The Scope

A recent study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence shows that methamphetamine users are more likely to get Parkinson’s disease than the general population. Senior author Glen Hanson, D.D.S., Ph. D., interim dean of the School of Dentistry and Dean of the Utah Addiction Center at the University of Utah, explains the reason behind the findings, and the implications for long-term use of other dr...

Do you ever lie in bed late at night and wonder why it is so hard for you to fall asleep? While occasional difficulties in falling asleep are common, women's health expert  Kirtly Jones, MD , says chronic insomnia is not normal. Learn about potential factors that may exacerbate sleep problems, insights into the role of sleep aids, and therapy to improve your sleep patterns.

Aggressive new treatments for cancer may no longer include losing your hair. The effectiveness of chemotherapy is being rapidly overtaken by new targeted therapies that attack specific lung cancer cells yet leave the rest of the body untouched. Find out how using genetic information allows doctors to hone in more exactly on specific cancers. Dr. Wallace Akerly, a lung cancer specialist from Huntsm...

Newborn jaundice is common, but not all cases are created equal. Learn why your baby's skin and eyes might be turning yellow, what it means for their health, and how you can help at home. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , breaks down the types of jaundice, when to act, and what treatment looks like—so you are not left guessing in those first fragile days.

It’s true that the flu shot contains the flu itself, but it won’t make you ill. Dr. Suzan Terry lists reasons why people think they may have gotten the flu from the flu shot and describes what’s actually happening to your body after you receive the vaccine.

Recursion Pharmaceuticals has developed a new method of drug discovery that they claim will lead to 100 new treatments for hard-to-treat rare genetic diseases within 10 years. Christopher Gibson, Ph. D., CEO of Recursion, explains the technology that allows them to rapidly screen through hundreds of candidate treatments for nearly any genetic disease. He also describes why they are opting to scree...

There's a common skiing injury that can quickly develop into a chronic and painful condition if ignored. The problem is many times it’s shrugged off as a tweak or strain, so it goes untreated and develops into a life changing injury that might prevent you from skiing again. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. David Rothberg describes the symptoms of skier's thumb, how it happens and why it’s so important to ge...

Have you ever felt like something was wrong but you weren’t sure what? Patients who suffer from nebulous symptoms can’t always communicate their conditions concisely to their physician. Dr. Tom Miller contends that your doctor can usually figure it out. Reluctant patients often choose to live with a nagging problem or fear discovering something serious. Doctors, however, have time tested strategie...

The choice to abstain from eating meat and other animal products can be a healthy alternative. Registered dietitian Kary Woodruff says it should be a well-informed decision. Some nutrients are hard to find in plants alone, and being aware of potential deficiencies can help steer vegetarians toward more balanced nutrition.

It can be difficult to know the cause – and cure – for abdominal pain, especially in children. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner lists some common causes of abdominal pain as well as simple home treatments for the discomfort. Some of the causes might surprise you.

Examination of DNA from 21 primate species – from squirrel monkeys to humans – exposes an evolutionary war against infectious bacteria over iron that circulates in the blood. Published in Science, these findings demonstrate the vital importance of an underappreciated defense mechanism, nutritional immunity, in fighting infectious disease. Matthew Barber, Ph. D., first author and postdoctoral fello...

Whooping cough is a deadly disease, and it’s more likely your baby will get it now than ever. There were more cases in 2012 than in the previous 60 years. Newborns are especially vulnerable to it because they can’t get vaccinated until they are 2 months old. So how can you protect them? Listen to find out why Dr. Kirtly Jones says you should get the TDaP shot every time you are pregnant and what t...

Statistics reveal the optimal time for a baby to enter the world, but sometimes it doesn’t work out as planned. Dr. Kirtly Jones discusses the perfect timetable with high-risk pregnancy specialist Dr. Erin Clark. A nationwide study is under way to determine if elective induction of labor can have a positive effect on birthing outcomes. The study is currently seeking first-time expectant mothers fo...

Young people who suffer strokes still have long lives ahead of them, and the goal of rehabilitation is to help recovering patients achieve their full potential. Stroke survivor Amy Steinbrech speaks with Dr. Steven Edgley, director of stroke rehabilitation, about striving to live a full life after such a major setback. Dr. Edgley shares advice and firsthand experience about the immense task return...

Physical abuse in relationships tends to get worse over time. Victims receiving a constant barrage of intimidation begin to believe they are at fault. Social worker Wendy James suggests that a friend can help restore the self-esteem necessary to confront the abuser. She also discusses how women can love a person while setting limits, seeking shelter and filing charges.

A study published in the journal Nature suggests there are mutations in over 1,000 genes that could contribute to development of autism. Hilary Coon, Ph. D., an author on the paper and research professor in psychiatry at the University of Utah, describes the research, the different ways that the multitude of genetic changes could lead to the disease, and what these findings mean for designing gene...

In Utah, 21 people die every month from prescription drug overdoses. Modern computer databases are capable of identifying multiple prescriptions from different doctors for the same patient, which may lead to a decrease in this problem. Peter Kreiner, Ph. D., talks about the advantages of monitoring prescriptions statewide in an effort to prevent overdoses.

New parabolic skis allow skiers to have more control on the slope, but the new shape may lead to injuries, even for experienced skiers. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. David Rothberg discusses training to prevent these types of injuries and the importance of posture on parablobic skis.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) mimics the symptoms of a really bad cold. It is especially dangerous for premature babies and children with existing lung or heart ailments and generally requires special treatment. Cindy Gellner, MD , describes the virus, its symptoms, how it differs from the common cold, and what actions to take if you suspect your child has RSV.

Sleep apnea, sleepwalking and sleep talking all have an impact on sleep quality for both the person suffering from the sleep disorder and the person they share a bed with. Dr. Kirtly Jones explores the realms of sleep comfort with neurologist and sleep specialist Dr. Chris Jones. They discuss the importance of undisrupted sleep and how to approach talking to a bed partner who might be waking you u...

Holiday meals bring with them lots of butter, cream, and extra helpings of dessert. But just because you’re trying to eat healthier doesn’t mean you need to miss out on your favorite foods this Thanksgiving. Dietitian Kary Woodruff shares some tips for slimming down your turkey dinner while still getting all the great tastes of comfort food you love.

Bam.iobio is the first app of its kind that allows scientists to analyze genome sequence data on their web browser, interactively, and in real-time, without having to rely on terabytes of storage and vast sources of computing power. The resource, developed by a team led by Gabor Marth, DSc, co-director of the USTAR Center for Genetic Discovery and human genetics professor at the University of Utah...

Although the symptoms of gluten sensitivity and celiac disease are quite similar, they have very different causes. Dr. Cindy Gellner goes over the causes, signs and symptoms of gluten sensitivity and celiac disease and discusses how to tell if your child is suffering from a gluten problem.

The tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean are one of the richest sources of biodiversity on Earth. It not only teems with life, but also with extraordinary chemical compounds not found on land. Eric Schmidt, Ph. D., professor of medicinal chemistry at the University of Utah, searches marine organisms for novel compounds that could be transformed into therapeutics, such as medicines to combat pain o...

The fight against breast cancer understandably has received much attention, but many women would be surprised to discover that lung cancer is a bigger threat to them. Dr. Kirtly Jones spells out the terrifying statistics and offers advice for avoiding the risks.