snake venom news stories on Newser

Stung by a Scorpion? Mexico Will Save You

Mark Russell — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 06:42:31 CDT

With the United States having run out of scorpion anti-venom nearly 10 years ago, the FDA has just approved a Mexican-made treatment for scorpion stings, reports NPR . Although there are about 250 severe scorpion stings a year in the United States—mainly in the "Venom Belt" in the southwest—US...

Deadly Mamba May Save Heart Patients

Rob Quinn — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:07:58 CDT

Scientists believe the deadly green mamba may hold the key to saving many heart failure patients. A hormone found in the African tree snake's venom helps widen blood vessels to deliver its poison faster, reducing high blood pressure in the process. The hormone also appears to boost kidney function, researchers...

Snakebites Surge in Texas, Calif.

Rob Quinn — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 06:30:01 CDT

Poison control centers have witnessed a steep rise in snakebites in parts of the country this summer, USA Today reports. Authorities in central Texas say bites are up 35%, and southern California has seen many more serious cases than usual. Some experts suspect more snakes are developing powerful toxins in...

Komodo Dragons Use Venom to Kill

Jess Kilby — Tue, 19 May 2009 03:40:15 CDT

Australian scientists have discovered that the world’s largest lizard packs a lethal venom in its bite, the Guardian reports. MRI scans of an ailing Komodo dragon revealed venom glands in the mouth that had never before been documented. The dragons’ poison sends victims into shock by triggering a sudden drop...

Caviar and Other Weird Skincare Ingredients

Wesley Oliver — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 11:36:06 CDT

As it turns out, the fountain of youth is flowing with all sorts of strange ingredients, and Forbes reveals the best of a bunch that could keep you looking young and radiant: Caviar isn’t just for your palate: La Prairie’s Skin Caviar Crystalline Concentre uses the fish extract to make...

Snake Venom Accusation Dogs Horse Trainer

M. Morris — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 15:24:33 CDT

Doping scandals in horse racing usually concern diuretics and other performance-enhancing drugs, but a controversy currently brewing in Kentucky and New York involves a substance with a far longer history: cobra venom. Authorities searched a barn at Keeneland last month and turned up evidence that has sparked an investigation of...