Tag Health & medicine
‘Stem cell tourism’ takes advantage of patients, says law professor
Desperate patients are easy prey for unscrupulous clinics offering untested and risky stem cell treatments, says law and bioethics Professor Alta Charo of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, who is studying "stem cell tourism."
Research finds soda tax does little to decrease obesity
Extra sales taxes on soda may not do anything to improve people's health, according to new research from health economist Jason Fletcher of the La Follette School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Researchers discover new way to make muscle cells from human stem cells
As stem cells continue their gradual transition from the lab to the clinic, a research group at the University of Wisconsin–Madison has discovered a new way to make large concentrations of skeletal muscle cells and muscle progenitors from human stem cells.
Study suggests potential association between soy formula and seizures in children with autism
A University of Wisconsin–Madison researcher has detected a higher rate of seizures among children with autism who were fed infant formula containing soy protein rather than milk protein.
Stem cell advance yields mature heart muscle cells
A team of University of Wisconsin–Madison researchers has induced human embryonic stem cells (hESC) to differentiate toward pure-population, mature heart muscle cells, or cardiomyocytes.
Thriving, rather than surviving, is key to winning winter
After months of cold temperatures, cloudy days and snow, it’s no wonder that many of us think bears have the right idea during the winter.
Students to vote on campus recreational sports improvements
A significant upgrade to the campus’ heavily used recreational sports facilities will be one of the options facing students during the University of Wisconsin–Madison spring student elections, held March 3-5.
UW-Madison scientists to use high-density EEGs to benefit epilepsy patients
University of Wisconsin researchers pioneered the use of high-density electro-encephalograph (HD-EEG) technology to study sleep patterns and the effects of meditation. With support from a local grassroots organization, Lily's Fund for Epilepsy Research, UW–Madison researchers will now evaluate how this advanced technology might benefit people with epilepsy.
Spinoff joins fight against prostate cancer
A spinoff business launched by a University of Wisconsin–Madison cancer researcher is attempting to harness the human immune system to fight prostate cancer.
Article by UW–Madison expert highlights 50th anniversary of surgeon general’s smoking report
An article co-authored by the University of Wisconsin–Madison's Dr. Michael Fiore marking the 50th anniversary of the first U.S. Surgeon General's report on smoking was published Tuesday by the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Making a better flip-flop to overcome illiteracy and disease
In many parts of the world, a good share of the population wears flip-flops. In America, the candy-colored sandals are a ubiquitous herald of summer. In rural Uganda, kids wear them, adult men and moms wear them whether they're bopping around the compound, working in the fields or getting water.
Documentary connects multiple sclerosis, Vikings and Nordic skiing
Multiple sclerosis (MS), a neurological disease that affects more than 400,000 Americans, attacks the nervous system and causes many symptoms, including difficulty moving. But many who suffer from the disease defy its effects by maintaining an active lifestyle.
Poverty influences children’s early brain development
Poverty may have direct implications for important, early steps in the development of the brain, saddling children of low-income families with slower rates of growth in two key brain structures, according to researchers from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Tip: The 12 days of experts
For many, the holiday season brings joy, fun and cookies. Lots of cookies.
Study reveals gene expression changes with meditation
With evidence growing that meditation can have beneficial health effects, scientists have sought to understand how these practices physically affect the body.
Rare disease yields clues about broader brain pathology
Alexander disease is a devastating brain disease that almost nobody has heard of — unless someone in the family is afflicted with it. Alexander disease strikes young or old, and in children destroys white matter in the front of the brain. Many patients, especially those with early onset, have significant intellectual disabilities.