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Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Shots - Health News

Taking Aim At Restrictions On Medical Questions About Gun Ownership

Should a talk about guns be off-limits in the exam room?

November 27, 2012 KHNA Florida law prohibits doctors from discussing gun ownership with patients. After some doctors fought the law in court, a federal judge blocked its enforcement. Now the state has appealed the injunction, and advocates for both sides are weighing in.

Summary

The Salt

Rare Meat Allergy Caused By Tick Bites May Be On The Rise

The Lone Star tick, common to the southeastern U.S., is responsible for inducing meat allergies in some people, scientists say.

November 27, 2012 The rare condition is starting to be seen outside of the Lone Star tick's known territory in the southeastern U.S. Scientists say this could be due to an expansion of tick territory or simply that people are being diagnosed after they leave the area.

Summary

Monday, November 26, 2012

Shots - Health News

Some Kids Bounce Straight To The Emergency Room

First the kids pile in, then the bouncing begins.

November 26, 2012 The wildly popular mosh pits for the school-age set have become a common source of injuries that send kids to the hospital. Doctors call for safer designs for inflatable bouncers and better guidelines for their use.

Summary

Shots - Health News

Give And Take: How The Rule Of Reciprocation Binds Us

A Hare Krishna distributes food gifts from a chariot during a festival in London in 2011. The religious group began distributing books, flowers and gifts to strangers in the 1970s, drawing on the rule of reciprocation to raise money.

November 26, 2012 Scientists say that whether tipping waiters or trading Christmas cards, we're programmed to reciprocate when we receive a gift. But the rule of reciprocity can also complicate politics and medicine.

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On Morning EditionPlaylist

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Shots - Health News

When Fetuses Yawn In The Womb

Could that be a yawn? An ultrasound scan catches an opened-mouth fetus.

November 21, 2012 Ultrasound often catches fetuses opening their mouths, but whether they're really yawning or not has been up for debate. Now, with some fancy ultrasound techniques, scientists have show that babies do indeed yawn in the womb.

Summary

Shots - Health News

With Routine Mammograms, Some Breast Cancers May Be Overtreated

A mammographer prepares a screen-film mammography test for patient Alicia Maldonado at a hospital in Los Angeles.

November 21, 2012 The last three decades have seen a dramatic increase in early-stage, but not late-stage, breast cancers, as mammography has become routine. Some researchers are concerned that women are being treated for cancers that would never turn deadly.

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On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

Shots - Health News

OB-GYNs Say No Prescription Should Be Needed To Get The Pill

Time for oral contraceptives to be available without a prescription?

November 21, 2012 Easier access to oral contraceptives could reduce unintended pregnancies, doctors say. But the Food and Drug Administration would have to allow purchases of the pill without a prescription, and that's not going to happen anytime soon.

Summary

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Shots - Health News

Many Surgical Complications Show Up After Patients Get Home

Researchers find that more than 40 percent of surgical complications happen after patients leave the hospital.

November 20, 2012 More than 40 percent of surgical complications occur after patients are at home. The solution for the problem isn't keeping patients in the hospital longer, researchers say. Better instructions to patients and improved monitoring could help.

Summary

Shots - Health News

When Your State Says Yes To Medical Marijuana, But Your Insurer Says No

Medical marijuana advocates demonstrate outside a San Francisco fundraiser for President Obama in February.

November 20, 2012 KHNJust because medical marijuana is legal where you live doesn't mean your health insurer will deem it worthy of coverage. The feds still classify it as a controlled substance with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, so insurers and employers are wary of paying for it.

Summary

Monday, November 19, 2012

Shots - Health News

Caffeine Gives Endurance Athletes A Third And Fourth Wind

Sarah Piampiano holds two energy gels, one with caffeine and one without, as she runs in this year's Ironman World Championship.

November 19, 2012 Endurance athletes often turn to the same stimulant that gives your morning cup of joe its jolt: caffeine. They're increasingly using caffeinated gels and drinks when they compete. But how much is too much?

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On Morning EditionPlaylist

Shots - Health News

Can You Move It And Work It On A Treadmill Desk?

Employees at at Salo, a Minneapolis-based financial consulting firm, walk while working on treadmill desks. The firm offers treadmill desks for employee use and encourages an active workplace environment.

November 19, 2012 Researchers and companies are bringing movement back into the office with treadmill desks, walking meetings and games. Employees say it has helped them lose weight and be more productive.

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On Morning EditionPlaylist

Friday, November 16, 2012

The Salt

Beer, Wine And Spirits: When Counting Our Liquid Calories, Are We Honest?

Not surprisingly, men like these guys cheering Sam Adams love beer. But more women than you might expect do too, according to a new study.

November 16, 2012 Despite the perception that Americans are a bunch of boozers, a new study shows men in their 20s and 30s take in about 175 calories a day in alcohol; for women, it's about 60 calories. Still, the government warns, it's a little more than we should be imbibing on a daily basis.

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On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Shots - Health News

A Peek Inside Rappers' Brains Shows Roots Of Improvisation

The warmer orange colors show parts of the brain most active during improvisational rap. The blue regions are most active when rappers performed a memorized piece.

November 15, 2012 Scientists have found rappers and jazz musicians use their brains in similar ways when it comes to improvisation. Brain scans show distinct differences in which parts of the brain are most active during rap performances of memorized pieces compared with those that are done freestyle.

Summary

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Shots - Health News

Recurring Lyme Disease Rash Caused By Reinfection, Not Relapse

Lyme disease is spread by deer ticks like this one. A study finds that some people can be reinfected many times with the bacteria that cause the disease.

November 14, 2012 Some doctors thought Lyme disease was a chronic condition that relapsed. Now, there's evidence that recurring cases of Lyme disease may actually be caused by multiple, discrete tick bites and infections.

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On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Shots - Health News

OK To Eat Before Rolling Up Sleeve For Cholesterol Test?

Before filling one of these tubes with blood for a cholesterol test, you're supposed to keep your stomach empty. But that may not be necessary.

November 13, 2012 For most people, a nonfasting cholesterol test will do just fine, a Canadian study suggests. A meal beforehand is unlikely to change key ratios of fats in the blood that doctors use to assess a person's risk for heart disease and stroke.

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