The Link Between Obesity and Cancer
Studies are finding that obesity significantly increases a person’s risk for a variety of cancers. However, not all forms of fat carry equal risk. An expert discusses who is more at risk and why.
DNA and Genetics Sub-categories:
- CRISPR (1)
- Genetic Testing (1)
- Mutation (4)
- Predisposition (3)
Building the Covid Vaccine
The vaccine for Covid-19 was developed with record speed while still following required safety protocols. A noted investigative reporter discusses the development process he uncovered for his exhaustive book and explains why the hundreds of interviews he did have reassured him that the vaccine is safe.
Undiagnosed Mystery Diseases
Hundreds of patients nationally have diseases that have confounded doctors and yielded no diagnosis and no reliable treatment. Today the Undiagnosed Diseases Network helps these patients, but its funding is uncertain beyond 2022. Patients and a physician leader of the UDN discuss the lonely plight of these patients and hopes for the future.
Genetic Testing For Drug Effectiveness
People suffering from mental illnesses often go through a number of medications before they find one that works. A genetic test seeks to discover this information right away, so patients don’t have to wait. One of the test’s developers discusses its uses.
Covid Update: Infectious New Variant & Stretching the Vaccine
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts that a new, more contagious version of Covid-19 will become the predominant strain by March, testing the new vaccine’s effectiveness. At the same time, researchers are trying to find ways to get the vaccine to more people more quickly by lengthening time between doses, with unknown results. Infectious …
Medical Notes: Week of July 26, 2020
Evidence is piling up that face masks cut the risk of getting Covid-19 by up to 65 percent. Then, a study finds that, at least in the laboratory, a common asthma drug can prevent the formation of tangles. Then, A study finds that cord blood helps some children with autism improve their social communication skills. And finally, if you feel especially insecure …
Disease Risk and Inheritance
Scientists have learned that the habits and environments of our parents and grandparents can have a strong effect on our health and longevity.
Genetic Testing and Life Insurance
It’s illegal for health insurers to use genetic testing to discriminate against policyholders. However, life insurers can and do discriminate on that basis if the test is in your medical file.
Why Women Are Genetically Stronger
Women may have been known through the centuries as the weaker sex, but researchers have learned that they are anything but weak. Their 2 X chromosomes are both active and cooperate with each other, especially in immune response. An expert discusses new findings on their genetic superiority.
Androgens and Covid-19
For people under about age 70, Covid-19 is much harder on men than on women, especially those with strong male characteristics like scalp balding and plentiful body hair. A group of researchers has a theory as to why—that male hormones provide the virus with an entry into the cell. One of the researchers discusses what that could mean in terms of treatment.
Medical Notes: Week of April 26, 2020
A blood test for many types of cancer has been a long-sought goal of researchers, and now they’re much closer. Then, a team of faculty and students at Rice University has developed an automated bag valve mask ventilator using $300 worth of parts off the shelf. And finally, a study from the University of Michigan finds that if you talk to yourself in the …
The Science of Immortality: When Is Life Too Long?
Some experts believe the healthy lifespan eventually may be extended to hundreds of years through genetic manipulation. This brings many philosophical and ethical questions, which a noted science author discusses.
