HealthBeat
Study: Long-term pot use linked to muted stress response
A new study shows that chronic cannabis users have a dampened physiological response to stress. Researchers at Washington State University looked at levels of the stress hormone cortisol in chronic cannabis users and non-users. They found virtually no difference in cortisol levels among heavy cannabis users who were confronted with psychologically and physiologically stressful situations […]
August 11, 2017 8:00 am
Teeth grinding keeps Washingtonians up at night
What’s keeping Americans awake at night? Mattress retailer Mattress Firm set out for answers. A Google Trends report revealed the top sleep-related searches for each state. While sleep apnea topped the list in most states (16), that wasn’t the most-searched disorder for Washingtonians. Here, people most frequently searched teeth grinding (bruxism). Four other states are […]
August 10, 2017 12:11 pm
Report: Washington falls short in policies to fight cancer
The grades are in, and they aren’t good for Washington. A new report by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network found that Washington falls short in adequately funding its tobacco prevention and cessation programs to fight tobacco use and cancer. The report grades each state on its legislative activity to reduce cancer incidence and […]
August 3, 2017 5:44 pm
Anti-vaxxer movement spreads to doggo parents
The anti-vaccine movement is alive and well and has, apparently, spread to parents of fur-babies. Fearing autism and other potential vaccine side effects, people in parts of Brooklyn are not vaccinating their dogs, according to a Brooklyn Paper article. “We do see a higher number of clients who don’t want to vaccinate their animals,” Dr. […]
August 2, 2017 5:14 pm
OHSU researchers reportedly created genetically modified human embryos
Researchers in Portland have reportedly become the first group in the U.S. to create genetically modified human embryos. MIT Technology Review reports that an OHSU team led by Shoukhrat Mitalipov changed the DNA of a large number of one-cell embryos. Mitalipov declined to comment on the results, which are pending publication. OHSU wouldn’t confirm either, […]
July 27, 2017 3:02 pm
Child with HIV in remission without drugs since infancy
A newly announced case study shows that a 9-year-old child diagnosed with HIV as a 1-month-old and treated during infancy remains in remission some eight years after the drug regimen ended. Researchers announced this week that the South African child received anti-HIV treatment as an infant and has suppressed the virus without any additional drugs […]
July 27, 2017 1:57 pm
Tenn. inmates undergo vasectomies to shave off jail time
Inmates in one Tennessee county are having their sentences reduced in exchange for undergoing vasectomies or receiving long-term birth control. Jail inmates in White County, Tenn., can receive 30 days off of their sentence if they undergo a birth control procedure. The judge who signed the order said it’s a way for inmates to take […]
July 20, 2017 3:16 pm
Vancouver ranks among most stressed cities
Hey Vancouver, relax. An analysis by WalletHub of the most stressed cities across the country ranked Vancouver as No. 54. That makes Couv residents less stressed than people living in Tacoma (No. 51) but more stressed than those in Spokane (No. 77), Portland (No. 89) and Seattle (No. 119). WalletHub compared a sample of the […]
July 20, 2017 1:12 pm
Experimental Zika virus vaccines protect against congenital damage
Two experimental vaccines have been found to restrict Zika virus transmission from pregnant mice to their fetuses and prevent damage to the placenta and fetal demise. Scientists from the National Institutes of Health, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the University of Texas Medical Branch tested a live-attenuated vaccine candidate and an […]
July 14, 2017 8:00 am
Senate Republicans’ health care bill, take two
Senate Republicans on Thursday introduced a revised version of their Obamacare replacement bill. And Senate Democrats from Washington were quick to pounce. “Well, if President Trump called the House bill ‘mean’ in a rare moment of honesty – can you imagine what he is going to say about this new Senate bill?,” said Sen. Patty […]
July 13, 2017 4:55 pm