Comprehensive look at brain cancer treatments

A comprehensive genetic review of treatment strategies for glioblastoma brain tumors covers how these highly invasive and almost-always-deadly brain cancers may be treated, reviews the continuing challenges faced by researchers and clinicians, and presents the hope for better treatments by harnessing the power of the human genome.

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US clinics avoiding government oversight of 'stem cell' treatments

Clinics across the United States are advertising stem cell treatments that attempt to take advantage of what they perceive as exceptions in FDA regulations, according to bioethicist.

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Frailty among older heart patients helps predict severe outcomes

Frailty among older people with cardiovascular disease appears to be more predictive than age for gauging their risk of heart attack, stroke and death, according to an international study. The researchers noted that frailty is easily diagnosed and should be used in addition to the current scoring system that stratifies patients with acute coronary syndrome.

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Majority of older adults willing to be screened by telephone for dementia

Nearly two-thirds of older adults were willing to undergo telephone screening for dementia, according to a new study. Willingness to be screened by phone did not differ by sex, age or race.

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Ginger Root Extract - Why to Consume It

The ginger root is widely used as a spice or a medicine for centuries. Aromatic, pungent and spicy, ginger adds a special flavor and zest to Asian stir fries and many fruit and vegetable dishes. Nowadays, ginger root extract is sold in health - food stores or online services.

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Shopping for Shampoo? Make Sure You Stay Away From These Six Harmful Ingredients

Choosing a new shampoo to replenish your stock can be fun, what with all the fun fragrances and unique blends being offered in the market today. But just because something smells delightful or promises to give you the hair of your dreams does not mean there are no bad ingredients lurking about.

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Genome library, blood test aim to minimize statin side effects, maximize benefits

In the midst of the growing and often conflicting data around the benefits of statins, researchers are developing gene-based resources to help improve statin efficacy and cost-effectiveness and to reduce the incidence of adverse effects -- some of which can be fatal.

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Weight Loss Tips You Have Probably Never Heard

When it comes to weight loss, most people know that they need to change their lifestyle by eating healthier, exercising more, drinking more water and so on. However, there are plenty of other weight loss tips that can help you obtain results without starving yourself or exercising until exhaustion. Here are some weight loss advice that you may have never heard before.

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Great Ideas for a Summer Diet

Summer is the season when everyone wants to look great. If donning your swimming suit is actually kind of a nightmare for you, it is time to start thinking ahead and plan on losing some weight. Here are some great and simple ideas for a summer diet you can try so you will look stunning the next time you take your swimming suit on.

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The Importance of Good Fats in Your Diet

Whenever one hears the word fat, one cannot think of anything else than obesity, health problems, high cholesterol and so on. From this point of view, solving all weight related problems seems easy; just eliminate all the fat from your diet and you will never be fat again. But is it truly that simple? Fat is important to the human body; without it, skin and hair become fragile and brittle, colon problems develop and overall health can be seriously affected. The problem is not the fat itself, it is the type of fat in your diet.

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Simple Weight Loss Tips Anyone Can Try

Many people feel tempted to associated weight loss with outstanding efforts followed by dubious results. If you take the path of fad diets, that may be so, but if you focus on healthy weight loss, you will see that it is actually much easier to lose weight than you thought. One of the secrets of losing weight without going that much out of your way is to develop some habits that will help you on the long run.

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Many young ACL surgery patients need second surgery later on

Orthopedic surgeons are seeing an epidemic of anterior cruciate ligament injuries among young athletes, and a large number of patients who have surgery to reconstruct a torn ACL undergo a second knee operation later on, according to a study.

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Link between inherited genetic variations, outcomes of non-small cell lung cancer patients discovered

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer. Patients diagnosed with NSCLC have a poor prognosis, with a 5-year survival rate of only 16 percent. Researchers hope to improve NSCLC patient survival with the results of a study that found that inherited genetic variations in interleukin genes are associated with improved patient survival and response to therapy.

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Prolonged statin use may lower risk of lung cancer death

Lung cancer patients who used statins in the year prior to a lung cancer diagnosis or after a lung cancer diagnosis had a reduction in the risk of death from the disease, researchers report at the conclusion of a recent study.

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Pharmaceutical industry regulation undermines NICE drugs appraisal work in U.K., experts say

Government policies that support UK pharmaceutical science and enhance export income are costing the NHS millions and undermine the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, experts say.

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Weight Loss Made Easy For You

Losing extra pounds does not have to be a war raging on forever, leaving you exhausted and defeated. Weight loss is much simpler than you think, and you only have to pay attention to certain aspects. By making little, but important changes in your life, you will manage to lose more weight and feel healthier than by trying exhausting diets that do not lead to long lasting and consistent weight loss.

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Simple Tricks to Keep Up With Your Weight Loss Program

The main reason why many people give up on weight loss programs is the fact that they feel deprived of their favorite foods and too hungry all the time. In order to lose weight, you need to cut down on calories, so eating everything you like in whatever quantities you like is not an option. However, there are simple tricks you can try in order to keep on track, but without losing on the small pleasures in life.

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Weight Loss Tips: How to Deal With Hunger

There are many reasons why people gain too much weight and then need to lose it in order to be healthy and feel good. However, one of the most important enemies that are lurking in the dark, threatening any weight loss efforts is hunger. When you are hungry, you forget all about rules and dietary guidelines and the only thing that is on your mind is to ride the refrigerator and eat everything, or stop at the next fast food and just load yourself with calories. The following simple guide will teach you how to deal with hunger and prevent its noxious effects on your weight.

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Preventing Obesity With Smart Weight Loss

Obesity is currently considered an important problem of developed countries. The abundance of food is only a source of this problem, but an important one, and, while it is fortunate that there are so many people living today without worrying about not having food on the table tomorrow, obesity is a problem that must be addressed.

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3 Things You Need to Understand Before Apply A Weight Loss Hypnosis

One of the hottest trends going around at the moment is that of weight loss hypnosis. People who have tried to diet before in the past and failed miserably now give this trend a try, hoping that it may hold the key that unlocks their greatest success.

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Clever Food Replacements for Weight Loss

People are what they eat, this is a true enough fact. When it comes to obesity, the foods the people becoming obese eat are clearly unhealthy, and too rich in fat and sugar. If you do not care too much about following a diet, but you want to maintain healthy and in good condition, consider the following clever food replacements to help you lose weight, but without going on a restrictive diet.

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8 Things You Must Know About Cholesterol

Our lifestyle has changed completely, hasn't it? We all live in an era where we actually have no time to look after our health. The only thing that we run after at the moment is money. We get up early in the morning, rush to work, eat junk, work like crazy, skip our physical exercises, grab some more junk while returning home, and sleep, without paying any attention to what our body needs. Weekends are the worst. We get drunk and eat some more junk with our family members.

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4 Herbal Medicines You Can Have Without Prescriptions

If you drag me to a philosophical world, I can tell you about all those things that have been combined together to make our body. This is not mere blood and flesh that we have. Our body has thoughts, intelligence, creativity, art, thirst for lust, and other such emotions that combine together to make us. However, scientifically, we are made up of different fats, compounds, arteries, nerves, blood, and other such things. Since we live in a practical era now, I would like to stick to the scientific world.

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4 Home Remedies to Fight Cholesterol

The good news for all the people out there with increased levels of cholesterol is that there are several home remedies to help you balance the same. I agree that the allopathic and homeopathic medicines help to bring down the levels in almost no time at all, but if you can manage everything by staying as natural as possible, then there's absolutely nothing like it.

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E-Stores Exposed: Top 3 Confessions of Online Herbal Medicine Stores

"And you thought that you could blindly trust e-stores!" I completely agree that internet has brought the entire world closer. You get to buy everything that you want - right from those groceries to the latest technology cellphone - there is absolutely nothing that the internet and the e-stores haven't got for you. However, how much can you trust the e-stores and the marketers in a place, which is completely virtual? After all, there is no proper store that allows you to see the things that you wish to buy. Moreover, a lot of online shops don't even exchange or replace the defective products for you and you end up paying for damaged goods, at your own risk!

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Top 4 Symptoms of Cholesterol

Sometimes, no matter how fit you consider yourself to be, you are not. A lot of people look extremely healthy, externally, but their bodies cry, internally. There are a lot of health related issues that may not look serious at first, but make you go through severe problems in future; and one of such issues is increased levels of cholesterol. You have to make sure that you eat right and stay healthy, in order to keep the levels balanced.

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Herbal Medicines: Top 4 Ways to Manage Stress

"Herbs make you curb stress!" I completely agree with the fact that there is a hell lot of a development in today's era. Whether you want to shop for clothes or get some ready-to-eat meals, you can do everything with the help of your fingertips. All you need to have is a laptop with an internet connection and VOILA - you get to do some magic on the screen and get everything to your doorstep.

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Staying Trim and Fit and Eating Out

Do you want to stay trim and fit, but also really enjoy dining out? Or, does your work or travel schedule leave you eating in restaurants multiple times per week? If so, you're not alone.

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Dissolvable surgical clip, 5 mm in size, made of a magnesium alloy

A safe surgical clip that dissolves, which is absorbed by the body after a certain period of time, has been created by researchers. Clinical use of this clip is expected because it can reduce the rate of postoperative complications and minimize problems associated with diagnostic imaging.

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Surgery for terminal cancer patients still common

The number of surgeries performed on terminally ill cancer patients has not dropped in recent years, despite more attention to the importance of less invasive care for these patients to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.

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Health And The 5 F's

The article is about the concept of the 5 F's and they affect or are affected by health. The 5 F's are food, fitness, finances, fulfillment, and fun. A brief account is given about how each F affects or is affected by health and how the 5 F's are interconnected.

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Greatist Workout of the Day: Friday, May 1st

This series of GWODs was designed exclusively for Greatist by Bodeefit. For more information about the exercises in this workout, or to see video demos of each movement, follow the links below the graphic. Be sure to note the results of your workout so you can track your progress as you go.

Before you tackle this workout, try this quick and effective full-body warm-up. It's just five simple moves but hits every major muscle group and gets your heart pumping.

Little Raven

Going as fast as is safely possible, complete 25 reps of each movement in the circuit, then 20 reps, then 15 reps.

Elevated Push-Ups
V-Ups
Plank Splits (total)

Want to kick up the intensity? Move your feet higher on the elevated push-ups. And don't forget to check back tomorrow for a totally new (but equally awesome) GWOD!



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Should You Move in Together? The Pros and Cons of Cohabitation

Living in sin? Thinking about it? Plenty of people are; the number of cohabiting couples (who live together but aren’t married) has doubled since the 1990s. Some people used to think living together before marriage would ruin a relationship, but it’s unclear if that’s really the case today.

There’s some evidence that living together before marriage can damage a relationship; but other researchers also consider whether two people have discussed the future of their relationship or if they’re just marrying out of convenience. 12

Love Shack Baby—Why It Matters

The Pros and Cons of Living With Your Significant Other The rise in cohabitation is linked to other changes in family patterns—including some uncomfortable talks with mom and dad about moving in with the significant other 2 . In 2011, the average age at first marriage was about 27 for women and 29 for men—an all-time high in the U.S.. And, in the last 40 years, it’s become much more common for couples to raise kids together without getting married 2 . In fact, 42 percent of children under 12 have lived with unmarried, cohabiting parents.

Financial security doesn’t really differ between cohabiting and married couples. (Everyone fights over bills.) Among college graduates, cohabiting heterosexual couples are as well off as their married counterparts. (Same-sex cohabiting couples have higher incomes than married adults in general, but there are few studies comparing same-sex cohabitation and marriage.) And it’s hard to know exactly how living together affects a couple’s financial status.

Other socioeconomic factors come into play—for example, people who don’t graduate from college are twice as likely to live together without marrying first. A cohabiting couple’s future may depend on whether they get engaged before sharing a pre-marital bed. A recent study found couples that live together before getting married, but after getting engaged, are just as successful as couples that don’t live together. On the other hand, there’s some evidence that couples who live together before getting engaged say they’re less satisfied in their marriages and are more likely to get divorced 1 .

And there may be other negative consequences associated with living together before putting a ring on it. (Mo’ laundry, mo’ problems.) Guys may start forgetting about date night by the time they get hitched—research suggests men who live with their significant others before marriage are less dedicated to their partners 2 . Cohabiting can pose problems for gals too: Women who have cohabited with more than one partner may also be at an increased risk for divorce.

Going to the Chapel and We’re… The Answer/Debate

The Pros and Cons of Living With Your Significant Other Living together can cause problems for some couples if they get married just because it’s the easiest thing to do 1 . Experts call it “relationship inertia”: Couples who live together sometimes end up marrying out of convenience, for reasons ranging from saving on rent to giving the dog a mommy and a daddy 13 . But couples who discuss their potential marriage plans before they start sharing a bathroom—and arguing over the toilet lid—generally have more robust relationships.

There are a lot of reasons to shack up with your love bunny. Motives include spending more time together, testing the waters before marriage, and having someone around to put together that Ikea furniture 3 . Before signing that lease, consider factors like how long you’ve been together, how you handle (and hopefully resolve!) fights, and who has clothes—or at least a toothbrush—at whose place. Take time to figure out what’s best for each member of the relationship and then either plop back down on the couch or go get those moving boxes.

The Takeaway

Problems can arise when cohabiting couples feel obligated to get married. But other factors may be more important to a couple's success than whether they've got his-and-hers towels.

Originally published February 2012. Updated April 2015.

Works Cited

  1. The Timing of Cohabitation and Engagement: Impact on First and Second Marriages. Stanley, Scott, M., Rhoades, G.K., University of Denver, Journal of Marriage and Family. 2010 August 1; 72(4): 906–918.
  2. Working with Cohabitation in Relationship Education and Therapy, Scott M., Rhoades, G.K., Markman, H.J., University of Denver, Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy. 2009 April; 8(2): 95–112.
  3. Couples’ Reasons for Cohabitation: Associations with Individual Well-Being and Relationship Quality, Scott, M., Rhoades, G.K., Markman, H.J., University of Denver, Journal of Family Issues. 2009 February 1; 30(2): 233–258.


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Fat grafting for buttocks augmentation: Combined technique gives good results

Have you ever dreamed of taking fat from one area where you had a little too much, and transferring to somewhere you wanted a little more? A Brazilian plastic surgery team has done just that, using a combined liposuction and fat grafting technique to augment and enhance the buttocks.

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Study questions quality of U.S. health data

Most U.S. clinical registries that collect data on patient outcomes are substandard and lack critical features necessary to render the information they collect useful for patients, physicians and policy makers, new research suggests.

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Botox Vs Wrinkles: A One Sided Battle

'Selfies', or pictures of oneself, are becoming more and more unusual. Some of the facial expressions made in these photos provoke a silly and comical response from our followers and also incite people of adequate age to get..

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Stop Wasting Food (and Money) With This Genius New App

Stuff We Love: FoodKeeper

Has the gallon of milk you bought last week gone bad? What about the ketchup that’s been in the back of your fridge for months? The easy solution is to check the expiration dates, right?

Not so fast. Those dates actually indicate if the food is still fresh, not if it’s still safe to eat. Plus, there are different types of expiration dates (sell by, use by, and best if used before) that all mean different things. The current system for expiration dates is confusing enough to make us throw up our hands in exasperation—and throw out any of the food in question. That leads to lots of waste. The average American throws out 25 percent of the food they purchase.

The USDA hopes to help reduce all of that food waste with release of FoodKeeper. The app—available on iOS and Android—quickly became our definitive source for determining if we should keep or chuck food. And to our surprise, we found ourselves keeping food longer.

The app's interface is super easy to navigate. All we had to do was search for the foods in question to get the answer: Milk lasts for one week if refrigerated and three months if frozen, and ketchup keeps for 12 months in the pantry and six months after opening. We also loved that FoodKeeper synced with our smartphone’s calendar. We entered the dates when we last purchased eggs and chicken, and then it sent us reminders when the food was going bad. And if you still have questions, the app has a feature called Ask Karen, a virtual helper who’s there to answer all of your burning food and nutrition questions.



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Eat Real, Whole Foods and Prevent Overeating

Whole foods come in their original form without any change to them. Whole foods include vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, meat and fish, sweet potatoes and potatoes. These foods have more nutrients than highly processed foods we find in our supermarkets' shelves. Therefore, eating natural, whole foods in their natural state should be our priority since it is the only way that we ate before food processing existed.

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Percentage of Texans without health insurance drops dramatically

The percentage of Texans without health insurance dropped 31 percent since enrollment began in the Affordable Care Act's Health Insurance Marketplace, according to a new report. Despite this improvement, Texas remains the state with the highest percentage of people without health insurance, and for the first time, Texas now has the largest number of uninsured residents in the country.

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Light -- not pain-killing drugs -- used to activate brain's opioid receptors

Neuroscientists have attached the light-sensing protein rhodopsin to opioid receptor parts to activate the receptor pathways using light from a laser fiber-optic device. They also influenced the behavior of mice using light, rather than drugs, to activate the reward response. When an opioid receptor is exposed to a pain-killing drug, it initiates activity in specific chemical pathways in the brain and spinal cord. And when the researchers shone light on the receptors that contained rhodopsin, the same cellular pathways were activated. Neurons in that part of the brain release chemicals such as dopamine that create feelings of euphoria.

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Compact synchrotron makes tumors visible

Soft tissue disorders like tumors are very difficult to recognize using normal X-ray machines, as there is hardly any distinction between healthy tissue and tumors. Researchers have now developed a technology using a compact synchrotron source that measures not only X-ray absorption, but also phase shifts and scattering. Tissue that is hardly recognizable using traditional X-ray machines is now visible.

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Screening for bacteriuria in pregnant women: Benefit unclear

It remains unclear whether screening for asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women causes more benefit or harm. The results of studies from the 1960s are not applicable to the current situation, reviewers say.

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ACP releases advice for the proper time, test, and interval for cervical cancer screening

Clinical advice has been presented aimed at reducing overuse of cervical cancer screening in average risk women without symptoms. The advice suggests that physicians should start screening average risk women for cervical cancer at age 21 once every three years with cytology tests alone. Physicians may use a combination of cytology and HPV (human papillomavirus) testing once every five years in average risk women age 30 and older who prefer screening less often than every three years. Physicians should stop screening average risk women older than 65 years for cervical cancer who have had three consecutive negative cytology results or two consecutive negative cytology plus HPV test results within 10 years with the most recent test performed within five years.

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How to Lose Weight - And Never Gain It Back

Why is it that up to 95 percent of people who lose weight gain it back? It's because they focus on changing their weight instead of the reasons why they put on the weight. This article provides insights into how to switch from losing weight to creating a healthy lifestyle that will allow you keep your weight off once you lose it.

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Noroviruses spread several meters by air: Viruses responsible for 50 percent of gastroenteritis

Noroviruses, a group of viruses responsible for over 50 percent of global gastroenteritis cases, can spread by air up to several meters from an infected person according to a new study. The discovery suggests that measures applied in hospitals during gastroenteritis outbreaks may be insufficient to effectively contain this kind of infection.

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New therapy from naïve cells attacks high-risk viruses in cord blood transplant patients

Researchers have expanded the use of virus-specific cell therapy in cord blood transplant patients to successfully prevent three of the most problematic post-transplant viruses affecting this group of patients that have yet to be addressed clinically -- cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and adenovirus.

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Bottleneck analysis can improve care for mothers and newborns in poor settings

A new model for identifying “bottlenecks” when it comes to implementing health interventions for mothers and newborns in rural areas in low income countries has been presented by a team of researchers.

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Drug that can prevent onset of diabetes is rarely used

Few doctors are prescribing a low-cost drug that has been proven effective in preventing the onset of diabetes. New research finds that only 3.7 percent of U.S. adults with pre-diabetes were prescribed metformin during a recent three-year period.

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Why one of three people aged over 70 are discharged with functional decline

One in three patients aged 70 and older who are independent in their daily functioning and are admitted for acute conditions, like pneumonia, are discharged from the hospital with functional decline and around one in two report a decline in functioning a month after their discharge, according to a new study.

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Obesity linked to increased health care costs after plastic surgery

After common plastic surgery procedures, obese patients have more complications and make more hospital visits—leading to higher healthcare costs, reports a study.

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New method of investigating human lung tissue enables improved drug target validation for copd treatment

Scientists have succeeded in testing the effectiveness of new approaches for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on ex vivo 3D human lung tissue cultures. For the first time, the suitability of Wnt/beta-catenin activation has been investigated to initiate repair in patient-derived COPD lung tissue.

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Babies born with drug withdrawal symptoms on the rise, study shows

The number of infants born in the United States with drug withdrawal symptoms, also known as neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), nearly doubled in a four-year period. By 2012, one infant was born every 25 minutes in the U.S. with the syndrome, accounting for $1.5 billion in annual health care charges, according to a new study.

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56 Healthy Ways to Eat More Blueberries

Blueberries may be small, but they pack a lot of nutritional punch into one little bite. While a cup of the little blues is only 84 calories, you’ll get 14 percent of your daily fiber and a boost of heart-helping antioxidants1 . And did we mention that they taste amazing?

The prime time for these berries runs from May to October, so to grab some sunshine and a big batch of berries in one trip (while also getting some exercise) try picking your own at orchards across America. If you’ve got a craving for blueberries during the winter months, never fear: Many of these recipes use dried or frozen blueberries that can be stored all year long.

Breakfast

Blueberry Zucchini Muffins

1. Blueberry Zucchini Muffins

Zucchini bread is one of the easiest (and tastiest) ways to get some vegetables at breakfast, and this recipe adds blueberries for a great blueberry muffin-zucchini bread hybrid.

2. Blueberry-Banana Pie Vegan Overnight Oats

Meet your new go-to breakfast for a busy morning. Overnight oats “cook” in the fridge overnight, so a delicious healthy oatmeal breakfast is all set to go in the morning. The blueberries, cinnamon, maple syrup, bananas, walnuts, and vanilla in this recipe sweeten it up. Make a big batch to last the whole week!

3. Blueberry Almond Streusel Muffins

This spin on the old-school blueberry muffin is designed to be gluten-free and vegan, but you can swap out the gluten-free flour and oats for whatever you have on hand. Quinoa means this isn’t just any muffin—it’s all about that protein!

4. Blueberry-Pineapple Oatmeal Smoothie

Blueberries, banana, and pineapple are all smoothie standbys—but wait, oatmeal? The rolled oats and Greek yogurt make this smoothie filling enough to serve as a drinkable meal. Add a handful of spinach to sneak in a serving of veggies.

5. Banana Blueberry Muffins

Nothing is better than the smell of freshly baked banana bread in the morning. Nothing, that is, except banana bread in portable muffin form, packed with fresh blueberries! For an even healthier version, try using applesauce instead of butter.

6. Blueberry-Flax Pancakes With Caramelized Banana

Fluffy blueberry pancakes topped with sweet, caramelized bananas? Yes please! Whole-wheat flour and flax meal give this recipe a nutritional punch, while the sweetness of the cinnamon, bananas, and blueberries mean there’s no need for sugary syrup on top. (Try a scoop of plain Greek yogurt instead!)

7. Blueberry-Walnut Oat-less Oatmeal

Mashed banana, egg whites, milk (dairy or otherwise), flaxseed, cinnamon, and vanilla make up the creamy “oats” in this fluffy breakfast treat. Top with a handful of fresh blueberries and toasted walnuts, drizzle with honey, and dig in!

8. Blueberry Bliss Breakfast Bars

These homemade bars are packed with superfoods including blueberries, pistachios, and flaxseeds, while plenty of nuts and seeds pack in healthy fats. Get ready for all-day energy!

9. Blueberry and Pecan Granola

Toasted oats, wheat flakes, wheat germ, almonds, and pecans get lightly sweetened with honey or agave for a healthy alternative to store-bought granola. Use this recipe to add some crunch to yogurt, splash with some milk to eat like cereal, or sprinkle on top of oatmeal.

10. Blueberry Muffin Pancakes

It’s a muffin! It’s a pancake! Nope, it’s a blueberry muffin pancake. Though they taste indulgent enough for a weekend brunch, this blueberry treat uses flax seed meal instead of eggs, almond milk instead of dairy, and whole-wheat flour to keep things as healthy as possible (and dairy free!).

11. Magical Blueberry Vanilla Chia Seed Jam

Making jam is one of our favorite uses for chia seeds. They absorb water, naturally thickening the blueberries in this simple recipe, while vanilla brings out those bright blueberry flavors. Spread this magic jam on toast for a surprising and simple dose of omega-3s.

12. Blueberry Coconut Baked Steel Cut Oatmeal

Steel cut oats are made using the whole oat grain, or groats, instead of rolling the oats into flakes. They have the same nutritional benefits as their flattened friends, and taste-wise they’re a bit chewier, making them perfect for this creamy baked blueberry oatmeal! Top it off with coconut whipped cream and more fresh berries (blue or otherwise!).

13. Blueberry Peach Chia Parfait

Blueberries and peaches are two of summer’s tastiest in-season fruits. Mix ‘em up in a “pudding” made with coconut milk, vanilla, and chia. The chia works as a natural thickener to make it creamy!

14. Whole-Wheat Blueberry Lemon Pancakes

Blueberry pancakes might be an old classic, but the addition of lemon takes these to the next level. They’re plump, sweet, and just the tiniest bit tart.

15. Oatmeal Blueberry Breakfast Pizookie

Is it okay to eat a giant cookie for breakfast? Of course—especially when it’s made with oat flour, cinnamon, flax, applesauce, and honey, and studded with blueberries. Slather plain Greek yogurt, peanut butter, and sliced banana on top and you’ve got a full-on breakfast pizza.

Snacks and Appetizers

Blueberry Lime Salsa

16. Blueberry-Lime Salsa

A zesty fruit salsa can finish off any dish, sweet or savory. This summery mix gets its deep purple color from blueberries and strawberries, a little spice from limes, onion, and cilantro, and some healthy fats from half an avocado.

17. Greek Yogurt Covered Blueberries

It doesn’t get any simpler than this—dip your blueberries in vanilla Greek yogurt and freeze on wax paper. Grab a handful every time you reach into the freezer for a blast of protein and antioxidants!

18. Blueberry-Sunflower Energy Bites

Need a portable snack that will boost energy in a big way? These little bites pack together cashews, dates, dried blueberries, sunflower butter, spirulina, cinnamon, and sesame seeds for a satisfying crunch. Everything is better bite-sized.

19. Blueberry and Cantaloupe Fruit Salad

Jazz up this two-ingredient fruit salad with a bit of lemon juice, a drizzle of maple syrup, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

20. Blueberry Dip

This blueberry fruit dip is made velvety smooth by soaking cashews overnight and then mixing them up with cooked blueberries, yogurt, and lemon juice. Chill the dip, and enjoy with anything you’d eat with chocolate fondue—strawberries, banana slices, and pineapple chunks are a great place to start!

21. Blueberry and Peach Salsa With Brie

Tangy blueberry peach salsa (with a little bit of jalapeño, mint, and ginger) compliments creamy baked Brie like a charm. This is a fancy and fresh way to treat your guests before dinnertime.

22. Blueberry-Lemon Squares

Making energy bars at home is a cheap, natural, and delicious option. This recipe keeps the ingredient list short, with only dried blueberries, dates, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and lemon zest. Just pop it all in the food processor, press into a pan, refrigerate, and slice! Ready to snack.

23. Blueberry Cornbread

Once you put blueberries in your cornbread, you’ll never go plain again. These little berries really amp up a basic cornbread recipe. It’s the perfect side dish for seafood, or simply served as a midday snack with honey and butter.

24. Triple Fruit Rollups

You’re never too old for a fruit rollup. This recipe puts an adult spin on the foot-long neon treat of your childhood, using rhubarb, strawberries, and of course, blueberries.

Lunch and Dinner

Salmon Bulgogi Tacos with Blueberry Habanero Salsa

25. Salmon Tacos With Blueberry-Habañero Sauce

Once again, salmon makes a splash when paired with blueberries—this time with a Mexican twist. Habañero means these little bites are hot. Serve open faced to enjoy the colors of the pinky-orange salmon, purple blueberries, and green zucchini.

26. Grilled Chicken With Blueberry Guacamole

Blueberry guac is just about the most genius thing we’ve ever heard of. It’s got sweet berries, tart lemon juice, and a bit of spice from the jalapeños. This recipe also includes a grilled chicken breast marinated in Greek yogurt, lime, and chili powder, but if you scoop this whole dish up with chips we’d understand!

27. Vegetable Couscous With Wild Blueberries

This recipe calls for couscous, but it’s simple to sub in any of your favorite grains for a lighter take on pasta salad. The wild blueberries, zucchini, carrots, and chickpeas add antioxidants and protein. Cooking your grain in vegetable stock punches up the flavor. Our favorite grainy base? Quinoa or bulgur wheat.

28. Minted Watermelon, Cucumber, and Blueberry Salad

It doesn’t get juicier than a salad made with these three water-rich foods. Simply season with lime and mint leaves!

29. Blueberry Barbeque Sauce

Blueberry makes a dynamic barbeque sauce while coffee deepens the flavors even more. This is about to become your new cookout staple—it would work on chicken breasts, grilled fish, ribs, and pulled pork equally well.

30. Watermelon-Blueberry Quinoa Salad

Feta, watermelon, and basil salad has become a warm-weather favorite, but this recipe will fill you up a lot more with red quinoa, sun-dried tomatoes, and blueberries.

31. Grilled Salmon With Blueberry-Chile Sauce

Salmon, blueberries, and hatch chiles might sound like a weird combo, but don’t knock it 'til you try it: Fruit and salmon are definitely friends—on your plate, that is. This sauce is made with blueberry jam and fresh blueberries.

32. Red Leaf Salad With Blueberry-Pomegranate Vinaigrette

Raspberry vinaigrette is ever popular, but blueberry pomegranate is a fantastic alternative. With a dressing this yummy, keep the salad simple, with greens, walnuts, goat cheese, and dried cranberries (or dried blueberries).

33. Blueberry Chicken Salad Wraps

Lighten up your chicken salad with plain Greek yogurt, fresh blueberries, and some crunchy celery. Try this on a whole-wheat wrap, in romaine leaf “boats,” or on top of greens.

34. Grilled Kale Salad With Blueberries

Grilled kale is the intersection between kale chips and sautéed kale: It’s a little crispy and a little tender, making a unique base for salads like this one, which is topped with goat cheese.

35. Blueberry and Ricotta Pizza

Cheese and fruit often come together on a cheese plate, but what about on a pizza? This recipe calls for a puff pastry crust, but change it up with a whole-wheat, quinoa, pita bread, or even cauliflower crust.

36. Mushroom and Blueberry Balsamic Pot Roast

When you don’t feel like cooking, crock-pots are your best friend. Here, the roast is cooked with tomatoes, balsamic, and blueberries, resulting in a savory flavor with just a hint of sweetness from those berries. (Vegetarians: Try slow cooking just the veggies with extra mushrooms. Their meaty texture picks up the flavor in the same way.)

Dessert

Frozen Blueberry Coconut Pie

37. Blueberry-Coconut Yogurt Pie

This frozen dessert looks really fancy, but (shh!) there are only four ingredients and it takes less than five minutes to assemble and pop into the freezer. It tastes decadent, but the filling is really only toasted coconut and vanilla Greek yogurt. Topping with blueberries makes them the star of the show.

38. Blueberry and Almond Chia Seed Squares

The big almond flavor in these sweet squares is what makes them really pop. Chewy oats and chia seeds mean these bars are ooey gooey deliciousness—especially when they’re warm. Top with your favorite nut butter for a bit more decadence.

39. Swirled Blueberry Frozen Yogurt

Attention frozen yogurt lovers: Here’s a new way to serve up that plain old froyo at home. Layer store-bought frozen yogurt with frozen blueberries and walnuts and swirl together to combine. (Not keen on store-bought? Make your own at home!)

40. Blueberry Pie Frozen Yogurt

What makes this blueberry-vanilla frozen yogurt “blueberry pie?” The crumbled graham cracker topping, of course. The combination of the crunchy topping with blueberry-infused simple syrup and creamy yogurt imitate rich pie filling and crisp crust.

41. Blueberry-Orange Icy Pops

Roasting the blueberries and then folding them into a coconuty combo of cream, water, and milk turns these tropical popsicles bright purple with a pop of orange zest. If you don’t like coconut, try this with your favorite yogurt.

42. Blueberry Greek Yogurt Truffles

These look like truffles you’d buy at a fancy candy store, but they’re really only made with melted dark chocolate chips, blueberry Greek yogurt, and unsweetened cocoa powder. There are tons of antioxidants in there from the dark chocolate, but try subbing the blueberry yogurt with plain Greek yogurt mixed with roasted blueberries for an even healthier treat (and more blueberry flavor with less processed sugar).

43. Roasted Blueberry and Rhubarb Crepes

Fruity versions of these thin pancakes make an awesome light dessert. This recipe uses whole-wheat flour instead of white, and the filling is made from blueberries, rhubarb, cinnamon, and honey. It’s naturally sweet in the best way.

44. Blueberry-Banana Tart

When it comes to dessert, “tart” usually means tons of heavy cream, milk, and egg. Not so with this healthy treat. Flaxmeal and water replace the egg in the almond crust and the filling couldn’t be simpler (blueberries and bananas—that’s it!) makes the filling.

45. Blueberry “Ice Cream” Sandwiches

We love ice cream sandwiches made with cookies for dessert—it’s like two desserts for the price of one! In this recipe, the filling (more of a sherbet than an ice cream) is made with Greek yogurt, a bit of heavy cream, frozen blueberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Chocolate graham crackers serve as the “bread” for this creamy treat without adding too many extra calories.

46. Tutti Frutti Crumble

The crumble on top of this cobbler is made with rolled oats, walnuts, spelt flour, and natural cane sugar. No need to pack too much added sugar into the crust either—the natural sugars from blueberry, pineapple, apple, and cherries do a great job of flavoring the dish.

47. Orange Glazed Blueberry Doughnuts

Healthier donuts are always a win, especially when they’re stuffed with fresh blueberries. Each of these citrusy delights comes in at fewer than 100 calories. Plus, they’re sweetened with nothing but applesauce. Add a glaze of powdered sugar, milk, orange juice, and vanilla and you’re done! Way better than the drive through.

Drinks, Smoothies, and Cocktails

Superfoods Smoothie

48. Superfoods Smoothie

Sure, blueberries are one of our favorite superfoods, but we aren’t opposed to consuming as many as possible in one cool beverage. Six of the ingredients in this smoothie are Greatist-approved superfoods (blueberries, Greek yogurt, spinach, green tea, pomegranate, and ginger root), guaranteed to make it a healthy and delicious drink.

49. Basil and Blueberry Vodka Soda

Making simple syrups is one of the easiest ways to get creative with cocktails at home. Simple syrup made with fresh basil compliments sweeter blueberry syrup perfectly. Vodka and soda keep this a refreshing and healthier warm-weather drink.

50. Blueberry-Lavender Lemonade

Sell this lemonade outside on a sunny day for 25 cents, and we guarantee you’ll sell out! While fresh-squeezed lemonade is perfection on it’s own, fresh blueberries and lavender come together for a beverage that’s aromatic and a little different.

51. Blueberries and Bourbon

It doesn’t get much better than bourbon, fresh lemon juice, muddled blueberries, and simple syrup with a splash of seltzer. The blueberries and simple syrup add just the right touch of sweetness.

52. Blueberry Smoothie

Amping up a plain fruit smoothie is a easy as adding goji berries, chia seeds, cacao nibs, and flax seeds to that basic combo of orange juice, bananas, milk, and blueberries. Using frozen blueberries and bananas eliminates the need for ice.

53. Blueberry Coconut Water Frosty

Want a super-hydrating smoothie? This one only takes coconut water, ice, frozen blueberries, and lemon juice.

54. Blueberry Lemonade Sangria

Be careful with this sangria—it’ll cool you off and satisfy a sweet tooth so well that you’ll want to drink 10 of them! Try blueberry vodka instead of brandy to up the blueberry flavor.

55. Blueberry Mint Agua Fresca

If you need a drink to cool off without alcohol, we’ve got your back. Flavor your water with fresh blueberries, mint leaves, honey, and lemon juice. Simmering the mixture on the stove intensifies the flavors. (Just be sure to ice it down before indulging.)

56. Blueberry and Pineapple Mojito

Adding blueberries and pineapple chunks to a classic mojito puts a berry delicious twist on a summer favorite. (Sorry, we had to use that pun in here somewhere!)

Originally published July 2013. Updated April 2015.

Works Cited

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Join Greatist's 31-Day Challenge to Make the Most of Your Mornings

Greatist's May Challenge: Hack Your Morning Mornings can be rough, especially if you aren't an a.m. person. But no matter if you're a night owl or an early bird, the way you start your morning has a huge impact on the rest of your day.

At this point, we've all heard tons of tips (drink water to boost metabolism!) to start things off on the right foot. They're simple tricks that can instantly put you in a better mood (and might even have you yelling "I'm a sexy beast!" as you walk down the street), yet they're also the kind of advice that's easy to forget.

So this month we gathered our favorite tips and created a challenge to hack your morning. (Check out the full calendar below!) We're not talking about any major life changes. Easy things—turning up the music, making your bed—can get your endorphins flowing and reduce stress. Sure, avoiding the snooze button, meditating, and stretching may sound overwhelming all at once, but we're excited to take this one day at a time with you. Mix and match the days to figure out what works best for you so you can totally own your morning routine. And once you do, you’ll own the day and feel healthier and happier overall.

Let us know the tips you love and the ones you find challenging by using #morninghacks on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. And don’t forget to check in next month for a brand new challenge.

The 31-Day Morning Hacks Challenge

Greatist's May Challenge: Hack Your Morning Click here for a larger printable version!



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Fresh whole blood reduces possible complications in pediatric heart surgery patients

Using fresh whole blood from single donors is better than using component blood from multiple donors in pediatric heart surgery patients, new research shows.

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The Top 4 Reasons Why You're Still Not Losing Your Belly Fat

Various studies show that there may be some other things you're failing to do or are still doing that is causing you to retain your belly bulge. The top 4 reasons you're still not losing your belly fat are the following.

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Bitter Is Better

When asked about flavor profiles it is rare for folks to respond enthusiastically that they "love bitter." Bitter is one of the basic tastes that our taste buds identify along with sweet, salty, and sour. An affinity for bitter is influenced by several factors including taste experiences, culture, and environment.

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6 Facts That Are Wrong About Getting Rid Of Belly Fat

When it comes to losing belly fat, everyone has their own idea of what will work best. This is fine but there are a lot of so called facts out there that tell you how to get rid of belly fat which are just plain wrong.

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Greatist Workout of the Day: Thursday, April 30th

This series of GWODs was designed exclusively for Greatist by Bodeefit. For more information about the exercises in this workout, or to see video demos of each movement, follow the links below the graphic. Be sure to note the results of your workout so you can track your progress as you go.

Before you tackle this workout, try this quick and effective full-body warm-up. It's just five simple moves but hits every major muscle group and gets your heart pumping.

Greatist Workout of the Day: The Griff

The Griff

Complete as many rounds of the following as safely as possible in 20 minutes.

10 Dips
8 Box Jumps
6 Handstand Push-Ups

Want to kick up the intensity? Use a taller box on the box jumps. And don't forget to check back tomorrow for a totally new (but equally awesome) GWOD!



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High costs of dental care leave many with too little money for basic necessities

Having to pay for dental health care can put a considerable strain on household finances in many countries, according to an international study. The assessed the extent of household 'catastrophic dental health expenditure' in 41 low and middle income countries. Expenditure was defined as catastrophic if it was equal to or higher than 40% of the household's capacity to pay.

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Medical education risks becoming two-tiered unless strong research focus is preserved, argue medical leaders

For more than 100 years, exposing students to basic and clinical research has been an essential component of a medical school education in the United States. However, today, new models of medical education in which research plays a minimal role are likely to create a two-tiered system of education, decrease the physician-scientist pipeline and diminish the application of scientific advances to patient care.

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Low health literacy linked to heart failure deaths after hospitalization

Acute heart failure patients are more likely to die within two years of hospitalization if they have trouble understanding and using health information. Living with heart failure can be complex, so patients need to let their healthcare providers know if they don't understand their instructions.

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Calling 911 in rural areas leads to faster heart attack care

Fifty-two percent of patients in rural areas with severe heart attacks drove themselves to the hospital or were driven in instead of calling 911. However, patients who called 911 got to the hospital faster and received lifesaving care more quickly.

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Friends, social networks valued by heart failure patients and health care providers

Most patients consult family first in assessing their heart failure symptoms. Meanwhile, healthcare providers say a network allowing physicians to share and consult is valuable.

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Left ventricular assist devices may lead to declines in health, cognitive thinking in some heart failure patients

Left ventricular assist devices are life-prolonging devices for patients with advanced heart failure but they also may leave some patients in poor health with declines in brain function. Risk factors for cognitive decline included older age and having devices placed as permanent therapy.

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The Only 7 Things You Really Need to Know About Managing Money

Start Your New Diet on the Right Track

Starting a new diet or workout routine can be difficult. Try these simple tips to get on the right track from start.

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Using DNA to Manage Weight and Fitness

New DNA analysis technology reveals how genes affect physical fitness. Learn how to use this information to make weight loss easier on yourself.

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Recommended Best Weight Loss Pill To Lose Weight Fast

What Is A Fat Burner? Fat burners or thermogenics are dietary supplements that contain herbal extracts and stimulants that use the process of thermogenesis to encourage weight loss. Thermogenesis is where the core body temperature is increased, in turn giving a boost to the metabolic rate, helping the body to burn off unwanted fat and calories.

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Locally sourced drugs can be effective for treating multidrug-resistant TB

Locally sourced antibiotics can be as effective as 'internationally quality-assured' antibiotics for treating multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Pakistan, and may help avoid delays in starting treatment while programs wait for drugs to arrive from overseas, according to new research.

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Novel rapid method for typing of Clostridium difficile could limit outbreaks

A method of typing has been been developed that can allow laboratories to faster establish the presence of hospital outbreaks of the intestinal bacterium Clostridium difficile, scientists report.

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How babies' lives were saved by 3-D printing

A new study reports outcomes for three boys who became among the first in the world to benefit from 3D printed devices that saved their lives.

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Uk coalition government derailed efforts to reduce salt in food

A poor diet is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Large amounts of salt, for example, are added to food by industry and eating too much can raise blood pressure, a major factor associated with strokes, heart failure and heart attacks. The UK coalition government derailed a successful program that reduced salt content added to foods by industry, argue experts in a new article.

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Prenatal stem cell treatment improves mobility issues caused by spina bifida

The lower-limb paralysis associated with spina bifida may be effectively treated before birth by combining a unique stem cell therapy with surgery, new research has found.

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