Health Highlights: Oct. 29, 2014

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Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:

Hi-Tech Pill Would Detect Cancer in Early Stages: Google

A pill to detect cancer in the early stages is being developed by Google.

The pill would contain tiny magnetic nanoparticles that would travel through a person’s bloodstream and search for cancerous cells. The nanoparticles’ findings would be transmitted to a wearable sensor, the Associated Press reported.

The objective of the team at Google’s X lab is to improve on single-sample blood tests that aren’t comprehensive enough to detect the early stages of many types of cancer.

“We want to make it simple and automatic and not invasive,” said Andrew Conrad, head of life sciences at Google’s X lab, the AP reported.

The experimental project was announced Tuesday but it could be a decade before a cancer-detecting pill becomes available to patients, Google said.

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Baby Wipes Recalled Due to Possible Bacteria

Ten brands of baby wipes sold at Walgreens, Sam’s Club and other stores nationwide are being voluntarily recalled due to possible bacteria contamination, the company announced Monday.

According to Nutek Disposables, Inc., included in the recall are baby wipes sold under the brand names Cuties, Diapers.com, Femtex, Fred’s, Kidgets, Member’s Mark, Simply Right, Sunny Smiles, Tender Touch, and Well Beginnings. The products were sold prior to Oct. 21, 2014 at Walgreens, Sam’s Club, Family Dollar, Fred’s stores, and at Diapers.com.

“After receiving a small number of complaints of odor and discoloration, Nutek conducted microbial testing that showed the presence of the bacteria Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia), in some of these products,” the company said in a news release.

“B. cepacia poses little medical risk to healthy people,” Nutek added. “However, people who have certain health problems like weakened immune systems or chronic lung diseases, particularly cystic fibrosis, may be more susceptible to infections with B. cepacia.” People with any of those conditions who think they have used the wipes should contact their doctor, the company said.

Nutek says it has received “numerous” complaints of rash, irritation, infections, gastrointestinal troubles, and respiratory issues from consumers, although it’s not clear if these complaints are tied to the baby wipes.

Consumers who have purchased the products can return them to point of purchase for a full refund, Nutek said. If consumers have questions they should call Nutek at 1-855-646-4351 Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET.

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