Monthly News Archives



		Holding Loved One's Hand Can Calm Jittery Nerves Married women under extreme stress who reach out and hold their husbands' hands feel immediate relief, neuroscientists have found in what they say is the first study of how human touch affects the neural response to threatening situations. Teflon Chemical a Likely Carcinogen A chemical used in the manufacture of Teflon and other nonstick and stain-resistant products should be considered a "likely" carcinogen, according to an independent scientific review panel advising the Environmental Protection Agency. Obesity Might Be Infectious As if the close proximity of delicious, fattening foods weren't bad enough, obesity might actually be infectious. Boss Key To Return To Work After Breast Cancer Research indicates that the vast majority of working women who develop breast cancer return to their job after treatment and it helps to have an accommodating employer. Your Memory Is Much More Than Just Storage Space A study by a professor of cognitive neuroscience is the first to demonstrate that awareness, or "visual working memory," depends on your ability to filter out irrelevant information. How To Get Vitamin D? In just the past few weeks, researchers have stated important facts and suggestions about the sunshine vitamin. How much vitamin D do you need and where do you get it from? De-Winterize Your Skin Dry air in winter can cause dry and itchy skin, but there are some simple steps you can take to protect your skin. Taking Your Temperature? Lay Off The Snacking A new nurses' study finds that prior drinking and eating can alter body temperature readings gleaned from an oral thermometer. Modest Weight Loss Boosts Bladder Control Dropping even a small amount of weight not only improves well-being, it also enhances bladder control in women with pre-diabetes, a new study finds. Almonds: The Little Nut Wins Out Over 'Bad' Cholesterol They look just like any other nut, but nutritionists say almonds are packed with heart-healthy nutrients, especially monounsaturated fat, plant protein and dietary fiber that reduce "bad" cholesterol. Kids' Chronic Headache and Sleeplessness Go Hand-in-Hand Frequent headaches in children appear linked with sleep problems, although researchers aren't sure which comes first. Smokers Can Quit Best On a Whim Putting a lot of thought and planning into quitting smoking may not be the best route to success, a new study finds. Curry Spice Plus Cabbage Compound May Fight Cancer Numerous studies have suggested the curry spice turmeric can help fight off cancer. Fruit And Vegetables Cut Stroke Risk Eating more than the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day can further reduce the odds of suffering a stroke, researchers said. Laughter Paves The Way For Romance If love is blind, then maybe humour is the attention-grabber. That's the conclusion of two recent studies that confirm a long-standing stereotype of flirting: that women like joky men, while men like women who laugh at their jokes. Science Spots New Cause of Chronic Pain In a finding that could alter pain treatment, British scientists have found that undamaged nerve fibers, not injured ones, cause ongoing spontaneous pain. Sex Calms Nerves Before Public Speaking Forget pretending you are talking to one person or concentrating on a single point in the audience -- having sex is good way to calm nerves before giving a speech or presentation. No Evidence Echinacea Prevents Colds While the popular herbal remedy echinacea may help shorten the length and severity of cold symptoms, it does not prevent a cold, German researchers report. Single Workout Can Lift Mood In Depressed Patients A single 30-minute walk on a treadmill can give a temporary emotional lift to patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder, the results of a small study suggest. Group Calls for Ban on Drug-Industry Gifts to Doctors A group of influential doctors and academic leaders are calling for a ban on all pharmaceutical gifts to doctors at academic medical centers. Review Doubts Soy Health Benefits Veggie burgers and tofu might not be so great at warding off heart disease after all. Alternative Therapy Common In Prostate Cancer About one third of prostate cancer patients in the United States use some type of complementary or alternative medicine, a large national study shows. Low Blood Pressure Bad Sign For Heart Failure Lower than normal blood pressure appears to raise the risk of death in patients with heart failure, according to a report in the American Heart Journal. Widening Waist a Heart Risk Factor for Women A tape measure may help a woman gauge her risk for heart disease. American researchers say women with a waist circumference of 35 inches or more are more likely to develop heart disease than women with smaller waistlines. Program Prepares Girls For Pitfalls of Puberty A recent innovative program prepares young girls for the pitfalls of puberty by combining a big dose of running with games, exercises and discussions is designed to enhance a girl's self-esteem so she can enter her teens with confidence. Walkers Stay Fit With Ski Poles Taking a page from his Nordic countrymen, Markku Mustonen, a Finnish native is trying to get others in the United States interested in the European practice of skiwalking, also known as Nordic walking. Exercise Protects Against Parkinson's Scientists from the Harvard School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh and University of Southern California are finding that exercise might offer a powerful shield against Parkinson's. Their studies suggest physical activity might help protect neurons in the brain from the ongoing damage of Parkinson's. Limiting Flavors May Be Key to Weight Loss Forget counting carbs and calories. Obesity researcher Dr. David Katz says the way to lose weight is to limit flavors. Antibiotic Resistance Widespread in Nature Pluck a microbe out of the ground, and it's likely to be resistant to most antibiotics, a new Canadian study finds. Lack Of Sleep Leads To Fewer Brain Cells Skimping on sleep can slow certain types of learning, a new study in rats shows, and the difficulty seems to arise from a lack of new brain neurons. Age is Just a Number Feelings of closeness with loved ones and active lives are providing a majority of seniors with the sense that they're aging successfully, a new study finds. Alone Time With Pets Helps Seniors Dogs apparently need no help lifting the spirits of lonely people. A study has found that nursing home residents felt much less lonely after spending time alone with a dog than when other people joined in the visit. Sight Warning On Impotency Drugs Impotency drugs such as Viagra and Cialis may be associated with increased risk of damage to the optic nerve in some men, research suggests. Scientists Warn Of Rise In Babies' Sofa Deaths Cases of babies dying from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) have fallen dramatically over 20 years but deaths while sleeping with a parent on a sofa have risen 400 percent researchers said. Diabetes Tied To Colon Cancer The findings from a study of ethnic Chinese subjects residing in Singapore support what has been shown in Western populations; diabetes is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Employers Target Bad Habits For Insurance Coverages Workers may pay more if they smoke or maintain unhealthy lifestyles, as companies try to curb rising health insurance costs. Dogs Smell Signs Of Cancer Dogs have long been used to sniff out explosives, narcotics, and even counterfeit currency. Now, a new study shows that man's best friend can also detect lung and breast cancer in breath samples. Java Before The Gym? Think Again Having a coffee fix just before a workout may not be the best idea, a new study suggests. Researchers found that the amount of caffeine in just two cups of coffee limits the body's ability to increase blood flow to the heart during exercise. Exercise Helps Delay Alzheimers Older people who exercise three or more times a week are less likely to develop Alzheimer's and other types of dementia, according to a study that adds to the evidence that staying active can help keep the mind sharp. Mental Health Link To Diet Change Changes to diets over the last 50 years may be playing a key role in the rise of mental illness, a study says. Exercise Reduces Pregnancy- Related Diabetes Risk Results of a study provide more evidence that engaging in regular physical activity before and during pregnancy reduces a woman's risk developing pregnancy-induced diabetes (a.k.a. gestational diabetes). TV In The Bedroom Can Ruin Your Sex Life Thinking of buying a TV for the bedroom? Think again -- it could ruin your sex life. A Look at Attitudes Toward the Overweight The market research firm, NPD Group, has been surveying Americans for two decades about their attitudes toward eating and weight. The percentage of people who agreed with the statement: "People who are not overweight are more attractive." has consistently dropped in the last few decades. Component In Soy Causes Reproductive Problems Genistein, a major component of soy, was found to disrupt the development of the ovaries in newborn female mice that were given the product. This study adds to a growing body of literature demonstrating the potentially adverse consequences of genistein on the reproductive system. Research Reveals Secrets of Cancer's Spread New research suggests that the most dangerous part of any cancer is the thin, single-cell boundary where a tumor meets healthy tissue. Sleep Keeps Brain Growing Strong According to researchers learning spatial tasks -- such as finding your way to a new destination -- helps the brain produce new brain cells in an area of the brain called the hippocampus. Sleep can help those new brain cells survive, the researchers added. Bosses Insisting On Healthy Habits? Should bosses worry about whether workers are getting annual dental exams, eating healthy, or jogging regularly? Or should employees have a basic right to live their personal lives without interference? Dogs May Be Able To Sniff Out Cancer Dogs' keen sense of smell might help in the early diagnosis of cancer, researchers report in the current issue of Integrative Cancer Therapies. The findings show that trained ordinary household dogs can detect early-stage lung and breast cancers by merely sniffing the breath samples of patients. Depressed Patients Seek More From Therapy Rather than merely being relieved of their negative symptoms, patients being treated for depression hope to attain optimism, self-confidence and a return to normal functioning, as goals of successful remission, according to a report in the January 2006 issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry. Tomato Extract Lowers Blood Pressure A dietary supplement derived from tomatoes may help treat moderately elevated blood pressure, the results of a small study suggest. Whole Grains May Reduce Heart Risk In Elderly Older adults who regularly eat whole grains like high-fiber cereals and cooked oatmeal may be less likely to develop a cluster of conditions that raise the risk of heart attack and stroke, a new study suggests. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common intestinal disorder that can cause cramps, gas, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. It is sometimes called a�"nervous stomach" or a "spastic colon."�Certain foods can trigger the symptoms of IBS,�as can�emotional stress, infections, and physical trauma. Health Tip: Learn What Triggers Your Head Pain Headaches often strike at the most inopportune times. Their causes can include stress, skipping meals, irregular sleep habits, or certain foods. Study Links Obesity, Heart Problems Middle-age people who are overweight but have normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels are kidding themselves if they think their health is just fine. Obese People In Denial On Weight Issues Many obese people are in denial about their size and do not want to lose weight even if it would improve their health, according to a recent British poll. Fish Oil Prevents Airway Constriction In Asthma Adding fish oil supplements to the diet can prevent the constriction of the airways brought on by exercise in asthmatics, a very common problem in this patient group, new research shows. Vitamin D Levels During Pregnancy Predict Kids' Bone Health Mothers who take extra vitamin D while pregnant could be protecting their children from osteoporosis later in life. Coffee Cuts Breast Cancer Risk Women with a particular gene mutation may reduce their risk of breast cancer by a startling amount simply by drinking coffee, according to new Canadian research. Blood Thinners Contributed to Sharon's Stroke The blood thinner given to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon after his mini-stroke may have backfired and contributed to the recent massive stroke he suffered, in what experts say is a classic illustration of this seeming paradox in stroke treatment. Studying The Fate Of Drugs In Wastewater Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have published an interesting study that sheds light on the fate of a familiar pharmaceutical as it enters the waste stream. Behavioral Therapies Aid Elderly With Insomnia Therapies focused on changing sleep habits may be a good alternative to sleeping pills for older adults with insomnia, a research review suggests. Pets Are Losing The Battle Of The Bulge Just like their owners, a growing number of British pets are becoming obese and face chronic illnesses such as heart complaint, diabetes and arthritis, according to recent research. Psychotropic Drug Prescriptions For Teens Surge 250% Psychotropic drug prescriptions for teenagers skyrocketed 250 percent between 1994 and 2001, rising particularly sharply after 1999, when the federal government allowed direct-to-consumer advertising and looser promotion of off-label use of prescription drugs, according to a new Brandeis University study in the journal Psychiatric Services. Kidney Failure: Another Consequence of Obesity Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco have determined that there is a strong relationship between being obese and developing end-stage renal disease, or kidney failure. Decreased Sexual Desire Linked To Long-Term Birth Control Use Women who take birth control pills might be at increased risk for a long-term loss of sexual desire, according to new research from a team at the Lahey Clinic in Boston. Soy Worsens Heart Disease In an animal study showing strong links between diet and a specific type of heart disease, researchers report that consuming soy might adversely affect the condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Study Examines Low-Fat, High-Carb Diet Older women who ate less fat and more carbohydrates lost about 2 pounds over seven years, a large study showed. Grapefruit Reduces Gum Disease Eating two grapefruits a day for two weeks appears to significantly cut gum bleeding for people who have gum disease, new research from Germany shows. Statins Offer No Protection Against Cancer Two new studies show that statins, the popular drugs used to lower cholesterol and prevent heart attacks, offer no protection against cancer, contrary to what some earlier studies suggested. Obesity Raises Risk Of Alzheimer's Disease If heart disease and diabetes aren't bad enough, now comes another reason to watch your weight. According to a study just released, packing on too many pounds can increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Molecular Link Between Diet, Type 2 Diabetes Discovered A new study shows how and why a high-fat diet and obesity are linked to type 2 diabetes. Bigger Vehicles No Better At Preventing Children's Injuries Despite the public perception that SUVs are safer than passenger cars for family driving, a new report shows the bigger vehicles are no better at preventing children's injuries in accidents. Prostate Cancer: the Diet Angle No one knows what causes prostate cancer, but like breast cancer, it is influenced by sex hormones, and risk increases with age. The big question is why a small percentage of men develop the kind of prostate cancer that kills. Scientists have been looking at the following possible preventers and promoters of the disease. Retirees Could Use Workplace Wellness Programs Telephone nurse counseling and regular mailings are among the methods that could persuade the many retired employees who drop out of workplace wellness programs to return to the programs, says a recent study. Safe Neighborhoods Keep Kids Leaner The safety of a neighborhood appears to impact childhood obesity. A recent study found that kids who live in neighborhoods considered unsafe by their parents were more likely to be overweight than kids who live in what their parents considered to be safe neighborhoods. Seniors Can Beat Injury This Winter What many people regard as a winter wonderland can be a minefield of safety hazards for older adults, with snow and ice a major cause of debilitating falls. Cold weather, lack of exercise and isolation can take their toll, too.