We Shouldn't Stick Our Heads In The Sand, But We Do It Anyway
Ignorance is bliss, but knowledge is power...right?
medical tests
You Can Order a Dozen STD Tests Online — But Should You?
It sounds so simple: Order a kit online, test for sexually transmitted diseases in the privacy of home and mail it back. But deciding what to test for and who gets tested is far from easy.
A Smartphone Can Accurately Test Sperm Count
Measuring the quality of those little swimmers usually requires a trip to the doctor. Researchers have come up with a smartphone accessory that would let men do that at home in less than five seconds.
The A1C Blood Sugar Test May Be Less Accurate In African-Americans
People with sickle cell trait, which includes about 10 percent of African-Americans, can get erroneous readings on a common blood glucose test. That could mean they miss out on diabetes treatment.
Children's Whirligig Toy Inspires a Low-Cost Laboratory Test
A paper version of a spinning children's toy can replace laboratory centrifuges to process blood tests. The "paperfuge" may help diagnose malaria and other diseases.
Flawed Research Tool Leads To Faulty Medical Findings
Just as natural antibodies help your body find and fight microbial invaders, tailored research antibodies let scientists target and study cancer cells. But too many are poorly made, scientists say.
Doctors Test Drones To Speed Up Delivery Of Lab Tests
Doctors, hospitals and entrepreneurs say drones could become a faster, cheaper way to deliver medical tests. But there are a lot of details to be worked out before your blood test hits the runway.
A Sniff Test For Alzheimer's Checks For The Ability To Identify Odors
New research suggests it may be possible to spot people in the early stages of Alzheimer's by testing their ability to recognize fragrances. The goal is a quick and inexpensive screening test.
Rise And Fall Of Theranos In A Biotech Cartoon
Hollywood has already cast Jennifer Lawrence to star in a movie about the embattled biotech firm. How did founder Elizabeth Holmes go from self-made billionaire to an estimated worth of $0? Read on.
DIY Blood Tests? There's A Downside To Ordering Your Own
It's legal to order diagnostic blood tests without consulting a doctor in many states. But critics say healthy patients can go down a rabbit hole of invasive assays and unnecessary treatments.