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Experiment seeks to stop Type 1 diabetes
Published June 30, 2009
PITTSBURGH — The doctor had barely pulled away the needle when a blister appeared on Tracey Berg-Fulton’s abdomen: An experimental shot was revving up the 24-year-old’s immune system — part of a bold quest to create a vaccine-like therapy for diabetes.
Obama signs tough anti-smoking law; White House refuses to say if he still smokes
Published June 23, 2009
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama seems to have broken one of his first campaign promises: to kick his cigarette habit.
Native health care funding is a federal failure
Published June 16, 2009
CROW AGENCY, Mont. — Ta’Shon Rain Little Light, a happy little girl who loved to dance and dress up in traditional American Indian clothes, had stopped eating and walking. She complained constantly to her mother that her stomach hurt.
Alternative medicine moves into mainstream
Many remedies are sold without FDA approval
Published June 9, 2009
BALTIMORE — At one of the top U.S. trauma hospitals, a nurse circles a patient’s bed, humming and waving her arms as if shooing evil spirits. Another woman rubs a quartz bowl with a wand, making tunes that mix with the beeping monitors and hissing respirator keeping the man alive.
Immune system taught to fight skin cancer with vaccine
Published June 2, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. — For the first time, a novel treatment that trains the immune system to fight cancer has shown modest benefit in late-stage testing against the deadly skin cancer melanoma.
Flu scare reveals strapped local health agencies
Published May 26, 2009
OAKLAND, Calif. — The swine flu outbreak fell short of a full-blown international crisis, but revealed the precarious state of local health departments, the community bulwarks against disease and health emergencies in the United States.
Avoiding malnutrition is key in cancer treatment
Published May 19, 2009
WASHINGTON — The statistic is shocking: Severe malnutrition and weight loss play a role in at least one in five cancer deaths. Yet nutrition too often is an afterthought until someone’s already in trouble.
Body image and health
Published May 12, 2009
WASHINGTON — Scan the breathless headlines at any magazine rack — Fight Flab in Minutes! Get Beach Ready! Add the skinny yet buxom model, and it should be no surprise that the average woman feels insecure if not downright unhappy with her real-world figure.
Rethinking Drinking aims at risk identification to fight alcoholism
Published May 12, 2009
Most people who drink alcohol are not alcoholics and never will be. But the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism knows all too well that millions of Americans drink in amounts or patterns that put them at risk of developing a dependence on alcohol and having to face the attendant medical, legal and social problems.
Doctors get training to ask about patients' drug and alcohol problems
Published May 5, 2009
WASHINGTON — If more doctors started asking, would more drug and alcohol abusers ’fess up so they could get help?
Palin encourages Alaskans to win fitness challenge
Published April 28, 2009
JUNEAU - Gov. Sarah Palin is encouraging Alaskans to sign up again this year for a six-week physical activity competition, and win it again.
Swine Flu FAQ
Common-sense hygiene is best precaution
Published April 28, 2009
WASHINGTON — A never-before-seen strain of swine flu has turned killer in Mexico and is causing milder illness in the United States and elsewhere. While authorities say it’s not time to panic, they are taking steps to stem the spread and also urging people to pay close attention to the latest health warnings and take their own precautions.
Alaska health officials watching for swine flu
Published April 25, 2009
JUNEAU - State health officials are watching for swine flu here in Alaska.
Alaska rated best in disciplining physicians
Published April 21, 2009
WASHINGTON - A study by a consumer watchdog group found that Alaska leads the nation in disciplining physicians.
Former FDA commissioner fights ‘hypereating’
Published April 21, 2009
WASHINGTON — Food hijacked Dr. David Kessler’s brain.
