HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS

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February 4, 2016 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

HEALTH

 

Anti-asthma drugs taken during pregnancy associated with autism risk (ScienceBlog.com)

By comparing birth records over a period of nine years, Drexel researchers found that the children of mothers who took a certain asthma medication during pregnancy faced an elevated risk of being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. 

CDC Endorses A More Effective HPV Vaccine To Prevent Cancer (NPR)

An HPV vaccine that protects against nine strains of the virus that causes cancer gets the nod from the CDC. So does a vaccine for a rare but often lethal form of meningitis.

Teaching Parenting Skills At Doctor Visits Helps Children's Behavior (NPR)

Using video to teach good parenting habits when children are babies leads to better behavior in kids later on, a study finds. The program is aimed at helping children in low-income families.

Proton cancer therapy 'proves effective’ (BBC)

Proton beam cancer therapy - at the centre of an NHS controversy two years ago - causes fewer side effects than conventional radiotherapy, research suggests.

Key HIV drug 'is failing in Africa’ (BBC)

Strains of the HIV virus are becoming resistant to an antiretroviral drug commonly used to prevent and fight it, research suggests.  HIV was resistant to the drug Tenofovir in 60% of cases in several African countries according to the study, covering the period from 1998 to 2015.

Variations In A Gene Provide Clues About Schizophrenia (NPR)

Schizophrenia might be linked to a gene that tells the immune system to destroy too many connections in the brain, according to the results from a massive gene-focused research effort.

Scientists Use Genetic Engineering To Vanquish Disease-Carrying Insects (NPR)

A city in Brazil is using a genetically modified mosquito to control the spread of diseases like Dengue fever and the Zika virus. NPR reports on whether the scheme is working.

Lead may be the biggest childhood epidemic in the U.S. (APM Marketplace)

The lead problem in America doesn't stop at Flint's city limits.

A Diet High In Fiber May Help Protect Against Breast Cancer (NPR)

Eating fruits, vegetables, grains and beans high in fiber can help keep us healthy. A study finds yet another benefit: Women on a high-fiber diet had a lower risk of developing breast cancer.

U.K. Regulator Gives Go-Ahead For Scientists To Edit Genes In Human Embryos (NPR)

The researchers want to study the first few days of an embryo's development. They must now seek approval from an ethics committee in the United Kingdom.

 

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

Can police use eagles to pluck hostile drones out of sky?  (CS Monitor)

Dutch police have been working with a company that trains birds of prey to test whether eagles can use their powerful talons to take down drones.

U.S. Quake Warning System Could Save Lives When Seconds Count (NPR)

Before it does damage, an earthquake sends out a "P wave" that scientists use to find location and size. The U.S. quake warning system under development on the West Coast is built around the P wave.

Citizen science can empower communities (CS Monitor)

From the Nappy Science Gang to the Flint Water Study ordinary citizens are partnering with experts to do scientific research to solve problems.

Why compact fluorescent light bulbs will be off the market soon (CS Monitor)

General Electric announced Monday that it will phase out the manufacturing of CFL light bulbs in favor of the more energy efficient LED ones. 

Car Apps Test Tracking of Drivers (The Wall Street Journal)

Smartphones used by more than a million drivers of ride-hailing services to pick up passengers and collect fares are now tracking when they speed, cut corners, brake suddenly or send texts while at the wheel. Several companies including Uber Technologies are testing ways to collect this data.

Driverless cars work great in sunny California. But how about in a blizzard? (The Washington Post)

Researchers who work on driverless cars say we're still five to 10 years away from developing an all-weather self-driving capability.

Feds protect more habitat for right whales. But is it enough? (CS Monitor)

The NOAA designated an additional 39,414 square miles of water as critical habitat for the North Atlantic right whale. But could more be done?

NASA's Opportunity shatters expectations with 12 years on Mars (CS Monitor)

When the rover Opportunity landed on Mars in 2004, it was supposed to last for three months. But twelve years later, Opportunity is still exceeding expectations. 

 

 

 

 

 


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