Reuters - Health Report

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Thursday, August 31, 2017

Amazon hit with lawsuit over eclipse glasses

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Amazon.com has been hit with a proposed class action lawsuit by a couple who claims defective eclipse glasses purchased through the online retailer damaged their eyes.

Novartis gene therapy approval signals new cancer treatment era

(Reuters) - Novartis AG on Wednesday won highly anticipated U.S. approval for the first of a new type of potent gene-modifying immunotherapy for leukemia, a $475,000 treatment that marks the start of a potential new treatment paradigm for some cancers.

Egypt promotes birth control to fight rapid population growth

CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt is pushing to educate people in rural areas on birth control and family planning in a bid to slow a population growth rate that President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said poses a threat to national development.

Flame retardants linked to infertility in women

(Reuters Health) - Women with high concentrations of common flame retardants in their urine may have a hard time getting pregnant and carrying a baby to term, a recent study suggests.

Earlier drinking by teens linked to earlier sex

(Reuters Health) - Teens who start drinking at younger ages are more likely to have their first sexual encounter earlier than others, according to a new study.

Cardiac arrest help from bystanders less common in black neighborhoods

(Reuters Health) - Neighborhoods with higher proportions of black residents might benefit from programs that teach people how to help others with cardiac arrest, U.S. researchers say.

Lack of REM sleep tied to increased risk of dementia

(Reuters Health) - People who spend less time in deep, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep may be more likely to develop dementia than individuals who get better quality rest, a recent study suggests.

Meth use boosts young adults’ risk for brain bleeds and stroke

(Reuters Health) - Young adults who use the stimulant methamphetamine, sometimes called `speed,’ `ice,’ or `meth,’ may have an increased risk of strokes, a recent study suggests.

'Reprogrammed' stem cells fight Parkinson's disease in monkeys

LONDON (Reuters) - Scientists have successfully used "reprogrammed" stem cells to restore functioning brain cells in monkeys, raising hopes the technique could be used in future to help patients with Parkinson's disease.

France to vote against license renewal for weedkiller glyphosate

PARIS (Reuters) - France will vote against renewing the European license for weedkiller glyphosate, an official at the environment ministry said, adding to uncertainty over the future of widely-used products such as Monsanto's Roundup in the European Union.