Health and Medical

More than 15 million Americans care for a family member with a disability or illness, such as Alzheimer's disease. Caregiving exacts a heavy toll. Researchers have found that caregivers are at greater risk for depression, anxiety and physical ailments. The REACH II program is offering some hope for those caring for loved ones with dementia. --by Adelheid Fischer

Clear communication is the key to intercultural understanding. Poor translation can result in embarrassment or bigger problems. ASU sociology professor Victor Agadjanian studies HIV/AIDS in Africa. He also speaks 8 languages. --by Sheilah Britton

A new ASU nutrition study has shown that eating a half-cup of pinto beans per day resulted in an 8 percent average drop in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. --by Christine Lambrakis

Space flight has been shown to have a profound impact on human physiology as the body adapts to zero gravity environments. New research shows that microbes are affected as well. Space flight may turn normal germs into highly infectious superbugs, according to Cheryl Nickerson. --by Joe Caspermeyer

For Roy Curtiss it's always been about the people. The people he works with, the people he collaborates with; the people he learns from, the people he teaches; the people he is trying to help through his research. These days that research focuses on new vaccines for the most needy. --by Skip Derra

The worldwide HIV/AIDs epidemic doesn't generate much front page news anymore. But the disease has not gone away. And the story has many facets. AIDS is a story about human suffering, medical research, education, and social mores. In Mozambique, the story also involves organized religion. --by Sheilah Britton

Premature babies don't just look and act differently than full-term infants. They have special needs. Frightened parents are often unsure of their role and of their ability to care for such a tiny baby. The COPE program gives them the tools and confidence they need to help their tiny preemies and reduce their own stress levels. --by Jessica McCann

Mom always said, “Eat your veggies and good things will happen. She may have been right all along, according to the results from a new study of zebra finches at Arizona State University. --by Skip Derra

What do cancer clusters and galaxy clusters have in common? Quite a bit, it turns out. Astronomer Rogier Windhorst has discovered that software he uses to analyze telescopic images can also be used to effectively detect cancer cells and early signs of diabetes. --by Skip Derra

People have touted the healing properties of clays for thousands of years. But do they really have an effect? It turns out that certain clays can kill dangerous bacteria. ASU researchers are studying this clay and trying to figure out what makes it so special. --by Margaret Coulombe