Latest News
Criminal investigation begins in West Fertilizer explosion
The Texas Rangers and McLennan County sheriff’s department have launched a criminal probe into whether or not the West fertilizer plant explosion was an accident. The announcement comes after police arrested one of the EMS first responders for possessing a pipe bomb. More »
Consumer advocacy groups warned of Byetta cancer risks
The consumer advocacy group Public Citizen showed concern over Byetta injections used to treat type II diabetes as early as 2009. The group urged diabetics not to use Byetta until the manufacturers properly tested the drug. More »
Zoloft and similar antidepressants over-prescribed, study finds
A new study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has found that Zoloft and other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants (SSRIs) are over-prescribed to patients. Researchers found many patients were clinically diagnosed with depression and given medication, but only 38.4% actually met the 12-month criteria for depression. More »
Senate to probe West, Texas fertilizer explosion
The United States Senate is planning to investigate the deadly explosion at a West, Texas fertilizer plant. Senators aim to review how government workplace and chemical safety regulations could have affected the outcome of the blast. More »
FDA investigated Byetta link to pancreatic cancer
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating the connection between type II diabetes drug Byetta and an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Byetta is manufactured by Amylin Pharmaceuticals and administered as a twice-daily injection. More »
Obama to attend funeral for volunteer firefighters in West explosion
President Obama will attend the funeral held for the first responders who died in the fertilizer explosion in West, Texas. The blast killed 14 total and 11 volunteer firefighters — 5 from West, 4 paramedic firefighters from nearby towns, an off-duty Dallas firefighters and a local welder who went to help. More »
Study confirms link between taconite and mesothelioma
A comprehensive study of taconite workers in Minnesota has confirmed a link between the iron-containing rock and mesothelioma cancer. Research in the Iron Range area also found that the risk of mesothelioma correlates with the amount of time a worker has spent in the mines. More »
Jury hearing arguments in Actos bladder cancer lawsuit
The first Actos bladder cancer lawsuit trial is underway in California, where a jury is hearing arguments from a patient who developed bladder cancer after using the diabetes medication. Jack Cooper took Actos for two years before developing bladder cancer. More »
Officials research safety problems at West Fertilizer Plant
A West Fertilizer plant explosion on April 17 has left nearly 15 dead and over 200 individuals injured. Officials are working to determine if the explosion was caused by safety problems at the West, Texas plant. More »
Fertilizer plant explosion injures hundreds in Texas town
A massive explosion damaged large portions of the town of West, Texas after a fertilizer plant in the town caught fire. The blast destroyed homes and businesses within a 5 block radius and injured hundreds of people, potentially killing an undetermined number of first responders and residents. More »