Monthly News Archives



		Acupuncture May Safely Treat Morning Sickness Acupuncture may be an effective treatment for some symptoms of morning sickness during early pregnancy, new study results suggest. Knowing Your Breast Cancer Risk A new study finds that genetic testing and counseling lead to interventions that can find breast and ovarian cancers at earlier stages. Adult Brain Makes New Cells That Work Not only do new nerve cells grow in the adult brain, but they also appear to develop function as well as form. Simple Blood Test Could Predict Risk of Heart Disease A simple blood test that tells you if you're at risk for heart disease may well be the wave of the future. Smoking May Speed Diabetics' Kidney Decline Diabetic kidney disease may worsen quickly despite therapy if patients continue to smoke, new research shows. Clogging of Arteries Can Vary by Ethnicity Blacks and Hispanics who have chest pains that seem to be related to heart disease are less likely to have signs of completely clogged heart arteries compared with people of other ethnic backgrounds, study findings suggest. Strength Training May Ease Fibromyalgia Symptoms An exercise plan that includes strength training and aerobic activity may help women with the painful disorder fibromyalgia, the results of a small study suggest. Obesity Seen Rising in East, Central Europe Obesity is a growing public health problem in eastern and central Europe despite improving diets since the fall of communism, nutritionists at a European food safety conference said Wednesday. US Study Ties Gene to Memory Loss in Healthy Adults A gene already linked to Alzheimer's and heart disease can also cause everyday memory loss in healthy people as they age, US researchers said on Tuesday. Grapes' Anti-Fungal Agent May Fight Cancer, Too Scientists said on Tuesday they had gained fresh insight into how a natural anti-fungal agent found in grapes and other crops may help prevent cancer. High Blood Pressure Awaits 9 Out of 10 Middle-aged and the elderly face a 90% chance of developing high blood pressure during their lives, researchers have found. Tea May Help Keep Blood Flowing After Fatty Meal An after-dinner cup of tea might help counteract some of the harmful effects of a fatty meal, a preliminary report suggests. Eating Processed Meats Ups Diabetes Risk in Men Eating a diet high in processed meats such as hot dogs, bacon, salami or sausage may substantially increase a man's risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to the results of a large US study. Skipping Breakfast May Not Aid Weight Loss Though skipping breakfast might seem like an easy way for dieters to cut calories, new research finds that the majority of people who are successful at losing weight and keeping it off eat breakfast every day. Britons Less Homophobic Than Decade Ago Britons are more sexually adventurous and less homophobic that they were a decade ago, according to a survey. More people today think there is nothing wrong with gay sex and many more are willing to admit having one-night stands. Want to Lose Weight? Leave the Lights On! A researcher gave questionnaires to 400 college students and discovered a link between bulimia -- an eating disorder characterized by bingeing and purging -- and dim lighting. Anti-Inflammatory Pain Relievers May Fight Viruses Certain pain relievers, including aspirin, might actually be able to fight some viruses instead of just treating virus symptoms such as fever, researchers report. Parents Play a Key Role in Keeping Daughters Fit Parental support can be a determining factor in whether girls become healthy young athletes or couch potatoes, according to a new report. Not All TV Snacking Is Equally Bad Even though overweight children in a new study spent similar amounts of time snacking in front of the television as thinner kids, they were more likely to munch on high-calorie, high-fat foods, a factor that undoubtedly contributed to their weight problems, researchers report. People Burn Half the Calories That Wild Animals Do We could learn a thing or two about staying in shape from the wild animals we love to watch on Animal Planet or the Discovery channel: They burn at least twice as many calories a day as we do, study findings show. Study Suggests Docs Undertreat High Blood Pressure Doctors may not be treating high blood pressure as aggressively as they could, new study findings suggest. NIH Launches New Rare Disease Information Center Patients and their families can now gain free and immediate access to reliable information about genetic and rare diseases via the newly opened Genetic and Rare Disease Information Center, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced recently. Defective Gene Tied to Uterine Fibroids The identification of a genetic mutation could one day lead to new treatments for fibroids, a common gynecological problem that can cause discomfort, bleeding and reduced fertility. Heart Disease a New Concern for People with AIDS When AIDS experts gather in Seattle today for an annual conference, an unusual topic will be on their lips -- heart disease. More Study Of, Info on Alternative Medicine Needed Consumers and their doctors need the government's help in gaining access to unbiased information and better research about alternative medicines and treatments, members of a presidential advisory commission said Friday. Vitamin C, Carotenoids Cut Women's Cataract Risk Women can reduce their risk of early-onset cataracts by making sure they get plenty of vitamin C, new research suggests. Docs Often Fail to Diagnose Kids' Asthma Correctly Children with asthma are not likely to be diagnosed accurately and, as a result, may miss out on treatments to help control the condition, according to a new study. Mom's Approach to Meals May Need a Second Look Experts say that instilling healthy eating habits in children is a family affair and that adults teach best through their own behavior.A new study, published in the current issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, finds that a mother's approach to feeding may have some unintended consequences on her kids' body fat. Rest As Good As Therapy in Helping Tennis Elbow Simply resting your racket arm gives you an equally sporting chance of recovering from tennis elbow as does physical therapy. Diabetic Women Often Poor, Less Educated Women with diabetes are twice as likely to have low household incomes than their non-diabetic peers, and they also tend to be less educated, according to a report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Caffeine Linked to Pre-Diabetic Condition Preliminary findings from a small study suggest that drinking moderate amounts of coffee may put healthy individuals at risk for decreased insulin sensitivity, or an inability to process blood sugar efficiently. Decreased insulin sensitivity is a precursor to diabetes. Sex Survey Finds Age Is No Passion Killer Age is no barrier to an active sex life and the over-40s are having as much fun in bed as their younger counterparts, according to a survey published on Thursday by Pfizer, which makes drugs including the impotence treatment Viagra. Exercise May Curb Blood Pressure Risk in Blacks A lack of enough exercise may account for some--but not all--of the greater propensity for black Americans to develop high blood pressure compared with those from other ethnic backgrounds. Moderate Drinking in Pregnancy Ups Stillbirth Risk Moderate drinking during pregnancy may raise the risk of stillbirth, but may not affect later infant mortality, a study of nearly 25,000 Danish women suggests. Unnecessary Rabies Shots Can Be Prevented Many of the rabies shots given to people potentially exposed through contact with animals may be unnecessary, a study by the Florida Department of Health suggests. Doctors Warn of Rise in 'Couch Potato' Diabetes Diabetes could spread in the current generation of fat, couch potato adolescents, putting more pressure on Britain's ailing healthcare system, doctors warned Thursday. Shedding Light on Premature Infant Health The dark, quiet surroundings thought to promote fetal development in the womb may not work once an infant enters the real world -- particularly if that entry comes sooner than expected. Scientists Weaken Parasite to Prevent Disease Like munitions experts defusing a bomb, American scientists have disabled a common human parasite and prevented it from causing disease. Electrolyte Drink May Prevent In-Flight Blood Clots Drinking a beverage containing electrolytes and carbohydrates during long airplane flights may be superior to water in preventing the development of potentially dangerous blood clots, Japanese researchers report. Mothers Who Smoke Raise Ear Infection Risk to Baby Infants whose mothers smoke both during and after pregnancy have an increased risk of suffering chronic ear infections, researchers report. Light Drinking May Help Keep Leg Arteries Clear A new study shows that people who drink moderate amounts of alcohol may be less likely to develop blockages in the arteries that supply blood to the legs. These results complement previous research that suggests light drinking can reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Few Diabetics Know of Their High Heart Disease Risk A survey released Tuesday found less than one third of diabetics know they are at increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Helping Bed-Wetters Overcome the Habit The lack of understanding and communication about Bet-Wetters was a central focus of a panel discussion on bed-wetting that was featured in a recent issue of Infectious Diseases in Children. Brain Training May Help Fortify Memory in Elderly Many older people have memory-related brainpower that is nearly as good as a younger person's, but they appear to lose the ability to bring it "on-line" as they age, a new study shows. Smoking Cigarettes Weakens Men's Bones, Too While most studies linking smoking to osteoporosis have involved heavy cigarette consumption among women, a new study helps confirm the connection in men and also finds that smoking even less than a dozen cigarettes a day puts one at risk for brittle bones. Weather Conditions May Influence Arthritis Pain Cool temperatures, humidity and high atmospheric pressure may be associated with spontaneous pain among individuals with arthritis or fibromyalgia, new study findings show. Search for Obesity and Diabetes Genes Progresses Diet and lifestyle undoubtedly are major reasons why waistlines are rapidly expanding in the US and other developed nations, but genetics are believed to have at least some influence over whether a person becomes obese. Tracking down the culprit genes has not been easy, however. Many Impotent Men May Have Unrecognized Diabetes Men with impotence are more likely than others to have undiagnosed diabetes and should be screened for the disease with a blood sugar test, according to UK researchers. Exercise May Benefit Cancer Patients Several studies suggest exercise may give an immune system boost to cancer survivors, but more research is needed to see if this translates into a lower risk of cancer recurrence, according to Canadian researchers. Brain Measures Trust- worthiness by Face Value Our minds may be more suspicious than we think. New research indicates that some brain regions involved in evaluating trustworthiness are activated even when a person is not consciously making a judgment about someone else. Dangers of CT Scans for Children The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning that radiologists often expose children CT scans with doses of radiation far greater than is safe for their age and weight -- by some estimates, up to six times more than what is needed to produce clear images. Obesity Growing As World Problem Obesity is joining and even surpassing malnutrition as a dietary concern in some of the farthest reaches of the planet, experts warned. Caught In the Middle, Stressed to the Max They could be called the "tug-of-war generation," constantly torn between their responsibilities. Or the "basketball generation," running flat-out toward one goal and stopping suddenly as their duties yank them in the opposite direction. Tobacco Takes Toll On Bones Muscles, joints and bones are all damaged by the various ways in which tobacco and nicotine poison your system, increasing the risk of bone fractures and then interfering with the healing process, according to a growing body of research. Living Together Pre-Marriage May Lead to Divorce Taking a little bloom off millions of Valentine's Day roses, researchers have found that couples who live together before marriage are more likely to have communication problems that could lead to divorce. A Little Bit of Sun May Be a Good Thing While a lot of sun exposure increases the risk of skin cancer, a little bit of sunlight is good for you, according to experts who spoke here Friday at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Smoking Ups Heart Risks Despite Low Cholesterol Low cholesterol levels are no protection against the heart risks caused by smoking, according to findings from a study of middle-aged American men. Overweight Teens May Go to Extremes to Shed Pounds Nearly one in five adolescent girls who are very overweight may resort to extreme weight-control measures such as diet pills, laxatives, diuretics or vomiting, according to a new study. Essential Oils Found to Fight Bacteria A pair of orthopaedic surgeons report that two essential oils--eucalyptus and tea-tree oil--are surprisingly effective at treating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. Less Than 8 Hours of Sleep Seems OK for Health A new study suggests that people who sleep 8 hours or more a night, or less than 4 hours, have a slightly higher risk of dying in a given time period than those who get 6 and 7 hours of shut-eye. Day Care May Protect Against Frequent Later Colds Although day care may increase the risk of colds at a young age, it may prevent colds when children are older, Arizona researchers report. Chiropractors Refute Manipulation-Stroke Link The American Chiropractic Association is reacting strongly to a study presented last week that found a link between chiropractic neck manipulation and stroke in young people. Kids Say No to Smoking if Parents Set Good Example Children living with nonsmoking parents-and particularly those youngsters who also have mothers with a strong antismoking attitude--are 50% less likely to take up the tobacco habit compared with their peers, researchers report. Viewing Own Clogged Arteries Spurs Smokers to Quit Smokers who were forced to look at images of their own hardened arteries are nearly four times more likely to quit smoking than those who simply received counseling to quit, Swiss researchers report. Nerves Do Grow in Tumours Although doctors have generally thought that tumors lack nerves, German researchers are building a body of evidence showing that nerves are in fact present in tumours, which could lead to a new understanding of cancer. For Most Women, Preferred Child Care Out of Reach Although most women returning to work after giving birth would prefer that Dad or another relative provide care of the baby, fewer than one quarter of new mothers end up with the type of child care they prefer, according to new study findings. Consumer Drug Ad Spending Surges Drug makers tripled their spending on ads pitched directly to consumers between 1996 and 2000, but the dramatic increase doesn't appear to be connected to a 1997 government policy that gave pharmaceutical firms more latitude to market their products to the masses. Heart Disease Marker Now Tied to Alzheimer's Large elevations in a blood molecule linked to heart disease also appear to double the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Study Shows Babies Do Have Minds of Their Own New research shows that while babies often imitate what older and wiser adults do, they go their own way when it makes sense. Love Is Good for the Heart As romantics sent cards and red roses, the World Heart Federation said: "Valentine's Day lovers have another reason to celebrate today as findings show that being in love and being loved helps to keep us healthy and is particularly good for our hearts." Hidden Infections A new study finds that most sexually active adults with undiagnosed gonorrhea or chlamydia were unaware they were infected due to lack of symptoms. Avoiding Knee Surgery Whether you're a jogger, a tennis player or a baby boomer who enjoys all sports, if your knees are starting to give out, skip the thought of surgery and just give them a rest. Challenging the Mind May Save It From Alzheimer's Participating in ordinary tasks such as reading, listening to the radio and playing games like checkers and cards on a daily basis may stave off the memory-robbing illness Alzheimer's disease, researchers reported on Tuesday. Hormone Replacement Therapy Tied to Breast Cancer Adding to evidence that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can potentially raise a woman's risk of breast cancer, a new US study links recent, long-term HRT with a heightened risk of the disease. Melatonin Supplements May Not Help Older People Low levels of the naturally-occurring hormone melatonin, which is thought to help regulate sleep, have been blamed for the interrupted sleep and early awakenings that plague many older people. Now, Harvard researchers have challenged this notion, presenting an alternate view that questions the value of melatonin supplements for older individuals. Changes in Weather Unrelated to Fibromyalgia Pain Although some people with fibromyalgia pain feel that the weather affects their symptoms, new study results suggest that changes in the weather do not predict changes in pain. Depression Therapy Less Effective for Some Elderly women, people with serious physical illness and less-educated individuals may be less likely than others to see their depression symptoms get better with treatment, new research shows. Personnel Heads Want to Help Obese Staff Three out of four Swedish personnel chiefs think companies should help obese employees lose weight, a study has found. Rich Don't Feel Thin Enough The study, published in the February issue of the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, found that women from wealthier neighborhoods were more unhappy with their bodies than women from less affluent areas. Night Eating Syndrome Due to Stress, Not Hunger Night eating syndrome, characterized by a lack of appetite during the day and insomnia and increased appetite at night, may be caused by an abnormal response to stress, new study findings show. Happy Family Life Decreases Men's Stroke Risk Being satisfied with your family and your financial situation leads to more than happiness for a man--it translates into a lower risk of death from stroke, Israeli researchers reported here Friday at the American Stroke Association's 27th International Stroke Conference. Study Links Chiropractic Neck Treatment to Stroke Study results presented here Friday night are prompting some Canadian neurologists to campaign against neck manipulation by chiropractors. Smoking Boosts Diabetic Women's Heart Risks Smoking substantially raises the already elevated risk of heart disease among women with type 2 diabetes, study findings show. Orthorexia-When the Urge to 'Eat Right' Goes Wrong All right, everybody, eat your vegetables. Now eat ONLY vegetables. Now, eat ONLY vegetables that have just been picked--and then make sure you chew each mouthful at least 50 times. Stressful Job, Bad Marriage Ups Man's Death Risk For men at risk of heart disease, the combination of a very stressful job and a failing marriage can increase their chances of death, according to a new report. Abrupt Movement Can Trigger Stroke A startle reaction, such as a little jump in reaction to a sudden loud noise, may be enough to bring on a stroke in people at risk, Israeli researchers told attendees of the American Stroke Association's 27th International Stroke Conference here Friday night. Healthy Diet, Moderate Exercise Reduce Diabetes Risk Better Than Drugs The study, published in this week's New England Journal of Medicine, presents the results of a large randomized trial conducted by the Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group between 1996 and 1999. The results were previously announced in a news conference given by Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson in November. AIDS in Russia Being Ignored AIDS is soon to ravage Russia with consequences that may be even more catastrophic than in Africa, yet the public is barely even aware the epidemic has arrived, Russia's top AIDS official said. Body Image Doesn't Change After Facelift, Nose Job While getting a nose job or a tummy tuck may make a female patient feel better about her nose or stomach, it may not lead to increased satisfaction with her overall body image, according to recent study findings. Black, Hispanic Diabetics Unaware of Complication Although black and Hispanic Americans face an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, many are unaware that the disease raises their risk of heart attack, according to new survey findings. New Test Might Spot Ovarian Cancer Early Preliminary research suggests that a sensitive technique that analyzes protein patterns in a blood sample could be used to screen for ovarian cancer, a disease that currently is rarely caught early. Scant Evidence That Store Bought Cough Syrup Works There is little evidence for or against the effectiveness of over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines, British researchers said on Friday. Stomach Acid Reflux May Up Risk of 'Glue Ear' Glue ear, a type of middle ear infection common in young children and characterized by the build-up of sticky fluid, may be a result of acid reflux, which occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, a new report from the UK indicates. Scans Show Placebo Acts on Brain's Pain Center In a finding that challenges a recent report suggesting that the placebo effect is not real, researchers have found that an inactive medication can influence the same part of the brain affected by pain-killing drugs. Clues to Why Breast Cancer More Fatal in Blacks Since the mid-1990s, it's been known that African-American women's high breast cancer death rate--which is triple the rate in other ethnic groups--is partly due to biological differences in how fast breast tumors grow. Younger Breast Cancer Patients Face Tougher Fight Women in their early 20s who develop breast cancer have similar prognoses and survival rates as women who are slightly older, UK researchers report. Survey Says Teens Mix Risky Sex with Alcohol, Drugs Almost one in four US teens and young adults report having unprotected sex while using alcohol or drugs, according to a national survey released Thursday. Role Models Help Boost Teens' Self-Esteem It has long been assumed that role models and mentors can have a positive impact on the life of an adolescent, and now recent study findings bolster that belief. In fact, in some cases, role models--even sports stars the teen doesn't know personally---may not only influence a teenager's self-esteem but also his or her substance use, researchers report. Lifestyle Changes Best for Cutting Diabetes Risk Men and women at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes can reduce this risk by losing weight and exercising, study findings show. The diabetes drug Glucophage (metformin) can also cut diabetes risk if given preemptively, but not as dramatically, the researchers report. Men Overestimate Women's Sexual Interest Sorry guys, sometimes a smile is just a smile: new research suggests that men too often mistake women's everyday behavior as a sign of sexual interest. 'Can-Do' Attitude Improves Self-Care of Diabetes Diabetics who have more confidence in their ability to manage their disease are more likely to take better care of themselves than those with less of a "can-do" attitude, a team of psychologists reports. Narrow Throat May Cause Sleep Apnea Although snoring is often linked to obesity, new study findings suggest that a narrow throat, which can be inherited, may also cause snoring and a problematic breathing disorder called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Parents Overtreat Harmless Fevers in Kids A survey comparing attitudes of doctors, nurses and parents towards treating fevers in children reveals that parents tend to treat high temperatures much more aggressively than health professionals do. Daytime Drowsiness Linked to Mental Decline Seniors who are unusually sleepy during the day may also be developing early signs of memory loss or other types of cognitive impairment, researchers report. Tanning Booths Now Tied to Common Skin Cancers If you seek the perfect indoor tan this winter, you may put yourself in jeopardy of developing common skin cancers, a new study says. Hormone Therapy: It's Not for Every Woman Hormone replacement therapy improves the mental outlook for postmenopausal women who have hot flashes, but a new study says it doesn't help -- and may physically harm -- women who don't have that classic symptom. Under Cover of Night, Dieters More Likely to Binge Dieting individuals who prefer to eat their meals in dim light may be more likely to overeat, according to new study findings. Herbal Remedy May Weaken Pill's Effects A herbal product used to treat mild depression may counter the effect of the contraceptive pill and has led to at least two unwanted pregnancies in Sweden, the country's pharmaceuticals authority said. Fast Weight Gain in Childhood Ups Blood Pressure Low birth weight babies that pack on the pounds in early childhood appear to have a greater risk of developing high blood pressure as adults, according to the results of a study from the UK. Many Have Undiagnosed Kidney Disease Almost 20 million adult Americans have chronic kidney disease, and most don't know it, says new research by the National Kidney Foundation. Another 20 million are at high risk of getting it. Even Mild Stress Can Raise Blood Pressure In a ``real-world'' setting, a research team in Italy has confirmed that mild stress can increase blood pressure and impair the cardiovascular system's ability to regulate itself. Burgers and Fries Raise Diabetes Risk A new study says the typical American diet of burgers and fries increases your chances of getting Type II diabetes, even if you don't have other risk factors like obesity or a family history of the disease. Weight Loss Alone May Lower Risk of Heart Disease Overweight people who take the pounds off can reduce blood levels of C-reactive protein, an inflammatory molecule that has been linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, researchers report. Tallest Kids at Increased Risk for Adult Obesity Young children who are among the tallest for their age group are more likely than their shorter counterparts to become obese adults, researchers report. Feeling Blue? Turning on the TV May Help After suffering a blow to the ego, many of us turn to our TVs as a therapeutic means of escape, making the 'boob tube' ``a kind of lay person's short-term fix for a lot of problems,'' explained researcher Sophia Moskalenko of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Britons Work Longer, Produce Less British employees work more than three hours longer per week than other workers in Europe, a new report by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) showed on Monday. Gene Found for Rare Childhood Kidney Disease After years of searching, researchers have identified the gene responsible for an rare, inherited kidney disease that can kill children within days or even hours after birth. We Lie About Ourselves to Get Dates Ever lied or exaggerated just a little about your looks, personality or status in order to get a date? Don't worry, researchers say you're not alone. Cyber Counselors Spread Safe-Sex Message In an online world where almost anything goes, cyber counselors from the Bible Belt to San Francisco want to make sure no one forgets safe sex. Baby Weight Gain Linked to Childhood Weight Rapid weight gain in an infant's first few months could indicate an increased risk of an overweight child, a new study reports. Swelling Food Portions Help Drive Fat Epidemic The increase in food portion sizes in the past three decades may have led to the simultaneous "supersizing" of the American waistline, nutritionists report. Genes May Play Small Role in Rheumatoid Arthritis A small study involving twins suggests that a person's genes play only a minor role in whether or not they will develop rheumatoid arthritis--an autoimmune disease in which the body's tissues are mistakenly attacked by its own immune system. Heart Disease Scan May Help Prevent Stroke Deposits of calcium found in fatty plaque could help doctors predict whether or not a person is at risk of experiencing a stroke, researchers report. Such deposits can be picked up by a test known as electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT), a specialized type of x-ray that detects calcium deposits--or calcification--in the heart arteries. Their Words Give Liars Away, Study Finds Working late again, or a secret rendezvous? According to experts, a close listen to the language liars use can help separate fact from fiction. 'Vibrating' Games May Pose Injury Risk to Kids The case of a 15-year-old computer-game enthusiast suggests that the vibrating hand controls available for some games could be a hazard to the upper limbs, according to UK researchers. New Analysis Finds Mammograms Do Save Lives On the heels of recent reports questioning recommendations for women to start breast cancer screening with mammography at age 40, a new look at available data suggests that, over the long term, mammography does indeed save the lives of women in their 40s and beyond. Midwife Care Can Help Cut Postpartum Depression New mothers who receive tailored care from a midwife for the first few months after their baby is born may be up to 40% less likely to suffer postnatal depression, a new British study shows. High Ozone May Raise Asthma Risk in Athletic Kids For children who live in areas with high ozone levels, playing several team sports may more than triple the risk of developing asthma, study findings suggest.