Monthly News Archives



		Panel Recommends 12 Steps for Cutting Cancer Deaths If more Americans quit smoking, lost a little weight and started eating better, at least 60,000 cancer deaths could be avoided each year, according to a report issued Monday by a government advisory panel. Extra Stress Stresses Immune System, Too Research has indicated that chronic stress can take a hefty toll on a person's health, and a new study offers one potential reason why. Task Force Gives Vitamins Less Than Glowing Review There is insufficient scientific evidence to support the notion that taking certain vitamins will prevent heart disease or cancer, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force announced Monday. I Love You, Because You're Just Like Me Despite the saying that opposites attract, new research released Monday suggests that people tend to prefer someone more like themselves. Sugary Drinks Help Children Get Fat Children who drank more than 12 ounces of sweetened drinks a day gained significantly more weight over two months than children who drank less than 6 ounces a day, the team of nutritionists at Cornell University in New York found. Men Can Benefit from Kegel Exercises, Too Women are advised to do the exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor to counter the occasional incontinence that can follow childbirth or come after menopause. But some men, it seems, can benefit from them as well. Millions of Children Dying Needlessly, Doctors Say Six million children in poor countries who die from preventable illnesses each year could be saved but intervention and treatments are not reaching them, health experts said on Friday. Diabetes Tied to Increased Risk of Breast Cancer Women with diabetes may have a slightly elevated risk of developing breast cancer, new study findings suggest. New Cavity-Fighting Agent Shows Promise An experimental cavity-fighting toothpaste may be better at preventing tooth decay and cavities than traditional fluoride toothpaste, according to a study. Calcium Can Be Critical Before Menopause Many women start taking calcium supplements during menopause, but calcium deficiency increasingly is being seen in younger women, says the June issue of the Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource. Envy Eats Away at Everyone Whether their partner commits sexual or emotional infidelity, men and women have much the same jealous reaction. That's according to a University of California, San Diego study recently published in Personality and Social Psychology Review. Men Have Biological Clocks Too It's not just women who have biological clocks, British researchers reported. As men get older, it takes them longer to father a child, the team at the University of Hull reported. Arabic Texts May Aid in Fighting Disease As many as 5 million ancient and recent manuscripts may lie unexplored in West African private libraries and hidden underground, and some may provide clues to diseases that have spread from the continent, the Librarian of Congress says. Obesity in British Males Approaching U.S. Levels Obesity in British men is fast approaching U.S. levels, raising their risk of cancer, scientists said Wednesday. About 20 percent of men in Britain are obese and a further 50 percent are overweight, according to research compiled by the charity Cancer Research UK. Defibrillators in Schools: Lifesaving Lessons A portable automated external defibrillator (AED), about the size of a hardcover book, can deliver enough shock to restore sudden cardiac arrest and save lives. More Evidence Mediterranean Diet Cuts Deaths A Mediterranean-type diet -- rich in vegetables, legumes, fruits and olive oil -- indeed appears to lower the risk of death, researchers said Wednesday. Tropical Oils Beat Fat A blend of tropical oils used for cooking can actually fight fat and cholesterol, say researchers at McGill University in Montreal. In Learning, Short Nap Is as Good as Night's Sleep Research has shown that people need a good night's sleep in order to perform better on a number of tests that measure different skills. Now new findings suggest that, in the case of a visual test, a short nap does the job just as well as hours of nighttime z's. National ADHD Education Campaign Launched A national campaign has been launched to increase awareness of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and to dispel common myths that surround the disorder. Rheumatoid Arthritis Ups Overall Death Risk Rheumatoid arthritis appears to raise the risk of death from any cause in men and women older than 40, a large study of UK patients has found. Two-Minute Brush Helps Achieve Cleaner Teeth: Study Although hard work tends to pay off in other areas of life, forceful toothbrushing appears to be no better at ridding the mouth of plaque than a medium effort. Anti-Cellulite Creams Sound Great, But Do They Really Work? Open just about any women's magazine and you'll find ads for anti-cellulite creams that promise to reduce the spongy, dimply, cottage cheese-looking skin that causes distress to so many women. But do they work? Brain Study Examines How People Feel Pain Pain that brings tears to one person's eyes may be barely noticed by someone else, and that can be a problem for doctors deciding on treatment. Unfair Boss? Time to Check Your Blood Pressure People who work under a supervisor they deem to be unfair tend to have higher blood pressure than people who have a more favorable opinion of their superiors, UK researchers said Tuesday. Airbags Are No Big Risk to Eyes Contrary to what many people may believe, the risk of suffering eye injuries from airbags is low, says a new Finnish study. Don't Forget That Rx for Exercise, Docs Doctors should always recommend regular physical exercise to their patients to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease, according to a new report from the American Heart Association. Kids' Reading Problems Can Emerge Later Parents and educators may assume that if children are reading well in the first and second grades, they will continue to read well in later grades. That's not always the case, reports a new study: Some youngsters develop "late-emerging" reading disabilities. Diabetics Can Walk for Life If you're diabetic, a new study finds that you'll probably live longer simply by strolling. An analysis of 2,900 adults who had diabetes for an average of 11 years found that even two hours of walking weekly reduced the risk of death by 39 percent. Eating and Aging As you age, problems that affect your ability to eat may surface. Ill-fitting dentures, constipation, gas, diarrhea or a special diet are all factors that may make eating a bit unpleasant. Tobacco Foes Ready Legal Assault Over Obesity Some of the people who took Joe Camel and the Marlboro Man to court will meet this weekend to discuss doing the same to the likes of Ronald McDonald and other well-known faces of the food industry. Experts: Risk of Stroke May Start in the Womb Researchers have long struggled to explain why some people living in certain regions of the U.S. and UK are more likely to develop stroke than others. Diet, Exercise Key for Kids on Anti-Inflammatories For children taking oral doses of powerful anti-inflammatory drugs, exercise and diet are a crucial way to overcome the potentially bone-damaging side effects of the drugs, a British researcher said on Thursday. Women's Sexual Arousal Is All-Encompassing Just in case you thought female sexuality couldn't get any more complicated. Researchers, armed with pornographic movies, say they have discovered that women, regardless of their sexual orientation, tend to be aroused by scenes featuring heterosexuals, lesbians or gay men. Rx for the Mind: Mind Games If you don't use your mind regularly through activities such as reading, doing puzzles or playing a musical instrument, you risk losing some of your cognitive abilities as you age. Mixing Herbal Supplements, Migraine Medications Can Be Dangerous An extensive review of existing research has led University of Utah researchers to conclude several popular herbal supplements may cause adverse, even deadly, reactions when combined with certain migraine medications. Pesticides Tied To Semen Trouble Three chemicals in farm pesticides have now been linked to poor sperm quality in rural Midwesterners. Scientists Decode Chromosome That Puts The Male in Men It may not lead to a cure for acute refusal to ask for directions or the chronic urge to grill, but scientists have decoded the chromosome that puts the male in men. Patients Benefit from Diabetes Education Program A pilot education program at one inner-city medical practice has helped type 2 diabetes patients reign in their blood sugar levels and improved screening for common diabetes complications, according to researchers. Depression Common in Doctors, Getting Help Is Not Even if physicians recognize that they are depressed, "there are all kinds of barriers to their seeking help, some of which are irrational," Dr. Herbert Hendin told Reuters Health. Unhealthy Lifestyle? Blame It on the Genes Can't quit smoking? Drinking too much? Blame your genes. Scientists at Britain's Cancer Research UK charity said on Tuesday that genes can influence human behavior and could even be blamed -- in part -- for unhealthy lifestyles and habits. Selenium May Guard Against Breast Cancer Selenium may help guard against breast cancer in people who are genetically predisposed to the disease. That's what University of Illinois at Chicago researchers report in the June 15 issue of Cancer Research. Millions of Adults Depressed, Few Treated Well Millions of adults will develop depression over their lifetimes, but only a fraction of those who report recent episodes receive adequate treatment, according to new study findings released Tuesday. Employers Target Obesity Linked Health Costs Fortune 500 companies from carmaker Ford Motor Co. to cereal producer General Mills Inc. said on Tuesday they will work together to fight an obesity epidemic in America that is hiking their costs. Taste Test May Identify Alcoholism Risk While alcoholism appears to run in families, many children of alcoholic parents don't develop the disease. Rather, how the offspring of alcoholic fathers experience sour or salty tastes may be the factor that determines whether or not they become addicted to alcohol, a new study suggests. Self-Hypnosis for Pain Relief Self-hypnosis � in which people induce a hypnotic state by themselves � is a tool that people can use to achieve a sense of control, rather than lose it. Drinking and Anger People who express their anger outwardly face a high risk of alcohol-related aggression when they're provoked. So says a University of Georgia study in the June issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research. One in Four Say 'No Way' to Insulin Shots As many as 25 percent of people with type 2 diabetes say that they would refuse to take insulin injections even if their doctor prescribed them, new study findings suggest. CDC Issues Diabetes Warning for Children One in three U.S. children born in 2000 will become diabetic unless many more people start eating less and exercising more, a scientist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns. An Early Predictor of Heart Disease Women who have pregnancy-related high blood pressure or diabetes may develop heart disease risk factors as soon as two years after giving birth. Snoring Kids Do Worse in School, Says German Study Children who snore perform worse at school, according to a new study by German scientists. Explaining Pelvic Pain Some doctors and physical therapists have begun to diagnosis women with pelvic pain symptoms with pelvic floor dysfunction, concluding that their symptoms are due to problems with the muscles of the pelvic floor. New Study Finds Vitamin E, Beta-Carotene Ineffective Millions taking popular antioxidants in the hope of preventing heart disease may be putting themselves at risk. Emotional Part of Brain Can Make Bad Money Choices Using results from brain scans, researchers have found that people will act against their own financial self-interest if the emotional part of the brain overcomes the rational part. Peer Pressure, Media Fuel Youth Violence Impulsive, violent behavior may simply be an effort to impress friends by a teen who randomly staged the event "so that the aggressor could claim peer acceptance or prove that he is a stereotypical 'man,' " believes Dr. Virginia Bishop, assistant professor in pediatrics and preventive medicine at Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago. Teens Misusing Nicotine Replacement Products New survey results suggest a small number of teenagers, including non-smokers, are misusing nicotine patches and gum. Obesity Epidemic Sweeping U.S., Harvard Forum Told Most Americans are too fat, are getting fatter faster, and aren't likely to get lean unless drastic changes are made in diet and lifestyle, participants at a Harvard University forum on obesity say. Fitting Workouts into Your Workday Informercials featuring exercise programs that make it look easy for women to get into shape fairly quickly aren't realistic, says a Ball State University researcher. World No Tobacco Day Targets Film, Fashion The World Health Organization is urging Hollywood to do more to keep tobacco off the silver screen. It's made smoking in the movies the focus of Saturday's World No Tobacco Day. Overweight Kids Don't See the Problem Most children aged 8 to 12 who are overweight don't view the excess pounds as a health problem, a new study finds. Can a Chinese Herb Help Dementia? A small study has shown that an herbal compound may improve memory, orientation and language in people who have mild to moderate vascular dementia as the result of a stroke. Uncertainties Weigh in Obesity Debate Super-sized children and adults are increasingly as common as super-sized meals, but health experts still disagree about the cause, the cure and even whether greater girth is a matter for public concern at all. Exercise May Reduce Risk of Pregnancy Complication Women who are physically active during the year before pregnancy and during early pregnancy may be less likely to develop high blood pressure during pregnancy, the results of a new study suggest. Caffeine Underreported in Food Many foods with substantial amounts of caffeine don't list it among their ingredients, making it easier for consumers, especially children, to unwittingly ingest it, Consumer Reports magazine says. Britain Helps U.S. Investigate Childhood Obesity British scientists have been awarded 1.9 million dollars by the U.S. National Institutes of Health to investigate the role of physical activity in the development of childhood obesity. How the Brain Reacts to Angry Expressions The way your brain reacts when you see someone who is scared or angry depends largely on whether that person is looking at you. Healthy Diet Now, Lower Health Costs Later Baby boomers who start eating a healthy diet now can save themselves health-care costs when they're older, says a new study. Cholesterol Problems Start in Childhood Kids' affinity for fast food may have health consequences that persist into adulthood: A new study finds high cholesterol levels in early childhood predict cholesterol problems later in life. A Tax on Fatty Foods? Hamburgers, soft drinks and cakes could be hit with a "fat-tax" in a bid to combat Britain's growing levels of obesity, doctors said Monday. Moderate Drinking May Cut Women's Risk of Diabetes Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol may help prevent healthy young women from developing diabetes, new research suggests. Music Preferences Linked to Personality The music you listen to may say more about you than you think, according to new research findings that suggest that our choice in music reflects our personalities. Early Prenatal Diabetes Testing Not Necessary Getting tested for diabetes during your first prenatal doctor visit is often considered routine pregnancy care, but the test may not be necessary. Chubby Babies at Risk for Staying That Way Fat babies may be happy babies, but infants who put on pounds too quickly are more likely to be overweight as adults, according to a new study. Victims of Bullying More Often Depressed, Suicidal Bullied youngsters, especially girls, are far more likely than other children to be depressed or even suicidal, a new study from the Netherlands shows. Few Doctors Counsel Pregnant Women on Smoking While they recognize the harmful health effects caused when pregnant women smoke, many doctors in the United States don't take advantage of opportunities to help those women stop smoking. Traffic Pollution Linked to Severe Asthma Attacks Asthmatic children exposed to traffic pollution before getting a viral infection have more serious asthma attacks, doctors said on Friday. A Revolution in Migraine Care Not long ago, migraine sufferers had no choice but to head for darkened bedrooms to wait out the pain. Or they could down powerful painkillers that could lead to ferocious "rebound" headaches and, ultimately, addiction. Head Lice Are Basically Harmless, Says UK Report They're annoying and persistent and end up in the itchy scalps of countless schoolchildren every year, but head lice are essentially harmless and chemical treatments normally kill them, researchers said on Friday. Widespread Pain Could Warn of Cancer After following more than 6,000 people for nine years, researchers from the University of Manchester found those who reported having widespread pain at the start of the study were much more likely to have been diagnosed with cancer by the end of the study. Obesity Fastest Growing Health Threat in U.S. Tobacco is the largest cause of death in the United States, but obesity and a general lack of physical fitness is rapidly catching up and needs to become a priority for the country's healthcare system, Julie Gerberding director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said on Wednesday. Many Misinformed About 'Morning-After Pill' Almost six out of ten adults in Argentina have heard of "morning-after pills," but only three percent of adults reported having ever used them, according to the first national survey on emergency contraception. Women Benefit More Than Men from Quitting Smoking While men and women both benefit from quitting smoking, women see bigger improvements in lung function, a new study shows. Confusion About Cancer Prevention Most people know there are ways to lower their risk of cancer, but many are confused about how to do it, according to a survey released at a major cancer meeting this week. WHO Not Reinstating Toronto SARS Advisory The World Health Organization (WHO) has decided not to reinstate a recommendation that travelers avoid Toronto, despite a cluster of new SARS cases dating from mid-May, Canadian Health Minister Anne McLellan said on Tuesday. Personality Doesn't Influence Cancer Risk Despite the ancients' belief that melancholy can lead to cancer, new research released Tuesday suggests that your personality has no influence on whether or not you develop the disease. The Socioeconomics of Heart Disease Low-income people are more likely to die or suffer a heart attack after being discharged from the hospital following treatment for a heart attack or unstable chest pain, even though they receive a level of care similar to people with higher incomes. Exercise Prompts Different Responses in Men and Women Exercise prompts different responses in the skeletal muscle capillaries of men and women, says a Duke University Medical Center study. For Teens, Dinner with Family Means Healthier Diet Teenagers who eat dinner with their parents are more likely to eat fruits, vegetables and dairy foods than those who usually dine without the company of mom or dad, study findings show. Smoking as Harmful as Drugs to Fetus In a discovery that could change the way health officials view smoking during pregnancy, Brown University researchers show nicotine has the same impact on fetuses as cocaine and heroin. Trust Your Instincts, Skin Cancer Survivor Urges Millions of people get diagnosed with skin cancer every year, and many of those cases are first discovered by the cancer patients themselves. Artist's Skills Blossom After Brain Disease According to the lead author of a new study, an artist's experience may offer insight into how the left side of the brain, concerned with matters such as language, thoughts and words, may limit the creativity of the free-wheeling right side. Achy Back? Studies Say No Single Therapy Stands Out Spinal manipulation, the back pain treatment most commonly offered by chiropractors, is no better or worse for treating low back pain than conventional treatments, such as exercise, pain killers and physical therapy, a team of doctors announced Monday. A Parents' Guide to Childhood Hazards A baby's life is filled with firsts. And knowing when they might arrive could help you protect your child from serious injury or worse. Commitment to Heart Health Must Start in Childhood The American Heart Association has just released a comprehensive summary of heart disease prevention guidelines for pediatricians to use with their patients to take steps to start preventing heart disease from childhood. Back Pain? Join the Crowd If you suffer from an ache low down in your back, you're certainly not alone. Low back pain is a common problem -- eighty percent of adults will have significant low back pain at some point in their life, says the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). Prenatal Smoking May Affect Newborn's Behavior Smoking during pregnancy appears to affect a newborn's behavior in ways similar to infants whose mothers used heroin or other illegal drugs, new study findings suggest. UK Breast Cancer Cases at Record Levels The number of British women diagnosed with breast cancer each year has reached its highest level ever, topping 40,000 for the first time, according to new figures released on Monday by a leading charity. Pediatricians Raise Concern About Plastic Softener A panel of child health experts wants more research into the possible harmful effects of plastic softeners used in kids' toys and a wide range of other products from perfumes to flooring. The Misery of Itchy, Watery Eyes Allergy sufferers are more likely than others to accept having itchy, red, watery eyes, says a new survey by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).