AltWeeklies Wire
Texas Needle Exchange Activists Discuss The Charges They Facenew

The state Attorney General's ruling that legislation authorizing a pilot needle-exchange program doesn't protect participants from being arrested for distributing drug paraphernalia kicked the case against three activists into gear. They face charges that threaten up to a year in jail and $4,000 in fines.
San Antonio Current |
Elaine Wolff |
05-14-2008 |
Science
Mystery Illness Fells Young Mannew

In a matter of months, his parents and doctors watched as Cole Haakana regressed from a healthy 11-year-old into a big kid with the mentality of a four-year-old. But to get her son's mysterious malady diagnosed, a mother must battle some of Minnesota's top hospitals.
City Pages (Twin Cities) |
Beth Walton |
05-14-2008 |
Science
Mental Anguish at Texas West Oaks Hospitalnew
Go to this private psychiatric facility, and you might be helped. Or you might be shut in a room all alone and end up like Amanda, with a broken arm. Or dead.
Houston Press |
Margaret Downing |
05-13-2008 |
Science
Environmental Racism in the South Bronxnew
One in four children in the Hunts Point neighborhood has asthma. While urban planners and public health specialists are still struggling to find the cause for the community's disturbingly high asthma rates, for parents like Tanya Fields there is no question that it's the air they breathe that makes their children wheeze.
New York Press |
Gabriele Steinhauser |
05-08-2008 |
Science
Shortage of Mental Health Pros Puts New Orleans' Psychological Recovery at Risknew
While Louisiana officials recently authorized much-needed funding to shore up New Orleans' resources for severely mentally ill patients and crisis care, reports from local mental health professionals and outside studies indicate the city continues to suffer from a quiet, expansive epidemic: post-Katrina depression and anxiety.
Systemic Neglect at Texas' Troubled Insitutions for the Mentally Retardednew

Texas has the largest remaining set of mental institutions in the nation, housing the state's most vulnerable: some can't feed or dress themselves, and others can't even rise from a gurney or speak. And according to government records, the very people charged with caring for these patients are victimizing them.
The Texas Observer |
Dave Mann |
05-07-2008 |
Science
If Obesity is a Choice, It's Not One the Poor Get to Makenew

A recent study put grocery prices to the test. Among the 370 foods sampled, it found that energy-dense junk food cost an average of $1.76 per 1,000 calories, while nutritious, unprocessed foods came in at a whopping $18.16 per 1,000 calories.
Orlando Weekly |
Billy Manes |
05-06-2008 |
Science
The Sad Irony of Washington's Mental Health Systemnew
Only by killing Michael Robb did Samson Berhe finally become subject to the mental health treatment he has seemingly needed for years.
Seattle Weekly |
Laura Onstot |
05-05-2008 |
Science
A Biologist Exposes the Dangers of bisphenol A and Earns the Wrath of the Plastic Industrynew

Missouri biologist Frederick vom Saal's willingness to speak frankly about his findings is alarming to the top five makers of bisphenol A: Dow Chemical, Bayer Material Science, Sunoco Chemicals, SABIC Innovative Plastics and Hexion Specialty Chemicals. And now, after years of quietly publishing studies in scientific journals and presenting papers at toxicological conventions, he is starting to be heard.
Can Vitamins Save the World?new

The Santa Barbara non-profit Vitamin Angels is saving India and beyond, one dose at a time.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Matt Kettmann |
04-28-2008 |
Science
Can the Music of Our Brains Make Us Sleep Better?new

A California psychologist says yes and is using mysterious Russian technology to treat patients with Brain Music Therapy. Our reporter gets strapped in to ride the waves.
Metro Silicon Valley |
Gary Singh |
04-24-2008 |
Science
Do You Have Multiple Personality Disorder?new

The resurgence of interest in multiple personality disorder, clinically labeled "dissociative identity disorder," could be a good thing if it spreads awareness and shows people there is a solution. Or, it could mean a whole new generation of delusional people will be diagnosed with a disorder that doesn't exist, and they won't get the help they need.
Houston Press |
Craig Malisow |
04-22-2008 |
Science
Health Care for Urban Native Americans Hits a Crisis Pointnew
"The issue is that if you're Native American, and you live off the reservation, it's increasingly difficult to access health care services."
Weekly Alibi |
Marissa Demarco |
04-15-2008 |
Science
Arizona's Homeopathic Board: The Second Chance for Doctors Who May Not Deserve Onenew
For a few hundred dollars, some extra training, and a test on the principles of homeopathy, an M.D. who can't secure another medical license can get a license to practice homeopathic medicine here. You'll be banned from some procedures, but for the most part, you can go back to practicing medicine -- diagnosing patients, prescribing drugs, even performing minor surgeries.
Phoenix New Times |
John Dickerson |
04-15-2008 |
Science
Dallas Has a Real-Life 'House' in Dr. Richard Buchnew
Some call Dr. Buch a troubled genius. His ex-patients and hospital bosses call him trouble.
Dallas Observer |
Glenna Whitley |
04-14-2008 |
Science
Tags: Health & Science