Monthly News Archives



		Beta-Carotene May Help Keep Lungs Young People with high blood levels of the nutrient beta-carotene may have better lung function as they age, new research suggests. Study Fails To Show Healing Power Of Prayer A study of more than 1,800 patients who underwent heart bypass surgery has failed to show that prayers specially organized for their recovery had any impact, researchers said. Fiber May Lower Protein Linked To Heart Disease A fiber-rich diet may help control levels of a blood protein linked to an increased risk of heart disease, new research suggests. Sunscreen Makers Sued For Misleading Health Claims With summer just around the corner, lawsuits filed on Thursday accuse sunscreen makers of exposing millions of people to cancer and other dangers through false and misleading claims about the effectiveness of their products. Impaired Thinking Boosts Elderly Falling Risk New research reveals that walking requires more thought than you might think, and cognitive decline -- at least in the elderly -- can make the travel that much harder. Does Natural Birth Control Work? If you're going the natural route for birth control, you'll probably be better off combining two methods rather than depending on only one, suggests health expert Dr. Weil. High IQ Kids Have Distinct Pattern Of Brain Development Intelligence may have more to do with how the brain develops during adolescence than its overall size, researchers said. High Caffeine Levels Found In Energy Drinks Energy drinks that promise to boost performance and rev up metabolism can contain three to four times as much caffeine as a typical soda, a new study shows. Research Brings New Insight Into Joint Health Realistic models of human joints are helping researchers learn more about how the body's natural joint lubricant prevents wear and tear that can lead to osteoarthritis. Frozen Meals May Not Be A Wise Choice For Weight-Loss Despite all the advertisements promoting weight loss-oriented meals, many consumers are confused about whether diet'dinners really offer the help they need. Grape Seed Extract May Reduce Blood Pressure Grape seed extract lowered the blood pressure of patients who participated in a UC Davis study of the benefits of the supplement on people with high blood pressure. Stress, Not "Sick" Building, May Make Workers Sick Work-related stress, rather than building conditions, may be what's behind the constellation of symptoms known as "sick building syndrome," according to researchers. Calcium And Dairy Unlikely To Aid In Weight Loss A new study does not support the theory that a boost in calcium intake or dairy consumption is useful for maintaining or losing weight. Pumping Iron Helps Cancer Survivors Weightlifting appears to improve breast cancer survivors' outlook on life, suggests one of the first studies to scientifically measure the effects of such exercise. Reduced Insulin Triggers Alzheimer's Degeneration By depleting insulin and its related proteins in the brain, researchers have replicated the progression of Alzheimer's disease demonstrating that it is a brain-specific neuroendocrine disorder, distinct from other types of diabetes. Study Looks at All the Lonely People More than a third of adults say they are lonely, especially people in their 40s, a new study shows. Heartburn Fuels Spike In Esophageal Cancer Chronic heartburn appears to be fueling the nation's fastest-growing cancer, esophageal cancer. Some 3 million Americans are thought to have a type of esophagus damage from severe acid reflux that puts them at increased risk for the deadly cancer and new research is exploring whether it's possible to zap away that damage and block the cancer from ever forming. Fish Oils 'Block Prostate Cancer' A diet rich in a fat found in oily fish may protect men with prostate cancer from developing a more aggressive form of the disease, scientists have found. Back Treatment 'Has Few Benefits' Spinal manipulation - which is used by chiropractors and osteopaths in the UK to treat neck and back pain - is of little help, researchers have said. Fitness and Fatness Predict Poor Heart Health In Women Women who are otherwise healthy, but have low levels of physical activity and high levels of weight, generally have less favorable heart health than their leaner, more active counterparts, Boston-based researchers report in today's issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Too Much Fluoride Can Be Bad The high levels of fluoride that occur naturally in some drinking water can cause tooth and bone damage and should be reduced. The Lowdown on Sweet? A study conducted at an Italian cancer research center has rekindled the debate on aspartame. Soaps, Talk Shows May Dull Aging Brains Could Oprah and General Hospital be bad for your brain? New research suggests that elderly women who watch daytime soap operas and talk shows are more likely to suffer from cognitive impairment than women who abstain from such fare. Diabetics Misguided on 'Healthy' Weight Many Americans with diabetes are mistaken in their belief about a "healthy" body weight, a new study shows, with nearly half thinking that being overweight is still within a healthy range. Low Carb Diet Health Risk Fears Following a low carb diet could cause serious health conditions, doctors in the US have warned. Food Industry a Target in Obesity Fight It's tempting to blame big food companies for the rise in obesity rates. After all, they're the folks who Supersized our fries, family-portioned our potato chips and Big Gulped our sodas. But some experts say neither the problem nor the solution is nearly so simple. Men's Beer Belly 'Days Are Over' The days when a man's beer belly was shown off as a symbol of his manliness are over, if a study is to be believed. Chili's Heat Kills Prostate Cancer Cells Capsaicin, the component that gives jalapeno peppers their heat, may also kill prostate cancer cells, a new study suggests. More Kids Are Getting Anti-Psychotic Drugs Soaring numbers of children are being prescribed anti-psychotic drugs � in many cases, for attention deficit disorder or other behavioral problems for which these medications have not been proven to work, a study found. Drop In Exercise Efficiency With Age Can Be Eased Older adults may have to work harder than young people to perform the same physical activity, but regular exercise may close that age gap, research findings suggests. Urban Air Clean-Ups Save Lives Cutting down on fine particulate matter in city air can be a real lifesaver, a new study finds. Genes May Cause Risk for Anorexia Researchers studying anorexia in twins conclude that more than half a person's risk for developing the sometimes fatal eating disorder is determined by genes. Fewer Smokers Means Less Heart Disease Deaths from heart disease in Ireland have fallen by nearly 50 percent in 15 years thanks to lifestyle changes and improved treatments, researchers said. Early Antibiotics May Boost Asthma Risk Children given antibiotics in the first year of life may have a higher risk of developing asthma � although there is no evidence the drugs are directly responsible for causing the increasingly common disease, Canadian researchers say. Switching To Vegetarian May Help Keep Weight Down If you want to keep the weight down, switch to a meat-free diet, scientists suggested. Marijuana Tied To Memory Problems People who regularly smoke marijuana may find their memories growing hazy over time, a recent study published suggests. Sleeping Too Little, Or Too Long, Tied To Diabetes Getting too little -- or too much -- sleep may increase a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes, new research suggests. Whirlpools 'Harbouring Bacteria' Poorly-maintained whirlpool baths can be a breeding ground for potentially dangerous bacteria, research suggests. Running Alone May Offer Diminished Rewards Many runners contend that jogging alone offers the opportunity to enjoy nature or appreciate an urban landscape, but new research with rats suggests that running solo might not offer the perceived benefits and, in fact, may actually be bad for runners when combined with social isolation. Folic Acid Supplements Won't Lower Heart-Attack Risk Two new studies question the conventional wisdom that folic acid and B vitamin supplementation lowers cardiovascular risk. Soda Sales Fall For First Time In Years For years, soda has been the quintessential drink, considered the perfect thirst quencher, morning pick-me-up or accompaniment to lunch or dinner. But that mindset is slowly changing. Calcium Deficit Common During Pregnancy Women who have habitually low levels of calcium in their diet undergo significant changes in bone calcium turnover during pregnancy and lactation, according to the results of a new study. Popular Drinks Eat Away at Tooth Enamel Worried about sugary drinks rotting your teeth? A new study suggests the acid in popular refreshments can cause dental damage, too. Bottle-Feeding May Not Raise Child Obesity Risk Breast-fed babies, so the prevailing wisdom goes, are less likely to have weight problems later in life. Introducing solid foods later -- at about four or six months -- is also thought to reduce the risk of being overweight later in childhood. Coffee May Spell Heart Trouble for Some Here's a real caffeine jolt � heart attacks might be a risk for coffee drinkers with a common genetic trait that makes caffeine linger in their bodies, a study suggests. Obese People More Sensitive To Pain Obese people may be more sensitive to pain than people who aren't obese, a new study suggests. Omega 3 Influences Personality Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may influence mood, personality and behavior, according to results of a study presented today by University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researchers at the 64th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society in Denver. Depression May Speed Mental Decline Researchers found that depressed seniors are more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment within six years than those who are depression-free. Study Predicts Rise in Overweight Children The number of overweight children worldwide will increase significantly by the end of the decade, and scientists expect profound impacts on everything from public health care to economies, a study recently published said. Healthy Lifestyle May Fight Impotence For men affected by erectile dysfunction, help may be a workout away. A major new study of American males suggests regular exercise and a healthy diet may help banish ED and the heart disease that often accompanies it. Arguing Hurts The Heart In More Ways Than One Couples who routinely trade nasty or controlling remarks during marital spats might be harming their hearts and not just emotionally, a study suggests. "Pumping Iron" Reduces Fat In Women A twice-weekly strength-training regimen slows the accumulation of visceral fat, researchers reported last week in Phoenix, Arizona at the American Heart Association's 46th annual conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention. Sushi May Be Bad For Health Sushi is more popular than ever before but eating it "has become the new Russian roulette" in terms of safety, a group campaigning against mercury in fish said. Could Antiperspirants Raise Breast Cancer Risk? Scientists believe aluminum salts found in antiperspirants could heighten breast cancer risk, but they caution that this theory requires further investigation. Safer Neighborhoods Are Fitter Neighborhoods Neighborhood crime, or the perception that their neighborhood is unsafe, can keep residents from the exercise they need, U.S. researchers report. Acupuncture Relieves Migraines Acupuncture, one of the most popular complementary treatments, works as well as standard drugs for migraines, German researchers said. Grape Juice Good for Aging Brain Antioxidant-rich concord grape juice may help keep aging brains limber, a study with rats suggests. Weight Training Keeps Women Healthy Lifting weights twice a week can help women prevent "middle-aged spread" and keep their hearts healthy, a new study shows. Further Fears Over Arthritis Drug Renewed fears about the safety of arthritis drug Celebrex have been raised after scientists linked it to an increased risk of heart attacks. Ginkgo Biloba Extract: More Than Just For Memory? Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center say they now have a clearer picture of how an extract from the leaves of the Ginkgo biloba tree reduces the risk of aggressive cancer in animal experiments. Removing Tonsils Leads To Weight Gain A study by a University at Buffalo pediatric researcher investigating the causes of weight gain in children after they have their tonsils and adenoids removed to treat sleep-disordered breathing has shown that removing these tissues results in less fidgeting and other non-exercise motor activity. Depression, Heart Disease Often Go Hand in Hand Depression is one of the most common health disorders in the US, and heart disease is a leading cause of death. "Although they can and do occur separately, research shows that the two conditions are often connected," health experts suggested. Obese People Might Be More Sensitive to Pain Obese people may be more sensitive to pain than people who aren't overweight, a new study suggests.