Health
Daily 'polypill' reduces heart disease, stroke: study
A cheap, once-a-day pill combining aspirin with drugs that lower blood pressure and cholesterol cuts the risk of major heart failure and stroke by a third, researchers say. In clinical trials, the so-called "polypill" was especially effective among people with no history of cardiovascular disease, reducing the number of severe… Read
Microplastics in drinking water not a health risk for now: WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) said Thursday the level of microplastics in drinking-water is not yet dangerous for humans but called for more research into potential future risk. In its first report into the effects of microplastics on human health, WHO looked into the specific impact of microplastics in tap… Read
Brand-name drug prices rising at slower pace, lower amounts
Drug companies are still raising prices for brand-name prescription medicines, just not as often or by as much as they used to, according to an Associated Press analysis. After years of frequent list price hikes, many drugmakers are showing some restraint, according to the analysis of drug prices provided by… Read
Controversial study links fluoride in water to lower IQ
A study published this week links exposure to fluoridated tap water during pregnancy to lower IQ scores in infants, but several outside experts expressed concern over its methodology and questioned its findings. Fluoride has been added to community water supplies in industrial countries to prevent tooth decay since the 1950s.… Read
Virtual reality experiences can help ease severe pain
Playing virtual reality games or relaxing in a virtual nature setting might help ease chronic pain, particularly when symptoms are severe, a new experiment suggests. The 120 hospitalized patients in the study had rated their pain as at least a 3 out of 10 over the previous 24 hours. Half… Read
Body odor? Bacteria-embedded bodysuit may help
Deodorant not enough to stop your body odor? A new futuristic-style bodysuit with live bacteria embedded in it could help combat those unpleasant smells. The pale gray, long-sleeved "Skin II" contains healthy probiotic bacteria, reducing the smell of body odor, said its designer Rosie Broadhead. "It's not the sweat on… Read
Doctors suspect vaping behind dozens of lung illnesses in U.S.
As many as 50 people in at least six states have come down with breathing illnesses that may be linked to e-cigarettes or other vaping products. No deaths have been reported, but at least a few have come close. Some patients have likened onset of the illness to a heart… Read
Teen vaping linked to marijuana use
Adolescents and young adults who have smoked e-cigarettes are more than three times more likely to move on to marijuana than youth who never try vaping, a research review study suggests. Researchers examined data from 21 previously published studies with more than 128,000 participants ages 10 to 24. Overall, young… Read
Middle-age hearing loss linked to dementia
Hearing loss in middle age is associated with higher odds of cognitive decline and dementia in later years, suggests a large study in Taiwan. Researchers tracked more than 16,000 men and women and found that a new diagnosis of hearing loss between ages 45 and 65 more than doubled the… Read
Scientists hail promise of first effective Ebola treatments in Congo trial
Scientists are a step closer to being able to cure the deadly Ebola haemorrhagic fever after two experimental drugs showed survival rates of as much as 90% in a clinical trial in Congo. Two experimental drugs - an antibody cocktail called REGN-EB3 developed by Regeneron and a monoclonal antibody called… Read
