RadioMD News... I'm John Byrd

Obesity is still on the rise in the U.S. and now women have overtaken men in that department, finds a new government study. Despite public awareness campaigns and other efforts to get people to watch their weight, nearly 38% of U.S. adults is obese, up from 32% a decade ago.

Snake venom has been developed to heal wounds in surgery patients in just seconds, say researchers. An enzyme in the venom of certain types of vipers has been added to a blood clotting mixture and found that it was much more effective, especially for people who are on blood thinners.

And... a tax on sugary goodies? International health experts are urging world leaders to use sugar taxes to help fight obesity and slash health care budgets. Much like tobacco taxes were used to help curb a detrimental habit, diabetes experts are hoping the same can be applied to the spiraling weight and diabetes problem around the world.  With a death every 6 seconds, diabetes is now a bigger killer than HIV, tuberculosis and malaria combined.

For RadioMD News, this is John Byrd. Hear health talk interviews with top experts at RadioMD dot com.