The Scope

Some of the most potent and poisonous substances can be found in grandma’s pillbox. Dr. Tom Martin, medical director at the Utah Poison Control Center, offers advice on keeping heart medications out of the wrong hands. He gives advice on what to do if you suspect your child may have swallowed the medications.

Federal funding for research and development has shrunk by 20% over the past three years, and biomedical researchers are feeling the strain. Wesley Sundquist, Ph. D., National Academies of Sciences member and professor of biochemistry at the University of Utah, describes how the cuts are impacting scientists, their work, and the U.S.’s status as a world leader in biomedical research and innovation...

Every woman is different, but many women wonder if certain things about them are “normal.” Are your height and weight normal? Is it normal to cry a lot? Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones answers these questions and talks about what it means to be “normal.”

Anesthesiologist Dr. Harriet Hopf interviews Dr. Gretchen Case about medical humanities. Dr. Case talks about the many layers and barriers in the physician-patient relationship and why it is important to educate medical students and practicing physicians alike on interviewing and meeting with patients. She gives some tips for physicians to improve that relationship and make sure the patient and ph...

Power tools, auto fluids and cans of paint – you keep a lot of potentially dangerous things in your garage. Some are more dangerous than others. Poison specialist Brad Dahl warns about the dangers of what’s hiding on the shelves of your home. He also discusses what to do when a dangerous substance is ingested and immediate action is required.

Only 2,500 hearts are available nationwide for transplant, but about 100,000 patients with advanced heart failure could benefit from such surgery. Dr. Craig Selzman, associate professor of cardiothoracic surgery, talks about the changes in artificial heart technology that are filling that void. These devices can bring new lives and restore promising futures to heart patients facing otherwise hopel...

Newborns can’t always control their developing eyes and sometimes go cross-eyed. But if your child is older than two months and you notice her or his eyes looking in different directions, something else might be going on. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner describes how to tell if your child’s eyes are developing in a healthy way.

Patients that have undergone repeated operations for kidney stones can develop severe, chronic and inexplicable pain. Dr. Blake Hamilton specializes in a remarkable procedure called autotransplantation , which can ease pain and save functioning kidneys. Listen in as Dr. Jeffery Campsen and Dr. Hamilton hold an engaging discussion about how the operation works when other options have been exhausted...

If you’re searching for a great career in medicine, becoming a physician assistant (PA) might be your answer. Amid growing pressures for more cost-effective treatment options, demand for physician assistants is skyrocketing. PA Jennifer Coombs discusses the many reasons why becoming a PA is more appealing than ever.

Dr. Bryce Williams is an oral surgeon, but he works in the ear, nose and throat (ENT) division. How are oral surgeons and ENT specialists related and how do they work together? Dr. Williams provides some insight on the connections the two types of doctors share.

It seems like professional athletes are masters at performing under pressure. Sports psychologist Nicole Detling says dealing with pressure is a learned skill. She’s coached Olympic athletes through mental obstacles and dealing with stress, and says her exercises can apply to non-athletes in real world situations. She gives you tips for dealing with pressure and performing under stress.

Business incubators are the hottest new trend for entrepreneurs--a space where small businesses can get started without too much investment of capital, where entrepreneurs can access resources that they can't afford to purchase on their own. The newest resource in the health sciences is a similar concept: a research and innovation incubator that helps investigators and operations leaders turn thei...

When your child has a fever, it can be difficult to determine whether it is serious enough to see a pediatrician. Cindy Gellner, MD , goes over some myths and facts about fevers in children and infants, including how to tell low-grade and high-grade fevers apart, and treatments for both. Dr. Gellner also gives some tips about fevers that will help you keep calm while your child is ill.

Advanced heart failure can be as deadly as many cancers. Fortunately, technology has improved significantly since the first artificial heart was implanted at the University of Utah in 1981. Dr. Tom Miller sits down with heart transplant surgeon Dr. Craig Selzman to talk about how far the devices have come. They also discuss what kinds of technologies patients with failing hearts can expect in the...

You want to learn more about protein, but after some research on the Internet, you are just confused. How much protein do you really need? Do you need more if you are trying to build muscle? The answers might surprise you. Dietitian Stacie Wing-Gaia discusses some myths about protein and nutrition.

You’re hiking and you see a clear stream with what seems to be drinkable water. The question is, do you drink it? Emergency room physician Dr. Troy Madsen tells you his views on drinking water directly from any babbling brook. He also tells you the one thing to bring in case you’re that unlucky person who got poisoning from bad water.

Someone with a severe tremor can have their hands shaking uncontrollably. Fact is, everybody has the potential to experience tremors in some form. Dr. Tom Miller talks with movement disorder specialist Dr. Lauren Schrock about the two main types of tremors and how to identify the differences between them, possible causes, and when to be concerned.

What is the appropriate age, height, and weight to switch your child from a rear-facing to a forward-facing car seat? Beyond recommendations, specific guidelines and laws ensure children's safety in passenger vehicles. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , talks about current car seat regulations and how to keep your children as safe as possible while on the road.

Mental obstacles can be as challenging as physical ones for athletes, preventing them from accomplishing their best. To perform at peak levels athletes must learn to overcome mental obstacles. Listen in as sport psychologist Nicole Detling discusses the two biggest mental obstacles faced by athletes of all ages and skill levels and how they and other mental blocks can be overcome.

Gum recession, cavities, and cancer: tobacco has serious effects on oral health. Dr. Bryce Williams discusses the negative effects of tobacco on the mouth, and why oral cancer isn’t always in plain sight. He also talks about other lesser-known bad habits that contribute to poor dental health.

Mice severely disabled by a condition similar to multiple sclerosis (MS) could walk within two weeks following treatment with human stem cells. The study was co-led by University of Utah professor of pathology Dr. Tom Lane, and was published online on May 15 in the journal Stem Cell Reports. Dr. Lane discusses the exciting results and what they might mean for patients with MS.

Trying to eat “healthy” can sometimes feel like a second job. From complicated meal prep to guilt over every bite, it is easy to get overwhelmed. Registered dietitian Staci McIntosh offers a grounded, realistic approach to eating well—one that emphasizes balance, mental relief, and sustainable habits.

Parkinson’s disease isn’t easy to continually treat, but deep brain stimulation can help with tremors and slowness of movement. Dr. Tom Miller speaks with Dr. Lauren Schrock about the procedure and the benefits of deep brain stimulation for patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Stress is not always bad. In fact, the right kind of stress can motivate us to grow and perform. But when even positive events start piling up, stress can quickly spiral out of control—affecting your body, your mind, and your quality of life. Psychiatrist Jason Hunziker, MD , explains how to tell the difference between helpful and harmful stress, and offers practical, personalized ways to manage i...

Your mother told you to chew each bite 10 times, but is that really necessary? Does chewing really break down nutrients for easier digestion? Dietician Stacey McIntosh talks about the truths and myths behind these old wives’ tales. She also tells us why it’s healthier and safer to take our time with food.