New injection can help rebuild spine without surgery About 80-percent of Americans will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. It's the second most common reason people visit their doctors. Often, these patients have torn or ruptured discs that cause excruciating pain. FULL STORY>>11/20/2009 2:42 PM
New device helps supply oxygen through your neck More than one million Americans require supplemental oxygen to get through the day. The standard device, called a nasal cannula, delivers oxygen through the nose. It's bulky, uncomfortable and sometimes embarrassing. There's an easier solution that lets patients breathe and live freely. FULL STORY>>Updated: 11/20/2009 8:50 AM
Doctors transplant intestines from living donors A transplant is the last option for people who suffer from a failing small intestine. The tube helps the body digest and absorb nutrients in food. Without it, many of the organs in the body die. FULL STORY>>11/18/2009 1:14 PM
Heart monitoring from the convenience of home More than five million people in the U.S. suffer from heart failure, and the condition is the most common cause of hospitalizations for people over 70. Researchers are looking for ways to cut down on hospital stays by monitoring patients from home. FULL STORY>>11/17/2009 3:18 PM
'Brain Bucket' detects brain disorders, researchers say New technology could revolutionize the detection of epilepsy and other brain disorders, researchers say. The multi-channel phased ray coil, or "Brain Bucket," is a helmet containing sensors and coils connected to an MRI machine. FULL STORY>>11/16/2009 3:46 PM
Researchers discover nicotine may help memory loss Researchers conducted a small study with 80 Alzheimer's patients who were given a pill containing a compound that stimulated nicotine receptors on the brain. The patients performed better on tests of long-term memory, working memory and speed of cognitive processing FULL STORY>>Updated: 11/13/2009 6:07 PM
News drug helps erase memory and limit PTSD Some researchers are studying whether certain drugs can erase or dim bad memories. The possibility of memory blocking has some ethicists concerned. FULL STORY>>11/12/2009 8:58 AM
How much medication is too much for kids with ADD? About 2 million children in the United States have attention deficit disorder. For many kids, a diagnosis leads to prescription medication, but how much is too much? FULL STORY>>Updated: 11/10/2009 5:44 PM
New scanner helps determine if hands are clean One out of 22 patients picks up an infection within the walls of a hospital each year. Guidelines and quality checks work to a point, but researchers are turning to the first-ever real-time monitoring system for hand-washing. FULL STORY>>Updated: 11/9/2009 4:24 PM
Energy drinks offer small boost, long-term health risks Americans spent $744 Million on energy drinks in one year alone. They’re already banned in several countries, including Denmark, Italy, Norway and Sweden, but in the U.S., the drinks are marketed to youth. The drinks have many risks associated with them. FULL STORY>>11/5/2009 7:32 AM
Exercise programs are making "waves" Two unique exercise programs are literally making waves around the country and helping young and old get into shape. FULL STORY>>Updated: 11/4/2009 5:28 PM
Doctors offer advice for staying healthy during flu season While so far the symptoms and complications of H1N1 are no different from seasonal flu, children and young adults seem to be more vulnerable. There are some simple steps you can take, though, to stay healthy. FULL STORY>>Updated: 11/3/2009 4:18 PM
Dangerous trend leaves behind toxic mess The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has reported finding evidence in 1,789 motel rooms for methamphetamine drug-making in the past five years. Experts said many more have gone unreported. FULL STORY>>10/29/2009 11:00 AM
On Weekdays News 8 Austin’s Health Beat brings you reports on health care, treatments and medical news from our community facilities and from around the nation.
The City of Austin plans to have the Nueces Bike Boulevard opened by late spring. The boulevard would be a multi-use path where car traffic is discouraged. How do you feel about this?
I think this is a great idea, we need more roads like this