Monthly News Archives



		Employers Missing Out on Preventive Care Companies are offering more preventive health-care services to save money on sick and absent employees, but would be wise to offer workers more services to change their lifestyles. Coaching Pregnant Women Has Little Impact on Childbirth Pregnant women coached through their first delivery do not fare much better than those who just do what feels natural, according to a recent study released. Vitamin-Rich Diet Reduces The Risk of Macular Degeneration A vitamin-rich diet lowers the risk of contracting macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness among the elderly in developed countries, researchers said. Designated Drivers Don't Always Help In many instances, the concept of a designated driver just doesn't work, says a Canadian study that challenges the usefulness of this method of preventing impaired driving. Digestive Problems May Keep the Overweight From Exercising While exercise is often recommended for overweight people as part of a weight-loss program, digestive problems that affect them may hamper their ability to exercise. Fatty Foods Can Lead To Diabetes Diets high in fat can disrupt blood sugar levels and trigger diabetes, researchers said in a study that helps explain the link between obesity and a disease typically linked to sugar. Being Nice Gets You Far On The Job The time-worn adage that nice guys finish last isn't exactly true. Growing research shows that likable employees may have more success on the job. Known Carcinogen in Many Foods Environmental activists are always endorsing the view that reducing risk is always for the best. Now they want to warn consumers about the presence of acrylamide, a known carcinogen, in French fries and potato chips. Help For People With Seasonal Depression During the fall and winter months, as days get shorter and sunlight scarce, some people "get the blues," and soon recover. But those suffering from seasonal affective disorder or "SAD" go though a much more dramatic experience, which is often difficult to overcome without help. Study Compares Tools to Diagnose Back Trouble A test called the electromyogram (EMG) is better than MRI at accurately diagnosing spinal stenosis, a narrowing of spaces in the spine that causes pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, researchers report. Alcohol Damages Your Bones Bone loss is an often-overlooked consequence of heavy drinking, but recent research has illuminated how alcohol takes a toll on the bones, according to a new report. Most Kids Will Outgrow Bedwetting Most children who wet the bed will outgrow it, and treatment is necessary only if bedwetting is upsetting to the child, according to new guidelines from the Canadian Pediatric Society (CPS). The Pill Doesn't Affect Cervical Pre-Cancer Risk Women with certain types of human papilloma virus (HPV) infection run the risk of developing CIN -- cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, a type of pre-cancer. However, contrary to previous concerns, their risk is not affected if they use hormonal contraceptives, or by their history of pregnancy and childbearing, researchers have found. Are iPod's Popular Earbuds Harmful To Your Ears? Turn 'em down and turn 'em off. That's the advice of Dean Garstecki, a Northwestern University audiologist and professor, when it comes to using those ever-present earbuds favored by iPod and MP3 music listeners everywhere. Are There Really Hangover Cures? Revelers toasting to the holidays can't count on drugs or herbal concoctions to cure their hangovers, British researchers report. Eating Chicken May Reduce Your Risk Of Colon Cancer A recent study in The American Journal of Gastroenterology revealed that patterns in diet may effect the development of colorectal adenomas, or precancerous polyps of the colon. Insulin Levels And Resistance Linked To Risk Of Pancreatic Cancer Higher insulin concentrations and insulin resistance are associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer in men, according to a study in the December issue of JAMA. Smoking Nearly Triples Risk Of Age-Linked Vision Loss Smoking greatly increases the risk of vision loss due to age-related macular degeneration, and that risk hits both smokers and people who live with them, a new study shows. Smoking May Make Psoriasis Worse People with psoriasis are more likely to be smokers, and the smoking habit appears to make the skin condition worse, according to two new studies. Compressing Digital Mammograms May Improve Detection Radiologists are better able to interpret digitized mammograms once they've been compressed, which strips away much of the original data and leaves behind the information that's most critical for effective breast cancer diagnosis, researchers report. Depression Raises Heart Risks Depression can boost risks for coronary heart disease, especially in younger individuals, a new Swedish study shows. Popular Heartburn Drugs Linked To Diarrhea Holiday revelers beware: Seasonal indulgences like eggnog and fruitcake might give you heartburn, but the acid-fighting medicine you take for relief might lead to something worse, researchers say. Men Catching Up To Women In Life Expectancy As the first of the 75 million baby boomers touch 60 in January, there's good news for the men: They are catching up to women in life expectancy. Exercise Your Brain And Body To Improve Memory Memory exercises and stress reduction coupled with a healthy diet and regular physical exercise improves memory in older adults, a study shows. Attitude Is Everything in Old Age Optimism and an ability to "roll with the punches" may be the keys to successful aging, a new study suggests. Gentle Yoga May Soothe Chronic Back Pain People plagued by chronic lower backaches may find some relief in yoga class, researchers reported. Dark Chocolate May Cut Heart Disease Risk A few squares of dark chocolate every day might cut the risk of serious heart disease by helping to stave off the hardening of arteries, according to a recent study published. Eating, Exercise Habits Vary By Season Results of a new study lend support to the idea that people's eating habits vary according to the season, with people eating more in the fall and winter. What's more, their body weight and physical activity levels also appears to follow suit in many cases. The Key To Success May Be As Simple As Happiness While everyone knows that successful careers and relationships make people happy, new research suggests this process works both ways. To Survive Stress, Keep It Brief Some stressful episodes can be invigorating and empowering, where blood circulates better, senses are heightened, memory sharpens, energy peaks and chemicals producing pleasure increase in the brain. But how long should you experience good stress and how do you distinguish it from bad stress? Longer Pregnancies Produce More Boys Women who take more than a year to conceive are more likely to have a baby boy, according to recent research published. Green Tea May Fight Leukemia A new case study by Mayo Clinic researchers provides preliminary evidence to suggest a component of green tea may lead to clinical improvement in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Cell Phones Can Increase Your Distress Level The ongoing use of this communications technology, as compared to computer-based use such as email, is linked to increased psychological distress and reduced family satisfaction. Food Makers And Media Should Promote Healthier Eating For Kids, Report Says A group of scientific, medical, and academic leaders have called on companies that make and sell foods and drinks to promote healthier eating among kids. Hey, Dude, It's Time To Get A Clue Men may be thinking more about their health these days, according to a recent survey, but too many rough and tough guys are still ignoring their bodies. Fruit Sugars Might Speed Obesity Fructose, the sugar found in fruit, honey and the corn-syrup sweeteners used in many processed foods, may trick the body into thinking it's hungrier than it really is, researchers report. Who Really Writes Scientific Studies? Many of the articles that appear in scientific journals under the bylines of prominent academics are actually written by ghostwriters in the pay of drug companies. These seemingly objective articles, which doctors around the world use to guide their care of patients, are often part of a marketing campaign by companies to promote a product or play up the condition it treats. Intolerance To Cow's Milk Rare in Young Adults Young adults with gastrointestinal disturbances may blame cow's milk for their symptoms. While some type of allergic reaction may be involved, Finnish researchers report, intolerance to cow's milk is usually not the cause. Lean Body Mass May Protect Against Prostate Cancer A high lean body mass - calculated using an equation to determine body mass minus the fat -- may lower the risk of prostate cancer, a new study indicates. House Dust Poses A Significant Risk For Asthma Exposure to household endotoxin levels poses a significant risk for asthma, according to the first nationwide sampling of house dust. Married People Happier Than Others Women and men in committed relationships are happier than other people, claims a Cornell University study. Scottish Kids Among World's Most Overweight Scottish children are among the most overweight in the world thanks to a diet of junk food and a couch potato lifestyle, health experts said, warning of possible severe health problems in later life. Eating Fish Helps Keep Older People's Brains Sharp Eating fish appears to knock a few years off your mental age -- in a good way. Mom's Attitude Affects Teen's Dieting Teenagers who think their mothers put a high value on thinness may be more likely to worry about their weight and frequently diet, new research suggests. Organic Food Industry Growing Chances are you're seeing more and more produce and meats marked "organic." No longer just staples in health-food stores or at farmers' markets, organic products are increasingly found in traditional supermarkets. But exactly what can you be assured of getting if a product is marked organic -- and what are the pros and cons? Squinting Computer Users Run The Risk of Dry Eyes If you squint your eyes too much while looking at your computer screen, you could end up with a painful condition called dry eye, Ohio State University researchers warn. Brain Cells By Millions Die During A Stroke When someone suffers a stroke, 1.9 million nerve cells in the brain die each minute, and the oxygen-starved brain ages about 3.6 years each hour -- further emphasizing the need for rapid treatment -- researchers say. U.S. Life Expectancy Hits All-Time High A new government study shows deaths from heart disease, cancer and stroke continue to drop, but it also shows that half of Americans ages 55 to 64 � including the oldest of the baby boomers � have high blood pressure, and two in five are obese. Breast Cancer Survivors Face Other Cancer Risks Women who survive a bout with breast cancer are at increased risk of developing cancers of the lung, stomach, and colon, among several others, new research suggests. Creativity Tied To Sexual 'Success' Artists may indeed have a more active love life than most of us -- and part of the reason may be their tendency toward a certain schizophrenia-linked personality trait, a study suggests. Kids Need The Right Motivation To Exercise Children and young teens may be more likely to exercise if they're motivated by fun and fitness rather than weight concerns, a new study suggests. Healthy Childhood Diets Protect Hearts Researchers in Finland report that a diet low in saturated fats boosted boys' cardiovascular health, resulting in lower blood cholesterol and clearer arteries. Light Exercise Staves Off Heart Failure A study in treadmill-running rats suggests that low-intensity exercise can delay heart failure in humans and extend the lives of people with congestive heart failure. TV Ads Push Junk Food, Harm Kids' Diets Most food and drink advertising to children promotes unhealthy choices and the government should step in if the industry fails to improve the situation, an experts' recent report said. Alcohol's Health Benefits Doubted Any heart gains from drinking alcohol in moderation are likely outweighed by the harm, say researchers. Chemical Used In Food Containers Disrupts Brain Development The chemical bisphenol A (BPA), widely used in products such as food cans, milk container linings, water pipes and even dental sealants, has now been found to disrupt important effects of estrogen in the developing brain. Good Sleep, Sociability May Keep Grandma Healthy New research shows that aging women who sleep well and/or have strong social ties have lower levels of interleukin-6, an immune system protein that promotes inflammation and that tends to increase with age. Women: Start Protecting Against Bone Loss and Heart Disease Early Traditional thinking holds that a woman is protected from heart disease and osteoporosis until she goes through menopause. Unhappy Marriage Bad For Your Health There is even more proof that an unhappy marriage is bad for your health, researchers reported. Kids With Weak Hearts OK To Exercise Children born with heart defects who have traditionally been told not to exercise can improve their heart function through programs that involve exertion, according to a recent study published. Women Are Missing the Folic Acid Message Despite years of public health campaigns telling women who are capable of getting pregnant to take in enough folic acid every day to prevent birth defects, the message isn't getting through. Study Finds Coffee Reduces Liver Risk Coffee and tea may reduce the risk of serious liver damage in people who drink alcohol too much, are overweight, or have too much iron in the blood, researchers reported. Study Suggests Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Is Real Its origins have long remained unclear, but chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) may be a legitimate neurological condition, according to findings from a new international study. Magnesium Good For Old Bones A higher intake of magnesium from food and supplements may keep bones healthy as people age, according to results of a study in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society which suggests that greater magnesium intake is significantly related to higher bone mineral density (BMD) in white men and women. Tailoring Physical Activity Advice For Seniors Works Providing seniors with tailored physical activity advice in an approach called the "Green Prescription" program may be an effective way to help them increase their exercise levels, according to the results of a New Zealand study. Annan: 'We Must Do Far, Far More' Against AIDS Around the globe, leaders, activists and victims used World AIDS Day to send the message that far stronger action is needed in the battle against the disease that kills millions of people every year. Why Is It So Hard To Keep Weight Off In The Long-Term? A new study offers insight into why it's easier to lose weight than to keep it off for good. Many Pregnancy-Related Deaths Preventable The overall maternal death rate is not as low as it could be, according to a review of pregnancy-related deaths in North Carolina, which suggests that about four out of every 10 pregnancy-related deaths are potentially preventable. Caffeine Perks Up Brain's Memory Centers Brain scans confirm what many coffee drinkers already know -- caffeine perks them up.