Monthly News Archives



		Exercise May Cut Side Effects of Cancer New research suggests that exercise can counter some of its ill effects of cancer. Long-term Breast Feeding Lowers Breast Cancer Risk Women who breastfeed for at least 2 years cut their risk of developing breast cancer by nearly half compared with women who breastfeed for less than 6 months, researchers report. Stress and Aging Affects Immune System Stress is known to pack a punch to the immune system, and the whallop seems to hit the elderly the hardest, according to researchers at Ohio State University. Peppermint Oil may Help Irritable Bowel Syndrome For children suffering with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), relief may come in the form of a common herb--peppermint, researchers report. Male Contraception Injection Shows Promise In a finding that may come as welcome news to women tired of being responsible for birth control, a new study shows that an experimental form of male contraception suppresses the production of sperm. Flexibility at Work Increases Happiness at Home A little flexibility at work can stretch a long way when it comes to keeping employees happy and productive, a new report shows. Diabetes Affects Worker Productivity and Salary Diabetes takes a substantial toll on patients' pocketbooks as well as their health, researchers report. Bigger Babies May Mean Bigger Brains Later in Life The heavier a baby is at birth, the bigger the brain power later in life, new research suggests. UK scientists say birth weight may have lasting effects on mental performance, influencing test scores and even educational achievements all the way to early adulthood. Gene Discovery Links Smoking and Colorectal Cancer People who have a genetic mutation previously linked to emphysema are three times more likely to develop a certain type of colorectal cancer than those without the defect, study results suggest. And smokers with the defect may be 20 times more likely to develop the cancer, researchers warn. Fiber Lowers Risk of Mouth, Throat Cancers People who consume plenty of fiber-rich foods may have a lower risk of cancers of the mouth and throat, Italian researchers report. Stress May Be Bad for Genes While research has suggested stress weakens the immune system's ability to fight off illness, there is new evidence that even the stress of test-taking may trigger short-term damage to the body's DNA. Trade Meat for Tofu to Lower Heart Disease Risk What you eat for lunch just might save your life, results of a recent study suggest. Fast and Steady Walking Wins The Calories Burning Race Everyone agrees with the public health messages that call for regular, moderate exercise. However, the best way for the average couch potato to exercise is as clear as mud. Now results from a small study suggest that ideally, daily exercise should come in one steady dose, instead of 10 minutes here and there. Setting and Keeping Goals May Be Key to Happiness People stuck on a downward spiral of unhappiness may be able to alter their course by simply doing ''what you believe in, what interests you, or both,'' two researchers from the University of Missouri-Columbia suggest. Creatine Use Could Lead to Cancer Creatine, a dietary supplement used by many athletes to increase muscle bulk, could lead to cancer, a French government agency said on Wednesday. Written Management Plans Help Cut Asthma Deaths The way a patient manages their asthma can dramatically influence whether they survive a major attack, researchers report. Report Says Back Injuries #1 Injury in the Workplace A report, released in the final week of the Clinton administration, focused new attention on so-called ergonomics rules issued last fall that industry has pledged to overturn and Bush aides have said may face review by the new administration. Exercise Slows Mental Decline Exercise can improve mental abilities in the elderly, and go some way to preventing mental decline, say researchers. Scientists found mental abilities, or cognitive functioning, improved with exercise. Salmonella Slows Skin Cancer Growth Skin cancer tumor growth was significantly slowed when mice were injected with non-toxic salmonella and radiated, researchers report in a recent issue of the European Journal of Cancer. The strategy could be effective with other cancers, researchers add. Americans Uninformed About Thyroid Disease Nearly 13 million Americans have thyroid disease, but more than half of these people remain undiagnosed, experts said here Thursday at an American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) news conference. Herbal Supplement Eases PMS Symptoms An herbal extract used in ancient times to douse women's sexual desire may serve a more modern purpose. The chasteberry, also known as agnus castus, appears to relieve many of the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), German researchers report. Exercise May Sharpen Older People's Mental Skills Building on evidence that many heart-healthy habits do the brain good, too, researchers suggest that exercise may improve some mental skills in older adults. Goverment Study Says Work and Pain Linked No one knows better than working men and women that work can be a real pain. Now, a report commissioned by Congress provides the strongest scientific evidence to date that there may be a relationship between a person's job and physical ailments such as low-back pain. What Should Women Want? More Fish in Their Diet Eating fish, even in modest amounts, can significantly reduce a woman's risk of the most common type of stroke, a major new study suggests. Doctors Can Catch Teen Smoking Early A few simple questions in the pediatrician's office may spot teen smokers before they become addicted, results of a study suggest. Mild Cigarettes Still Pack Nicotine Punch Smokers who choose to puff on ''light'' or ``ultralight'' cigarettes may not be getting the break from tar and nicotine they've been promised, researchers report. Blood Test May Help Predict Schizophrenia A relatively simple blood test for diagnosing schizophrenia has been proposed by Israeli researchers. Genetic Factors May Determine Blood Clot Risk Genetic factors have a major impact on levels of blood-clotting proteins in the body, study findings suggest. Having Children Before Age 30 Cuts Breast Cancer While experts already know that a woman who has her first child by age 30 has a lower risk of breast cancer than her peers, new research suggests that the risk continues to decline with each child a woman has at a young age. Exercise Reduces Heart Disease Risk Among Diabetics Physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke in diabetic women, according to Harvard researchers. Supplement Helps Melt Fat and Build Muscle A team of Scandinavian researchers has identified a pill that appears to melt away fat while boosting muscle mass. While the supplement -- conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) -- is no magic bullet, it may prove to be a useful tool in combination with even light exercise, Dr. Jan Wadstein, an associate professor of medicine at Lund University in Sweden states in an interview. Free Radicals Implicated In Obesity Heart Risk People who are overweight may have impaired blood flow that can increase their risk of heart disease. Now, a team of Italian researchers report that an abundance of free radicals -- naturally-occurring compounds that damage cells and lead to disease -- may be partly to blame. Broccoli's Strength Against Cancer Varies Study says plant levels of key disease-fighting compound differ 30-fold. When it comes to fighting cancer, not all broccoli is created equal. Waist Circumference Can Help Diagnose Disease Determining who is at risk for diseases as serious as type 2 diabetes may be as simple as measuring a patient's waist,researchers report. Good Cholesterol May Explain Why Some Live to 100 While diet and exercise are key to most people's health, there have always been those lucky few who can do whatever they want and still live to 100. Now genetics research is showing why. A new study suggests that centenarians retain a naturally heart-healthy cholesterol level throughout their lives--and they pass the gift on to their children. Immune System May Trigger a Form of Heart Disease The chronic heart muscle disorder known as dilated cardiomyopathy is thought to be brought on by a variety of factors--from heredity to chronic, heavy drinking. Now, new research in mice suggests that in some cases, the body's own immune system may be behind the life-threatening condition. Motivation for Exercise Works Best With Support for Men and Women Men and women seem to be more willing to commit to daily exercise if they have consistent support from friends and family, study shows. Most Popular Diets Flawed Most popular diets help people drop pounds initially, but only traditional moderate-fat, high-carbohydrate regimens seem to keep dieters slim, according to the first major review of popular diets by the federal government. Mental Decline Likely from Diabetes People with diabetes and high blood pressure are more likely to suffer a decline in mental ability as they age, a study says. Blood Clots Kill Many Airline Passengers Doctors in the UK and Australia said Wednesday that the potentially deadly blood clots sometimes called ``economy class syndrome,'' affect hundreds of passengers each year arriving at their nations' airports. Americans in Denial About Obesity Risks The number of overweight Americans has ballooned to epidemic proportions, health experts agree, yet most adults do not see their weight as a health problem, results of a recent survey reveal. TV Means More Junk Food Children in families that habitually watch television during meals eat fewer fruits and vegetables than those that don't, and consume more pizza, snack food and caffeine-laced soft drinks, researchers reported on Monday. National Obesity Plan Announced Surgeon General David Satcher announced Monday preliminary efforts to form a national strategy to deal with the epidemic problem of obesity in the United States. Obesity increases the risk of several illnesses, including diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and some cancers. Parents Shape Self-Esteem of Children These days, it is not unusual for girls as young as age 10 to try to emulate the look of glamorous fashion models and wispy television stars--a trend that may be linked to eating disorders among young children. Heart Drug May Prevent Migraines According to recent studies, relief may be in sight for those who suffer from migraine headaches but have not responded well to currently available treatments. Blood Sugar Can Gauge Risk of Death from Heart Disease Measuring levels of sugar in the blood can help doctors predict if a patient is at risk of developing heart disease, study findings show. Breast Cancer Death Rate Grows in Older Blacks For reasons that researchers do not understand, the breast cancer death rate of elderly black women increased in the first half of the 1990s in the US, even though the death rate among white women declined during the same period. Saying You Exercise Creates Good First Impression If you want to impress someone, it might help to let it slip that you exercise regularly, Canadian researchers suggest. Targeting Children's Mental Health US Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher unveiled an action plan yesterday aimed to improve services for children and adolescents with mental health problems, which the Clinton administration calls a ``health crisis.'' Lower Prices Make Healthy Snacks More Tempting When it comes to food, taste is a powerful motivator. But according to researchers, money may be sweeter than candy.