Monthly News Archives



		Surprising Best Sources of Food Antioxidants Most people wouldn’t enthusiastically rattle off artichokes and beans as their top favorite foods, however findings on the high levels of antioxidants in these two foods might move them up the most eaten foods list. One of the largest antioxidant studies conducted revealed that these foods contained a significant amount of disease-preventing compounds. Artificial Sweeteners Make Calorie Counting Hard Using artificial sweeteners may throw off our ability to monitor how many calories we consume, new animal research suggests. Dieting Makes Little Girls Fatter Girls who are starting to get too fat at 5 are often experienced dieters by the age of 9 -- but put on extra fat instead of taking it off, U.S. researchers said. Passive Smoking Heart : Risk Double Earlier Estimates Passive smoking may be much more dangerous than scientists had thought, researchers said on Wednesday in new study that is likely to boost demand for a ban on smoking in public places. High Protein Diet May Affect Female Fertility Eating a high protein diet may make it more difficult for women to conceive, American researchers said. Chronic Stress Tied to Heart, Stroke Risks in Men A stress-filled life really does seem to raise the odds of heart disease and stroke down the road, according to a large study from Sweden. Mobile Phones May Damage Sperm? Mobile phones may damage men's sperm, Hungarian scientists say, in a study that fertility experts dismissed as inconclusive. Hangover Cure May Be Hidden in a Cactus Forget about hair of the dog. A hangover cure may be locked inside the common prickly pear cactus, researchers said. Medical World Debates Risk of Being Overweight There is little doubt among mainstream health professionals that being truly obese is a health hazard. But what about the borderline plump? The mildly pudgy? All those people with BMIs between 25 and 29, who according to the charts are overweight? Surgery Not Always Needed for Achilles Tendon Tear Although Achilles tendon ruptures are often repaired with surgery, UK researchers say a more conservative tactic should be the treatment of choice for at least some patients. Don't Be Lulled by the Sun Warnings about the risks of exposure to the sun are perhaps so prevalent that they're apparently going unheeded. Plant May Improve Male Virility Men trying to boost their fertility may soon receive help from an unusual source -- a plant grown for centuries in East Africa and the Middle East. Postpartum Depression Underdiagnosed For most new mothers, the first days after giving birth can be like an emotional see-saw. For some, however, that "down" feeling -- postpartum depression -- is longer and deeper. And it needs prompt medical attention. Obesity Risk for Elderly Overlooked As growing rates of obesity in children and adults grab headlines, a doctor says another segment of the population is facing the same problem but has been largely overlooked: elderly people, particularly those in retirement communities and assisted care facilities. Low Zinc Levels in Mom Affect Baby's Bones The findings from a new study suggest that pregnant women need to have adequate zinc levels to ensure optimal bone growth in their developing baby. For women from countries where zinc deficiency is common, taking zinc supplements can rectify this problem. Overweight Women Overestimate Physical Activity Young women, especially those who are overweight, tend to overestimate their levels of physical activity, according to a new study. Eat More Oily Fish and Be Healthy Eating up to four portions of oily fish a week poses little risk of a build up of toxins in the body and gives a major boost to a healthy heart, British government food experts said. Bulked-Up Boy Teaches Docs About Muscle Protein Doctors are studying a 5-year-old German boy whose upper arms and legs are almost twice the size of his peers to learn what happens when the body does not produce a protein that limits muscular development. Happy Women Have Healthier Hearts Happily married women tend to have healthier hearts than those who are lonely or unhappy, scientists said. Cream Made from Breast Milk Reduces Warts A cream made from human breast milk and nicknamed Hamlet can dramatically reduce, and often eliminate, stubborn common warts, Swedish doctors reported. Exercise Boosts Teen Girls' Bones Exercise, not calcium, may have the strongest effect on growing bones in adolescent girls, researchers report. Close Female Friends Help Women Through Depression Nearly all women say they get depressed, stressed or anxious at some point in their lives, and most turn to their female friends for support during these and other tough times, according to new survey findings released. WHO Warns on Unsafe Use of Alternative Medicines The World Health Organization (WHO) sounded the alarm about the unregulated and often unsafe use of alternative medicines ranging from acupuncture to herbal medicines and food supplements. Sex Life Can Improve When Obese Men Lose Weight Exercise and weight loss may improve sexual function in obese men, researchers in Italy report. Black Tea May Help Get Blood Circulating A cup of black tea may give a quick boost to blood flow to the heart, the results of a small study suggest. Australia Pushing Exercise in Schools Australia's government is giving an extra $21.3 billion to the country's schools — but students will have to sweat for their share. New Home Exercise Rooms Focusing on Yoga Mats, mirrored walls and gurgling fountains are replacing iron weights, bulky cardio equipment and loud televisions in some home exercise rooms as yoga enters the picture as a mainstream fitness option. Exercise Cuts Fall Risk for Women with Thin Bones Exercises that boost strength and agility may help elderly women with brittle bones lessen their odds of falling, a new study suggests. Cool Head May Mean Calm Heart - Study Young adults who keep a cool head under stress may be less likely to develop high blood pressure as they age, U.S. researchers said. AIDS Epidemic Threatens Sexual and Reproductive Health Targets The global HIV/AIDS epidemic is threatening efforts to achieve sexual and reproductive health goals that are supposed to improve the lives of women and reduce poverty, the head of the United Nations population agency said. Research: Refined Grains Expand Girths These days, many are like a loaf of bread — soft, with one side round. Their choice of bread may be part of the reason. Some researchers say white bread and other refined grains seem to go to the gut and hang out as belly fat. Smokers, Quit Early to Regain Health People who quit smoking before the age of 35 can eventually live as long and healthy lives as people who never smoked, a new study shows. Environmental Toxin Linked to Parkinson's Environmental toxins called proteasome inhibitors cause a Parkinson's disease-like movement disorder in rats, according to new research. Strong Hips Make for a Long Golf Drive Above-par hip strength may be one secret of a lower golf handicap, new research findings suggest. Exercise, Fish Oil Keep Arteries Clear A combination of prolonged exercise and fish oil can dramatically reduce levels of a fat that can cause hardening of the arteries, a leading cause of heart disease, researchers say. Waiting Too Long to Have a Baby May Not Be Wise Women who delay having a child until their late 30s can't necessarily rely on artificial techniques to help them become pregnant, a new study shows. The author says that assisted reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilization cannot compensate fully for the loss of fertility that occurs with age. Testosterone Not Linked to Women's Sex Drive Although testosterone therapy is an effective treatment for low sexual desire in some women, new research has found that levels of this hormone do not correlate with sex drive in young women. Girls, More Than Boys, Seek Vengeance Among children aged 8 through 14 injured in fights, girls are more likely than boys to get into a brawl in retaliation for previous grievances, new research reports. Better Nutrition Could Save Millions of Kids Malnutrition is to blame for more than half of all the deaths of children around the world -- including deaths caused by diarrhea, pneumonia, malaria and measles, researchers said. Liposuction Cuts Fat But Not Heart, Blood Pressure Risks Liposuction may let doctors extract body fat, but it doesn't trim the risk of heart disease or diabetes the same way losing weight would, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis reported. New Method Predicts Speed of Biological Clock Scientists have developed a method that aims to predict how fast a woman's biological clock is ticking and when she is likely to go through menopause. Fitness Boosts Removal of 'Bad' Cholesterol Being physically fit boosts levels of "good" HDL cholesterol and improves the removal of "bad" forms of cholesterol, researchers in Australia report. Study Shows How Lean Teen-Agers Stay That Way Most teen-agers overeat when they hit the fast food counter but lean youngsters stay that way by cutting back the rest of the day while their overweight peers do not, according to a U.S. study published. Study Finds Fruit Helps Ward Off Vision Problems Eating fruit regularly earlier in life may help ward off macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss in older adults, a study said. Playing in Sand Can Be Dangerous to Kids Although it rarely happens, children can be killed while playing in sand. "Sand dunes, beach digging, and other areas of substantial sand buildup, including deep backyard sandboxes, represent the greatest risk," researchers warn. Women with Short Legs at Heart Disease Risk Women with short legs have a greater risk of developing heart disease, according to a team of doctors at Bristol University in the UK. Trim Down to Fight Prostate Cancer Two recent studies suggest obesity is a risk factor for aggressive prostate cancer. The findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, may help explain why black men, who are more likely to be obese than white men, have worse prostate cancer outcomes. Vitamin C Rich Diet May Cut Arthritis Risk Consumption of foods high in vitamin C appears to protect against inflammatory polyarthritis, a form of rheumatoid arthritis involving two or more joints, new research suggests. Men Have Biological Clocks, Too For years, women listened anxiously to the ticking of their biological clocks, mindful that with each passing birthday their fertility was decreasing and their chances of producing a baby with a birth defect was increasing. Now, it's the guys' turn to pay attention to their own biological clocks. Parents, Public Misinformed on Bedwetting When an older child wets the bed, much more is at stake than soiled sheets. Harsh, justified stigmas surrounding bedwetting persist, experts say, even though science has long understood that bedwetting is a physical, not psychological, condition. Two Languages Better Than One to Keep Mind Young Two languages are better than one when it comes to keeping the brain young, Canadian researchers reported. Fitness May Cut Death Risk in Metabolic Syndrome Being fit seems to counter the effects of having the so-called metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease, a large study suggests. The Brain May Start to Age at 40 Years US researchers studying the brains of people 26 to 106 years of age have found evidence that brain function starts to slow around age 40. Home Monitoring Improves Blood Pressure Control People with high blood pressure do better when they monitor their blood pressure at home, a UK study shows. Sex More Likely When Women Are Most Fertile Women are likely to have more sex on the days when they are most fertile, even if they are not trying to get pregnant, scientists said. Seasons May Be Involved in Timing of Menopause Seasonal changes could impact the timing of menopause, adding to factors such as a woman's dwindling supply of eggs, Hungarian fertility experts said. Study Links Vaccine Ingredient to Autism in Mice A study of specially bred mice suggests that a mercury preservative in vaccines could potentially cause some of the brain changes in autism, U.S. researchers said. Fresh Air Blows Cold Germs Away The more outdoor air is pumped into office ventilation systems, the lower the inside levels of viruses that cause the common cold -- according to a new report. Symptoms of 'Silent Killer' Not So Quiet Ovarian cancer, called the silent killer because it often goes undetected, does have pronounced symptoms if doctors and patients would only heed them, researchers said. School-Based Psychotherapy Helps Depressed Teens Psychotherapy provided at school-based health clinics is an effective treatment for adolescent depression, new research suggests. Soda May Increase Female Diabetes Risk Chugging more than one sugar-sweetened soft drink a day appears to significantly increase a woman's chances of developing diabetes, says a Harvard study that found the extra sugar does more than just add pounds. Baby Boomers Push Sales of Recumbent Bikes More and more Baby Boomers who want to stay physically active are turning to recumbent recumbents to ease the strain on their shoulders, arms, backs and knees. As a consequence, sales are rising for these laid-back bikes — known as "bents" to those who ride them. More Patients Using Medical Marijuana Than Thought Despite limited evidence of marijuana's medicinal value, it's being used by many people with multiple sclerosis and epilepsy who believe the drug is an effective treatment, say two Canadian studies in the June 8 issue of Neurology. Prevention Through Fitness And Lifestyle Is Always The Best Cure The most significant diseases we face today are, for the most part, self-perpetuated. In other words, if we get sick, chances are it was our own fault. What we do know is that prevention initiatives through fitness and lifestyle changes make the biggest difference in our health. Parents Unaware of Danger of Fat Children Millions of children could end up with diabetes, heart disease and other problems linked to being overweight and their parents are not even aware of it, researchers reported. Computer Use a Boost to Young Minds Preschool children who use a computer appear to develop better learning skills than peers who lack computer savvy, U.S. researchers said. Britain Considers Obesity Levy on Fast Food Firms Britain is considering imposing levies on fast food firms to fund sports facilities and combat obesity, the government said. Depression Can Hamper Diabetes Control Depression and demanding insulin regimes are linked to poor diabetes control, according to a Duke University Medical Center study of 1,000 people with diabetes. Most People Are Their Own Worst Judge It seems most people are poor judges of their personal abilities, say researchers from the University of Michigan Business School, Duke University and the University of Chicago. Vitamin C May Worsen Arthritis High doses of vitamin C may worsen arthritis, at least in guinea pigs, U.S. researchers reported. Parents Think Too Many Teens Get Antidepressants While many parents are concerned about depression among teenagers, a number of them are apprehensive about antidepressants, says a new poll from Columbia University. Obesity Ups Kids' Health Risk More Than Expected Obese children are more likely than previously thought to develop a cluster of health conditions that put them at increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, results of a new study suggest. Vaccine Critics Attack Mercury Report Several members of Congress who believe that vaccines can cause autism in children criticized an official report meant to lay such fears to rest, saying they do not believe the findings. Obesity Rising Among Poor in Developing World Obesity, once a problem chiefly in the world's richest countries, is increasingly prevalent among poor and less educated women in developing nations, a study released said. Many Not Doing Enough to Prevent Heart Disease From exercise to diet, many are still not doing nearly enough to prevent heart disease or prevent second heart attacks and stroke, a new study finds. Hoarders Show Unique Brain Pattern New research into the brain patterns of compulsive hoarders shows the disorder may have been misclassified and victims could be getting the wrong treatment, scientists reported. Junk Food One-Third of U.S. Diet Junk foods such as sugary sodas and chips make up nearly one-third of calories in the U.S. diet, researchers said. Soap, Nets Aid Developing Nations' Health Soap and insecticide-treated nets to cover beds are effective, low-tech solutions to deadly infections that plague children in developing countries, two studies released found. Catch Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Early Early diagnosis and treatment of this problem can help relieve the pain and numbness and prevent permanent damage, says an article in the May issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource. Norway Bans Smoking in Bars, Hopes for Imitators Norway followed Ireland to become the second nation to outlaw smoking in all bars and restaurants with Oslo hoping the crackdowns will spur copycat bans around the globe. Chocolate Can Keep Cardiovascular System in Shape For those who think the world is a bitter place, medical science offers this sweet health tidbit: Chocolate might be good for you.