Many teens aren’t aware that hookah pens and e-cigarettes are often the same thing. Both devices use a fluid that contains flavor. With devices marketed as e-cigarettes, the fluid also contains nicotine. But the fluid used in hookah pens and vape pipes, which comes in flavors such as bubble gum and chocolate, often contains nicotine as well.   read more

Scientists say they have found a way to cure newborn babies infected with HIV. In March 2013, doctors reported that a child was cured of HIV following an aggressive drug treatment implemented just 30 hours after birth. Some experts were skeptical, waiting to see if the experiment could be successfully repeated elsewhere. It was, this time in Long Beach, California Dr. Anthony Fauci said the two cases “could lead to major changes” in the treatment of children born with HIV.   read more

The first-ever commercial promoting medicinal marijuana will soon air in New Jersey, Chicago and Massachusetts on Fox, Comedy Central, CNN, ESPN, AMC, Discovery and the Food Channel. In the ad, a suspicious-looking guy works back alleys to sell sushi. At one point he thrusts opens his trenchcoat to reveal select cuts of sashimi for sale. “You wouldn’t buy your sushi from this guy,” the voiceover says. “So why would you buy your marijuana from him?”   read more

A new study shows doctors are the No. 1 source for painkillers used by chronic abusers. The CDC found in 27% of cases, physicians were the most common source. The second most common source of painkillers for abusers was family members and friends, responsible in 26% of cases. The crisis of narcotic painkiller addiction was declared an epidemic by the CDC in 2011. Nationally, OxyContin and Vicodin have led the way among prescription-related overdoses averaging more than 16,000 a year.   read more

Yet another potential impact of a warmer planet has been discovered: ancient viruses being brought back to life as a result of melting ice. This possible risk was discovered in Siberia, where scientists found a 30,000-year-old virus that became exposed in the melting permafrost. The contagion is a “giant” virus—the largest ever found. Researchers say it may be just the first of other long-gone viruses to return to life, including those that can impact human health.   read more