The Scope

It seems that we’re adopting technology faster than we can assess the risks. Fetal exposure to electromagnetic radiation from cell phones and other sources is occurring with little understanding of potentially harmful effects. Dr. Kirtly Jones investigates the safety concerns with Patty Wood, executive director of Grassroots Environmental Education. They discuss some recommendations for what to av...

Infectious diseases such as Ebola are becoming a worldwide major concern, especially if you're traveling abroad. Dr. Sankar Swaminathan, Chief of the Infectious Disease Division at University of Utah Health Care, tells you the one thing you should always do before you leave the country, and in some cases after you get back, to keep yourself and others healthy.

Ebola has reached the United States, but doctors everywhere are saying there is no need to panic. Sankar Swaminathan is the chief of the infectious disease division at University of Utah Healthcare. He explains why an outbreak similar to the one in West Africa is highly unlikely in the US.

A car seat might be a great deal at a yard sale, but remember that you're paying for your child's safety. Pediatrician Nathan Bexfield discusses car seat product concerns and things to watch for when considering a buying a used car seat.

Refills for e-cigarettes that smell and taste sweet present a potentially fatal risk to children. Dr. Zane Horowitz from the Utah Poison Control Center deals with this increasingly common form of poisoning. These concentrated nicotine vials are currently unregulated and accidental poisonings are skyrocketing. He discusses symptoms, treatments and common-sense prevention.

Director of the Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library, Jean Shipman, talks about a new interactive website offered through the Library that hopes to speed the availability of innovative medical research. Through a shared multimedia platform, ideas and innovation can be presented, examined and reviewed as soon as they’re developed. The appeal of shared multimedia interface hopes to draw in more...

Fever, sore throat, and a painful, spotty rash can look a lot like strep—but often the culprit is hand, foot, and mouth disease. This common childhood virus spreads easily and can affect kids of any age, even adults. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , talks about how the disease is transmitted, the key symptoms that distinguish it from strep, and the simple comfort measures that help your child stay...

Women who inherit certain mutations in the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 are at high risk for developing breast or ovarian cancer at a young age. So why don’t all women undergo genetic testing to see if they are carriers? Wendy Kohlmann, a genetic counselor at the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, explains why the suggestion, published this month in the Journal of the American Medical A...

Building a healthy family is not just about luck—it is about intentional choices. Family physician Kyle Bradford-Jones, MD , talks about the three key components of a thriving family dynamic and shares practical tips—backed by research—to strengthen your family bonds and create a happy, healthy home.

Juicing, blending and mixing: there are many ways to consume healthy food. Registered dietitian Kary Woodruff reveals which of these is most beneficial for your health. She gives advice for how you can drink your fruits and veggies and still retain all of their nutrients.

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy presents a risk for the fetus. OB-GYN Dr. Kirtly Jones provides some sobering statistics about the effects of an expectant mother drinking alcohol.

The initial diagnosis brings with it a flurry of emotions: shock, fear, anger and helplessness. Dr. John Sweetenham from Huntsman Cancer Institute provides some answers for the questions whirling through your mind. He reminds us that a cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence – there are 70 million cancer survivors in the U.S. – and offers sound advice for new cancer patients and their families.

Have your salad fixings been in the fridge for a while? Registered dietitian Theresa Dvorak suggests when to eat them and when to throw them out. She offers some telltale signs of expired produce – but also advises that even when you think something has gone bad, it doesn’t necessarily mean it has.

Keeping older adults safe from falls does not have to require intense workouts or expensive equipment. Physical therapist Lee Dibble, PT, PhD , shares how simple, daily movements can build leg strength and improve balance. Learn how small increases can make a big impact over time, and how to encourage reluctant loved ones to get moving.

Many parents of vomiting children get concerned if it doesn’t stop after a day. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , says that doesn’t necessarily mean your child needs to see the doctor. She goes over the signs and symptoms of the stomach bug versus the flu, food poisoning and other illnesses. She also discusses what to feed a puking child and how you can treat the bug from your home.

With so many sources of caffeine out there, it's easy to take in lots of caffeine in a hurry. Barbara Crouch, executive director Utah Poison Control Center, talks about the potential adverse effects of caffeine, focusing on the dangerous amounts found in energy drinks. She discusses who's vulnerable and who's most at risk for caffeine overdose.

Patients routinely choose between health care procedures without knowing how much they cost. At the same time, it would be unthinkable to shop for a car without being able to do a price comparison. Dr. Eric Scaife , pediatric surgeon at Primary Children’s Hospital and associate professor at the University of Utah, took the unorthodox approach of telling patients the cost difference between two equ...

Cytomegalovirus is now the second most common virus, yet it remains largely misunderstood. CMV’s effect on fetal development can be catastrophic. Dr. Erin Clark, maternal-fetal medicine specialist explains what is known about the virus and how pregnant women can reduce their risk of contracting CMV. University of Utah researchers are seeking women, early in pregnancy, to participate in clinical tr...

Getting free stuff from relatives or finding great deals at yard sales is exciting, but those previously owned items could hurt your children. Pediatrician Nathan Bexfield gives guidelines for using hand-me-down baby items. He provides insight on how to tell if an item is safe or a potential hazard, and which questions to ask the previous owner.

Vascular disease affects both arteries and veins, leading to serious conditions like heart attacks, strokes, and even limb loss. While it develops over time, early detection can make all the difference. Benjamin Brooke, MD , explains how lifestyle changes, medications, and medical interventions can help improve circulation and prevent life-threatening complications. Learn what you can do now to ke...

Too much caffeine can do more than have your kids bouncing off the walls. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner provides some insight into how much caffeine children should be allowed to consume, the downsides of too much caffeine, and how to help your kids and teens to cut back.

Alzheimer’s, autism, Fragile X syndrome, and memory loss all have something in common. There is a protein in the cell, called Arc, which is thought to play an important role in all of these syndromes. Jason Shepherd, Ph. D., an assistant professor in Neurobiology and Anatomy, is investigating what Arc is telling us about connections between mechanisms of learning and memory, and the development of...

You can’t seem to grow your hair any longer and you're probably pulling out the hair you do have wondering why. Dr. Kirtly Jones busts some common myths about hair growth (or lack thereof) and reveals the scientific reasoning for why a woman's hair is so important to her. She also discusses concerns women may have regarding hair, growth, loss, damage, general health and beauty.

The University of Utah now performs pancreas transplants for qualified patients with type 1 diabetes. When other therapies have been exhausted, a pancreas transplant can eliminate the need for insulin pumps or injections. Transplant surgeon Dr. Jeffery Campsen explains the benefits of the procedure and which patients could be eligible.

People with more moles than average might have a hard time trying to keep track of changes during self-examinations for skin cancer. Doug Grossman, MD , from Huntsman Cancer Institute, introduces a technique called mole mapping to determine when anomalies on the skin might require surgery or when they can be safely left alone.