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Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Around the Nation

'We Have No Choice': A Story Of The Texas Sonogram Law

A woman gets a sonogram

January 22, 2013 Journalist Carolyn Jones wrote about her experience with the law for The Texas Observer after having an abortion last year. The state requires that a woman seeking an abortion receive a sonogram at least 24 hours before the procedure.

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On Fresh Air from WHYYPlaylist

Friday, January 18, 2013

Shots - Health News

A Worm's Ovary Cells Become A Flu Vaccine Machine

The fall armyworm, a corn pest, is now also a vaccine factory.

January 18, 2013 The Food and Drug Administration just approved a flu vaccine made by cells taken from the fall armyworm, an agricultural pest. The cells produce copies of a piece of the flu virus's outer coat that primes the immune system. Conventional vaccines use the whole virus and take longer to produce.

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Shots - Health News

CDC: Flu Season Is Especially Tough On The Elderly

Sonia Despiar, right, a nurse with Gouverneur Healthcare Services, injects Imelda Silva with flu vaccine on Friday, Jan. 11, 2013, in New York. At least 10 elderly people and two children in New York have died from the flu and hospitalizations are climbing as the illness hits every county in the state.

January 18, 2013 According to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of people age 65 and older who are getting the flu jumped sharply in the last week or so. But even though 48 states are reporting widespread activity, the agency says there are signs the flu may be easing in some parts of the country.

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Thursday, January 17, 2013

Shots - Health News

Anonymity In Genetic Research Can Be Fleeting

Each strand of DNA is written in a simple language composed of four letters: A, T, C and G. Your code is unique and could be used to find you.

January 17, 2013 Researchers were able to identify 50 people whose DNA had been posted anonymously on the Internet for genetics studies. The results highlight a trade-off in making genetic data widely available for researchers and protecting personal privacy.

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On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

The Salt

4 Tips To Help A Foodie Get Through Chemo

Some of the author's favorite foods, like yogurt, just didn't taste good during chemo.

January 17, 2013 Chemotherapy wreaks havoc on the taste buds, which can be a real challenge for anyone who loves food. But there are a few things you can do to maximize your food enjoyment while in cancer treatment.

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Shots - Health News

Bad Flu Season Overshadows Other Winter Miseries

People line up at a Duane Reade pharmacy in New York behind a sign announcing the recent flu outbreak.

January 17, 2013 Influenza is especially intense this year, and people are flooding into hospitals and doctors' offices. But the flu is just one of a triple whammy of respiratory viruses — plus the nasty norovirus — that are making lots of people sick.

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On Morning EditionPlaylist

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Shots - Health News

Skin Doctors Question Accuracy Of Apps For Cancer Risk

Lt. Cmdr. Stephen Mannino checks a sailor for skin cancer the old-fashioned way during a screening exam at  Naval Amphibious Base Coronado in San Diego.

January 16, 2013 Smartphone apps that assess moles for skin cancer risk missed threatening moles one-third of the time, say dermatologists who tested some of the apps. The apps could give people a false sense of security about their skin.

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Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Shots - Health News

Colleges Try To Curtail Flu Risk For Students

Dr. Tom Nary is the director of health services at Boston College.

January 15, 2013 As students return to class from winter break, campus health official are trying to avert an outbreak. Colleges in Boston are especially worried after the mayor's declaration last week of a public health emergency in the city.

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On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

Shots - Health News

Pictures May Speak Louder Than Words When It Comes To Smoking

A cigarette warning label image approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

January 15, 2013 Researchers found that graphic warning labels had a greater impact on smokers' intentions to quit than written warnings. Reactions to the visual warnings were similar across racial and income groups, which researchers say is important because of higher rates of tobacco-related disease among some minorities and the poor.

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Shots - Health News

These Are The Tweets That Will Get A Doctor In Trouble

What's up, doc? How would you feel if your doctor shared a picture like this one?

January 15, 2013 The boards that license and discipline doctors are watching what they post online. Guaranteed cancer cures and photos of drunken debauchery are definite no-nos. A picture of a doctor holding a drink at an office party might raise an eyebrow but probably wouldn't trigger an investigation.

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Monday, January 14, 2013

Shots - Health News

How Long Does It Take To Shake A Cough?

A health poster from World War II carries a message that still rings true.

January 14, 2013 People expect coughs to last about half as long as they actually do. This misconception may lead patients to ask their doctors for antibiotics to treat cases of bronchitis that would go away without treatment.

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The Salt

Women With A Berry-Snacking Habit May Have Healthier Hearts

Regular consumption of blueberries, such as these found at Butler's Orchard in Maryland, may prevent heart attacks in middle-aged women.

January 14, 2013 Love berries? It seems a habit of eating them three times a week may stave off heart attacks, at least in middle-aged women, according to a new study. That's because of compounds called anthocyanins found in these brightly colored gems.

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On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

Shots - Health News

After The Knee Is Fixed, How Long Before The Player Returns?

Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III lays on the field after injuring his knee during an NFL playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks on January 6. Griffin had knee surgery two days later.

January 14, 2013 Figuring out when an athlete with damaged knee ligaments can get back in action is an inexact art at best. Doctors have various ways to mend a busted knee, but the results, like car mileage, can vary.

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