June 2008 Archives
Counting Butterflies
June 27, 2008
The annual North American Butterfly Association census is underway. WHYY Morning Edition's Brenda Jorett talked with Mike Weilbacher, executive director of the Lower Merion Conservancy and participating in the butterfly count.
(Photo: Elizabeth Sellers/NBII.Gov)
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June 25, 2008
A worldwide effort to catalog all the species in the ocean has amassed more than 120,000 names -- and scientists are only half-finished.
From WHYY's Health and Science Desk, Kerry Grens Reports.
 See photos, read the transcript and more...
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More Info:
Census of Marine Life
Academy of Natural Sciences' Mollusk page
 Turning biotech inventions into real products
June 24, 2008
Turning a brilliant biotech invention into a real product can be prohibitively expensive - even a modest molecular biology lab can cost millions to set up. With a set of grants and labs ready for the taking, a research foundation in Bucks County has entrepreneurs flocking. WHYY's health and science reporter Kerry Grens paid a visit to the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center and filed this report.
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 Nurses and healthcare advocates protest health insurance companies profits
June 19, 2008
Nurses and healthcare advocates gathered in front of Cigna's headquarters in Philadephia today as part of a 7-city protest against profits made by private health insurance companies. From WHYY's health and science desk Kerry Grens reports.
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Researchers hope health care survey finds its way to 10,000 housholds
June 18, 2008
A comprehensive health care survey is underway in Philadelphia and suburban counties. Philadelphia Health Management Corporation Vice President of Research and Evaluation Dr. Lynne Kotranski is hoping they reach 10,000 households this summer. WHYY Morning Edition's Brenda Jorett talked with Dr. Kotranksi about the importance of the survey and residents participating in the research. There is more information online at www.phmc.org.
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Using new technology to help stroke victims
June 17, 2008
Researchers at the University of Delaware are enlisting computer models and new technology to challenge the assumption that stroke patients have reached the limits of their recovery after a few months. From WHYY's Health and Science desk, Kerry Grens reports.
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Looking at the advantages of a "greener" kind of plastic
June 13, 2008
Bioplastics are part of environmental news headlines these days. WHYY Morning Edition's Brenda Jorett talks with science and environment expert and Lower Merion Conservancy Executive Director Mike Weilbacher.
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PA hospitals are raking in more profits this year
June 12, 2008
For the sixth year in a row, Pennsylvania hospitals - on average - have earned greater profits than the year before. A report published today breaks down the trend by individual hospital - and shows that while some are sailing on double digit margins, others are on the verge of collapse. From WHYY's Health and Science desk, Kerry Grens looks in to what this means for consumers.
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Genetics may play a part in quitting smoking
June 11, 2008
More Pensylvanian smokers may think about quitting the habit now that the Senate has approved a bill to ban smoking in most public places and work sites throughout the State. And there's new genetic research from the University of Pennsylvania that sheds some light on why quitting is easier for some smokers than for others. From WHYY's Behavioral Health desk, Maiken Scott reports.
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Fungus comes to rescue in gypsy moth battle
June 9, 2008
New Jersey this year unleashed record numbers of pesticide in its perennial battle against the gypsy moth. Pennsylvania tripled its efforts from 2007. From WHYY's Health and Science desk, Kerry Grens reports on some additional arsenal from mother nature.
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 Art Gallery taps into one of the overlooked senses in art
June 6, 2008
A new art exhibit explores the compelling odors of a london flat, the seduction of human pheromones, and a smell map of West Philly. The Esther Klein Art Gallery at the University City Science Center is tapping into one of the overlooked senses in art - scent. WHYY's Health and Science reporter Kerry Grens strolled through the exhibit with an olfaction scientist to find out the biology of the smellscape.
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Bringing osteoporosis prevention and treatment information to the public
June 6, 2008
8-million women and 2-million men in the U.S. are diagnosed with osteoporosis; thinning of the bone. WHYY Morning Edition's Brenda Jorett talked with expert Dr. Pam Peeke who is part of the Novartis-sponsered program "Strong to the Bone," to bring prevention and treatment information to the public. There's information online at www.strongtothebone.com and at the National Osteoporosis Foundation web site, www.nof.org.
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FTC says companies team up to stall generics
June 4, 2008
Generic drugs are seen as a solution to the high prices of brand name pharmaceuticals. But federal officials are concerned that generic companies are agreeing to stall competition and maintain high prices - for a fee. Over the coming months and possibly years a US District Court in Pennsylvania will determine whether the pharmaceutical company Cephalon was illegally paying off competitors to maintain a monopoly for a sleeping drug - or playing by the rules. The Federal Trade Commission says consumers are being hurt and it's going to try and put an end to such deals once and for all. From WHYY's health and science desk Kerry Grens reports.
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More Info: Read the FTC's report on pharmaceutical lawsuit agreements
Imaging rules out future heart attack
June 2, 2008
Medical imaging technology can give doctors into an intimate view of the arteries to diagnose heart disease earlier and earlier. Now doctors at the University of Pennsylvania are using that technology to also determine when patients are safe from having heart attacks. From WHYY's health and science desk, Kerry Grens reports.
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