CNN Health and Medical News Unit
From January 2016 to May 2016 I interned for CNN's Health and Medical Unit. I researched and conducted interviews on health topics for written and televised pieces including Zika virus, traumatic brain injuries, nutrition, exercise, and recent scientific studies from major medical journals. I also wrote top stories for CNNhealth.com, which are featured below.
Weed users found to have poorer verbal memory in middle age
People who smoked weed regularly as teenagers remembered fewer words as they entered middle age, according to a new study published online by JAMA Internal Medicine. READ MORE |
People who exercise at middle age might have bigger brains later on
Poor physical fitness in middle age might be associated with a smaller brain size later on, according to a study published in an online issue of Neurology. READ MORE |
Here's an incentive that really makes people exercise more
Companies that want their employees to exercise more might want to skip the promise of prizes or pats on the back. Instead, a new study shows, giving someone a financial incentive and then threatening to take it away might work better. READ MORE |
Study: A third of U.S. adults don't get enough sleep
You've heard it before, and you'll hear it again: Despite repeated recommendations for adults to sleep at least seven hours each night, a new study shows that more than one-third of us are not getting enough shut-eye. And they've pinpointed which states are the most sleep deprived. READ MORE |
Colorado visitors are smoking pot and ending up in the ER
Weed-related emergency room visits are on the rise in Colorado since voters approved the legalization of retail marijuana in 2012 and sales began in 2014. And these incidents are increasing more dramatically among out-of-state visitors, according to research published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine. READ MORE |
Study of mercury in fish brings call to strengthen government guidelines
An environmental research organization is urging the federal government to strengthen its proposed advice about what types of fish pregnant women should eat, over concerns about potential exposure to mercury. READ MORE |
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Bumble Bee Foods, Tri-Union Seafoods recall canned chunk light tuna
Bumble Bee Foods and Tri-Union Seafoods are voluntarily recalling canned chunk light tuna because of possible health risks. READ MORE |
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Exercise might slow rate of mental decline by 10 years for older people
Mentally, we all slow down a little bit as we age. It gets harder to recall names, or we forget where we put our keys, or the car for that matter. Physically, an older brain doesn't work as fast as it used to. But scientists think there might be one thing that could help slow down this natural aging process. READ MORE |
Aspirin a day may push death away, says new study
New recommendations on daily aspirin use will likely stir the pot in the ongoing aspirin debate. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force published a final recommendation statement on Monday saying that taking an aspirin a day might help prevent cardiovascular disease and colon cancer. READ MORE |
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Migrating humans may have killed off Neanderthals by accident
It appears modern humans may have some blood on our hands. A new study published in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology suggests that Neanderthals may have gone extinct because of tropical diseases carried by humans migrating out of Africa. READ MORE |
Face transplant recipient shares story after five years of silence
It's been nearly five years since he received a face transplant, but now, Mitchell Hunter is breaking the silence about his new life after his groundbreaking surgery. READ MORE |
Drug baggies of London: 'Markers of an addiction made public'
Since 2013, photographer Dan Giannopouloshas been rummaging through the streets of London, searching for, collecting and photographing discarded drug bags. READ MORE |
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90% of Americans have prayed for healing, study finds
When Americans experience health problems, they don't just rely on doctors and medications. A new study found that most Americans have turned to prayer to heal themselves and others. READ MORE |
Mediterranean diet linked to lower risk of heart attack, stroke
The list of Mediterranean diet benefits is getting even longer. A new study found that a diet high in fruits, vegetables, fish and unrefined foods is linked to a lower risk of heart attack and stroke in people who have heart disease. READ MORE |