Monthly News Archives



		The Fit Tend to Fidget, and Biology May Be Why Overweight people have a tendency to sit, while lean ones have trouble holding still and spend two hours more a day on their feet, pacing around and fidgeting, researchers are reporting in recent findings published. Doctors Debate Value of Vitamin E Doctors and other health professionals defended the safety of vitamin E, and reported on continuing studies that they said show its potential benefits in treating a variety of health problems. Cancer Alert For Smoking Parents Children regularly exposed to smoking are three times more likely to contract lung cancer in later life than those in non-smoking homes, research suggests. Green Tea Extract Boosts Endurance Now that even baseball players may need to seek new, more natural performance aids, will Japanese green tea sets become standard in dugouts and athletic training tables around the world? Can't Sit Still? It May Keep You Thin, Study Finds People who literally cannot sit still may have inborn behavior that keeps them slim even if they overeat a little, researchers in the United States said. Study Finds Most Bone Growth Occurs at Night The perception that children seem to grow taller overnight is likely true, researchers said. Calcium Boost To Youths' Bones Could Reduce Osteoporosis Risk New research on calcium and bone development suggests that efforts to prevent osteoporosis, generally considered a geriatric disease among women, could actually start before puberty. Instant Tea May Have Too Much Fluoride Instant tea may be a source of harmful levels of fluoride that can lead to bone pain, researchers discovered after they looked into the case of a woman who drank one to two gallons of super-strength tea daily. Secret Ingredient for Elderly Romance A mystery chemical isolated from the sweat of young women seems to act as a romance booster for their older counterparts. Quit Smoking or Quit Your Job, U.S. Company Says The owner of a Michigan company who forced his employees to either quit smoking or quit their jobs said he also wants to tell fat workers to lose weight or else. Activity Not Out Of The Question For Fibromyalgia And Chronic Pain Many people with fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions fear that activity will make their pain worse. But new research suggests they may be able to be more active than they think � without suffering from increased pain. Child Obesity Prevention Efforts Should Begin By Age 4 Study suggests obesity prevention efforts should begin by age 4 for at-risk children. Research shows that by age six, children of overweight mothers are fifteen times more likely to be obese than children of lean mothers. Physical Education Program Promotes Fitness For Preschoolers With the increasing rates of obesity, diabetes and even heart disease in children, fitness specialists are now stressing the importance of well-rounded physical education programs as early as preschool. Weight Training Gives MS Patients Physical, Emotional Benefits Lifting weights can improve muscle strength and quality of life for people afflicted with the degenerative disease multiple sclerosis, a new University of Florida study finds. Study Links Obesity to Kidney Stones Being obese or gaining weight more than normal increases the risk of kidney stones, especially in women who ordinarily run half the chance that men do of developing the painful deposits, researchers stated. Booster Seats Not Getting Used Just 40 percent of children aged 4 to 8 use car safety seats or booster seats at least occasionally -- meaning that most children risk being thrown from the car in the case of an accident, according to a recent study released. Meditation Gives Brain a Charge Brain research is beginning to produce concrete evidence for something that Buddhist practitioners of meditation have maintained for centuries: Mental discipline and meditative practice can change the workings of the brain and allow people to achieve different levels of awareness. Doctors Should Push Cardiac Rehab Programs Doctors should urge recovering heart patients to exercise and adhere to cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention programs to prevent recurrent heart attacks, says an updated scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Study Raises Questions on Plavix Safety Patients taking Plavix, a popular and expensive antistroke drug, experience more than 12 times as many ulcers as patients who take aspirin plus a heartburn pill, a study to be published today in The New England Journal of Medicine found. Obesity May Hinder Cancer Screening A new study suggests a man's weight may affect the accuracy of a common test to detect prostate cancer, leading researchers to warn that doctors could be missing the dangerous cancer in obese men. Lung Cancer Is a Woman's Disease Think lung cancer, and most people picture a disease that primarily strikes older men who smoke. What many don't realize is that lung cancer is the leading cancer killer of women, responsible for 27 percent of all cancer deaths, ahead of breast and colorectal cancer. Vioxx, Celebrex Were Overprescribed, Study Says The two popular painkillers Vioxx and Celebrex, heavily marketed as "super-aspirin," were prescribed for millions of patients who did not need them or should not have taken them, researchers said. Moderate Alcohol Intake May Reduce Risk Of Dementia In Older Women Older women who drink a moderate amount of alcohol each day may be helping to keep their minds sharp, according to researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center and colleagues. Stuttering Kids Need Help to Cope with Bullying Parents and teachers need to do more to help kids who stutter deal with any bullying or teasing, according to a speech pathologist. Tea Extract More Benefit Than the Brew A green tea extract may pack a stronger antioxidant punch than the beverage itself does, new research suggests. Most Adverse Events In Hospitalized Children Are Preventable A study by researchers at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine suggests that nearly 70,000 children hospitalized in the United States experience an adverse event each year and that at least 60 percent of these errors may be preventable. High IQ Test Scorers Have Less Suicide Risk Young men who perform well in intelligence tests have less risk of committing suicide than those with lower scores, Swedish scientists said. Many Birth Defects Can Be Prevented No matter how deeply a mother cares for her unborn child, there's no guarantee her baby will be born in perfect health. Birth defects are more common than you might think, and they're not always avoidable. Sports Drinks May Help Soccer Players Stay Pumped Taking regular sips of a carbohydrate-electrolyte sports drink during a soccer match appears to help soccer players maintain their stamina, findings from a new study indicate. Time For Exercises, Not Excuses What could the government possibly be thinking, recommending 30 to 90 minutes of exercise a day? Who has time for that? Couch potatoes see the recommendations, announced last week, as so unrealistic that there's no point in trying to follow them. Busy people with jobs and families are throwing up their hands in exasperation. Key Cancer Gene Discovered Cancer is caused by the activity of rogue genes that act like street toughs within cells, forcing them to multiply out of control. Now, scientists say they've identified a kind of "kingpin" gene that rules this gang of delinquent DNA. Daily Drink Improves Thinking in Older Women Women who enjoy a drink of beer or wine daily have sharper minds into old age than women who abstain, U.S. researchers reported. Foul Drinking Water Aboard Airliners Worsens Random tests of the water aboard 169 U.S. passenger planes conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency in November and December found contamination by fecal coliform bacteria on about 17% of them � almost 5% more than was found in tests done in August and September. Folic Acid May Prevent High Blood Pressure Folic acid supplements, widely used by women to prevent birth defects, also may fight hypertension in women, perhaps because they relax blood vessels, researchers said. Diabetes Linked to Reduced Risk of Prostate Cancer Men with type 2 diabetes seem to be less likely to develop prostate cancer, overall, a new study indicates. Treating Sleep Apnea in Children Improves Behavioral Problems Children who are treated for obstructive sleep apnea show improvements in behavioral and emotional problems, says a study in the January issue of the Archives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. Too Much Added Sugar Worsens Kids' Overall Diet New research shows that the more added sugar kids get from sodas, sweets and fruit drinks, the less they get of the things they need in their diets to stay healthy. More Evidence Found of Painkiller Heart Risks More evidence of how painkillers called COX-2 inhibitors can raise the risk of heart disease was published Monday, showing Pfizer Inc.'s Bextra can triple the risk of heart attack and stroke in certain patients. ADHD Linked to Mom's Iodine Levels A group of Italian researchers is recommending routine thyroid-function screening for women during early pregnancy, because they believe attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children may be associated with an iodine deficiency in mothers. Dispute Puts a Medical Journal Under Fire Last year was an especially bad one for the pharmaceutical industry, which experienced controversies over how drug studies are disclosed and the implosion of the painkiller Vioxx. Now, as a result of the recent publication of an article about the antidepressant Prozac, it appears that the staid, usually methodical world of medical journals could suffer its own black eye. Weight-Loss Supplements: Do They Work? Now that the holiday cookies are history, you've resolved to get fit and trim. Perhaps you've even considered taking over-the-counter dietary supplements to help you reach your weight-loss goals. Switching To Aspirin For Pain Relief? Beware Its Risks, Too Now that painkiller Vioxx is off the market and Celebrex and Bextra face questions, consumers may be tempted to use one of the oldest and most trusted painkillers of all: aspirin. Prostate Cancer Treatment's Risks May Outweigh Its Benefits Hormone-suppressing drugs increasingly used to treat prostate cancer make men so prone to broken bones that the risks of the treatment may outweigh the benefits in those whose cancer was caught early, researchers say. Vending Machine Industry Aims at Obesity The vending machine industry, taking heavy criticism as kids get fatter, is launching an anti-obesity marketing campaign to improve its image and fend off efforts to remove machines from schools. High Blood Pressure Rates Set to Soar A third of the world's adult population -- more than one billion people -- will suffer from high blood pressure by 2025, scientists predicted. Prostate Cancer Drugs Bring Risks Hormone-suppressing drugs increasingly used to treat prostate cancer make men so prone to broken bones that the risks of the treatment may outweigh the benefits in those whose cancer was caught early, researchers say. Big Tobacco Tried to Blur Cancer Link Tobacco companies tried to cast doubt on the link between smoking and cancer by funding projects that challenged the findings of a landmark study, scientists said. Revised Food Pyramid To Emphasize Calories, Exercise The U.S. government, alarmed by Americans' increasing weight, took its boldest step yet to fight the problem by issuing new dietary guidelines advising Americans to exercise about an hour a day, eat more fruits and vegetables and slash their intake of the trans fats found in processed foods. Stay Thin by Sleeping More? A recent study published found that people who sleep less tend to be fat, and experts said it's time find if more sleep will fight obesity. New Report Clears Up Myths About Constipationisk The idea that chronic constipation is the result of a low-fiber diet may be one of the many myths and misconceptions about the condition, according to a new review of the issue. Sun Protection in a Pill Seen Possible An extract of a fern plant grown in Central America, taken by mouth, protects the skin from ultraviolet radiation damage that can lead to skin cancer, researchers report. Flame Retardant Exposure Linked To House Dust Common house dust may be an important source of a potentially dangerous class of chemicals according to an exploratory study by researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technologyand the Environmental Protection Agency. New Study Reveals Treatment For 'Silent Killer' Using Diet, Not Drugs A new scientific review shows that high blood pressure can be reduced with diet changes, especially a vegetarian diet. Diabetes, Pre-Diabetes Linked to Cancer Risk Diabetes, or even high blood sugar levels that can lead to diabetes, appear to raise the risk of several major cancers, according to a large Korean study. High Red Meat Consumption Linked to Colon Cancer Long-term high consumption of red and processed meat may increase the risk of cancer in the colon and rectum, a new study shows. Zinc May Help Prevent Esophageal, Oral Cancers Cancer researchers at Jefferson Medical College and the Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia have found that zinc treatment may help prevent esophageal and oral cancers in those individuals at high risk. Oleic Acid Key to Olive Oil's Anti-Cancer Effect Scientists have discovered why eating a Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, vegetables and particularly olive oil can help to protect women from developing breast cancer. Exercise Alternative to Flu Vaccine With the flu season rapidly approaching, many are concerned with the limited supply of vaccine doses available. However, researchers may have discovered an alternative method to avoiding the flu, thus eliminating the common reliance of vaccines. Judge: Listerine No Replacement for Floss Mouthwash is no substitute for dental floss, a federal judge ruled, calling a Listerine ad campaign false and misleading and a public health risk. Drug Company Empire Ready to Fall The $500 billion drug company dynasty finally appears ready to fall as the industry struggles to save face among continual reports of serious problems with well-known drugs. Meanwhile, drug research and development is on the decline and the industry is struggling to find new medicines. Many Chronically Ill Kids Take Supplements: Study Many children with chronic medical conditions such as cancer and cystic fibrosis may be taking dietary supplements that are not part of their prescribed treatment, a new survey shows. Brain Theory Of Eating Disorders Women may be more at risk of eating disorders than men because of the way their brain processes information. Scientists found the female brain responds differently to a man's when exposed to certain words concerned with body image. Depression Tied To Higher Risk Of Heart Disease Death Depression can double the risk of death or repeat heart disease in heart attack patients, according to two reviews of more than 40 studies that examine the link between depression and heart disease. The reviews are published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine. Psychiatrist: Company Hid Prozac, Suicide Link Recent documents obtained establish a 1994 lawsuit was filed against Lilly for victims of a Louisville workplace shooting. The gunman, who killed himself and eight others, had been treated with Prozac. A prominent researcher and clinician was the first to publish case reports showing an apparent link between Prozac and suicidal behavior in adults. Lifestyle Changes Cut Heart Risk Without Drugs In a new study, a 12-week program designed to change unhealthy lifestyles helped adults with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar reach their goal risk-factor levels without using drug therapy. Role Seen for Vitamin A to Prevent Breast Cancer A glitch in the way the body processes vitamin A may contribute to the development of breast cancer, a new study says. Fruits, Veggies Lower Kids' Blood Pressure Preschoolers who eat the recommended four servings of fruits and vegetables -- along with two servings of dairy products -- each day may have lower blood pressures in early adolescence, new study findings suggest. Herbal Extract Reduces Migraines An extract of the root of a plant called butterbur (Petasites hybridus) significantly reduces the frequency of migraine headaches, new research findings suggest. Tanners Have Higher Vitamin D Levels, Bone Mass People who try to stay bronze with the help of a tanning bed tend to have higher blood levels of vitamin D than those shun the salon, according to a new study. Chamomile tea: New Evidence Supports Health Benefits For centuries, people who�ve felt sick or stressed have tried drinking chamomile tea as a medicinal cure-all. Now, researchers in England have found new evidence that the popular herbal tea may actually help relieve a wide range of health ailments, including colds and menstrual cramps. Tobacco Smoke Lowers I.Q. in Children A new Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center study shows that exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, even at extremely low levels, is associated with decreases in certain cognitive skills, including reading, math, and logic and reasoning, in children and adolescents. Pick a Diet and Stick to It, Study Says Only one in four people can stick to a diet for a full year, a study comparing adherence to weight-loss programs said. High Body Weight Linked to Kidney Cancer Risk The risk of developing a type of kidney cancer, renal cell carcinoma, is directly related to body mass index (BMI) and to the increase in BMI since age 20, according to the findings from two new European studies. Study Shows No One Knows Which Diets Work Best No one really knows which diets work and which are a waste of time, with the possible exception of Weight Watchers, U.S. researchers reported. Painkillers Damage Intestine More than 70 percent of patients who took painkillers such as ibuprofen for more than three months suffered damage to their small intestines, U.S. researchers reported. Teen Obesity Is a Ticking Time Bomb The American Heart Association's warning last week that more children than ever are heading toward heart trouble is primarily due to the nation's obesity epidemic. Fibromyalgia: New Insights Into a Misunderstood Ailment Fibromyalgia was once dismissed by many traditional medical practitioners as a phantom illness. But that view is changing rapidly. Not only is fibromyalgia accepted as a diagnosable illness, it is also a syndrome that researchers are finding more complicated as new information emerges. More Evidence Of Prozac Drug Cover-Up The US Food and Drug Administration has agreed to review confidential drug company documents that went missing during a controversial product liability suit more than 10 years ago. The documents appear to suggest a link between the drug fluoxetine (Prozac), made by Eli Lilly, and suicide attempts and violence.