Tag Archives: blood test

+Depression | April 17, 2012

A Blood Test to Diagnose Depression in Teens?

Untreated depression makes youth more vulnerable to later substance abuse, social problems, physical illness and suicide. Scientists hope a blood test that could objectively diagnose depression can help get treatment to vulnerable teens.

+Parenting | November 29, 2011

Down Syndrome: With Breakthroughs in Testing, a Choice Becomes Tougher

By Bonnie Rochman

Perhaps the most important thing you need to know about Melanie Perkins McLaughlin is that she’s not pro-life or pro-choice or pro anything — other than pro-information.

+Pregnancy | August 16, 2011

Who’s Your Baby Daddy? New Paternity Test Can Tell at 12 Weeks

By Bonnie Rochman

My youngest daughter has platinum curls; my husband and I have dark brown locks. When questioned, I routinely tell nosy people, “All I can say for sure is that I know I’m the mom.” It’s a joke: I’m certain that he’s the dad. But as of Tuesday, other would-be parents in need of proof can turn [...]

+Pregnancy | August 10, 2011

A Blood Test Determines a Baby’s Sex Earlier than Ever. But at What Cost?

By Bonnie Rochman

Boy or girl? New research finds that a simple blood test can answer that question for expectant parents at just seven weeks, significantly earlier than results from procedures like ultrasound and with less risk than invasive tests like amniocentesis, which can trigger miscarriage.

+Pregnancy | May 16, 2011

A Blood Test to Predict Premature Birth Could Hit the Market Next Year

By Bonnie Rochman

One in 10 mothers give birth prematurely, a biological mystery that often comes with little warning and a sideshow of dangerous health repercussions. Doctors historically have had little luck predicting which women will deliver early, but now a new study presents a way to detect more than 80% of preterm births ahead of time, with [...]

+Alzheimer's Disease | January 18, 2011

Study: A Blood Test May Predict Alzheimer’s

By Alice Park

Being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, with its symptoms of memory loss and gradual slowing of brain functions, is challenging enough already. But for those who are affected, one of the condition’s most frustrating features is that the diagnosis itself isn’t definitive.

+Pregnancy | January 13, 2011

Can a New Blood Test Make Babies with Down Syndrome Disappear?

By Bonnie Rochman

What if new tests for Down syndrome could one day mean no more affected babies are born? Is that cause to celebrate medical advances or reason to worry we are callously weeding out the less-than-perfect in our midst?

+Photos Prevention | January 3, 2011

5 New Rules for Good Health

By Alice Park

Health news is always changing — and fast. Here are five new rules for good health that you need to know for the new year.

+Heart Disease | November 15, 2010

Study: New Test May Predict Heart Failure in Symptomless, Older Adults

By Meredith Melnick

Patients over 65 account for most new cases of heart failure in the U.S., but, based on traditional risk factors, it’s hard for doctors to identify who is at highest risk for hospitalization or death. Now, researchers report that a highly sensitive new blood test for troponin T, a marker of cell death that has [...]

+Heart Disease | October 4, 2010