Bioethics & Health News
February 9

February 9, 2006

Cancer Deaths Fall, Ending 70-Year Trend

The war on cancer may have reached a dramatic turning point: For the first time in more than 70 years, annual cancer deaths in the United States have fallen.
(AP)

Global Warming a Major Health Risk: Scientists

Global warming is already causing death and disease across the world through flooding, environmental destruction, heatwaves and other extreme weather events, scientists said on Thursday.
(Reuters)

NIH Seeking Private Funds for Genetics Research

Government scientists are launching a major project to uncover elusive genetic variations that make people vulnerable to some of the most common diseases, and then determine what in the environment — pollution, behavior, diet — pushes those people into full-blown illness.
(MSNBC)

Brain Scans May Predict Alzheimer’s Risk

Brain scans may one day help detect Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of cognitive impairment before symptoms appear. A new study has found a relationship between performance on certain cognitive and memory tests and certain differences in the brain.
(HealthDay)

Antidepressants May Harm Infants’ Lungs, Report Says

Expectant mothers who took antidepressants like Prozac late in their pregnancy were significantly more likely to give birth to an infant with a rare but serious breathing problem, doctors are reporting today.
(New York Times)

Feds Consider Warnings on ADHD Drugs

Federal health advisers considered on Thursday whether warning labels might be needed on drugs for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder following the deaths of 25 people taking the increasingly popular medicines.
(AP)