Monthly News Archives



		Preventing Obesity Can Reduce Cancer Rates Obesity is set to become the biggest disease of the century and health experts said on Wednesday curbing childhood obesity could prevent millions of cancer cases and other related diseases. Oral Nictotine Solution May Help Smokers Quit Researchers are developing what they hope will be an entirely new way for cigarette smokers to kick their tobacco habit--an oral nicotine solution that can be consumed with a wide range of popular beverages. Sex-Ed Programs Work Pregnancy prevention programs that include talking to teens about their sexual behavior and instructing them on contraception use do not increase sexual activity among young people, according to a report released Wednesday. First Nonsurgical Coronary Artery Bypass Performed A 53-year-old man from Germany has become the first person to successfully undergo a new nonsurgical coronary artery bypass procedure. Viagra May Improve Female Sexual Function Contrary to previous findings, the male impotence drug Viagra may improve the sex lives of women with arousal problems, Italian sexologists reported on Sunday. Kids Fear Violence American children ages 6 to 11 fret over guns, death, violence and the environment according to a new study by the creators of Sesame Street. Exercise May Extend Life For Chronically Ill Adults who suffer from chronic health problems such as high blood pressure or heart disease can lower their short-term risk of death by exercising for at least 30 minutes a week, results of a study suggest. You're Never Too Old... Hey, all you seniors out there -- instead of thinking you're over the hill, why not walk, cycle or jog up it. Is it Just a Sprain? You could call an ankle sprain the Rodney Dangerfield of injuries. It simply gets no respect, forever referred to as "just a sprain" and regarded as the far-less impressive alternative to the ankle fracture. Medicine For Your Migraine Migraine headaches cause severe pain and tremendous disability, and yet less than half of all people who suffer from these disabling headaches are receiving appropriate treatment. Talking To Dad About His Health You may look up to your father in many ways but sometimes he needs to look to you for help with his health. Here are some pointers when talking about health with your dad. Some Alternative Answers In laboratories across the nation, researchers are constantly asking questions while conducting medical studies to determine whether complementary or alternative medicines can really do you any good. Mechanism of Obesity Hormone Revealed In the past decade, researchers discovered a hormone that helped explain why some people could put their fork down after eating a plate of pasta, while others could go back for seconds and thirds without ever feeling full. Common Household Antibacterial Found Ineffective and Harmful Hundreds of brands of antibacterial soaps, cleansers, skin creams and other products containing the compound triclosan may be virtually useless when it comes to killing potentially dangerous bacteria, researchers report. Even worse, experts believe many of these products may create potent reservoirs for the spread of harmful microbes. Time With Your Sweetie Lowers Blood Pressure Spending a little quality time with your significant other may help your heart in the long run. Spouses and other partners seem to have a calming influence on a person's blood pressure, new research shows. Diabetics and Depression Go Hand-in-Hand For many people, diabetes and depression may go hand-in-hand, according to an analysis of 25 years of data on the link between the two conditions. Simple Measures Prevent Motion Sickness Downing a protein bar and keeping your face cool may be all it takes to prevent motion sickness, according to research presented at Digestive Disease Week in Atlanta, Georgia. Study Finds Placebo Effect a Mirage A new Danish study, appearing in the the May 24 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, says placebos are at best only marginally useful at improving symptoms, despite their widespread reputation to the contrary. Black Tea Helps Prevent Cavities You won't find it served at your dentist's office just yet, but drinking black tea between meals may help reduce cavities and plaque, researchers said on Tuesday. Study Supports Feeding Colds, Starving Fevers ``Feed a cold, starve a fever'' may be sound advice for the immune system, according to researchers from the Netherlands. After noticing differences in immune system response after a meal in an unrelated study, Gijs Van Den Brink and associates from Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam, wondered if the immune system, in fact, responded differently to feeding and starving. Love is Good For Your Heart Two studies suggest that intimate relationships, even ones that aren't so great, lower blood pressure. While people in poor relationships tended to avoid each other, when they were together blood pressures still dropped. Cell Studies May Open Door To Gum Disease Therapy The discovery of just how the bacterium that causes gum disease latches onto cells in the mouth could pave the way for a vaccine to fight the disease, researchers report. Snoring Linked To ADHD in Young Children Frequent loud snoring that disturbs sleep may be linked to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in some young children, according to a presentation here Monday at the 97th annual meeting of the American Thoracic Society. Many Diabetics Ignorant of Heart Risk A surprisingly large percentage of diabetics are not aware they face major heart disease and stroke risks, a survey finds. Preventing Vehicular Injuries Forcing people to use seat belts, cracking down on how children are restrained in vehicles -- and letting police stop cars and hand out tickets for these reasons will cut down on vehicular crash fatalities and injuries, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Jet Lag Can Affect The Brain NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Hopping the Concorde in New York and heading to Paris for lunch may sound glamorous, but making a habit of this kind of trip may take a toll on your brain, recent study findings suggest. Green Tea May Protect Against Stomach Disorder A regular cup of green tea may help prevent chronic stomach inflammation that can lead to stomach cancer, a new study shows. Get Those Restless Legs To A Doctor It's no secret that many Americans could use a lot more sleep. But for the millions who suffer from a condition known as restless legs syndrome (RLS), getting a good night's sleep isn't as easy as cutting back on the coffee. Tobacco Biggest Single Cause of Cancer Many of the world's six million cancer deaths each year could be prevented if people stopped smoking and lost weight, a leading British scientist said on Wednesday. Genes Explored As Key To Cholesterol Levels Genetic research on inherited forms of high cholesterol is offering clues to the roots of the elevated cholesterol counts commonly seen in the general population, researchers report. You're Never Too Old To Learn For years, researchers have believed the human brain stops growing by the time we reach adulthood. But a new study shows our minds keep developing well into our 40s. Asthma Underdiagnosed In Better Educated People The risk of underdiagnosis and undertreatment of asthma is at least twice as high for individuals with higher levels of education as for people with less education, according to a report in the April issue of the Journal of Asthma. Protein Linked To Permanent Memory For the first time, scientists have identified a protein in the brain that is required for turning short-term memories into permanent ones. Hormones Reduce Cancer Risk Hormone replacement therapy after a diagnosis of breast cancer does not increase the risk of recurrence of the disease and may even lower chances that the cancer will return, according to a new study. Work In Some Industries Linked to Cancer A team of researchers have detected a link between an increased risk of a type of brain cancer in employees in several industries, including agriculture, rubber and plastic manufacturing and the production of electronic equipment. New Cholesterol Guidelines Released New guidelines recommend a more aggressive approach to preventing and managing high cholesterol levels, and that millions may be told they need treatment. Tai Chi Keeps Seniors Moving The slow, graceful movements of Tai Chi could be just what the doctor ordered for the over-65 set. Scientists Watch Breast Cancer Gene At Work Shedding new light on gene-related cases of breast and ovarian cancer, scientists have discovered that a gene linked to both diseases may play a crucial role in repairing genetic damage in body cells. Women Uninformed About Heart Disease Heart disease is a seriously misunderstood illness among American women, according to a new poll, with only about one-third accurately recognizing it as the No. 1 killer of women and less than 10% viewing it as their greatest health problem. Can Coffee Keep Parkinson's Away? That morning jolt of java may not be so bad for you after all. At least in mice, caffeine appears to help stop the development of Parkinson's disease, says a new study. Working Out At Work If you're an employer or manager, consider starting workplace programs that motivate employees to exercise and adopt healthy lifestyles. That can ring up healthier profits through reduced absenteeism, lower health benefit costs, and higher productivity, say the organizers of National Employee Health and Fitness (NEHF) Day, set for May 16. Just Keep Moving It doesn't matter whether you run, walk, hike, swim, cycle or play an organized sport to celebrate National Running and Fitness Week -- May 14-20 -- just as long as you try your hand at some type of exercise. UV Rays Take A Toll On Your Eyes As summer approaches, it's hard to make a move without hearing warnings about skin cancer and covering up your skin. But experts say the ever-increasing ultraviolet (UV) rays you are subjected to can also take a toll on your eyes. Doctors Fail To Process Claims Over the Internet While the percentage of physicians using computers and the Internet has steadily increased in recent years, few have yet to embrace the Web for administrative functions, according to a new study by the American Medical Association (AMA). Doctors Control Spread of Antibiotic-Resistant Bug Doctors were able to control the spread of an antibiotic-resistant bacteria through hospitals in the Midwest by implementing simple infection control methods, according to a report. Walking Works Out Your Brain A new study finds women who walked an average of 18 miles a week were more likely to stay sharp mentally than those who rarely got off the couch. Smoking Linked To Breast Cancer Risk Smoking is a major risk factor for breast cancer among women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, US researchers report. Exercise Keeps Women's Minds In Shape If it has been hard to get motivated for your morning walk, new research findings may inspire you to lace up your sport shoes. A study involving nearly 6,000 women shows that exercise keeps your mind sharp as you age. Brain Scans Give Clues To Eating Disorders Genetic research and brain imaging studies are uncovering the biologic basis for eating disorders such as the binge-purge condition bulimia nervosa, a researcher said here Tuesday at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association. Canadians Living Longer, Getting Fatter Canadian life expectancy is rising in line with that in other countries, but kids are getting fatter and nurses fall sick too much, according to an annual survey of the largely state-funded healthcare system. Healthy Approach to Stop Kids From Watching TV Want to pry your fat 10-year-old away from the television and burn the lard off him at the same time? Just hook the TV up so that he has to pedal a bike to turn it on and keep it on, says a new study. Sexual Problems Common with Antidepressant Use Sexual problems linked with antidepressant use may be more common than widely believed, according to research presented here at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association. Ten Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Early recognition and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is becoming increasingly important given an ``explosion of information'' of the memory-robbing disorder in recent years, experts at the American Academy of Neurology announced here on Monday at their annual meeting. Stopping the Monthly Headache Cycle Call it an ounce of prevention that could be the salvation for many women who suffer migraine headaches during their menstrual cycles. Preventing Kids' Sports Injuries To many parents whose kids are involved in sports, sprained ankles, pulled muscles and broken bones are all part of the game. Food Allergies are Deadly Most people associate allergies with little more than annoying sniffles, sneezes and wheezes. But for sufferers of some food allergies, reactions can be far more serious -- even fatal. British Children Getting Fatter Britain risks an epidemic of obesity as more and more primary-school children become substantially overweight, researchers reported on Friday. World Group Deems Euthanasia Unethical With euthanasia now decriminalized under certain circumstances in the Netherlands, and other nations considering similar legislation, the World Medical Association (WMA) is expected to approve over the weekend a resolution reinforcing its position that euthanasia is unethical. Bottled Water No Better Than Tap Water Although bottled water may often be considered a safer and purer alternative to tap water, a recent report indicates that this does not necessarily hold true in every case. Sushi May Protect Against Rare Type of Lung Cancer The Japanese love of fresh fish--particularly sushi--may protect them against lung cancer, according to a report in this week's British Journal of Cancer. Heading Soccer Ball Does Not Injure Brain The next time you rise above the defense to score a winning goal at a soccer match, celebrate carefree--players do not increase their chances of brain injury while heading the ball, according to research published on Thursday. More Arthritis Funding, Research Needed Diseases of the bones and muscles such as arthritis and rheumatism are the leading causes of disability in the United States and other developed countries. Yet this category of ailments stays on the back burner when it comes to research and funding, results of a recent study suggest. Diet and Exercise Can Dramatically Reduce Diabetes Eating a healthy diet and exercising have long been thought to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, but new study findings confirm that such lifestyle changes can have a big payoff for people at risk of developing the disease. Parents Fail To Recognize Their Child's Obesity Parents of half the obese children in a recent study did not recognize their child's obesity, and nearly three-quarters did not see their child's weight as a problem. Exercise May Help Elderly Avoid Mental Decline Exercising for more than an hour each day may help older adults prevent a decline in mental abilities, according to results of a study from the Netherlands. Genetically Engineered Tomato is "Heart-Smart" Imagine a day when eating spaghetti sauce or pizza will give you an extra antioxidant boost, possibly decreasing your risk of heart disease. Breast-feeding May Protect Bone Density in Teens Not only is it safe for young mothers to breast-feed, they may be protecting their bones by nursing, a new study says. Drug Companies Preventing Generic Drugs If your pharmacy bill is staggering, you might be interested to know there may be a cheaper version of the drugs you need, but brand name drug companies don't want you to know about it. Effort Needed To Get Seniors Active Americans aged 50 and older need to get moving, but they can't do it on their own, according to a report released Tuesday by several groups dedicated to health and aging. Excessive TV Viewing Starts Young Nearly one quarter of American children younger than age 3 already watch at least 3 hours of television on a typical weekday, according to study findings released here Monday at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies. Hormone Helps Stall Joint Damage A hormone that helps the bowels move may also help movement in the joints, a new study says. Protein Relieves Arthritis- Like Condition in Mice A protein that suppresses inflammation in the body may be a potential weapon against rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a joint disease caused by a misguided immune response. New research in mice suggests that the protein, called VIP, can quell joint inflammation by restoring the immune system's normal balance.