Monthly News Archives



		Bananas Help Boost Bone Mass Add another potential health benefit to diets rich in bananas, melons, potatoes and other potassium-packed foods: They could help women stave off osteoporosis, especially if they love to sprinkle on the salt. Many Elderly Lack Info About Their Prescribed Meds Although some elderly individuals may take as many as six or more prescription medications per day, many of them do not know the names of all of the drugs or why they are taking them, new study findings show. Brain Proteins Linked to Parkinson's Disease Two naturally occurring proteins in the brain may combine to wreak havoc on normal brain function and contribute to Parkinson's disease onset, according to a report in the June issue of the journal Nature Medicine. Scientists Learn How Cells 'Steer' Toward Specific Parts of Body Two genes linked to cancer development also play a central role in the ability of cells to navigate through the body to find both infections and nutrients. Exercise Key To Reducing Stress for Female Caregivers A simple exercise program can improve the mental and physical health of women taking care of a demented spouse or parent at home. Scientists Learn How Cells 'Steer' Toward Specific Parts of Body Two genes linked to cancer development also play a central role in the ability of cells to navigate through the body to find both infections and nutrients. Industry Anti-Smoking Ads Make Kids Smoke Advertisements launched by the tobacco industry to limit teen smoking may actually make them want to smoke more, researchers and anti-smoking activists said on Wednesday. Insulin Shots Do Not Prevent Diabetes Regular insulin shots do not delay or prevent childhood-onset diabetes, according to a new study in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine that appears to dash hopes that the hormone can keep children from developing the blood-sugar disease. How the Brain Moves the Body New research in monkeys is shedding light on how the brain controls the body's movement--suggesting that single spots in the brain govern actions far more complex than previously thought. Kindness, Intelligence Important in Mate Selection The idea that men are interested in a woman's beauty while women are interested in the size of a man's wallet is overly simplistic, according to new study findings. Too Much Noise May Affect Children's Mental Health The next time you close the window when children are around, you might be helping the kids more than you thought. Kicking the Habit Extends Life Even Late in Life Even if you've smoked for half a century, a new study suggests you can still add a few years to your life by kicking the habit. Anger-Control Disorder Linked to Brain Dysfunction Scientists have tied dysfunction in a particular brain region to a psychiatric disorder marked by uncontrolled aggression. Rates of Childhood Obesity Rising Across Globe Economic prosperity has fueled a sharp rise in the percentage of overweight children and adolescents around the world, researchers report. Doctors 'Too Complacent' About Diabetes Control Primary care physicians need to manage their patients' blood glucose levels much more aggressively if the global explosion in type 2 diabetes prevalence is to be slowed, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) warned on Wednesday. Experts Call Anti-Aging Products a Waste of Money Anti-aging products that promise to turn back the clock do not deliver and may even be hazardous to your health, says a renowned team of scientists. Breast Feeding Can Help Control Food Allergies Nursing mothers with a family history of allergies could prevent or delay food allergies in their babies by avoiding certain foods. Obesity and Diabetes Raise Risk of Blood Clots Obese adults and those with type 2 diabetes may be more prone to developing dangerous blood clots, according to US researchers. Docs Lack but Want More Info About Alt Meds Despite the public's reported widespread use of acupuncture, herbs and other complementary and alternative medicines, many physicians lack the information they need to counsel their patients about such treatments, study findings show. Fruits, Veggies Lower Blood Pressure An apple a day may not be enough to keep the doctor away but, according to a new study, five apples just might. Researchers Find Another Reason to Eat Broccoli Broccoli is not only loaded with vitamins and minerals--it also carries a substance that may kill ulcer-causing bacteria, researchers said on Monday. How Much Water is Enough? We've all been told how much water we should be drinking on a daily basis. Now, there appears to be disagreement as to how much water intake we actually need. Strong Link Between Depression and Parkinson's Found People with depression are three times more likely to develop Parkinson's disease than people who aren't depressed, according to 25-year study from the Netherlands. Acupuncture Gains Acceptance, Application in Western Medicine When you're in pain, the prospect of having someone stick needles into your body may not seem like the greatest of ideas. Yet millions of people who visit acupuncturists each year are doing just that. A Pitch for Preventing Kids' Baseball Injuries If you're the coach of a kids' baseball team and lucky enough to have a talented pitcher who throws a whole lot of smoke, it may be tempting to put him on the mound as much as possible. Protein May Help Brain Signal Body A protein that helps control the motion of the human gut may also help the body keep time with the brain's biological clock, researchers say. Tell Men Directions, Give Women Landmarks Men and women may not only be from two different planets--Mars and Venus--they also seem to have two totally different ways to reach these and other destinations. But whether the man or woman is the superior navigator appears to depend on the navigation strategy used, researchers report. Prevention Best Strategy Against Africa AIDS Funding HIV prevention in Africa will ultimately save many more lives than treating people who already are HIV positive, at least until there is enough money available for both prevention and treatment, according to a report in the May 25th issue of The Lancet. Brain Scans Offer Clues to Language Development Understanding exactly how the brain develops from birth has confounded scientists for decades, largely because tools to finely measure brain activity have been lacking. With regard to language, earlier research on the subject has led some scientists to believe that the brain's language centers develop around the time a person is born. Screening by Mail Helps Detect Sexual Infections Enabling people to submit urine samples by mail to test for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) could help diagnose infections in people who do not visit STD clinics, researchers report. Exercise, Shunning Cigarettes Help the Elderly Too Even at an advanced age, men and women who stay active and don't smoke still reap health benefits, new research shows. Therapy May Be as Good as Medication for Depression People with moderate to severe depression get as much benefit from cognitive therapy as they do from antidepressant medication, but the depression-relieving effect may take a bit longer to take hold, according to a report presented here at the American Psychiatric Association annual meeting. Ginseng Berry Treats Obesity Chinese medical experts have used root from ginseng plants for millennia to treat a variety of ills, including diabetes. Now, a new study shows that extracts of the berry from the ginseng plant can help reduce the effects of diabetes and take off pounds in diabetic, obese mice even better than the root, pointing towards potential new treatments for these conditions. Loneliness Linked to Poor Sleep Quality Lonely individuals may not only be miserable during the day; they may also have a hard time getting a good night's sleep, new study findings show. New CD-ROM Game Teaches Kids About Asthma Children and adolescents with asthma can have fun learning about the condition and how to control it by playing a new CD-ROM game. Scans Show Just Seeing Food Lights Up the Brain The very sight of food causes the brain to react with pleasure, scientists said in a report they say shows why so many people are fat. Getting Old Doesn't Have to Hurt Aches and pains are an inevitable part of getting older, right? Not so, say recently published guidelines on managing persistent pain from the American Geriatrics Society. Why Diets Flop Crash diets rarely work, but stomach-reduction surgeries seem to keep the weight off. Now, a surprising new study helps explain why the former fail and the latter succeed. Strength Training Could Cut Child Obesity A low-energy diet and strength training could help tackle the growing problem of childhood obesity, researchers suggest. Breastfeeding Could Lower Risk of Crib Death Mothers striving to minimize the risk of crib death should breastfeed their babies because it could offer some protection against sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), Swedish researchers said on Wednesday. Bottled Water Can Harbor Microbes Just because water comes in a bottle doesn't mean it's sterile, according to an expert who spoke here Tuesday at the American Society for Microbiology's annual meeting. Researchers Differ on How to Study Web Health Info Various researchers have assessed the quality of consumer health information on the Internet, with most of their studies reaching negative conclusions. But the researchers themselves often differ in how they measure "quality," new study findings show. Activity May Protect Your Brain From Alzheimer's An active and challenging life may protect your brain from Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. Once-a-Week Exercise Helps Elderly Stay Independent A new study's results should be encouraging news to older folks: Exercising just once a week may be enough to allow you to stay on your own. UK's Prince Charles Urges Free Alternative Therapy Britain's Prince Charles, a staunch campaigner for natural remedies and organic farming, urged the UK government on Tuesday to provide more alternative and complementary medicine through the public health service. Obesity Threatens Elderly Health While advances in medical care are greatly improving the lives of people over 50, rising health costs and increasing obesity threatens to eliminate many of the gains. Resistant Bacteria Common in Grocery Store Chicken Most raw chicken on grocery store shelves is contaminated with at least some fecal bacteria, according to the results of an Alabama study presented here Monday. Stress Impedes Proper Blood Flow Stress appears to inhibit the ability of blood vessels to expand--a problem that may explain why extremely stressful events can precipitate heart attacks, new study findings suggest. Manual Therapy Works Best for Neck Pain For some nagging neck pain, so-called manual therapy may be more effective than exercise, painkillers and other standard treatments, new study findings suggest. Stick to Aerobic Exercise to Reduce Blood Pressure People who engage in aerobic forms of exercise, including walking, jogging and cycling, tend to have lower blood pressure than those who mix aerobic exercise with anaerobic activities such as weight training, researchers say. Unhappy Marriage Makes the Heart Grow Larger Whether a person has an unhappy or a happy marriage can affect the size of his or her heart--and not in a romantic sense, new research reports. Exercise May Cut Cancer Risk Physically fit people are less likely to die of cancer, including cancers related to smoking, even if they smoke, a study finds. Ovary Removal May Prevent Cancer in High-Risk Women Two new studies provide strong evidence that women who have a gene mutation linked to a high risk of breast and ovarian cancer can reduce the likelihood of developing the diseases by having surgery to remove both ovaries. Healthcare Flaws Endanger Epileptics Hundreds of epilepsy patients are dying needlessly in Britain because of failures throughout the healthcare system, according to a government-funded report released Monday. Pumping Iron May Pump Up Blood Pressure If you want to keep your blood pressure under control, consider skipping the weight room and head to the track or pool instead. UK Studies Links Between Pesticides, Parkinson's British scientists said on Friday they are studying whether exposure to pesticides could be linked to the development of Parkinson's disease. Vitamin D Defends Against Colon Cancer If you eat a high-fat diet and want to avoid colon cancer, consider washing your food down with low-fat milk instead of soda. Alternative Medicines May Pose Risk, WHO Warns Increasingly popular alternative medicines, from Chinese herbal remedies to acupuncture and spiritual therapies, are often misused and may harm patients, the World Health Organisation warned on Thursday. Psychological Distress Associated with Poor Diet People suffering from mild depression or anxiety are more likely to use unhealthy weight-loss tactics, such as binge eating and purging or fasting, and to eat an unhealthy diet. WHO Gets Aggressive on Obesity Obesity has reached such epidemic proportions that world health officials have decided they need to take a more aggressive approach if they are to head off a global explosion of fat-related diseases. Nutritional Supplements: Do You Know What You're Taking? Though it's a billion-dollar industry, most supplements are not regulated by the FDA. Some - like ephedra or fen-phen, which was pulled from drugstore shelves - can be dangerous and even deadly. Others just don't work. What can you do to make sure the supplements you're taking are helping, not hurting? Best Osteoporosis Defense May Be a Good Offense A genetic discovery has opened the way to a revolutionary way of treating osteoporosis, the bone-weakening condition that affects millions of older Americans. Drinking and Cancer a Deadly Mix? Drinking too much can double the weight loss that typically occurs with cancer, claims a Washington State University study that was based on research with lab mice. That weight loss, which includes a depletion of body fat, can cut down on survival time. No Health Benefits Found From Housework Workout Most elderly UK women meet physical activity requirements through housework, but that form of exercise does not appear to improve health, UK researchers report. Hands-Free Phones May Still Be Danger for Drivers Hands-free technologies may still prevent drivers from keeping their eyes and mind safely on the road while talking on cell phones, researchers report. They found that mental distractions equivalent to engrossing conversation reduced drivers' awareness of the environment around them. Moderate Drinking May Cut Women's Risk of Diabetes Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol may help prevent healthy postmenopausal women from developing diabetes as well as heart disease, new research suggests. Is Diabetes Born in the Womb? Underweight baby girls are significantly more likely than their normal-sized and even heavier crib mates to develop diabetes when they become pregnant later in life. Vegetarian Diet May Protect Against Breast Cancer A lifelong commitment to a vegetarian diet may lower a woman's risk of developing breast cancer, study findings suggest. Cancer Rate Falls but Numbers Set to Rise Cancer rates continue to fall in the United States, but the actual number of cancer patients will double by 2050 because the population is aging, the American Cancer Society said on Tuesday. Self-Esteem Program Lowers Teen Pregnancy Rate A US program aimed at raising the self-esteem of inner-city children and keeping them off drugs and alcohol had the surprise effect of keeping them from having unprotected sex and getting pregnant, researchers said on Monday. Stress Hormone in Skin May Trigger Acne, Oily Skin A stress-related hormone that affects the release of oils in the skin may be a potential cause of skin disorders such as excessively dry or oily skin, explaining the link between stress and acne breakouts, German researchers report. Using Alternative Methods Without Eliminating Tobacco Researchers are now turning to a theory that they once thought unthinkable � maybe some hard-core smokers can't quit. The game plan has shifted to getting those smokers to satisfy their nicotine craving using alternative products without eliminating their use of tobacco. New Procedure Freezes and Destroys Breast Tumors A new medical procedure freezes and removes benign breast tumors without surgery. Diet Claims May Overstate Benefits of Fish Oil Numerous scientific studies have shown that fish oils can be beneficial to varying degrees for the treatment or prevention of a variety of diseases, ranging from depression to multiple sclerosis. Prominent Women Urge More Osteoporosis Prevention Prominent women, led by Queen Rania of Jordan, called on world policymakers Saturday to step up early diagnosis of osteoporosis, a debilitating bone disease that affects one in three women over 50. Compounds in Tea May Keep Bones Strong According to a study, men and women with a long-term tea habit had denser bones at three different skeletal sites, regardless of the type or amount of tea they consumed each day. Drinking tea regularly for at least 10 years, in fact, was estimated to boost bone mineral density by up to 5%. Spirituality Makes People Feel Better People who are more spiritual are better able to deal with the discomforts and limitations of chronic disease than their less-spiritual counterparts. That's the conclusion of a Johns Hopkins study presented May 10 at the American Geriatrics Society's annual meeting here. Teen Vegetarians Have Healthier Diet Than Peers Teenagers often set the trend when it comes to music and fashion. Now, study findings suggest that certain teens are on the cutting edge when it comes to food and health. Telemarketers Suffer Vocal Problems Some might call it poetic justice, but telemarketers appear more likely than the rest of us to suffer strained vocal cords. Should You Bank Your Baby's Blood? Expectant parents are faced with an array of medical decisions -- which tests to have, where to have their baby, what kind of birth they hope to have, and more. As medical science makes further advances, that list will only grow longer. Obesity Climbs Among Canadian Adults Canadian adults are getting fatter, despite their increased levels of physical activity, according to statistics released on Wednesday. Seat Belts Save Lives, Air Bags Less Effective Two new studies reaffirm that seat belts are lifesavers, but one questions how much protection driver-side air bags afford. Heavy Pot Smoking Linked to Short-Term IQ Dip Heavy marijuana use can dull a young person's IQ, but the effects may not be long-lasting, a small study suggests. No End in Sight for Human Life Expectancy The gains in human life expectancy over the past century-and-a-half have been nothing short of "astonishing," according to researchers. And, they say, there's no limit in sight. Healthy Snacks Improve Kids' Nutrition Children can get up to almost one-half of their total energy intake from snacks, and providing them with nutritious, low-fat snacks can have a significant impact on their health, according to a new report. Parents' Very Old Age Can Indicate Child's Health If your parents lived well into their 90s or beyond it may give you at least a few advantages health-wise--but it doesn't necessarily mean that you will age as successfully as your folks, new study finding suggest. Eating Healthy Cheaper in the Long Run Individuals who claim that it is too expensive to eat a well-balanced diet may be surprised to learn that in the long term--after one's eating habits have changed--eating healthily may actually be cheaper than their current diet, according to new research findings. The Pill Seen Cutting Baby Boomer Cancer Rates The anti-cancer effect of birth control pills is becoming apparent as female baby boomers reach the age when ovarian and endometrial cancers typically show up, according to researchers. Hormones May Be Key to Drug Addicted Women Studies show that men and women differ in their motivations for using drugs and their susceptibility to becoming addicted. Long considered a man's problem, substance abuse related illnesses are responsible for the deaths of 200,000 American women annually and more than 4 million women are in need of treatment for their addiction. Wine Drinkers Less Likely to Get Common Cold Many studies have found that a small to moderate amount of alcohol can reduce the risk of heart problems. Now, Spanish researchers report that wine drinkers are less likely than teetotalers to come down with the common cold. Bacteria Genome New Weapon Against Superbugs British scientists have mapped the genetic material of a common soil bacterium in an achievement that could combat the growing problem of "superbugs"--bacteria resistant to the most powerful antibiotics. Condom Use Linked to Risk of Preeclampsia Women who are not exposed to a partner's sperm prior to pregnancy because the couple used condoms may be at increased risk for developing pregnancy-induced high blood pressure, a new study concludes. Heat Therapy Shown Effective for Chronic Back Pain New study findings suggest that a nonsurgical heat therapy, intradiscal electrothermal treatment (IDET), may be an effective remedy for individuals who suffer from chronic back pain. Drinking Water Linked to Lower Heart Disease Risk Want to lower your risk of having a heart attack? Drink more water, and less of everything else, new research reports. Home Births Linked to More Infant Deaths Twice as many infant deaths occurred during home births than with hospital deliveries, according to the results of a study in one US state. Bionic Retina Gives Six Patients Partial Sight They're not as fast as Lee Majors' Bionic Man, but six patients implanted with bionic retinas are seeing things they haven't seen in years. Report Finds Easy Lab Access to Deadly Pathogens Unauthorized scientists, students and foreigners are routinely granted access to federal laboratories where potentially deadly biological agents, like anthrax and salmonella, are stored, according to a government report released on Tuesday. Secondhand Smoke Hurts Test Performance in Kids, Adolescents A new study, presented at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies in Baltimore, finds that exposure to cigarette smoke in children and adolescents may lead to poorer test scores. Shared Leisure Time No Guarantee of Happy Marriage Women who spend "down-time" with their husbands doing activities that they themselves don't really like may wind up feeling more unhappy in their marriage over the long haul, new study findings suggest. Two Studies Look at Circumcision's Effect on Sex In some of the first efforts to study the effect of male circumcision on sexual function, two new papers present opposite findings, providing evidence to support both sides of the debate surrounding the procedure. More Americans Seek Health Info Online The number of Americans who turn to the Internet to answer questions about health and medicine continues to grow, according to a recent survey. Whole Grains May Reduce Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Consuming a diet rich in whole grains may help overweight adults to reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes, according to a recent report. Working Moms Work Long, Irregular Hours Working mothers are more likely to work long hours than women without children, according to a survey released Tuesday by the AFL-CIO. Tea Helps Hearts Heal Heavy tea drinkers -- whether they like it black, green, hot or cold -- are more likely to survive a heart attack than those who don't sip the healthy brew. A Little Extra Breast- Feeding Goes a Long Way The well-documented health benefits of breast-feeding can last long after you wean your baby. New research says that just two additional months of nursing can significantly reduce respiratory illnesses for at least two years. Antidepressant Use on the Rise Among Children Prescriptions for antidepressant medications for children and teenagers rose substantially during the 1990s, US researchers have found. Experts Call for Action to Improve Childhood Asthma In the wake of skyrocketing rates of asthma in children, a panel of experts have published a "Blueprint for Policy Action," in the May issue of the journal Pediatrics. Teenage Complacency May Fuel New AIDS Crisis Young people in the western world have become so complacent about safe sex that the AIDS crisis may be only just beginning, according to a report released Saturday. Eating For Energy Combining carbohydrates and fiber in foods like fruits and veggies can keep you fuller, longer and help give you more energy. Lap Belts Don�t Help on Buses Lap belts do not improve passenger safety on school buses and instead can put riders at high risk of severe or fatal neck injury, according to a new report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Taming That Irritable Bowel The symptoms are often chronic and impossible to ignore -- constipation or diarrhea, with gas, bloating and sometimes intense stomach cramps after almost every meal. But some herbal remedies and anti-depressent medications offer relief. Schools Can Help Protect Kids From Skin Cancer New guidelines released this week by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urge schools to try to protect children from excess sunlight to help prevent skin cancer later on in life. Adulthood Defined by Personality Change, Not Events You've graduated from college, gotten married and had children--is it safe to say you're an adult? Not necessarily, says one British researcher. She found that for many people, "adulthood" is not defined as a passage through traditional events, but rather a change in personality and behavior. Researchers Destroy HIV in Lab HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, can be stopped in its tracks by using gene therapy to tell infected cells how to prevent the virus from replicating, researchers here said on Thursday. 'Controlled Crying' Helps Babies, Moms Get Sleep "Controlled crying," a long-used tactic for teaching fussy babies to fall asleep on their own, may also ease the mother's depression, new study findings suggest. Health, Not Age, Drives Older People Off the Road Older people, regardless of age, appear willing to reduce or abandon driving if a decline in health makes the experience too stressful or difficult, British researchers report. Vitamin C May Help Preemies Survive New research in mice suggests that plain old vitamin C could be the key to preventing brain and lung damage in premature babies. Stroke Doesn't Strike Fear in People Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the nation, yet most people are either oblivious to the threat or uninformed about it. Social Ties May Be Key to Long, Healthy Life Men who have a large number of friends, relatives and other social ties may live a longer, healthier life than their socially isolated peers, according to recent study findings. Allergy-Causing Substances Lurk in Cars, Clothes Levels of allergy-causing substances--known as allergens--from dogs, cats and dust mites are high enough in car seats and clothes to potentially cause sensitivity and symptoms in some people, new study findings suggest. Study Supports Idea That Babies Can Count Babies may be able count long before they learn their numbers, new study findings suggest. Remote-Controlled Rats May Hunt Bombs and Bodies Rats steered by a computer up to 500 yards away could soon help find buried earthquake victims or dispose of bombs, scientists said on Wednesday. India May Overtake S.Africa in AIDS Cases India will have the largest number of people in the world infected with HIV in a few years, overtaking South Africa, if steps are not taken to curb the deadly disease, UNAIDS chief Peter Piot said on Thursday. Same Health Benefits From Less Chocolate For those of us who took the recent good news that chocolate can be good for the heart as an excuse to eat loads of the sweet stuff, hold on: there's now another encouraging report showing that smaller quantities of chocolate may produce the same beneficial effects, but with fewer calories. Bisexuals at Risk for Anxiety, Depression Bisexual people are more likely to have mental health problems than either heterosexual or homosexual adults, a study published on Wednesday found. Gene Variations Linked to Lung Cancer Risk Certain variations in a tumor-fighting gene help determine a person's susceptibility to lung cancer--and may help explain ethnic differences in rates of the disease, according to US researchers. When Feeling Bad Might Do Some Good A study appearing in the May issue of the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry says that older women who report symptoms of mild depression have a significantly lower death rate than women who are not depressed and those who report more severe depression. Could Anger Be a Hereditary Trait? A Duke University researcher believes some of us possess an "anger gene" that could lead to serious health problems. The Truth About Great Abs Experts say that without diet changes and cardiovascular exercise, you simply won't lose the fat that will show off your midriff. Many New Drugs Have Side Effects One in five new drugs has serious side effects that do not show up until well after the medicine has received government approval, according to a study that exposes what one researcher calls an alarming game of medical Russian roulette.