Health/Science

The LINX: A Device That Treats Acid Reflux With Magnets

Lauren Silverman — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:09:33 +0000

Millions of Americans know the symptoms: a burning feeling in the chest, an acidic aftertaste, a sore throat. Acid Reflux, or gastro esophageal reflux, can typically be managed with over the counter pills or prescription medicine. But for some people, that’s not enough. Now, there's a new device called the LINX that’s helping some people in North Texas put away the pills by putting on a bracelet.

Mosquito Spraying Starts In Dallas

BJ Austin — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:56:09 +0000

City of Dallas mosquito-spraying trucks will be out in half a dozen neighborhoods tonight and tomorrow night, weather permitting.

Why Asthma Can Be Difficult In Summer

Sam Baker — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:00:00 +0000

More than 25 million people – nearly a third of them children - are known to have asthma. The lung disease causes recurring periods of wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing – all of which can be more troublesome on ozone alert days in summer. Dr. Stephen Mueller with Methodist Charlton Medical Center explains why in this week’s edition of Vital Signs.

Tarrant Reports First West Nile Case Of Season

Shelley Kofler — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 21:22:28 +0000

A Fort Worth woman in her 40’s has developed Tarrant County’s first case of West Nile virus this season. It’s also the first case reported in North Texas.

Tarrant County Public Health says she has the milder form, not the neuroinvasive form that more often leads to long-term illness, paralysis or death.

Sorry, Dr. Oz, Green Coffee Can't Even Slim Down Chubby Mice

editor — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 16:29:00 +0000

The diet world has a new golden child: green coffee extract.

A "miracle fat burner!" "One of the most important discoveries made" in weight loss science, the heart surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz said about the little pills — which are produced by grinding up raw, unroasted coffee, and then soaking the result in alcohol to pull out the antioxidants.

But alas, the history of dieting is littered with failed concoctions and potions.

Playing Matchmaker For Patients And Anti-Depressants

Lauren Silverman — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 11:30:00 +0000

One of the toughest things about dealing with depression can be finding the right medication. It can take months, even years. As part of KERA’s Breakthroughs project, here’s a look at one woman’s struggle and the North Texas doctor who hopes to make the medication matching process less like trial and error.

Next Generation Genetic Testing For Breast Cancer

Lauren Silverman — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Before Angelina Jolie told the world about her decision to have a double mastectomy, you might not have heard of BRCA1 or BRCA2. These are two genes where mutations are known to increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer. Jolie’s health risk was raised because of a mutation of the BRCA1 gene.

Scientists say we need to look beyond BRCA – to other genes that also increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer. KERA’s Lauren Silverman talks with Linda Robinson, assistant director of the Cancer Genetics Program at UT Southwestern about the future of genetic testing for breast cancer.

Fed Up With 'Flopping,' Mark Cuban Funds SMU Study

Lauren Silverman — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 17:47:33 +0000

Phony falls in basketball just got serious. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has teamed up with biomechanics experts at Southern Methodist University to study "flopping" -- when a player deliberately falls to deceive referees into thinking there's been a foul.

Battlefield Breakthoughs: RFID Technology Moves Prosthetic Hands

BJ Austin — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 11:00:00 +0000

A technology with roots in World War II is now enabling amputees to program their prosthetic hands. It’s RFID, radio frequency identification.

North Texas Nurses Gain New Freedom To Treat Patients

Lauren Silverman — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 11:30:00 +0000

There is a serious doctor shortage in Texas. Nationwide, the state ranks near the bottom when it comes to doctor-patient ratios, and that’s only expected to get worse as more people gain access to insurance with the Affordable Care Act. For decades, nurse practitioners have argued they can help fill the gaps in primary care – if only there were fewer restrictions. Now, legislation giving nurses more autonomy has been signed into law.