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Ghost hearts: Reanimating lifeless organs brings new hope

In late 2005, cardiac researcher Doris Taylor revived the dead. She rinsed rat hearts with detergent until the cells washed away and all that remained was a skeleton of tissue translucent as wax paper -- a ghost heart, as Taylor calls it. She injected the scaffold with fresh heart cells from newborn rats. Then she waited.

Google can be good for brain

(CNN)-- Can Google make you smarter? Is the more you Yahoo, the better? A new study suggests that searching online could be beneficial for the brain.

When president is ill or injured, who needs to know?

March 30, 1981. Arguably the most powerful man in the world is shot.

One-two gene punch raises odds of baldness in men

About one in seven men has a combination of genes -- one new and one first discovered in 2001 -- that increases his risk of male pattern baldness sevenfold, compared to men without the combination.

Even presidents need time to chill out

Presidents need a break. Really.

Patients find support, help via online networking

When Susannah Reid learned she had an extremely rare and aggressive cancer at age 41, she was hit with a double whammy.

McCain faces questions on age, health

Meghan McCain was on the talk-show couch, being grilled by the hosts of "The View." Does it bother her to hear jokes about her father's age? Megan, 23, started chuckling, and allowed, "He IS old!" Tension was replaced by laughter. But that was summer. These days, for Republican Sen. John McCain, age is no laughing matter.

German farmer starts using transplanted arms

A German farmer who received the world's first complete double arm transplant is recovering well and able to perform some basic tasks, though doctors said Wednesday it still could take up to two years before he relearns how to use his hands.

Mom lets students touch bat; rabies shots begin

About 90 elementary school students in Montana have started a series of rabies shots after a parent let them touch a dead bat that was later confirmed to be diseased.

32 salmonella illnesses reported in 12 states

The government is urging consumers to thoroughly cook frozen chicken dinners after 32 people in 12 states were sickened with salmonella poisoning.

Ghost hearts: Reanimating lifeless organs brings new hope

In late 2005, cardiac researcher Doris Taylor revived the dead. She rinsed rat hearts with detergent until the cells washed away and all that remained was a skeleton of tissue translucent as wax paper -- a ghost heart, as Taylor calls it. She injected the scaffold with fresh heart cells from newborn rats. Then she waited.

Google can be good for brain

(CNN)-- Can Google make you smarter? Is the more you Yahoo, the better? A new study suggests that searching online could be beneficial for the brain.

When president is ill or injured, who needs to know?

March 30, 1981. Arguably the most powerful man in the world is shot.

One-two gene punch raises odds of baldness in men

About one in seven men has a combination of genes -- one new and one first discovered in 2001 -- that increases his risk of male pattern baldness sevenfold, compared to men without the combination.

Even presidents need time to chill out

Presidents need a break. Really.

Patients find support, help via online networking

When Susannah Reid learned she had an extremely rare and aggressive cancer at age 41, she was hit with a double whammy.

McCain faces questions on age, health

Meghan McCain was on the talk-show couch, being grilled by the hosts of "The View." Does it bother her to hear jokes about her father's age? Megan, 23, started chuckling, and allowed, "He IS old!" Tension was replaced by laughter. But that was summer. These days, for Republican Sen. John McCain, age is no laughing matter.

German farmer starts using transplanted arms

A German farmer who received the world's first complete double arm transplant is recovering well and able to perform some basic tasks, though doctors said Wednesday it still could take up to two years before he relearns how to use his hands.

Mom lets students touch bat; rabies shots begin

About 90 elementary school students in Montana have started a series of rabies shots after a parent let them touch a dead bat that was later confirmed to be diseased.

32 salmonella illnesses reported in 12 states

The government is urging consumers to thoroughly cook frozen chicken dinners after 32 people in 12 states were sickened with salmonella poisoning.

Cosmetic surgery industry sags with economy

The economy isn't the only thing that's sagging -- so are faces, breasts and bellies as would-be cosmetic surgery patients increasingly opt against costly nips and tucks because of tough financial times.

Economic bill includes mental health treatment provision

Talk about going out with a win.

FDA: Tiny amount of melamine not harmful to adults

Eating a tiny bit of a melamine, the chemical responsible for a global food safety scare, is not harmful except when it's in baby formula, U.S. food safety officials said Friday.

Why women worry, and what to do about it

These are times not for the faint of heart. Not for the faint of wallet either. With the stock market seemingly out of control and with prices on goods and services taking a page from Buzz Lightyear's playbook and going "to infinity and beyond," it's a tense time for many.

Conquering the 'ewww' factor of the public potty

Most of us have them -- the personal ritual to deal with the "ick" of a public bathroom: wiping the seat with toilet paper, using a paper seat cover or even rolling up several pieces of toilet paper to create a thicker barrier between the skin and ... the unknown.

Ig Nobels honor weird science: Coca-Cola as contraceptive

Deborah Anderson had heard the urban legends about the contraceptive effectiveness of Coca-Cola products for years.

'Sex' actor: Being a bad patient can save your life

You probably know Evan Handler as Harry Goldenblatt, Charlotte York's husband on HBO's "Sex and the City," or as Charlie Runkle, the agent for David Duchovny's character on "Californication." What you probably don't know is that he's a passionate patient advocate, based on his experience being treated for leukemia in the mid- and late-1980s.

FDA: No immediate ruling on cold meds for kids

A top government health official rejected the idea of an immediate ban on cough and cold medicines for young children, saying it might cause unintended harm.

How some women never get sick

They survive cold season without a sniffle. They fly in germ-packed airplanes unscathed. And they somehow avoid stomach bugs that decimate the office. Wish you could be one of these women who never get sick? Try one or -- even better -- all of these seven secrets, and you may join this club come flu season.

How some women never get sick

They survive cold season without a sniffle. They fly in germ-packed airplanes unscathed. And they somehow avoid stomach bugs that decimate the office. Wish you could be one of these women who never get sick? Try one or -- even better -- all of these seven secrets, and you may join this club come flu season.

Study: Traffic accidents spike on Election Day

Could voting for president be hazardous to your health?

Foods to get COOL: Country-of-origin labeling

No more wondering where your hamburger came from, or where your lettuce and tomatoes were grown: Starting this week, shoppers will see lots more foods labeled with the country of origin.

Scientists debate possible cell phone link to brain cancer

Bringing a growing health concern to Congress, scientists squared off Thursday over whether cell phones contribute to brain cancer.

6 ways to save money on drugs and doctors

Most of us know how to save money on groceries: You clip coupons, compare prices at different supermarkets and jump on good sales. But saving money on health care costs? That's much more complicated. Here are six Web sites to help you slash how much you're paying for drugs, dentists, doctors and hospitals.

NIH director Zerhouni to step down

The director of the National Institutes of Health is resigning, after retooling the premiere research agency to spur innovative science while it struggles for sufficient funding.

EPA against limiting rocket fuel ingredient in water

The Environmental Protection Agency has decided there's no need to rid drinking water of a toxic rocket fuel ingredient that has fouled public water supplies around the country.

To test or not to test children for breast cancer gene mutations

Women are going for breast cancer gene testing in record numbers, forcing more parents to face a tough question: Should we test the kids?

For pedicures, be careful where you step

Shoes tell a lot about a person. If you stumbled into my closet, you would probably think I was a security guard, a construction worker or a Nurse Ratched wannabe. My taste in shoes tends to be boxy, low-heeled and sturdy.

Is boutique medicine worth the price?

Two friends of mine recently received the same letter in the mail from their internists: Fork over $1,500 or you're out of my practice.

When to take a sleeping pill

Chances are, someone you know takes a sleeping pill. One in four Americans takes a sleep aid every year, according to the National Sleep Foundation, and the numbers are even higher for women -- one in three uses some sort of sleep medication a few times a week.

Government drops plans to study chelation for autism

A government agency has dropped plans for a study of a controversial treatment for autism that critics had called an unethical experiment on children.

FDA says BPA is OK despite concerns raised in new study

With scientists at odds over the safety of a chemical found in plastic baby bottles, metal cans and other food packaging, consumers got minimal guidance Tuesday about how to protect themselves.

NASA bone-loss test sends man to bed for 84 days

Doctors working with NASA scientists believe that they may have a way to combat one of the greatest health dangers of space travel: bone loss.

That leg pain may be a blood clot, surgeon general warns

Far too many Americans are dying of dangerous blood clots that can masquerade as simple leg pain, says a major new government effort to get both patients and their doctors to recognize the emergency in time.

FDA warns against infant formula from China

Tainted infant formula from China may be on sale at ethnic groceries in this country, even though it is not approved for importation, federal officials warned on Thursday.

9/11 survivors troubled by asthma, PTSD

On September 11, 2001, Kathryn Freed watched from two blocks away as a plane hit the World Trade Center's north tower.

How to talk to your doctor about God

The doctors, nurses, pharmacists and technicians gathered around her son's crib, their faces grim. Pamela Gorman knew what they were thinking: Her son, Christopher, was about to die.

Ever wonder if your doctor is laughing at you?

You're sick, in the hospital, or maybe even undergoing surgery. The last thing you want to contemplate is the thought that your doctor might be making fun of your toe rings while you're anesthetized.

Army suicide rate could top nation's this year

The rate of suicides among-active duty soldiers is on pace to surpass both last year's numbers and the rate of suicide in the general U.S. population for the first time since the Vietnam war, according to U.S. Army officials.

When sex becomes an addiction

"Californication" star David Duchovny made headlines for voluntarily entering rehab last week. But it wasn't for drugs or alcohol. It was for another dependency, one that affects millions of Americans but is seldom discussed: sex addiction.

Exercise blocks effect of fat gene

If you're fat, maybe you CAN blame your genes. But there's a way to overcome that family history -- just get three to four hours of moderate activity a day.

Obese children at risk for liver damage

In a new and disturbing twist on the obesity epidemic, some overweight teenagers have severe liver damage caused by too much body fat, and a handful have needed liver transplants.

FDA posts list of drugs under investigation

The government on Friday began posting a list of prescription drugs under investigation for potential safety problems, in an effort to better inform doctors and patients.

How white should your teeth really be?

Remember that old adage, "You can never be too thin or too rich"?

Probe widens on Vytorin safety

A House committee investigating the safety and effectiveness of the popular cholesterol drug Vytorin and one of its components is turning up the heat on the drug's makers.

Researchers find key pathways for two deadly cancers

U.S. scientists have mapped the cascade of genetic changes that turn normal cells in the brain and pancreas into two of the most lethal cancers. The result points to a new approach for fighting tumors and maybe even catching them sooner.

Study: No link between measles vaccine and autism

The Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine causes neither autism nor gastrointestinal disorders, a study reported Wednesday, disputing a theory that has persisted for a decade.

Report: Illicit drug use steady in U.S.

Cocaine and methamphetamine use among young adults declined significantly last year as supplies dried up, leading to higher prices and reduced purity, the government reports. Overall use of illicit drugs showed little change.

Four arthritis drugs get stronger FDA warning

The Food and Drug Administration ordered stronger warnings Thursday on four medications widely used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other serious illnesses, saying they can raise the risk of possibly fatal fungal infections.

Five simple ways to save a life

Quick: What would you do if you impaled yourself with a large, sharp, piece of wood? If your tooth fell out? If you fell from a high ladder? If your friend had a severe allergic reaction?

New concerns raised on safety of chemical in plastics

Government toxicologists have reiterated safety concerns about a chemical used in baby bottles and food containers, just weeks after the Food and Drug Administration declared the substance safe.

iReporters: Teenage pregnancy deserves attention

Bristol Palin, the 17-year-old daughter of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, became the center of the media spotlight this week after her pregnancy was revealed.

Study: Teen suicide rate down slightly, still high

The number of teen suicides has fallen slightly but the rate remains disturbingly high, researchers said, possibly fueled by drug warnings that have scared many from using antidepressants.

Study: Exercise may improve brain function in older adults

Brisk walking led to slight improvements on mental tests for older people with memory problems in what is billed as the first rigorous test of exercise on the aging brain.

How to survive storm's cleanup

Neilan Tyree was one of the lucky ones: When the 49-year-old advertising executive returned home to New Orleans three weeks after Katrina hit, he discovered his home on historic St. Charles Avenue was still standing, with relatively little damage.

New Orleans: Tiniest evacuees sent to safety

Danielle Dayton and Patrick Murray received the call Saturday afternoon: Their 4-pound son, Brayden Murray, was shipping out.

Baseball gives special-needs kids 'something to brag about'

The crowd cheered as Morgan Lawless faced her first pitch of the fall baseball season.

Hospitals use lessons from Katrina to prep for Gustav

Three years after Hurricane Katrina taught New Orleans' medical community some painful lessons, hospitals here are trying to learn from past mistakes.

Oklahoma seeks source of deadly E. coli

Oklahoma health officials said Friday they are searching for the source of a rare form of E. coli that has killed one person and sickened 116 others in the northeastern part of the state.

Cells transformed in promising research

Talk about an extreme makeover: Scientists have transformed one type of cell into another in living mice, a big step toward the goal of growing replacement tissues to treat a variety of diseases.

Five mistakes that will land you in medical debt

It took the Trim family of Arlington, Texas, three hours to go $15,000 into debt.

Census: Fewer Americans lack health insurance

Participation in government health insurance programs -- particularly those aimed at children -- increased from 2006 to 2007, leading to a decrease in the number of Americans lacking insurance, the U.S. Census Bureau said Tuesday.

Canada links Toronto plant to deadly listeriosis outbreak

Canadian health officials have linked a deadly listeriosis outbreak to a Maple Leaf Foods plant in Toronto, prompting the company to expand of its recall of meat products.

Measles outbreaks may be linked to vaccine fears

Measles cases in the U.S. are at the highest level in more than a decade, with nearly half of those involving children whose parents rejected vaccination, health officials reported Thursday.

Stay wise about weight as you age

As we age we grow, not only in wisdom, (one hopes) but also in size (one hopes not!).

FDA OKs zapping greens for safety

Consumers worried about salad safety may soon be able to buy fresh spinach and iceberg lettuce zapped with just enough radiation to kill E. coli and a few other germs.

Don't become a victim of medical marketing

Linda Lewis says that when she had back surgery two years ago, her surgeon didn't do what was best for her health; he did was best for his bank account.

'Surreal' surgery impacts med student in India

Watching a surgery in India was one of the most memorable experiences I have had to date.

Student vows to bring desks to India school

Our target population for this project lives in a colony far from the center of Hubli.

Despite Love Canal's lessons, schoolchildren are still at risk

Thirty years ago this summer, America learned the name Love Canal. The working-class Niagara Falls neighborhood built atop tons of chemical waste became a synonym for environmental disaster.

Hospital death rates for key conditions unveiled

If you or a loved one develops pneumonia or has a heart attack and is taken to a hospital, do you know what the chances are of getting out alive?

Cervical cancer shot not always cost-effective

An expensive vaccine aimed at preventing cervical cancer makes sense for young teens when it comes to cost-effectiveness, but not for women in their 20s, contends a new report.

Survey: Many believe in divine intervention

When it comes to saving lives, God trumps doctors for many Americans.

College chiefs urge new debate on drinking age

College presidents from about 100 of the nation's best-known universities, including Duke, Dartmouth and Ohio State, are calling on lawmakers to consider lowering the drinking age from 21 to 18, saying current laws actually encourage dangerous binge drinking on campus.

Going on vacation? Here's how to stay healthy

While downing margaritas in Brazil one evening, Sheila Scott Hula's drinking mate suggested they "jazz up" their drinks with a little local liquor.

Septuplets' mother has only seen them on TV

A day after giving birth to septuplets, a 27-year-old Egyptian woman said Sunday she's only seen her babies on television and hopes to hold them and name them soon.

Egyptian woman gives birth to septuplets

A 27-year-old Egyptian woman gave birth to septuplets early Saturday in the coastal city of Alexandria, family members and the hospital director said.

FDA: Controversial chemical in plastics is safe

Despite ongoing safety concerns from parents, consumer groups and politicians, a chemical used in baby bottles, canned food and other items is not dangerous, federal regulators said Friday.

Team sees challenges of providing safe water

One of the greatest learning experiences thus far was visiting the slums.

Father's tears help student understand poverty

While survey questions can become monotonous, each interviewee has a different story to tell. And we learn new lessons with each story.

Students work to improve water quality in India

The World Health Organization reports that 88 percent of the 1.8 million deaths resulting from diarrhea can be attributed to unsafe water or inadequate hygiene or sanitation.

When is an organ donor really dead?

A report on three heart transplants involving babies is focusing attention on a touchy issue in the organ donation field: When and how can someone be declared dead?

A comic book designed to save lives

The week before I came to India was crazy--not only was I planning my wedding (which took place two days before my departure), but I was also drawing a five-page comic book with an anti-tobacco message for this project.

Beauty and the trash in India

Walking through the streets of Hubli, there are a few sights and sounds that one will notice immediately upon entering the city limits: auto-rickshaw horns, bright red dirt and trash.

Student witnesses poverty, death in India

The USC fellows were invited to join 1,000 or so others at an incredible ceremony and event held by the Deshpande family for their son, a graduate of MIT.

Study: Some troops more prone to drinking problems

National Guard and Reserve combat troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are more likely to develop drinking problems than active-duty soldiers, a new military study suggests.

Student athletes with concussions need time out

Your brain needs more of a time-out than just missing the next game to recover from a concussion. New research suggests student athletes who are too active -- not just on the field, but at home and school -- may hinder their recovery.

Pole dancing helps strip off pounds

The lights were turned down low and the music was pulsing as Kimberly Wright made her way toward a 16-foot tall dance pole to do some tricks.

More beef recalled amid E. coli fears

Federal authorities last month assured consumers that a meat plant linked to nearly 50 illnesses caused by tainted ground beef had made enough changes after a recall to ensure that its products were safe.

38 dead after being bitten by vampire bats

At least 38 Warao Indians have died in remote villages in Venezuela, and medical experts suspect an outbreak of rabies spread by bites from vampire bats.

Dim economy drives women to donate eggs for profit

With a full load of classes, two young children and her bills piling up, Michelle decided to face her economic straits in a pretty unorthodox way.

States urge 'cultural competency' in health care

When a doctor doesn't look an Asian-American patient in the eye, that might be seen as a sign of respect. But making eye contact is encouraged with black patients, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, which has published a guidebook for culturally competent care.

Study casts doubt on fertility treatments

A new study calls into question the use of two common infertility treatments for couples who have unexplained problems having children.

Sleepy? Try catching some Z's in a pod

Getting enough rest should be as simple as just shutting your eyes.

How to have a baby when it's not so simple

Pamela Madsen knows a thing or two about getting pregnant. She did it twice, and it took several teams of doctors, six rounds of artificial insemination, six rounds of daily injected drugs, and four rounds of in-vitro fertilization.

CDC: Average ER wait time approaches one hour

The average time that hospital emergency room patients wait to see a doctor has grown from about 38 minutes to almost an hour over the past decade, according to new federal statistics released Wednesday.

UK: Celebrity chef recommends deadly plant

A British celebrity chef says he's sorry for mistakenly recommending a deadly plant as a tasty salad ingredient.

Study: Less talk, more pills from psychiatrists

Cartoons about the psychiatrist's couch were recently the subject of a museum exhibition. Now, the couch itself may be headed for a museum.

Germans perform world's first double-arm transplant

Doctors at the Technical University of Munich have conducted the world's first double-arm transplant on a 54-year-old farmer who had lost both his arms in an accident, officials said.

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