Monthly News Archives



		A Way To Eat More, Weigh Less? Researchers in the Lone Star state say they've bred a strain of lab mice that have half the body fat of normal animals and can eat up to 40 percent more than regular rodents without gaining an ounce. Beat That Smoking Habit When it comes to smoking, quitters always win. But as many Americans know, it often takes more than one try to kick the habit. Dirty Air, High Blood Pressure Linked People who are trying to lower their blood pressure might want to consider the amount of pollution in the air they breathe in addition to the amount of salt in their food, German researchers report. Moderate Exercise May Burn More Calories While health experts continually drive home the idea that regular, moderate exercise is the best way for the average person to stay fit, some couch potatoes may cling to the idea that an occasional burst of activity is just as good. Not so, according to results of a new study. Drug Absorption Gene Differs in Some Ethnicities A gene mutation that influences how the body absorbs HIV medications and chemotherapy drugs is more common in Europeans and Asians than among those of African heritage, an international group of researchers has found. Regulation of Dietary Supplements Still Favoured As the government gets set to issue new regulations for the dietary supplement industry, survey findings show that most Americans favor tighter quality control of the burgeoning market. Air Sole Sneaker Linked With Ankle Injuries A new study by Australian researchers suggests that basketball players may be at greater risk for ankle injury if they wear the widely popular basketball sneakers made with air cells. Exercise Beats Drugs For Some With Depression Besides its physical health benefits, exercise is often said to help people simply feel good. And a growing number of studies are showing that these mood-boosting effects may even fight clinical depression. Americans' Work Ethic Causes Sleep Habits to Suffer Working more and sleeping less? If so, you're not alone, according to a survey released Tuesday. US Experts Probe Link Between Emotions and Health Medical experts gathered on Monday at the US National Institutes of Health, the very embodiment of the medical establishment, to discuss a concept once derided as New Age fluff--how emotions shape human health and disease. Americans Want Good Looks & Health Without Any Effort Almost all American adults believe that being healthy and looking good are important, according to the results of a new survey. Yet many don't do anything to attain these goals. One out of four Americans admit they either do not maintain a regular fitness routine, or hate exercising if they do. Cutting Out Fat May Help Ward Off Diabetes People who appear to be on a crash-course with type 2 diabetes may be able to head off the diagnosis by lowering their dietary fat intake, recent study findings suggest. Battling Osteoporosis The notion that aging and osteoporosis go hand in hand can be shattered with some key lifestyle changes, doctors say. Pain Sufferers Unhappy with Care More than half of the people who suffer severe pain are unhappy with the medical care and support they receive, says a new Internet survey. As Little as One Hour of Weekly Walking Good For Women's Hearts Women who walk as little as about one hour per week have about half the risk of heart disease as women who never get off their, er, sofas, report Harvard University researchers. Bed-Sharing Can Be Risky for Babies Infants may be more likely to die in their sleep if they share a bed with their mom, claims a new study. Why Smokers Age Distinct lines around the mouth and a dull pallor of the skin often identify long-term smokers in a crowd. Now a study reveals exactly how smoking causes skin to age. How We Forget We all know it's possible to forget a grudge and even that first love we swore we'd remember forever -- and now new research shows us how and why. Pain Tolerance May Depend on Your Skin Color New research from the University of Alabama, Birmingham says that how much pain you feel may depend on the color of your skin. Many High School Students Suffer Eating Disorders Nearly one third of high school girls and 16% of high school boys show symptoms of an eating disorder, researchers announced on Thursday. The survey is the first national screening of high school students for eating disorders. Exercise May Cut Risk of Mental Decline A new study out of Canada suggests that exercise cuts the risk of Alzheimer's and less-devastating mental losses, particularly in women. Research Links Media To Children's Aggression An analysis of 10 years of research supports what many have suspected all along: violence in the media can have a profound effect on the behavior of children and teens. Diabetics At Higher Risk From Heart Disease Patients with heart disease and diabetes have more than double the risk of dying during a certain time period than similar patients without diabetes, according to an analysis of two large clinical trials. Common Weeds Have Healing Powers The cure for what ails you may be found in your own back yard, new research shows. Folic Acid Linked To Male Infertility Lack of folic acid in the diet could be causing fertility problems in men, claims a new study. Stroll Your Way To a Healthy Heart A leisurely nine-minute stroll once a day can nearly halve a woman's risk of coronary heart disease, Harvard epidemiologists report. As Children's TV Time Rises, So Do Obesity Rates With almost half of all American children aged 8 to 16 watching more than 2 hours of television every day, researchers report that the likelihood of obesity among adolescents--particularly among girls--increases with the number of hours they spend in front of the ``boob tube.'' Gargling May Still Be Best for Colds Although some people may demand antibiotics at the first sign of a sniffle, a physician's group says most upper-respiratory infections do not require antibiotics and are better treated with over-the-counter cold remedies and old-fashioned salt water gargles. Tai Chi May Ease Arthritis Pain Elderly people with painful arthritis may find relief in an ancient Chinese exercise that combines slow movement with meditation, preliminary study findings suggest. Exercise May Fight the "Blues" Although regular exercise is believed to boost older people's moods, it may not have long-term antidepression power. New research suggests that once the elderly stop being active, the psychological benefits wane. Getting a Physical May Save Your Life People who undergo routine medical exams, including when they're relatively young, are more likely to discover and treat conditions that otherwise might haunt them later, medical experts say. Frequent Sex May Help You Look Younger Making love three times a week can make you look 10 years younger, claims a Scottish researcher. Diabetics Unaware of Deadly Condition That Develops Without Symptoms According to the results of a national survey released yesterday, ninety-two percent of the estimated 16 million Americans with diabetes have never heard of diabetic autonomic neuropathy, an often deadly but treatable condition that can develop for years without symptoms. Social Anxiety Ups Depression Risk in Teens Although shyness and anxiety in social situations is normal for many teenagers, for a small portion of young people it is not just a phase they'll grow out of, according to a report. Alternatives Medicine First Choice for Depression People with anxiety or depression are more likely to use complementary or alternative medicine than to go see a traditional mental health professional, according to results of a nationwide survey conducted by Harvard researchers. Viagra Safe For Healthy Hearts Although the impotence drug Viagra may be risky for men with heart disease, there is growing evidence that the little blue pill does not raise the odds of heart attack among men with healthy hearts. A new UK study shows that men taking Viagra did not experience a higher-than-average rate of heart attacks. Longer Breast Feeding Linked to Heart Disease Risk Although breast-feeding provides the best nutrition to infants, new research is raising the question of whether breast-feeding for more than a few months may increase a child's risk for heart disease later in life. Natural Arthritis Remedies Pass Scrutiny Two popular alternative remedies appear to help relieve the pain and swelling of osteoarthritis, new research shows. Obsessional Men Prone to Heart Disease Death People who exhibit traits of obsession such as over-conscientiousness or excessive cleanliness may also be more likely to die from ischemic heart disease, results of a 20-year study suggest. Coke Changes Marketing Strategy in Schools Hoping take some of the fizz out of its controversial plan to push soda in schools, Coca-Cola Co. says it will scale back its marketing efforts and offer children a wider choice of beverages, including juices and calcium-rich drinks. Alzheimer's Starts Sooner Than Thought Even minor mental losses may signal the start of Alzheimer's disease, new research shows. Just Thinking About Work May Trigger Stress While on-the-job stress is a well known and widely felt presence, new research suggests that even thinking about Monday morning may send people's stress hormones upward. Stressed Out Social Butterflies Risk Colds People with very active social lives and high levels of stress are more likely to catch colds, researchers report. These social butterflies should consider cutting back on social activities until they feel more relaxed, study finding suggest. Magnets Still Questionable For Easing Pain Will sleeping on a pad full of magnets help your aching body? It's possible, researchers say, but way too soon to know for sure. Scientists Get Proof of Natural Anti-Cancer System Researchers said on Monday they have confirmed the existence of a natural system used by the body to defend against the cancer-causing effects of toxic chemicals in food and the environment. The Fattening of Our Children Those oversized clothes your kids are sporting may be more than just a fashion statement. American children and teen-agers have gotten fatter, the government said today, continuing a trend begun in the 1980s. Going Online to Take Off Pounds If you're the kind of person who doesn't want to share your weight-loss efforts with a roomful of other dieters, technology may be coming to your rescue. Airlines, Health Experts Meet on Blood Clot Risks Medical officials from 16 major airlines and international experts began two days of talks Monday to examine links between deadly deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and air travel, the World Health Organization said. Sex Diseases Increasing in 50+ With the advent of Viagra and other hormone stimulating cocktails, the incidence of STD's are gradually increasing in people over 50. The ABC's of Good Eating and Fitness Good nutrition and health can be as easy as relearning those ABCs. Cancer Survivors Blame Stress for Their Disease Breast cancer survivors tend to blame stress for causing their disease and insist that a positive attitude keeps cancer at bay. Mammograms Are Still Best for Breast Screening While a slew of new technologies have the potential to improve breast cancer screening, plain old mammograms remain the "gold standard" for finding potentially cancerous lumps, a new report says. Why Alcohol is Good For the Arteries A German study lends support to the theory that moderate consumption of alcohol makes hearts healthier because it reduces artery-harming inflammation. Doctors Are Crucial in Improving Your Health Want to improve your health? Have a heart-to-heart talk with your doctor. Study: Cats Ok for Asthmatic Kids Cat lovers can breathe easier, thanks to a new study showing that the felines aren't necessarily in the doghouse when it comes to causing asthma. Personality is Key to Leisure Time Health Hard to believe, but some individuals appear to have no problem punching the clock for a 12-hour bout at the office, but display a variety of symptoms--headaches, muscle pain, fatigue--during a work-free weekend or vacation. Researchers now suggest that this so-called ``leisure sickness'' arises from the stress some people experience when they are unable to relinquish control and relax. A Married Man is a Healthy Man, Study Finds Men who become widowed or divorced may lose more than a spouse. They are also likely to give up a range of health habits that help protect against disease and early death, results of a study suggest. Smokers Risk Their Partners' Lungs Women living with people who smoke take in five to six times more cancer-causing chemicals than do women who live in homes where no one smokes, a new study shows. The study is the first time science has shown how people may get lung cancer from secondhand smoke, say the researchers. ER Waiting Room Can Teach Lessons in Health While-you-wait health information might make people's long stays in emergency department waiting rooms more productive, new research suggests. Gene Therapy May Heal Heart Damage In the not-so-distant future, gene therapy may be able to repair heart damage in people with congestive heart failure. Vitamin E Pills May not Benefit the Healthy Healthy individuals may be not be getting the benefits they expect from taking vitamin E supplements, according to a new study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association. Some Hypertension Patients Can Try Halting Medications People with hypertension (high blood pressure) who have their blood pressure under control may be able to try stopping their medication--under the supervision of their doctor--without experiencing a return of their high blood pressure, researchers report. Two Sports Commonly Send People to the Emergency Room The next time you're shooting hoops or riding your bicycle, here's a little something to think about: These two sports send more people to the emergency room than any others, according to new figures from government researchers. Smoking Linked to Lower Back Pain If you smoke, your cigarettes may be to blame for more than just that hacking cough. New research suggests the unhealthy habit also may be linked to lower back pain and disease. Moderate Exercise Helps Ensure Healthy Baby Moderate exercise is healthy for pregnant women and their babies, but exercising too much or too little could raise the risk of bearing a low birth weight baby, Canadian researchers report. Stay Active to Steer Clear of Alzheimer's Staying active, both mentally and physically, may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease, researchers report. Memory in Older Adults Better Than Ever For many adults, the golden years often are tarnished by so-called ``senior moments'' or problems remembering names, dates and other details of daily life. But a recent study found today's elderly population has a better memory than their counterparts just 5 years earlier. Knee Relief May Be All In Your Head A surgical procedure used to treat arthritis of the knee may bring patients relief, but the relief may all be in patients' heads, new research results suggest. Garlic Tackles Child Infections South African researchers may have found a simple and effective way of tackling dangerous infections - garlic. Asthma Might Raise Heart Disease Risk Asthma, a disease that affects more than 10 million Americans, may increase the risk of heart attack, a scientist reported Friday. Soy Raises Good Cholesterol Soy is just the ticket for those with high cholesterol, but a new study says that even people with normal cholesterol levels can benefit from the protein. Study Sheds Light on Sweet and Salty Cravings A desire for chocolate may be a signal you are tired and the urge for salty snacks or milk products may indicate your body wants a real meal, according to results of a study on food cravings. Low-Fat Milk May Cut Heart Risk Drinking at least four glasses of low fat milk a day may decrease your risk of heart attacks, scientists reported here Thursday. Vitamin C-Rich Diet Lowers Risk of Death Fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C are associated with a reduced risk of death from all causes including heart disease and stroke, British scientists said Friday. Panel Calls for Overhaul of U.S. Health System Stating that the quality of American healthcare is substandard, an Institute of Medicine (IOM) panel on Thursday called for a complete overhaul of healthcare delivery and reimbursement Fish is Good for a Healthy Heart Tuna, salmon, mackerel -- take your pick -- but include at least one of these fatty fish each week in your diet if you're older and you want to lower your risk of dying from a heart attack. Mood Disorders Tax Body Later in Life While episodes of depression and other mood disorders may come and go, the toll they take on your body may last forever, new research shows. Girls Who Diet Often May be More Likely to Smoke Frequent dieting during the teen years may be indicative of more serious eating disorders. Now, two Massachusetts researchers suggest that such dieting may also be linked to smoking initiation among girls.