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FDA approves a drug to reverse anticoagulation

By Melissa Healy — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:51:00 PDT

Ever since the drug warfarin was discovered to be a highly effective anti-clotting agent as well as a good rat poison in the early 1950s, it has been the frontline weapon in preventing stroke among those with atrial fibrillation. But its growing use has always raised the specter of dangerously hard-to-stanch bleeding if someone taking it is wounded or bleeds internally from a fall or a car accident.

Spending teenage years in the 'stroke belt' seems to increase risk

By Mary MacVean — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:59:00 PDT

Spending adolescence in the “stroke belt” of the southeastern United States could make people more vulnerable to stroke later in life – even if they eventually move elsewhere, a study published Wednesday suggests.

Alice Waters, school officials talk teaching with food

By Mary MacVean — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 05:00:00 PDT

Fast food begets a fast-food culture that has seeped into pretty much everything going on in the world today, the chef Alice Waters told a crowd gathered at UCLA for a presentation about edible education.

Government shuts down HIV/AIDS vaccine trial

By Melissa Healy — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 20:15:00 PDT

In another major setback for efforts to develop a vaccine to boost immunity to the human immunodeficiency virus, known as HIV, a key clinical trial was ordered shut down this week after an independent panel of safety experts found that participants getting the vaccine appeared to be slightly more likely to contract the virus and no better at suppressing its replication than those who got a placebo.

China's H7N9 bird flu death toll likely to rise

By Karen Kaplan — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 05:15:00 PDT

Chinese health officials are warning that the death toll from the H7N9 bird flu is likely to rise in the weeks and months ahead.

Physicians debate whether patients need to know they're dying

By Melissa Healy — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 06:00:00 PDT

In the days when American physicians dispensed oracular commands and their judgments were rarely questioned, a doctor could take it upon himself with few ethical qualms to keep from a patient the bad news of a terminal diagnosis.

FDA's counterfeit detection device takes global aim at malaria

By Melissa Healy — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:48:00 PDT

A device that reveals counterfeit drugs in the hands of Food & Drug Administration agents is set to become the newest weapon in the worldwide effort to eradicate malaria, and may soon be used to detect useless look-alikes of drugs that combat cancer, heart disease and viral infections.

Bay Area air pollution reaches Devils Postpile National Monument

By Bettina Boxall — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:17:00 PDT

That fresh, pine-scented mountain air that you happily breathe in the Sierra Nevada could be hazardous to your health.

Epilepsy drug in pregnancy linked to baby's higher autism risk

By Melissa Healy — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 06:00:00 PDT

Pregnant women who took the anti-seizure drug valproate during pregnancy increased the odds that their baby would have autism, and were roughly twice as likely to give birth to a child who would go on to be diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, according to a large study that captured 10 years of births in Denmark.

College binge drinking raises risk of heart disease

By Monte Morin — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:31:00 PDT

Step away from the beer pong table! College binge drinking may leave you with more than just embarrassing memories and excruciating hangovers.