Monthly News Archives



		Program Gets Kids Moving, Eating Better The encouraging results of a health initiative in the border city of El Paso, Texas, suggest that school-based health programs can succeed in encouraging children to exercise more and eat a healthier diet. Support Groups May Boost Busy Mom's Exercise Level Moms with young children who join forces in an effort to get more exercise may gain some benefits, at least in the short run, new study findings from Australia suggest. Red Wine May Cut Heart Disease Risk in Obese While it is well established that obese people have a greater risk of developing heart disease, a new report suggests that this risk may be offset, at least in part, by consuming moderate amounts of red wine. Trans Fat Silently Lurking in Foods A number of popular pastries, fried foods, and other products may contain more fat than you think, largely because "trans fat" does not have to be listed on their food labels, a consumer health group stated. Sports Plus Cigarettes May Signal Eating Problems Although adolescent girls who participate in sports like ballet or gymnastics are more likely than their peers to develop eating disorders, the vast majority remain healthy. History Holds Clues to AIDS Impact on Africa Infectious diseases shaped the course of European history, shaking the foundations of imperial Rome and bringing the medieval world to its knees. Fast Food Chains Display Fat Content Ranch 1, a popular Manhattan fast-food chain, is not shy about telling customers how many calories their customers will put on if they eat their grilled chicken sandwiches. Older Husbands Relied on by Wives Outlive Peers Elderly men who are the rock of their relationship may outlive their peers who are not cited as a source of strength by their spouse, according to researchers. Nerves Deliver Emotional Message of Touch Researchers have zeroed in on the specific nerves that appear to communicate to the brain the positive emotions associated with touch. Whole Grains Can Help Cut Insulin, Cholesterol Whole-grain foods, such as fiber-rich bread and bran cereal, may lower the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer by reducing cholesterol and making the body more responsive to insulin, researchers suggest. Positive Attitudes About Aging Are Increasing Longevity A study of 660 adults aged 50 and older from an Ohio community, published in the August issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, found that people who had positive attitudes about aging lived more than seven years longer than those with negative attitudes. CT Scan, MRI, Bone Scan, What's the Difference If you experience pain in your knees, your doctor might any of a battery of tests to diagnose the problem. In addition to a standard X-ray, CT scan, bone scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and arthroscopy are all possibilities. Pecans and Vitamin E University of Georgia (UGA) researchers say pecans are a consistent, rich source of the antioxidant vitamin E, no matter where they're grown in the United States. Aerobic Exercise Effective in Treating Fibromyalgia A new study shows that aerobic exercise can ease pain in patients with fibromyalgia. Smoke-Free Workplaces Spur Smokers to Kick Habit Banning smoking in the workplace not only gives workers healthier air, it appears to encourage smokers to either cut down or kick their habit, a review of previous studies suggests. Narcissists Make Lousy Long-Term Lovers Despite the old adage that you must love yourself before you love others, new research shows that too much self-love--or narcissism--can seriously hurt your prospects of having long-term, committed relationships. Even Light Drinking Can Hurt Health Light drinking is not a universal health booster, and its effects on health and mortality appear to vary by gender, UK researchers report. Wine Drinkers' Lifestyles May Explain Better Health Many studies have suggested wine drinkers enjoy better health, but there is new evidence that the credit should go to the aficionado's overall lifestyle rather than the wine itself. Anger 'Attacks' May Accompany Depression In a study that included patients with certain psychological disorders as well as healthy individuals, depressed people were the most likely to have problems with anger or hostility. Light Behind the Knee Won't Fix Body Clock In 1998 it was widely reported that shining bright light on the back of the knees may help re-set the body's internal clock, sparking hope not only for jet-lagged travelers but also for those suffering wintertime blues. E. Coli Up Among Premature Babies In a dangerous boomerang effect apparently caused by antibiotics, E. coli is on the rise among premature babies and has overtaken strep as the most common infection in such infants, a disturbing new study suggests. Criteria Tested for Supplement Study The Institute of Medicine has picked six controversial dietary supplements for a new evaluation program it developed for the Food and Drug Administration. Hispanic Group Focuses on Health Health care disparities between Hispanics and whites, brought on by the absence of health insurance, the language barrier and other factors, are gaining attention among advocates who focused on the problems at this week's National Council of La Raza meeting. Weight Stability Found Key in Older Adults' Health Older adults who maintain their weight over time may have a lower death risk than those who either gain or shed pounds, a new report suggests. Couples Who Live Together Split Faster Couples who live together without marriage are twice as likely to split up 5 years after they move in together than couples who tie the knot, according to a report from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Niacin Therapy Aids Type II Diabetics Low doses of extended-release niacin may help treat lipid abnormalities in people with Type II diabetes. That's the conclusion of a study in the latest issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, which was conducted by researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Acupuncture During Labor Lowers Need for Pain Meds Women who receive acupuncture during labor may be less likely to ask for an epidural to relieve their pain, and may even feel more relaxed, than those who go without the ancient Chinese treatment, Swedish researchers report. Healthy Lifestyle Important for Elderly, Too Chinese men and women over 70 years of age who exercise moderately and have never smoked cigarettes are less likely to die within a 3-year period than elderly people with less healthy lifestyles, researchers report. Some Body 'Clocks' Age Faster Than Others The aging process can take a toll on the body's internal rhythms, and now new research suggests that some body parts age faster than others--at least when it comes to telling time. Group Membership Spurs Women to Exercise New mothers who participate in discussion groups are more likely to get much needed exercise than those who merely receive fitness instruction literature, an Australian study concludes. Benefits of Exercise Inspire Elderly to Persevere Elderly people who start a regular exercise program may feel so good about their progress that they stick to the program over time, new study findings suggest. Blood Pressure, Cholesterol Tied to Alzheimer's Results of a large study of elderly residents of Finland have identified two important new risk factors for Alzheimer's disease: high blood pressure and high cholesterol. If these risk factors are combined with genetic risk it makes a person eight times more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. Women, Men Use Different Parts of Brain to Remember Women and men use different parts of their brains to commit emotional events to memory, the results of a new study suggest. Problem Drinking: Effect Differs for Men and Women According to new Australian research, problem drinking has a greater physical, social and psychological effect on women than on men. Hum for Your Health! It May Help Your Sinuses Humming a happy tune can ease the mind and heart--and may also help the nasal passages, according to a new report by Swedish researchers. Not All Multivitamins Pack the Same Punch The National Center for Environmental Health found that each year Americans spend up to $1.7 billion on vitamin supplements, making them the third most popular over-the-counter drugstore buy. But, how many of us know what we're really getting when we purchase supplements? What Causes Dandruff? Have you ever wondered what causes the dandruff flakes that can make your shoulders look like you've walked through the streets of Buffalo during a January blizzard? Indoor Air Pollution as Hazardous as Smog It's not only the smog outside that you have to worry about. Indoor air pollution could be a potential health threat for you and your family, too. Exercise Program Helps Elderly Stay on Their Feet Healthy elderly people living on their own who exercised in a group weekly and on their own twice a week were less likely to fall, according to the results of an Australian study. Breast-Feeding Cuts Breast Cancer Risk British scientists confirmed on Friday what researchers have long suspected--breast-feeding reduces a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. Men, Women from Same Planet When Looking for Mate Are men programmed by evolution to be roving-eyed Casanovas, while women have evolved to be faithful Penelopes? In fact, a team of California psychologists argues that there is scant evidence that men and women have evolved vastly different mating styles. How Does Aloe Heal? For thousands of years, humans have turned to a cactus-like plant that has mysterious abilities to heal wounds. Now, scientists are inching closer to understanding why the cooling liquid from the fat leaf of an aloe vera plant can make the hurt go away. Study Looks at Classroom Dynamics, Kids' Smoking Children in classrooms where students and teachers relate to one another in a positive way are less likely to start smoking than those in classes where students and teachers don't get along as well, according to a Swedish study. New Findings Link Lifestyle to Alzheimer's Risk Researchers meeting in Sweden next week will present the strongest evidence to date that heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure and cholesterol could also contribute to Alzheimer's disease, a leading scientist said on Thursday. Obesity Doubles Colon Cancer Risk in Young Women Obese women who have not yet experienced menopause are twice as likely to develop colorectal cancer as slimmer women of the same age, researchers reported in a study released Thursday. Diet May Prevent Alzheimer's Disease You've heard it before: If you want to remain healthy, eat more fruit and vegetables and less red meat. But scientists now say such a diet also may help prevent Alzheimer's disease. One More Reason to Slim Down A simple blood test can help spot emergency department patients with congestive heart failure, potentially getting them the necessary treatment quicker, according to researchers. Blood Test Helps Catch Congestive Heart Failure A simple blood test can help spot emergency department patients with congestive heart failure, potentially getting them the necessary treatment quicker, according to researchers. Brain Scans Show Why We Love Cooperating New research reveals why people often cooperate with each other, even when it is not necessarily to their advantage to do so. Vitamin E May Help Keep People Sharp in Old Age Vitamin E intake in food and supplements may help slow decline in mental functioning among older people, according to the results of a study. Health Info on Web Often Not Backed by Science Consumers searching for health information on the Internet are likely to encounter Web sites selling products or making claims not backed by medical research, a team of journalists reports. Coca-Cola Starts Youth Physical Fitness Program Soft drink giant Coca-Cola Co., accused in recent years of helping to fuel rising childhood obesity in the United States, unveiled on Tuesday a campaign designed to make adolescents more physically fit. Before You Eat--Stop and Think: Are You Hungry? A person's degree of inhibition when it comes to chowing down on snacks and goodies is tied to his or her likelihood of being overweight, according to researchers at Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts. Health Promotion Programs Gain in Popularity Spurred by rising healthcare costs, an unprecedented number of US companies are offering health promotion and management programs to their employees, according to a new study by benefits consulting giant Hewitt Associates. Men: I'll Take Meat and Hold the Veggies, Starch A small survey of college students suggests that young men may choose meat as a mainstay of their diet, while women are more likely to eat well-balanced meals. Heart Group Issues Prevention Guide In recognition that most causes of cardiovascular disease are preventable, the American Heart Association (AHA) has released guidelines that advise doctors to routinely evaluate the risk of heart attack and stroke in patients as young as 20. Panel Examining Water, Sports Drinks and Health A panel of scientific advisers met Monday to begin assessing the benefits and risks of water and electrolyte consumption, and said they will issue a report with new recommended intake levels in the spring of 2003. Depressed Elderly Fail to Get Better Depression among the elderly is a common and often chronic condition because it usually goes untreated, Dutch researchers said Sunday. Many Cancer Patients Use Complementary Therapies More than half of all cancer patients are using complementary or alternative therapies to cope with the difficult side effects of hospital-based treatment, according to a report released on Sunday. Few Bicycle or Scooter- Riding Youth Wear Helmets Young bicycle riders are not the only ones who often disregard public health messages to wear helmets, researchers report. New study findings show that less than 14% of young bicycle and scooter riders, skateboarders or in-line skaters wear protective head gear. Scientists Use Nose Cells to Try to Repair Spine A team of scientists in Australia is attempting to repair spinal cord injuries for the first time using cells collected from a patient's nasal passage. Children's Health Improving in the US American children continue to be less likely to die as infants or have babies of their own when they reach their teens, but are still at risk of other preventable health problems such as low birth weight and drug use, according to a federal task force report released this week. Divorce No Ticket to Happiness, Study Says Unhappily married couples often get lots of advice and a report released on Thursday offered some more: don't divorce, stick it out. Making Sense of Hormone Replacement Therapy Doctors around the country are reporting that patients who take hormone replacement therapy are scared, confused and in some cases panicking after this week's announcement that a study of hormone replacement therapy was stopped because of increased risks of cancer and heart disease. Happily Married Diabetics Deal Better with Disease Diabetic individuals who have happy marriages are more likely to be satisfied with their diabetes-related quality of life than their unhappily married peers, new study findings suggest. They are also less likely to experience emotional distress because of their diabetes, researchers report. Panel Says No Amount of Trans Fat Is Safe Pastry and fried food lovers beware: there is no level of trans fatty acids that is safe to consume, a report from the Institute of Medicine concluded. Arthroscopic Surgery for Knee Arthritis Doubted New research suggests that the minimally invasive procedures commonly used to treat knee arthritis may have no real effect on patients' pain and mobility. Study Explores Mouth Bacteria, Miscarriage Link Certain bacteria may make their way from the mouth to the amniotic fluid, possibly putting pregnant women at risk of miscarriage, preterm delivery and other complications, according to the results of a preliminary study. Long Work Hours, Scant Sleep Linked to Heart Attack Men who frequently work long hours or get little sleep are at twice the risk of suffering a non-fatal heart attack, Japanese researchers report. Breast-Feeding Mothers Less Likely to Abuse Kids Mothers who breast-feed their newborns for longer periods of time are less likely to abuse them, new study findings suggest. Behavior Therapy Boosts Functioning in Fibromyalgia Patients with fibromyalgia who received a short program of cognitive behavioral therapy were more likely to show improvements in functioning after the treatment than those who were not given the therapy, according to new research. Therapeutic AIDS Vaccine to Be Tested in Humans Researchers in Italy and the US will soon begin human trials with a "therapeutic" AIDS vaccine designed to help people infected with HIV control the infection in combination with drugs, they said on Tuesday. Red Wine May Keep Prostate Cancer Cells in Check Compounds in red wine may keep prostate cancer cells from proliferating, results of a preliminary laboratory study suggest. Consumers Vulnerable to Fake Drugs American consumers hunting for bargain prescriptions through the mail, on the Internet or in Canada are facing a growing risk of taking counterfeit medications. Sharp Rise in Prescribing Drives Drug Spending Physicians are prescribing medications at a far faster clip than they did two decades ago, a trend that is likely to result in a doubling of drug spending in the next 5 years, according to a new federal study released on Tuesday in the journal Health Affairs. Green Tea Cancer Benefits Detailed A researcher at the Medical College of Georgia has uncovered specific information about how green tea helps fight cancer. Menstrual Cycle Linked to Weight Loss Exercising at certain times of the menstrual cycle could help women shed pounds quicker than normal, says new Australian research. AIDS Prevention About 45 million more people worldwide will be infected with the AIDS virus in the next eight years, a huge increase that can be averted only with drastic action, experts say. Pool Safety Tips for Parents Drowning is the number two cause of unintentional death among children, with more than 1,500 children killed in water accidents every year. Young Vegans May Not Be Getting Vital Nutrients Young vegans may be missing out on certain essential nutrients, according to a new study by Swedish scientists. Short 'Power Naps' Found Best Performance Booster A 10-minute nap is better than a half-hour snooze at improving work performance, according to new Australian sleep research. Children's Friends Help Them Develop Sound Morals Children who are very popular with their peers seem to be better able than unpopular children to distinguish between universal moral standards--such as that stealing is wrong--and varying conventional standards of right and wrong, such as the proper way to dress and eat, researchers report. HIV Resistance to Drugs a Growing Problem Drug resistance has returned as a mounting problem in HIV/AIDS treatment, after a brief lull in the late 1990s, according to new figures released on Saturday. More Evidence Soy Guards Against Breast Cancer Women eating a diet rich in soya products are 60% less likely to have "high-risk" breast tissue than women with the least soya in their diet, scientists said on Saturday. Different Approaches Needed for Each AIDS Epidemic Different strategies are needed to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS, which is not one but many epidemics throughout the world, a leading AIDS expert said on Saturday. Genetic Lung Cancer Risk Not Enough to Make People Quit Smoking If you knew you were genetically susceptible to smoking-related cancers, would you kick the habit? Duke University Medical Center researchers got mixed answers when they did a study that asked that question of older, inner-city black smokers. Many Trying to Improve Diet, but Need Help More and more people are trying harder to change their diets, but many may not be ready to navigate the often uncharted waters of healthy eating, according to a national survey. Exercise Boosts Cholesterol- Lowering Diet Effects Yet another study has demonstrated the considerable health benefits of moderate exercise. In a study of people with heart disease who were trying to lower their cholesterol levels by sticking to a reduced-fat diet, adding an average of just 30 minutes a day of moderate exercise helped most reach their cholesterol goals. Safe Summer Eating Barbecues, picnics and poolside meals are favorite activities for many people on the Fourth of July holiday and through much of the summer. Love: The Tonic That Cures Many an Ill Warm, nurturing relationships, whether with a spouse, a sibling or a friend, often result in better health. In fact, studies suggest that supportive relationships can be as beneficial as eating a proper diet and getting plenty of exercise. Study Shows Why Getting Up Too Early May Be Counterproductive The wannabe super-achiever who spends too much time getting ready for the big day at the expense of getting enough sleep is probably doing precisely the wrong thing. Britain Has World's Largest Drop in Cancer Deaths Britain has recorded the world's biggest decreases in early deaths from lung and breast cancer in recent decades thanks to better diagnosis and treatment and more smokers quitting, scientists said on Wednesday. Americans More Stressed Out, Managing Poorly Americans have a difficult time dealing with stress, and many adopt coping strategies that may only make them feel worse, according to new survey results. Drinking Too Much Water Can Kill You A new review of three deaths of US military recruits highlights the dangers of drinking too much water. Good Night's Sleep May Aid Movement, Sports Skills New sleep research suggests that getting enough shut-eye the night after learning a movement skill can improve performance the very next day. Greek Cuisine, Sex Promote Healthy Life Greek cuisine and plenty of sex help to ensure a long and healthy life, and to keep cancer and heart disease at bay, a cancer expert said on Tuesday. Depression Keeps Some From Taking Their Medication People with high blood pressure who are depressed or have signs of depression may be less likely to take their antihypertensive medications than people who are not depressed, new study findings show. C-Section May Make Conceiving Again More Difficult Women who give birth by caesarean section take longer on average to become pregnant again, according to the results of a large British study released on Tuesday. EU Shrugs Off Backache to Tackle Stress at Work Stress comes second only to back pain as a health complaint among European Union workers, but it is Public Enemy Number One in a campaign launched on Tuesday to beat the problem. The Ephedra Debate Taken from an evergreen plant found in Central Asia and used for centuries to treat the region's asthmatics, ephedra is now a major ingredient in dozens of sport drinks and dietary supplements. Clues as to How Fish Lowers Heart Disease Risk Members of an African tribe who eat fish every day have relatively low blood levels of leptin, the "obesity hormone" thought to be involved in appetite regulation, according to new research. Body Odor: in the Nose of the Smeller? Certain people are better than others at detecting a certain component of body color called androstenone, and those who can sniff out that ingredient are also more likely than others to like or dislike another person based on how they smell, according to new research. Social Supports Protect Against Suicidal Thoughts Having a confidante and holding strong religious or spiritual beliefs seems to protect elderly African Americans from contemplating or committing suicide, new study findings show. Male Fertility Technique Is Safe, Experts Say A technique used to treat male infertility is as safe as test-tube fertilization but it may increase the odds of having a girl, scientists said on Monday. Overweight Kids Need More Help Many children are not being adequately treated for weight problems because many pediatricians and other health workers lack expertise in helping them slim down, a survey suggests. Bladder Control May Be in Your Mind Despite those breezy, on-the-beach TV commercials depicting an "urgent" need for urinary incontinence drugs, a new study shows a simple form of behavior therapy may be the best line of defense for women with bladder control problems. Desk Work is Risky Business The discomfort and pain that can come from sitting at a desk all day, doing the same repetitive motions, is very real, says Margareta Nordin, program director of ergonomics and biomechanics at New York University.