WALNUT CREEK, California ― It’s no accident that oysters are identified by the specific tidal region in which they are grown. Think of the sweet Miyagi oyster lifted from Tomales Bay, that narrow, cool Pacific Ocean-fed inlet north of San Francisco.Like that sense of place that defines a wine ― terroir ― the flavor of these beautiful bivalves is influenced by the nutrients, temperature and salinity of the water in which they are raised. In the industry, they call it merroir.While oysters’ chewy

Drinking diet soft drinks on a daily basis might increase the risk stroke, heart attack and vascular death, U.S. researchers said. Customer Wendy Rosen pushes a shopping cart past a display of soft drinks at a Dollar General Corp. store in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, U.S. (Bloomberg)Hannah Garden

Valentine's Day falls smack dab in the middle of flu and cold season, so kissing may not be such a good idea, a U.S. infectious disease expert suggests.Dr. Jorge Parada, medical director, infectious disease at Loyola University Health System in Maywood, Ill., said changing weather or temperatures ar

A blood test analyzing levels of nine biomarkers accurately distinguished patients diagnosed with depression from others, U.S. researchers said.MCTLead author Dr. George Papakostas of the Massachusetts General Hospital said previous efforts to develop tests based on a single blood or urinary biomark

Vincent Joseph Hoffman, a former U.S. missionary who served in South Korea for 15 years, passed away on Jan. 31, at his home in Michigan in the United States. He was 86.Hoffman served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a Jesuit missionary in Korea from 1955 to 1970. He was ordained as Jesuit priest in 1954 and began serving in war-torn towns in North Chungcheong Province. He was well-known for his work with Hansen’s disease patients, and even founded a local hospital through organizing

The fifth season of Concept Korea, the government’s ambitious project aimed at promoting South Korean designers overseas, will kick off next week in New York. Five designers were chosen for the season, including Lee Ju-young, Lie Sang Bong, Son Jung Wan, DOHO and Steve J & Yoni P. They will hold presentation shows at Lincoln Center’s The Stage on Feb. 10. The project will go extra “Korean” this year, with the overall theme “Ink Wash Painting,” a Korean traditional type of ink brush painting. Ima

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia (AP) ― The first major nutritional overhaul of school meals in more than 15 years means most offerings ― including the always popular pizza ― will come with less sodium, more whole grains and a wider selection of fruits and vegetables on the side.First lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the new guidelines during a visit Wednesday with elementary students. Mrs. Obama, also joined by celebrity chef Rachael Ray, said youngsters will learn better

Kangbuk Samsung Hospital said Thursday that it will open an international clinic on Feb.16 at the Samsung office building in Taepyeongno, central Seoul.Located 500 meters from Seoul City Hall, the clinic expects to cater mostly to expats and foreign tourists. It will share facilities and infrastructure with the Samsung hospital.The hospital conducts joint studies with Johns Hopkins University and has been praised as one of the leading medical institutions in preventative medicine. All its system

Also termed “flowers in the land of the dead,” black spots on the face are generally referred to as seborrheic keratosis or senile lentigo, and are gradually formed as the skin ages. There are many people who think that black spots on the face occur only in old age. But they can also occur in younger people who frequently perform outdoor activities and are exposed to ultraviolet rays.The signs of skin aging such as black spots or wrinkles progress because of the natural aging process or the effe

Study suggests that obese doctors are more generous to patients in need of weight lossEncouraging a healthy weight has become essential in Korea. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, about 26.5 percent of women and 35.6 percent of men are considered to be either overweight or obese by WHO standards. Health authorities have estimated that the domestic weight loss industry will reach around 2 trillion won ($1.8 billion).The World Health Organization regards those with a body mass index

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) ― Madonna announced she has teamed up with an American charity to build schools in Malawi, reviving a project she had earlier dropped due to financial mismanagement and lawsuits.“This remains a very big priority in my life and I am excited that with the help of buildOn we can maintain our ongoing commitment to move forward efficiently,” the U.S. singer’s organization Raising Malawi said in a statement issued Monday.BuildOn, a U.S.-based organization, has already built 54 prima