Health & Science

Clearing Things Up: Vicks' Effectiveness In Kids

January 14, 2009 · A new study raises concern among some scientists that Vicks VapoRub, a popular over-the-counter cold remedy, may cause more harm than good, especially among children. Doctors recommend turning to traditional household remedies to ease symptoms and letting the cold pass naturally. ()  

Salmonella Outbreak Leads To Peanut Butter Recall

January 15, 2009 · Government officials are investigating an outbreak of salmonella linked to peanut butter sold in bulk. Officials say peanut butter bought at supermarkets is not at risk for contamination. ()  

Children's Health

House Passes Children's Health Measure

January 14, 2009 · The House signed off Wednesday on a bill that expands SCHIP, a popular health insurance program for children from low- and moderate-income families. The Senate is likely to follow the House's lead, clearing the way for an early political win for President-elect Obama. He has promised health insurance coverage for all U.S. children. ()  

Colds And Quality Of Sleep Linked, Study Shows

January 13, 2009 · New research finds that people who sleep less than seven hours a night or toss and turn frequently may be more susceptible to the common cold. ()  

Environment

Energy Secretary Pick Faces Confirmation Hearing

January 13, 2009 · Physicist Steven Chu, tapped by President-elect Barack Obama to run the Department of Energy, goes before a Senate panel Tuesday to explain how he plans to change the nation's energy economy. His criticism of coal may irritate senators from coal-mining states. ()  

Technology

A Little Less Flash At Annual Gadget Show

January 11, 2009 · The Consumer Electronics Show this weekend is the industry's annual showcase where companies hawk their crispest flat-screen TVs, their smartest smartphones and their loudest video games. There's still a lot of that — but the terrible economy is just as much a presence this year as GPS navigators and stereo systems. ()  

Environment

Tenn. Coal Ash Spill Devastates Recovering River

January 10, 2009 · Even before 1 billion gallons of coal ash sludge fouled the Emory River in late December, the waters around Kingston, Tenn., were under stress. Now, the spill has transformed part of this already endangered river into something that barely resembles a river at all. ()  

Science Out Of The Box

Galapagos Surprise Again With Pink Iguana

January 10, 2009 · The Galapagos Islands have been famous for their wildlife ever since Charles Darwin hatched his theories on evolution by studying Galapagos finches. Twenty years after spotting the strange lizard, scientists have discovered its secret. ()  

Blood Testing At 27,000 Feet

January 10, 2009 · An interesting experiment took place up on Mt. Everest, where four mountaineering doctors unzipped their down suits and exposed their groins for the sake of science. ()  

Mosquito Duet Leads To Love

January 9, 2009 · While humans find the mosquito's buzz irritating, scientists have discovered that courting mosquitoes adjust the tone of their buzz to create a near-perfect duet. ()  

Most Flu Viruses Resistant To Tamiflu This Year

January 9, 2009 · Every winter, the influenza virus kills thousands of people. In recent years, doctors have relied on the drug Tamiflu to treat serious flu cases. But most of the flu viruses circulating in the U.S. so far this season are resistant to Tamiflu. ()  

Commentary

Dr. Sanjay Gupta: The Wrong Man For The Job

January 9, 2009 · Dr. Sanjay Gupta has plenty to offer: As a neurosurgeon and former White House Fellow in the Clinton administration, he is in an ideal position to help create and pass health care reform legislation. The problem? That's not in the surgeon general's job description. ()