Individual differences in anthrax susceptibility discovered by scientists Susceptibility to anthrax toxin is a heritable genetic trait that may vary tremendously among individuals, according to a new study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine. Among 234 people studied, the cells of three people were virtually insensitive to the toxin, while the cells of […]

Can You Really Die From a Broken Heart? Sappy cards.  Impossible dinner reservations. Rose bouquets for twice their typical cost. If you’re annoyed by the hype of the Valentine’s holiday, take heart: There might be something worth celebrating after all. Scientists continue to find ways that nurturing relationships, like a supportive marriage, confer health benefits to the […]

The influence of medical press releases on news coverage quality I’m a few days late to this, but a new study (one of particular significance to those of us in the communications field) is demonstrating the important role that press releases can play in getting high-quality, accurate medical information delivered to the public. In a BMJ paper, Dartmouth researchers identified media coverage of studies appearing […]

Is there a connection between consuming mass media and making healthy choices? Indulging in mass media could prompt you to make healthier decisions, according to findings(subscription required) recently published inInternational Journal of Public Health. Italian researchers examined data from a sample of more than 1,000 people from a large epidemiological study. Participants completed a survey on […]

A gap in childhood obesity research A study in today’s new issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine takes a close look at food for sale in more than 3,800 public and private elementary schools across the U.S. between 2006 and 2010. The findings are discouraging: During a period when school menus have generated lots of attention as […]

Hey doc, got a light? Research highlights Big Tobacco’s long history with the medical community In the 1920s, tobacco companies began a campaign to engage throat doctors into helping calm the public’s growing fears about the harmful effects of tobacco. Yep. You’ve read that right. Throat doctorsactually pushed cigarettes as remedies for throat irritation. But are you really […]

Ancient Roots of Social Networks Modern social networks, from small networks of friends and family to entire countries, are based on cooperation. Individuals donate to the group and receive help back. A new study suggests that our early human ancestors may have had social networks strikingly similar to those of modern societies.   A Hadza […]

In Autism, Gene Findings May Help Explain Biology and Guide Drug Discovery Hear Audio UCSF’s Lauren Weiss talks about autism and its prevalence: Autism and related disorders that profoundly affect behavior and development are diagnosed more often today than ever before. But despite its rising profile in the media and in the minds of parents, […]

Abraham Verghese’s “Cutting for Stone:” Two years as a New York Times best seller The first page was startling. A Catholic nun dies giving birth to conjoined twins. And so begins the epic journey of Abraham Verghese’s sweeping novel, Cutting for Stone. The Stanford professor of medicine spent eight years writing the novel which begins in Ethiopia during […]

Bunches of support. Daffodil Days returns to aid cancer patients. It’s that time of year again! Harvard’s 25th annual Daffodil Days campaign to help raise money for the American Cancer Society is under way through March 1, with gifts scheduled for delivery on March 19. This year’s gift options are a bouquet of 10 daffodils, […]