Lisa Spear
Fellow
Lisa Spear is a science writing fellow at Newsweek. She's previously contributed to a number of other outlets including Time and PBS Frontline. She most recently worked as a health reporter for the Daily Hampshire Gazette in Massachusetts.
Blood Pressure Phone App Could Be A 'Game-Changer'
The built-in sensors and the camera work together to record pressure and blood flow.
Gene-editing Experiment In Humans Results 'Encouraging'
Researchers from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill have been working to alter the genome of patients who suffer from the deadly genetic disorder Hunter syndrome.
Stroke Doubles the Risk of Developing Dementia
“Around a third of dementia cases are thought to be potentially preventable, though this estimate does not take into account the risk associated with stroke."
Scientists Are Paying People to Eat Avocados
A hypothesis that avocados can burn belly fat and promote weight loss compelled a group of researchers from four universities to launch a study.
FDA Recall: Blood Pressure Tablet Mix-up
Health effects of mixing up the medications can range from “limited” to “life-threatening,” FDA officials said.
Genetic Link Between Cannabis and Schizophrenia: Study
The study, part of a project to better understand genetic variations that give people a higher likelihood of using cannabis, analyzed data from more than 180,000 people.
West Nile Virus: Infected Mosquitoes on the Rise
This week the Massachusetts Department of Public Health raised the statewide risk level for West Nile virus from low to moderate.
Drinking Alcohol Can Lead to Aggressive Prostate Cancer
Seven or more alcoholic beverages per week can increase a man’s risk of having a high-grade tumor.
90,000-Year-Old Bone Gives New Insight
Scientists find the first definitive evidence of interbreeding between Neanderthals and Denisovans.
Breastfeeding Linked to Reduced Stroke Risk
Stroke is a leading cause of death among women in the U.S. Breastfeeding could reduce the risk, among its many benefits for both mother and child.
New Cervical Cancer Prevention Guidelines Released
Women over 30 can safely wait five years between cervical cancer screenings.
Natural Anti-aging: Maple Leaves Could Prevent Wrinkles
University of Rhode Island scientists found that people might one day be able to stop wrinkles from forming by applying a topical cream made from maple leaves.
Hurricane Lane Path Update: Storm's Track Nears Hawaii
Hurricane Lane is the sixth hurricane of this year’s eastern Pacific hurricane season.
Source of Foodborne Illness at Ohio Chipotle Identified
This isn’t the first time Chipotle has dealt with food safety issues.
FDA Approves Generic EpiPen
The generic will compete with EpiPens made by the company Mylan, which faced public criticism after raising the price of its product by more than 400 percent over the last few years.
Tropical Storm Lane May Threaten Hawaii
The storm formed far out in the East Pacific early Wednesday and is forecast to turn into a storm with 120 mile-per-hour winds when it enters the Central Pacific.
Is Football Safe? Risks, Preventions for Popular Sport
Since research has highlighted the brain injury risks of on-the-field collisions, private companies have come up with various solutions.
Why Are More Sharks Offshore in Massachusetts?
Encounters with humans are becoming more common as more sharks are drawn to the coastal areas.
California Earthquake Updates: Track Seismic Events
An earthquake rattled parts of southern California on Tuesday night, sending small aftershocks throughout the region.
China Earthquake Update: Magnitude 5 Quake Injures 24
The earthquake reportedly damaged 6,000 homes and affected more than 48,000 residents in the counties of Tonghai and Huaning, and in the district of Jiangchuan.
New Hope for Babies Born Addicted to Opiates
Currently, 80 percent of hospitals in the U.S. use morphine to combat symptoms of withdrawal in babies, but there might be a better way.
Study: Tdap Vaccine Not Linked to Autism
The researchers hope the new data will dispel myths that the whooping cough vaccine is connected to an autism diagnosis.
Cellphone Screens' Blue Light Can Damage Eyes
“We are being exposed to blue light continuously, and the eye’s cornea and lens cannot block or reflect it."
Salt Might Not Be as Bad for You as Previously Thought
An essential mineral for life, low levels of sodium can actually lead to more heart attacks and deaths, according to new research.
FDA Says This Birth Control Phone App Is Effective
When used correctly, the app had a failure rate of just 1.8 percent.
Florida Red Tide: A 26-foot Whale Shark Found Dead
Animals can accidentally ingest the toxic algae while feeding.
Can Induced Birth Reduce Caesarean Section Numbers?
The placenta tends not to function as well later in pregnancy, possibly explaining why mothers and babies who deliver earlier may see better outcomes.
Hepatitis A Outbreak Linked to Little Caesars Pizza
Illness can be prevented even after exposure by getting the vaccine.
Scientists Track How Subway Commuters Spread Bacteria
The researchers investigated which bacteria were transferred to commuters’ hands in a study that could have implications for antibiotic resistance.