Richardson Tragedy Helps Save 7-Year-Old's Life

(NEWSER) - Doctors in Quebec, where Natasha Richardson took her fatal ski-slope tumble, have been arguing since the 1990s for emergency air transport that might have saved her life, CNN reports. Care was delayed not only by the slow manifestation of symptoms from the epidural hematoma she suffered, but also by the lack of helicopter transport. She did not arrive at a qualified hospital until 6 hours after the accident. More»

Inducing hypothermia causes body to shut down

(NEWSER) - Surgeons are about to begin human testing on a bold new technique for treating trauma patients in which they intentionally induce extreme hypothermia, the Daily Telegraph reports. By injecting cold saline solution into the patient’s blood, they can all but shut down the body, reducing brain and organ damage and giving doctors more time to operate. More»

Study: ALS is sometimes misdiagnosed

(NEWSER) - A new study has found that some patients diagnosed with ALS actually suffered from a different fatal disease that affects the central nervous system—and implies that Lou Gehrig himself may not have had ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The study's review of the spinal cords of three deceased athletes found that they did not actually have ALS, and that the ALS-like disease they succumbed to was caused by concussions and brain trauma. More»

Actor talks for the first time about wife's death

(NEWSER) - Liam Neeson and his boys are “taking each day as it comes,” he tells ABC. In his first interview since wife Natasha died in March, Neeson says his two sons, ages 13 and 12, are “getting along as best they can." The actor says he's "still getting extraordinary condolence letters from American people that's deeply touching," and that outreach helped cinch his decision to become a US citizen. More»

Legend sang Edelweiss for daughter

(NEWSER) - Vanessa Redgrave serenaded Natasha Richardson with a lullaby from The Sound of the Music in her final moments, the Daily Mail reports. Redgrave caressed her daughter’s face as she sang the melody from "Edelweiss," which she had performed for Richardson’s first marriage 19 years ago. More»