Shots - Health News

Abortion Opponents Try to Spin Murder Case Into Legislation()  

Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., has introduced a federal bill to ban most abortions after 20 weeks' gestation — six weeks into the second trimester. This is the second straight Congress he's done so, but this time he's broadened his bill to encompass all 50 states, not just D.C.

May 23, 2013 Abortion opponents are hoping the recent murder conviction of Pennsylvania abortion provider Kermit Gosnell will lead to more scrutiny of second trimester abortions. They're working on a bill that would ban most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy — nationwide.

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Shots - Health News

Why You Have To Scratch That Itch()  

The origin of itch has confounded scientists for decades.

May 24, 2013 Itch can be a useful warning sign, or a maddening symptom with no cure. But the origins of itch have long been a mystery. Scientists think they've come closer to understanding the origins of itch in a molecule that makes mice scratch like mad.

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The Salt

This 9-Year-Old Girl Told McDonald's CEO: Stop Tricking Kids()  

Hannah Robertson, 9, and her mom, blogger Kia Robertson — with the makings for kale chips, of course.

May 23, 2013 Over the years, McDonald's has gotten a lot of flack for marketing to kids. At a shareholders meeting Thursday morning, Hannah Robertson, age 9, took the fast-food giant's CEO to task.

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Shots - Health News

Researchers Find Bird Flu Is Contagious Among Ferrets()  

Of ferrets, men and bird flu.

May 23, 2013 The virus's ability to move between these mammals might not bode well for humans. So far, it appears that H7N9 doesn't pass easily between people, but it could mutate over time and pose more of a threat.

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Shots - Health News

Hardly A Haven: Home Can Be Deadly In Natural Disasters()  

Floodwaters from Superstorm Sandy destroyed the first floor of this house in Staten Island, New York. Most of the people who drowned during the storm died in their homes in low-lying areas of New York and New Jersey.

May 23, 2013 Despite advances in predicting dangerous weather and better evacuation planning, some people still stay put when devastation looms. A study of deaths during Superstorm Sandy in 2012 raises a big question: Why didn't the people at risk move to higher ground?

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Shots - Health News

Errors In Stem-Cell Cloning Paper Raise Doubts()  

Biologist Shoukhrat Mitalipov stands outside the monkey enclosure at his lab in Oregon. He says the mistakes in his recent paper were caused by the rush to publish quickly.

May 23, 2013 Biologists said last week that they had overcome a major obstacle in stem-cell research by cloning human embryos. But several images in the published study were duplicated and labeled incorrectly, prompting questions about the authenticity of the results.

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The Two-Way

3-D Printer Makes Life-Saving Splint For Baby Boy's Airway()  

Kaiba Gionfriddo, who breathes with help from a splint created by a 3-D printer, plays with his family dog, Bandit, at his Youngstown, Ohio, home.

May 23, 2013 A 3-D printer is being credited with helping to save an Ohio baby's life, after doctors "printed" a tube to support a weak airway that caused him to stop breathing. The innovative procedure has allowed Kaiba Gionfriddo, of Youngstown, Ohio, to stay off a ventilator for more than a year.

Summary

The Salt

Canned Peaches Are As Nutritious As Fresh. Really? ()  

Canned peaches can pack as many, or in some cases, more nutrients than fresh ones, research suggests. But be sure to skip the added syrup.

May 23, 2013 What's more, when it comes to some nutrients, like vitamin C, canned peaches pack an even bigger punch than fresh, researchers say. The reasons have to do with how the canning process alters the fruit's cell walls. So eat 'em up!

Summary

Shots - Health News

Antidepressant May Protect The Heart Against Mental Stress()  

Researchers tested the antidepressant Lexapro, or escitalopram generically, to see if it would protect the heart against mental stress.

May 23, 2013 When researchers challenged people with heart disease to perform some stressful tasks, those who took a popular antidepressant had fewer symptoms related to low blood flow to the heart. The findings, though preliminary, suggest another avenue for treatment.

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Shots - Health News

Scientific Tooth Fairies Investigate Neanderthal Breast-Feeding()  

This model of a molar shows color-coded barium banding patterns that reveal weaning age.

May 23, 2013 Our closest relatives, chimpanzees and gorillas, breast-feed their offspring for several years. Some baby orangutans nurse until they are 7 years old. Researchers found a way to test ancient teeth for clues about when humans cut nursing short.

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Science Friday Podcast

Science Friday is a weekly discussion of the latest news in science, technology, health and the environment hosted by Ira Flatow. Visit this podcast's Web site.

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