Monthly News Archives



		Calcium, Calories, Cholesterol Want to get the most out of losing weight and lowering your cholesterol? Then taking enough calcium and vitamin D while slashing your calories may do the trick. Sunshine Triggers Skin Repair A blast of sunshine could help fight skin diseases and cancer by attracting immune cells to the skin surface, according to a new study. Overweight Kids Have Greater Risk Of Foot Problems Kids who carry excess pounds may be doing permanent damage to their feet, a group of foot and ankle surgeons warns. Boomers' Health Mistakes Can Add Up Later Some baby boomers do a great job of taking care of their bodies and minds. They watch what they eat, exercise regularly and follow the latest health findings. Others just don't do it and may end up paying dire health consequence in the years ahead. Taste For Salt Can Begin At Birth Some people with a penchant for salty snacks may have been born with it, a new study suggests. Woman's Fertility Cycle Affects Brain A woman's hormones affect specific parts of the brain called the reward pathway, researchers said in a finding that could offer insight into treating drug abuse and mood disorders. Human Metabolism Recreated In Lab US researchers say they have created a "virtual" model of all the biochemical reactions that occur in human cells. Parents Who Don't Solely 'Focus' On Their Kids May Raise A Healthier Family Believe it or not, couples who don't make their children the center of their universe end up raising healthier children. Most Diabetics Don't Exercise Bad news when it comes to diabetics and exercise: Most people with Type 2 diabetes or at risk for it apparently ignore their doctors' advice to be active. Lipid Study Eyes Human Tears U.S. scientists are getting a better understanding of human tears. A team from Ohio State University say they've identified a new class of lipids (a type of fat) that makes up part of the tear film. Deceptive Marketing Makes Your Child Gain Weight About half of the most aggressively marketed children's food with pictures or names of fruit on the packaging contains no fruit at all, according to a report to be released today at the 2007 California Childhood Obesity Conference in Anaheim. Living Near Freeways Hurts Kids' Lungs Children growing up alongside freeways risk having their lung development impaired, which can increase the likelihood of serious respiratory diseases later in life, researchers report. Weight Loss Improves Heart Function In Obese A new study shows that people who are obese can reverse some early heart and blood vessel dysfunction by adopting a healthy lifestyle and losing weight. But exercise alone, without weight loss, does not appear to be enough to improve cardiovascular function. Exercise Relieves Chronic Prostatitis Men who have chronic prostatitis or pelvic pain syndrome may derive significant relief from aerobic exercise, Italian researchers report. Cynicism Linked With Heart Disease Being cynical can increase the risk of heart disease, US researchers claim. Fibre 'Lowers Breast Cancer Risk' Pre-menopausal women who eat large amounts of fibre could halve their breast cancer risk, a recent study has suggested. Taking the Hype Out of Hypnotherapy Today's hypnotherapy is practiced by qualified physicians and has long been recognized by leading medical organizations as an adjunct therapy useful in easing a range of ailments. Microwaves Kill Kitchen Germs Sponges and kitchen scrub brushes can be loaded with disease-causing viruses and bacteria. Swimming In Chlorinated Water Boosts Your Cancer Risk Drinking, bathing or swimming in chlorinated water may increase the risk of bladder cancer, a new study shows. Diabetes Repair 'Occurs In Womb' A mother's cells may try to repair the tissue damage in an unborn child that can result in type 1 diabetes, research suggests. Teenage Pregnancy Myth Dismissed The perception that teenage girls with unwanted pregnancies have been less careful about contraception than older women has been dismissed by a study. Strong Evidence Suggests Climate Shift And Disease Imminent A warmer world is in all likelihood going to be a sicker world for everything from trees to marine life to people, according to researchers and scientists. But how severe will global warming get? Why Do Good? Brain Study Offers Clues People may not perform selfless acts just for an emotional reward, a new brain study suggests. Ancient Medicine Very Popular In Modern China Incorporating elements of mysticism and based on a philosophy developed several thousand years ago, TCM is regarded as an alternative medicine in the West, but in China it remains a central plank of modern health care. Lifestyle Key In Preventing Diabetes Changing to a healthier lifestyle appears to be at least as effective as taking prescription drugs in reducing the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, says a new BMJ study. Scientists Probe the "Wandering" Mind Flitting from one thought to the next, the brain at rest seems random and scattered. But new brain-imaging research suggests the "wandering" mind may have purpose, too. Ethnic Differences In "Good" Cholesterol, Due To Carbs Ethnic differences in levels of HDL, the "good" cholesterol, may be due, at least in part, to diet, a new study from Canada suggests. More Educated People Less Likely To Immunize Their Children Children of women with less than a high school education are more likely to have received timely childhood vaccinations than the children of college graduates, according to a new study. What Is The Best Medical Advance In The Past Couple Of Centuries? The development of sanitation has been the greatest medical advance in the last 166 years, according to a vote of more than 11,000 people worldwide. Replacement For Trans Fat Just As Bad For Your Health Novel research conducted in Malaysia and at Brandeis University shows that a new method of modifying fat in commercial products to replace unhealthy trans fats raises blood glucose and depresses insulin in humans, common precursors to diabetes. Furthermore, like trans fat, it still adversely depressed the beneficial HDL-cholesterol. Layoffs Stress Everyone in the Workplace Workers are familiar with corporate downsizing and the toll it takes on those laid off, but mental health problems can also rise in those who keep their jobs, a European study shows. Caffeine May Ease Some Post-Workout Muscle Pain That morning cup of coffee may be an antidote to post-exercise muscle soreness, if preliminary research is correct. "Cloudy" Apple Juice Packs More Antioxidants When it comes to apple juice, "cloudier" may mean healthier, according to a study published. Family Size May Determine Stomach-Cancer Risk People from large families have an increased risk of stomach cancer, suggests a study that followed more than 7,000 Japanese-American men for 28 years. Tomato-Broccoli Combo May Protect Against Prostate Cancer Broccoli and tomato -- two vegetables known to help fight cancer -- are more effective against prostate cancer if they're eaten together as part of a daily diet than if they're eaten alone, a new study with rats suggests. Trans Fats Double Infertility Risk Cutting trans fats from the diet may be especially important for women of childbearing age who want to have children. Childhood Abuse Harms Adult Health People who were physically or sexually abused as children are twice as likely to have inflammatory proteins in their blood, according to a new study. Video Games Fulfill Psychological Needs Researchers say they've found another reason why video games are so hard to give up: They may help fulfill basic psychological needs. End-of-Life Caregiving Rewarding But Challenging Nearly three-quarters of chronically disabled individuals in the last year of life rely extensively on the aid of informal caregivers -- typically spouses, family members, or friends. Smoking Plays A Role in Knee Arthritis Smoking may increase the risk for cartilage loss and more severe pain in men with osteoarthritis of the knee, according to a new study. Lifestyle Traits Boosts Kids' Weight Children who watch more TV, eat fewer family meals and live in less safe neighborhoods are more likely to be overweight, say researchers from the University of Missouri. Diet, Exercise Work For Older Adults Too It's never too late for obese adults to improve their heart risks through diet and exercise, the results of a new small study suggests. Cold Medicine May Kill Babies, Toddlers More than 1,500 toddlers and babies wound up in emergency rooms over a two-year period and three died because of bad reactions to cold or cough medicine, federal health officials reported. Breast Milk Still Best For Baby Growing numbers still incorrectly believe that infant formula is as good as breast milk, while more are becoming increasingly uncomfortable with mothers breast-feeding their infants in public, the CDC said. Snap Decisions Sometimes Best Trusting your instincts may help you to make better decisions than thinking hard, a study suggests. Garlic Supplements Show No Benefit For Heart Disease Risk Though garlic is touted for heart health, new research suggests that garlic supplements have no effect on several heart disease risk factors. Praying Online Helps Cancer Patients Breast cancer patients who pray in online support groups can obtain mental health benefits, according to a new study conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Center of Excellence in Cancer Communications Research that was funded by the National Cancer Institute. Weight Gain Increases Risk Prostate Cancer A new study finds that obesity increases the risk of death from prostate cancer, even though it does not increase the overall risk a man will be diagnosed with the disease. Chronic Headaches Increase Depression In Women Chronic headaches, particularly migraines and those that are disabling, in conjunction with severe somatic symptoms --physical symptoms of a psychological origin rather than a physical source -- greatly increase the risk of major depressive disorder in women, according to a report in the medical journal Neurology. Who Is Funding Drink Studies? Before you take to heart any research about the health effects of beverages such as milk, fruit juice or soft drinks, find out who paid for the study. Don't Add Milk To Your Tea Plenty of studies have suggested that tea is a boon for cardiovascular health, but new research has found that adding milk to your favorite brew negates those benefits. Girls Most Likely to Gain Weight as Pre-Teens Girls are most likely to gain weight early in adolescence, between the ages of 9 and 12, a new report finds. Prenatal Vitamins Linked To Healthier Babies Prenatal vitamins may reduce the risk of low birth-weight babies for certain women, researchers say. Australians Among Longest Living In World Australia may be the "lucky country" but its indigenous people are not so fortunate when it comes to longevity. Hypnosis May Help Anxious Teens Self hypnosis could be useful in aiding treatment for children suffering from anxiety, research has suggested. Study Raises Questions About Weight-Loss Drugs Millions take popular drugs to lose weight, but the long-term risks and benefits of these medications aren't known, two Canadian researchers contend. Poor Athletic Performance Linked To Vitamin Deficiency Active individuals lacking in B-vitamins -- including college athletes and other elite competitors -- may perform worse during high-intensity exercise and have a decreased ability to repair and build muscle than counterparts with nutrient-rich diets, according to recent Oregon State University research published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. What�s Making Us Sick Is an Epidemic of Diagnoses For most in the western world, the biggest health threat is not avian flu, West Nile or mad cow disease. It�s our health-care system. Dawn Simulation Curbs Wintertime Blues For people who suffer from winter depression triggered largely by reduced sunlight, a bedside device that simulates the rising of the sun may provide relief, a study shows. "Negative air ionization," also delivered at the bedside, seems to be effective as well. Cancer's Unrecognized Toll: Time Lost The hours spent sitting in doctors' waiting rooms, in line for the CT scan, watching chemotherapy drip into veins: Battling cancer steals a lot of time � at least $2.3 billion worth for patients in the first year of treatment alone. Folic Acid May Slow Age- Related Hearing Loss Age-related hearing loss, a common problem among the elderly, might be related to inadequate levels of folic acid, European researchers report. Doctors Back New Approach On Second Opinion Reluctant to get a second opinion? Consider this: Over half of breast cancer patients had their initial treatment changed when they sought a review at a specialty center. But the question remains whether everybody with cancer really needs to go shopping for a second opinion. And if the first two doctors disagree, do you need a tiebreaker? Physical Abuse Leads To Adult Depression Physically abused and neglected children are much more likely to grow into severely depressed adults, a finding that researchers said points to an urgent need to test abused children for depression early on. Media Might Fuel Eating Disorders For some, potentially fatal eating disorders may have their roots in the pages of glossy magazines. Motivation Key to Keeping Those 'Get Fit' Resolutions Before you make a New Year's resolution to get in shape, it might be a good idea to assess whether you're really ready to make that commitment, say experts.