Shots - Health Blog
11:02 am
Thu December 1, 2011

MRIs More Likely To Be Negative When The Doctor Profits

Credit iStockphoto.com
Do you really need that MRI, or is your doctor just trying to make a buck?

If your doctor says you need an MRI, your health may not be the only thing on his mind. Doctors who have a financial interest in the imaging equipment are more likely to send patients for scans when they don't have anything wrong with them. That's the conclusion of a researcher who combed through hundreds of patient records to examine MRI referral patterns.

Read more
The Two-Way
10:39 am
Thu December 1, 2011

'All Eyes On Sarkozy,' As He Sets Out Vision For Europe

Credit Philippe Wojazer / AFP/Getty Images
France's President Nicolas Sarkozy delivers a speech on road safety at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Nov. 30.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is set to deliver a speech that will set out his vision for Europe. This is a big speech: First because Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have been leading the efforts to save the euro and contain the European sovereign debt problems. Secondly, Sarkozy is facing a tough reelection campaign next spring and he is expected to make the case that he's the best person to take the country forward.

Read more
Shots - Health Blog
10:15 am
Thu December 1, 2011

End Of An Era: Lipitor Goes Generic

Credit JB Reed / Landov
After 17 years, the cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor is going generic.

Originally published on Thu December 1, 2011 8:26 am

Medication used for lowering cholesterol should also be lower in price now that two generic brands have entered the ring.

Back in 1996, cholesterol-fighter Lipitor became the fifth drug of its kind to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration. This week, the biggest hit in the history of the pharmaceutical industry lost its patent protection in the U.S., opening the door to generic versions to replace the iconic brand.

Read more
The Two-Way
10:05 am
Thu December 1, 2011

'Top Gear' Host Clarkson Slammed For Saying Strikers Should Be Shot

Credit Edmond Terakopian / AFP/Getty Images
Jeremy Clarkson. (2007 file photo)
The Two-Way
9:05 am
Thu December 1, 2011

New NPR CEO Gary Knell Starts Work, Will Take Listeners' Calls

Credit Sesame Workshop
NPR CEO and President Gary Knell.

Our new boss started work today and if you're interested in what NPR CEO and President Gary Knell is thinking as he settles into the job:

-- He's due on Talk of the Nation just after 2 p.m. ET, and will be answering questions from callers. When we get closer to the time he's scheduled to be on, we'll embed an audio player in this post so that we can stream the conversation. To find a station that broadcasts or streams the show, click here.

Read more
The Salt
8:51 am
Thu December 1, 2011

Tainted Nectar? Consumer Group Warns Of Arsenic In Fruit Juice

Credit iStockphoto.com
In addition to arsenic, dangerous levels of lead have been found in apple juice, according to Consumer Reports.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said it will consider setting a standard for how much arsenic should be permitted in apple juice after a consumer group found high levels of the carcinogen in samples of apple juice it tested.

Read more
The Two-Way
7:30 am
Thu December 1, 2011

'Monster Winds' Roar Across Utah

Credit National Weather Service
Yellow: Gusts of 40 to 60 mph are likely. Orange: Gusts of 50 to 70 mph are likely. Red: Gusts of 60 to 80 mph are likely (and higher gusts have already been recorded).

The National Weather Service has clocked winds above 90 mph around Centerville, Utah, today — "monster winds" that are blowing with hurricane-force and have overturned semi-trailer rigs, toppled trees and knocked out power, The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

The newspaper adds that:

Read more
The Two-Way
6:40 am
Thu December 1, 2011

Jobless Claims Pop Above 400,000

The number of Americans filing first-time claims for jobless benefits rose by 6,000 last week, to 402,000, the Employment and Training Administration just reported.

They've basically been hovering around that 400,000 mark all year — another sign that while the economy appears to be growing slowly, it isn't advancing fast enough to boost job growth.

Read more
The Two-Way
6:15 am
Thu December 1, 2011

Obama, Presidents Clinton And Bush To Mark 'World AIDS Day'

The ONE Campaign will be live-streaming at 10 a.m. ET as President Obama, former President Bill Clinton, former President George W. Bush and others take part in a forum on "The Beginning of the End of AIDS" at George Washington University.

It's one of many events marking World AIDS Day.

Read more

Pages