Surprisingly, cockroaches are steering away from sugary-coated traps designed to kill them. The phenomenon has been subject to much scientific interest with many experts asking why they avoid the traps if they are coated in glucose - a tempting treat for cockroaches. A new study published in the May 24th edition of Science has revealed why...

An anti-cancer drug may reverse memory problems in an Alzheimer's Disease mouse model, according to new research carried out at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. The study, published in the journal Science, examined previously published outcomes on the drug bexarotene - which is approved by the U.S...

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has proposed a fee structure for a self-financed medical marijuana industry that supports patient access without relying on taxpayer resources. Acting DPH Commissioner Cheryl Bartlett said: "The program will be self-sustaining through fees on registered marijuana dispensaries and patients...

The novel H7N9 bird flu virus may be human transmissible through direct contact as well as through airborne exposure, according to a new study. Scientists came up with this conclusion after discovering that the virus, which has already killed 36 people in China, can spread between ferrets...

Certain statins - also known as cholesterol-lowering medications - could increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a new study suggests. The risk was most significant in patients taking atorvastatin (Lipitor), rosuvastatin (Crestor) and simvastatin (Zocor), according to the study, published in BMJ...

US scientists have found a molecule that triggers the sensation of itching in mice. They say the finding solves a mystery about itching: it is not a low level of pain but a separately wired circuit with a direct line into the brain. If studies show the same is true of humans, the discovery could lead to new drugs to relieve symptoms in chronic itching conditions like eczema...

The American Heart Association recommends that people eat at least two servings of fish every week. The omega 3 fatty acids in fish oil are thought to have very good properties that can help prevent cardiovascular disease. Fish oils come from fatty fish, also called "oily fish". They are found in the tissue of these fatty fish, such as trout, tuna, mackerel, herring, salmon, and sardines...

Frequent heartburn increases the risk of cancers of the throat and vocal cord among nondrinkers and nonsmokers, according to a new study. The research, published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, also indicated that the use of antacids has a protective effect against these cancers, while prescription medications do not...

Optical illusions have long been used in neuroscience to point out perceptions into how the brain functions, and now a visual test can detect impaired abilities to see large motions in high-IQ people, according to a new study. The finding, published in Current Biology reveals that people who have high IQ scores process sensory information differently...

According to new research carried out by scientists at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, forty percent of medical students are unconsciously biased against obese people. The study, published in the Journal of Academic Medicine, revealed that doctors generally have an anti-fat bias which results in obese people not receiving the same level of respect as slim people...

Teen birth rates have dropped significantly, most notably among Hispanic teens, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Among adolescents aged 15 to 19 years, the birth rate rate fell by close to one half from 1991 to 2011 - from approximately 62 births for every 1,000 teens to 31 births per 1,000...

Electric lights that brighten smartphones, laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices are frequently causing people to not get a proper night's sleep, according to a new report published in the journal Nature. The body's natural rhythm becomes distorted as a result of artificial lights...

In an effort to "help the world and improve lives" German software company, "SAP AG", has just announced it plans to work alongside Specialisterne and recruit hundreds of people diagnosed with autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder) to join their workforce. The company said that it seeks to hire people with autism as software testers, programmers and data quality assurance specialists...

In a new breakthrough to find the cause of Alzheimer's disease, scientists have pinpointed a molecule that appears to trigger a chain reaction of protein malfunction that eventually clogs up and kills brain cells...

A new approach for creating immunity against the flu virus that produces a stronger immune reaction and protects against more strains than the current vaccines, has shown promising results in animal tests. The result is a step forward in the development of a universal flu vaccine say the researchers behind it...

Iodine deficiency during pregnancy may have a negative effect on babies' mental development, according to new research published in The Lancet. Iodine is ingested mainly through dairy products and seafood and is crucial for obtaining hormones secreted by the thyroid gland - which have a direct effect on fetal brain development...

The average family in the U.S. with health insurance coverage through their employer now spends more on yearly medical care than on a year of groceries, according to a new study. The report, the 2013 Milliman Medical Index, published by Milliman Inc., looked at the costs of health care for a family of four living in the U.S...

Recently Angelina Jolie announced that she underwent a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery in order to reduce her risk of developing breast cancer, she said she "hopes other women can benefit from my experience". When she found out what her odds of developing cancer were, Jolie became proactive and decided to reduce her risk to a minimum...

Researchers have discovered that there are close to 200 different types of fungi species living on our feet - more than any other part of the body. Although fungi also inhabit other areas of the body - such as behind our ears - the researchers found that most of them are living between our toes...

Researchers at Duke Medicine have revealed that a commonly prescribed antidepressant - escitalopram (Lexapro) - could be used to treat a heart condition caused by stress among people suffering from stable coronary heart disease...