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Today's Health/Science: multivitamins, cod evolution, burning mouth syndrome, seconds, asthma medication routines, child abuse and gene function

E-mail | Print | Comments () Posted by Elizabeth Cooney February 23, 2009 06:21 AM

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Every day, half of America downs a multivitamin, and feels better for it. Never mind a multitude of research showing that vitamin supplements provide no proven health benefit for most people.

Evolution still brings to mind the kind of change that happens over millions of years. But there is increasing evidence that species can evolve quite quickly, within our lifetimes, and that human intervention in the natural world is speeding up that process. Take, for example, the cod fish.

What is burning mouth syndrome?

In time, why are seconds called seconds?

Children with asthma do better when medications are taken regularly, rather than just during flare-ups.

A new study of child abuse victims suggests that the abuse may affect the function of a gene involved in controlling stress (second item).

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White Coat Notes covers the latest from the health care industry, hospitals, doctors offices, labs, insurers, and the corridors of government. Chelsea Conaboy previously covered health care for The Philadelphia Inquirer. Write her at cconaboy@boston.com. Follow her on Twitter: @cconaboy.

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