Medicine

The existence of "superbugs" like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureas (MRSA) have raised public concern over bacterial infections. A mathematical model that looks at different strategies for curbing hospital-acquired infections suggests that antimicrobial cycling and patient isolation may be effective approaches when patients are harboring dual-resistant bacteria. --by Carol Hughes

We've all heard that playing video games can improve your hand-eye coordination--usually from kids trying to evade mom's order to go play outside. But those kids may be on to something. New research shows that playing a video game on the Nintendo Wii can help medical students become better surgeons by improving hand dexterity. --by Joe Kullman

Anyone who watches television in the United States might logically conclude that this is a nation plagued by allergies, depression and arthritis. Ads for medicines to address such conditions make it seem as though ailment sufferers outnumber the healthy. But, it wasn't always so. --by Carrie Barnett

Taking apple cider vinegar at bedtime favorably affects waking blood glucose in Type 2 diabetics, according to a preliminary study from ASU. --by Christine Lambrakis

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

Clay has been associated with home cures since Roman times. But there have been very few scientific studies to investigate such claims--until now. Researchers at ASU have found that French green clay can kill pathogenic bacteria. --by Margaret Coulombe