— Researchers have linked three gene mutations to stuttering, two of which are involved in cell metabolic disorders. Among the more than 600 individuals studied, the mutations were recessive and may account for only 9% of cases, researchers say. (Reuters)

— Look out for Hawaii Eight-O, health insurers! Island lawmakers are considering a bill that would require insurers to spend at least 80 cents of every healthcare premium dollar on providing medical care to members. Fifteen states have similar thresholds in place, but some set the minimum around 55 or 60 cents per dollar and require only small insurers to meet the requirement. (AMNews)

— Pharmaceutical companies are going high-tech, according to a new Ernst & Young report. Among the projects for so-called ‘Pharma 3.0’ are smart pills that transmit data after ingestion, along with blood glucose monitoring for your iPhone or even Wii. Next thing you know, medicines will treat and then tweet. (Reuters)

— And finally, if you’re on the East Coast, you might feel like you’re swimming in snow, so why not try snorkeling? Researchers tested a ‘snow snorkel,’ a device which redirects carbon dioxide away from the face, on nine volunteers buried in snow; seven were comfortable enough to last 60 minutes with limited oxygen. “Despite its simple appearance, the Snow Snorkel is a potential lifesaver,” says Jeremy Windsor, an author of the paper. The device could be useful for skiers trapped in an avalanche, or for when the next ‘snowmageddon’ comes around.

Image: ©2009 Wilderness Medical Society. Reprinted with permission from the Wilderness Medical Society, Salt Lake City, UT, USA