new poll finds that only half of uninsured people are aware that help is on the way from the federal health overhaul. Fewer than a third say they think the law will help them obtain health insurance. Read More...

Published Mon, Aug 29 2011 1:28 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Even If Chocolate Doesn't Ward Off Heart Disease, It's Still Yummy

Chocolate still isn't proven to prevent heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. But people who eat a lot of it are less likely to have those health problems, according to a new study in the British Medical Journal . The fat and sugar in chocolate treats...

Published Mon, Aug 29 2011 12:34 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Bird Flu Flies Again, Prompting UN Advisory

The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization warned of a "possible major resurgence" of H5N1 influenza, including a mutant virus that appears to be unfazed by available vaccines. Read More...

Published Mon, Aug 29 2011 11:58 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Pediatricians Put The Kibosh On Boxing For Kids

Pediatricians should strongly discourage parents from letting their kids box and suggest sports that don't encourage intentional injuries, a new policy statement says. Read More...

Published Mon, Aug 29 2011 7:40 AM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

Think You're An Auditory Or Visual Learner? Scientists Say It's Unlikely

Researchers say there's no evidence to support the widely held belief that there are distinct visual, auditory and kinetic learning styles. Though an industry has sprung up around the idea, psychologists recommend other approaches to help kids retain...

Published Sun, Aug 28 2011 9:01 PM by NPR Blogs: Shots - Health Blog

August 2011 - NPR Health Blog

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