Health & Science

Thursday, April 16th 2015 - 08:30 UTC
Norovirus outbreak on two cruise ships off the coasts of Mexico and California

Hundreds of Royal Caribbean passengers were stricken with acute gastrointestinal ailments, including vomiting and diarrhea, on two cruise ships off the coasts of Mexico and California earlier this week. The debilitating illness was identified as norovirus, outbreaks of which aren’t uncommon on cruise ships, especially during the winter season.
Friday, April 3rd 2015 - 08:04 UTC
US warning to vacation and business travellers about the advance of Chikungunya

The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) is warning vacation and business travelers to the Caribbean about the importance of protecting themselves from mosquitoes that may transmit Chikungunya virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue.
Friday, March 13th 2015 - 13:15 UTC
Scientists in China announce genetically engineered cows resistant to bovine TB

Scientists in China have said they produced a herd of genetically engineered cows that are better able to ward off bovine TB infection. The long-term goal of the research is to avoid the need to cull livestock by breeding disease resistant cattle.
Saturday, March 7th 2015 - 08:22 UTC
Several cups of coffee a day help combat clogged arteries, say Korean scientists

Drinking a few cups of coffee a day may help people avoid clogged arteries - a known risk factor for heart disease - Korean researchers believe. They studied more than 25,000 male and female employees who underwent routine health checks at their workplace.
Thursday, March 5th 2015 - 11:05 UTC
WHO calls on countries to reduce sugars intake among adults and children

A new WHO guideline recommends adults and children reduce their daily intake of free sugars to less than 10% of their total energy intake. A further reduction to below 5% or roughly 25 grams (6 teaspoons) per day would provide additional health benefits.
Monday, March 2nd 2015 - 00:56 UTC
Bachelet visits 14-year-old girl who pled for euthanasia since she is suffering cystic fibrosis

Chile’s president went to a hospital on Saturday to meet with a 14-year-old girl who shocked the country by going on YouTube to plead for the leader to let doctors euthanize her because she is tired of her struggle with cystic fibrosis. The government quickly said no after the video began spreading on social media Thursday.
Tuesday, February 24th 2015 - 17:29 UTC
WHO calls for worldwide use of 'smart' syringes

Use of the same syringe or needle to give injections to more than one person is driving the spread of a number of deadly infectious diseases worldwide. Millions of people could be protected from infections acquired through unsafe injections if all health-care programs switched to syringes that cannot be used more than once.
Friday, February 20th 2015 - 17:15 UTC
Drug-resistant 'superbug' scare in Los Angeles following several infections

A large Los Angeles public hospital has notified scores of patients they were possibly exposed to a drug-resistant bacteria “superbug” during endoscopy procedures that infected seven patients and may have contributed to two deaths.
Monday, February 16th 2015 - 08:17 UTC
Desperate struggle in New Zealand to save tens of stranded pilot whales

About 140 pilot whales that stranded themselves on a remote stretch of New Zealand beach have died, but conservation workers and volunteers are hoping the remaining 60 or so will survive after they managed to get them refloated, an official said over the weekend.
Monday, February 9th 2015 - 13:26 UTC
Researchers fear Ebola virus has mutated and are studying contagion degree

More than 22,000 people have been infected and about 9,000 are known to have died in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone since what evolved into the worst-ever outbreak of Ebola was identified last March.