Monthly News Archives



		Soda, Sweet Drinks Main Source Of Calories According to preliminary research conducted by scientists at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center, more than two thirds of the population studies reported drinking enough soda and/or sweet drinks to provide them with a greater proportion of daily calories than any other food. Can Taking The Pill Dull A Woman's Desire Forever? ORAL contraceptives may free a woman to have sex without fear of getting pregnant, but they could also extinguish her desire. Preschoolers Are Hip to Adult Errors If an adult presents a preschooler with an object that looks like a key but calls it a spoon, will the child believe the grownup? In almost two of three cases the answer will be "No" -- even among kids as young as 3, researchers report. Cigarette Makers Sought Out Women Tobacco companies designed cigarettes to appeal to women's desires to be thin and healthy in ways that went "far beyond marketing and advertising," health researchers said. Depression Unrelated To Level Of Chronic Pain Individuals with depression often suffer from chronic physical pain and chronic pain sufferers are often depressed. A new study shows that both conditions should be tackled separately and independently from each other. Does Size Matter? Most Romantic Partners Say 'No' A survey of 50,000 adults finds 70 percent of female respondents desiring more ample or rounder breasts -- even though the majority of male respondents say they are perfectly happy with their partner's breast size. Workplace Solvent Linked to Immune System Disorders The industrial solvent trichloroethylene (TCE) may cause immune system changes in workers exposed to the chemical, Italian researchers conclude. Deadlines, Transitions Heat Up Emotions Overworked, on-the-go, stressed, you're not alone: A new study finds that time constraints and impending deadlines encourage emotional highs and lows. Fish Oil Fights Smog's Effect on Heart Daily supplements of fatty acid-rich fish oil may counteract the effects of air pollution on the heart, researchers report. Teens Who Experience Violence Likely To Be Violent New study findings provide scientific proof for what some have already deduced: teens exposed to violence are more likely than their peers to become involved in violence in the future. 'Bad' Metabolism Could Damage Arteries Inefficient metabolism within blood vessels may help drive atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, a new study suggests. Chromium Supplements Good For The Diabetic Heart Chromium supplementation may be good for the heart in people with type 2 diabetes, according to study findings. It appears to lead to a shortening of a harmful heart rhythm, which may lower cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetics. The Bladder Does Not Shrink With Age Bladders do not appear to shrink with age, suggesting that urinary troubles in older people can no longer be considered a normal part of aging, according to new study findings released this week. Breast Cancer Patients Should Walk To Live Women with breast cancer who walk at least an hour a week have a better chance of beating the disease than those who don't exercise at all, researchers said. Diagnosis Of Depression Unaffected By Sex, Race Doctors are just as likely to diagnose depression in an older adult regardless of whether the person is white or black, male or female, the results of a study indicate. Lead Still North American Pollution Danger Lead still tops the list of industrial pollutants in North America that can cause birth defects or developmental damage in children, even though lead pollution has fallen since the phaseout of leaded gasoline in the 1980s, according to a study released. The Fat Connection: How Excess Body Fat Can Lead To The Onset Of Diabetes Scientists at the Weizmann Institute of Science and the University of Umea, Sweden, have unraveled a mechanism by which fat contributes to the onset of the disease. Their results were published in the April issue of Cell Metabolism. Drinking Milk 'No Risk To Heart' Milk's poor reputation as being an unhealthy drink may be unjustified, research suggests. Scientists found drinking milk does not increase the risk of heart disease and stroke - in fact it may even have a protective effect. Diet May Modify Radon- Related Lung Cancer Risk A study conducted in an area of Italy where residential radon levels are high confirms that the risk of lung cancer increases in step with levels of radon exposure, but that the Mediterranean diet may modify the effects. Think Twice Before Back Pain Surgery Surgery to relieve chronic lower back pain is no better than intensive rehabilitation and nearly twice as expensive, researchers said. More Sleep, Less TV Fends Off Child Obesity Scientists have drawn up a check-list of early warning signs of child obesity, among them too much television and not enough sleep. Elderly Might Not Benefit From Regular Aspirin A daily baby aspirin is often recommended by doctors to help prevent heart attacks or stroke, but for people over 70 years old the benefits may be offset by bleeding risks, investigators report. "The balance of harm and benefit could tip either way," they say. Sperm May Hold Key To Cancer The evolutionary path that separated humans from chimps 5 million years ago may have made human sperm survive better but paradoxically may have made humans prone to cancer. Study Finds ADHD Improves With Sensory Intervention Preliminary findings from a study of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) show that sensory intervention -- for example, deep pressure and strenuous exercise -- can significantly improve problem behaviors such as restlessness, impulsivity and hyperactivity. High Overnight Blood Pressure Linked To Increased Blood Sugar Levels People whose blood pressure doesn't drop significantly overnight tend to have more cardiovascular problems. Vitamin E May Fend Off Parkinson's Diets that are rich in vitamin E may help to protect against Parkinson's, the neurodegenerative disease that afflicted Storage Time And Temperature Effects Nutrients In Spinach "We believe laughing is good for your health," said Michael Miller of the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, who led research into who positive emotions influence health. Babies' Cries Linked To Their Health Leading researchers in colic and infant development say that a simple analysis of babies' cries can provide a window into their neurological and medical status. Majority Of Parents Don't Actively Limit Children's Media Time According to new research at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, the majority of parents do not often use active strategies to limit media time or content. Prostate Cancer In High-Risk Men With 'Normal' PSA Levels Men at high risk of developing prostate cancer should undergo aggressive screening for the disease. That is the recommendation following a Fox Chase Cancer Center study of 520 men at high-risk of developing prostate cancer in which 25 percent were diagnosed with the disease despite having a low PSA. Low-Fat Diet Reduces Recurrence of a Breast Cancer A low-fat diet can decrease the risk of breast cancer recurrence by more than 40% in patients with a form of the cancer that is not sensitive to levels of the hormone estrogen, researchers said. Nicotine Vaccine Shows Promise Swiss researchers reported that a trial did not find a statistically significant difference in quit rates between the experimental vaccine group and a group of smokers taking a placebo, but it did report higher quit rates in a subgroup of smokers who had developed a high level of antibodies in response to the vaccine. More Sleep-Caused Infant Deaths Preventable Putting your baby to sleep on its back -- a proven strategy to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) -- isn't always enough to reduce the risk of infant death. Junk Food Outlets Crowd Inner-City Schools Numerous outlets selling sugary or greasy foods are just a minute's walk away from most elementary schools in East Harlem, New York City, say the authors of a Mount Sinai School of Medicine study. Monitoring of Drug Side Effects Lacking Amid concerns about rising rates of medical errors, a new study finds that close to half of hospital outpatients taking medications for chronic illnesses failed to receive recommended laboratory tests aimed at spotting dangerous side effects. Oral Contraception Linked To Prostate Deformities Oestrogen-like chemicals commonly found in oral contraceptives and plastic packaging could deform the prostate gland of human embryos, suggests a new study in mice. Deformities to the prostate gland have been linked to prostate cancer and bladder disease in later life. Study Looks at Diet in Cutting Cholesterol Eating a low-fat diet packed with vegetables, fruit, beans and whole grains reduces levels of "bad" cholesterol twice as much as eating a low-fat diet that's heavy on processed foods, a small study has found. Can Rice Bran Oil Melt Away Cholesterol? A natural component of rice bran oil lowers cholesterol, and ongoing research also shows it may have potential as an anti-cancer and anti-infection agent in humans. Sodas Keep Child Obesity Soaring A new review of data and expert opinion suggests soft drink consumption greatly increases the risk of childhood obesity, according to researchers reporting in the May issue of the Journal of Pediatrics. Researchers Get A Grip On Hyper-Sweating The often embarrassing, excessive sweating disorder, hyperhidrosis, and its treatment options are gaining greater attention from physicians. This is improving the efficacy of treatment and minimizing its adverse effects, Mayo Clinic authors write in the May issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Obese Workers' Pay Lower Due To Health Costs Studies have consistently shown that obese employees are paid less than normal-weight employees doing similar jobs, leading many people to attribute the gap to prejudice against workers based on their appearance. Depression Tied To Risk Of Becoming Diabetic Young adults with a history of depression have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a Canadian team. Regular Exercise Cuts Women's Sudden Cardiac Death Risk Here's another reason to get up off the couch and get moving: Regular exercise can help prevent sudden cardiac arrest, especially if it's kept up over the long term. Health Tip: Use Medications Safely Any drug, no matter how safe, can lead to problems if taken incorrectly or with other drugs that can conflict with each other. Moms Pregnant With Boys May Be Less Forgetful Mothers pregnant with boys may be less forgetful than those carrying girls, Canadian researchers said. Depression Tied To Risk Of Becoming Diabetic Young adults with a history of depression have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a Canadian team. Exercise 'Slows Prostate Cancer' Regular vigorous physical activity could slow the progression of prostate cancer in older men, a study has found. Diabetes Risk May Be Set By Grandma Children may be at increased risk of diabetes if their grandmothers had a poor diet while pregnant and breastfeeding, animal studies suggest. Single Malt Whisky Protects From Cancer Single malt whisky can beat the threat of cancer, thanks to high levels of a powerful antioxidant that kills cancer cells, a medical conference in Scotland was told. To Lose Old Fat, You Gotta Have Some New Where fat comes from determines whether the body can metabolize it effectively. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that the "old" fat stored in the body's peripheral tissues -- that is, around the belly, thighs or bottom -- can't be burned efficiently unless "new" fat is eaten in the diet or made in the liver. Antioxidants a key to 'long life' Boosting the body's levels of natural antioxidants could be the key to a long life, according to US scientists. Study Links Obesity and Bad Knees As the west continues to get bigger, you can add knee problems to the list of ailments they are likely to face after lugging around extra pounds. Cranberries Have Heart-Healthy Effects Compounds that occur naturally in cranberries may be good for the heart, researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have found. Reheating Vegetable Oil Releases Toxin High amounts of a toxin with known connections to heart disease and neurological disorders accumulate in vegetable-based cooking oils that are heated or reheated for hours at a time, new research shows. Exercise-Induced Asthma Up to 90% of kids with asthma have symptoms when they exercise. It makes sense that cigarette smoke and pollen could trigger asthma symptoms, but why exercise? Vitamin B6 Cuts Colon Cancer Risk High daily levels of vitamin B6 may reduce the risk of getting colon cancer by 58 percent, claims a new study from Harvard Medical School. Immune System, Blood Altered In Autism Children with autism show different immune system responses from children without the condition, and these might be measured in the blood for a possible screening test, U.S. researchers reported. Stress And Mood Predict Kid's Arthritis Symptoms In children with arthritis, stress and mood are important predictors of disease symptoms, research shows, suggesting that non-drug interventions, such as stress management and cognitive behavioral therapy, may be useful in ameliorating symptoms. Exercise In Cold Water May Increase Appetite Exercise in cold water instead of warm water may increase people's appetites, making it harder for them to lose extra pounds, a University of Florida study finds. Acetaminophen Linked To Risk Of Respiratory Ills Regular use of the painkiller acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol, is associated with higher rates of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and reduced lung function, according to a new study. Lonesome Have Weak Immune Systems A new study at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh confirms how college challenges both mind and body, by demonstrating that lonely first-year students mounted a weaker immune response to the flu shot than did other students. The study appears in the May issue of Health Psychology, which is published by the American Psychological Association (APA). Obesity a Problem Among Affluent The poor are most likely to be fat, but the more affluent are closing the gap. Obesity is growing fastest among Americans who make more than $60,000 a year, researchers reported. Fatty Acids May Help Kids' Behavior Problems Dietary supplementation with omega-3 and other fatty acids appears to reduce the educational and behavioral problems of children with a condition termed developmental coordination disorder (DCD), UK researchers report. Veggie, Low-Fat Diet Lowers Cholesterol A low-fat diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans has twice the cholesterol-lowering power of a conventional low-fat diet -- even when the two diets have the same amount of calories and fat, researchers said. Study On 'Apple-Shaped' Women Explains Heart Risk Women who develop thick waists and high cholesterol at menopause may be at higher risk of heart disease because they also have more damage to their arteries, U.S. researchers reported. New Research Predicts Autism Canadian researchers have become the first to pinpoint specific behavioral signs in infants as young as 12 months that can predict, with remarkable accuracy, whether a child will develop autism. Experts Say Obesity Still a Health Risk Now that the government says fat might not kill so many of us after all, is it OK to be just a little pudgy? Maybe, but before celebrating with a hot fudge sundae, keep in mind the overriding message: Being too overweight really is a serious health risk. Studies Cast Doubt on Use of Calcium in Some Cases Despite what doctors have long recommended, regularly taking calcium and vitamin D does not prevent fractures in older people who have broken a bone or who have osteoporosis, according to two large studies released. Risks Jump As Obesity Escalates When the fat get even fatter, their risk of death jumps, too, especially if they have an apple-shaped waistline. So concludes a study of 90,000 women in the United States, the first to look closely at the alarming trend of extreme obesity, being at least 90 pounds overweight.