Monthly News Archives



		Choose the Right Chair Before You Sit If you work in an office, choosing the right chair could be vital to your health. A bad chair can lead to muscle and nerve problems and could also affect your circulatory system, according to a report in the Ergonomics journal. Keeping the Pressure Down Losing weight and cutting back on salt intake can help seniors reduce their blood pressure after medical intervention for high blood pressure stops. Newer Birth Control Pills Seen as Safer The newer generations of birth control pills are much safer in terms of heart attack risk than earlier forms of the pills. Benefits of Stretching May Be Trivial People who make stretching part of their workout rituals may be pulling their legs if they think it helps reduce muscle pain and injury from exercise. Cigarette Smoking Among Women High Cigarette smoking among women remains near an all-time high, in part because of a tobacco industry advertising campaign that has successfully targeted younger women, says a new Surgeon General's Report. These Stem Cells Stick Around Certain types of stem cells found in the gut of adult laboratory rats challenges the widely held belief that these kinds of cells disappear in animals before birth, once the peripheral nervous system develops, say two University of Michigan Medical School studies in a recent issue of the journal Neuron. Study Links Second-Hand Smoke to Heart Disease Being exposed to other people's cigarette smoke dramatically increases the risk of heart disease, researchers in Greece show in a recent study published. Kids Can Be Hooked After a Few Cigarettes Even dabbling with smoking can be enough to get youngsters "hooked" on cigarettes, researchers report. Too Much 'Macho' Not Good for a Marriage Married men who are overly and stereotypically "masculine"--too driven, emotionally closed off, and focused on work rather than family--tend to have wives who are relatively unhappy and dissatisfied with the marriage, new study findings show. The Science of Forgetfulness You've heard of research designed to uncover nuances of memory. Now, a new study sheds light on the processes mouse brains use to forget, findings that may one day help investigators understand why people experience memory loss as they age. A Little Help from Friends May Slow Cancer Progress People who have more support from friends and neighbors may produce less of a growth factor that can foster cancer spread, according to a study of ovarian cancer patients. Exercise Cuts Depression Risk for Older People Older people who exercise are less likely to be depressed, and also face a lower risk of becoming depressed, according to a report in an issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology. Prenatal Vitamin Use May Protect Child from Cancer Women who take vitamin and mineral pills before and during pregnancy may reduce the risk that their baby will develop a cancer of the nervous system called neuroblastoma, according to researchers. Teeth Whitening Comes At a Price One in two people experience temporary tooth sensitivity when they use home tooth-whitening treatments and people with receding gums are most likely to be affected, says a study in the Journal of the American Dental Association. Journal Writing May Help Heal You If you've had a traumatic experience, writing your thoughts about it in a journal may help you work through that event, says a study in an issue of the Annals of Behavioral Medicine. Bulk of Kids' Liquid Intake Is Hi-Cal Sodas, Juices More than half of the average American child's daily liquid intake now comes in the form of sugary sodas, juices and high-calorie drinks, researchers report. Cats, Dogs in the House May Cut Kids' Allergy Risk More than half of the average American child's daily liquid intake now comes in the form of sugary sodas, juices and high-calorie drinks, researchers report. Most ADHD Boys at No Higher Risk for Delinquency The majority of young boys with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are no more likely to exhibit destructive, delinquent behavior as teenagers than children without the disorder, researchers report. Exercise May Lower Blood Vessel Inflammation Exercise has long been known to cut the risk of heart disease, and now the results of a new study show it may do so, in part, by reducing inflammation inside blood vessels. Low Vitamin E Linked to Early Artery Disease Women who don't get enough vitamin E in their diets appear to be more likely than others to show early signs of the artery disease atherosclerosis, even before they experience any symptoms of the condition, study findings show. Good News, Bad News on Cancer for Caffeine Lovers Caffeine in the form of a lotion may help to prevent skin cancer, according to the results of a new study. But a separate study found that caffeine may actually promote cancer. Internet Addiction May Be Form of Stress Management When the going gets tough, many stressed-out Web surfers go "cyberslacking," according to the results of a new study. Media Images of 'Hunks' Spur Body Anxieties in Men Research has for years linked women's exposure to photos of skinny supermodels with feelings of inadequacy about their own bodies. Now, a new study suggests that men are driven to the same insecurities when faced with magazine portrayals of buff, muscled hunks. Why Kids Smoke It is widely known -- except to an extraordinarily high number of adolescents -- that smoking enhances your chances of dying young. A recent study has found some reasons why, despite extensive efforts to encourage kids to not smoke, that message isn't being heard or is being ignored. Shy Kids May Be Hiding Something More Serious For hundreds of thousands of American kids, the start of a new school year means coping with more than just the disappointment that summer vacation is over. Oh, My Aching Back! And Knees! And Hips! And ... With many baby boomers starting to limp toward their golden years, the nation is teetering on the verge of an arthritis epidemic. Stress and Diabetes Don't Mix Stress management offers significant health benefits to people with diabetes, says a study presented today at the American Psychological Association's annual convention in Chicago. Relax! Aging Puts Stress in Perspective Young twenty- and thirtysomethings worried about pressures they might face in middle age can breathe a sigh of relief: According to researchers, their most stressed-out time may be right now. No Evidence Soy, Garlic Supplements Work Soy and garlic supplements line the shelves of health food stores and groceries but research has yet to find evidence that the pills, powders and capsules have any health benefits at all, experts agreed on Friday. No Bones About It -- Milk Helps Kids' Growth With cartoon-character juices and sodas lining the lower level of store shelves, it has never been harder for parents to sell kids on the virtues of good old-fashioned milk. Peanut Butter as Health Food Good news about a convenient, tasty kid food: peanut butter. It can help protect against two serious health threats -- heart disease and obesity -- reports Clarian Health Partners, an affiliate of Indiana University. Molds More of a Culprit in Asthma Sensitivity to airborne molds can increase asthma severity. That's the claim of a European study in this week's British Medical Journal. When Romance Cools, Others Look More Attractive While it might not necessarily lead to cheating, any increase in a man's roving eye could signal an ebb in desire for his current mate, researchers report. Raging on the Road? Psychotherapy May Help Testy drivers prone to tailgating, loud honking and cutting others off in heavy traffic might benefit from psychotherapy, researchers report. Heart Disease Hits Women Harder, Sexism a Cause The added pressure of taking care of a house and family may be a determining factor in why women with heart disease have poorer quality of life than men, researchers have found. Developmental Delay May Underlie Some Bed-Wetting A delay in the maturation of the brain-bladder connection may underlie problem bed-wetting in some children, according to UK researchers. Heartening News on Vitamin E If you are a woman who doesn't get enough vitamin E, you could increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. Carbohydrate Attack May Be Arthritis Culprit A Harvard researcher has proposed a totally new offender in the abnormal immune system attack that leads to rheumatoid arthritis: naturally-occurring carbohydrates. Ouch! Pain Costs Employers $80 Billion Annually Pain from common conditions such as headaches and back ache costs employers about $80 billion a year in lost productivity, according to a report presented here at the 10th World Congress on Pain. Synthetic 'Pot' Relieves Arthritis Pain A man-made molecule may change the debate over medical marijuana. Study Suggests Ginkgo Ineffective Memory Enhancer Hoping to give your memory or mental abilities a boost with ginkgo biloba? You may be disappointed by the results of study released Tuesday, which found no apparent memory-enhancing benefit for healthy people over 60. Antimicrobials in Soaps, Lotions Don't Help Consumer products such as soaps and lotions often contain germ-killing antimicrobials, but there is scant evidence they are helpful in preventing infections, according to an American Medical Association (AMA) committee. Racial Difference in Blood Vessels Detected In a finding that may help explain why the artery disease atherosclerosis is more common among African Americans, US researchers have detected racial differences in blood vessel function. Report Cites 'Dangerous' Cancer Advice on Web Some Internet sites that promote alternative remedies for cancer are potentially dangerous to patients, according to the results of a new survey. Parents Expect Boys to Stand More Pain Than Girls Parents tend to put off giving their children painkiller medication after relatively minor day surgery, even though their children may be in substantial pain, according to the results of a study conducted in Finland. Back Pain? Nerve Block May Not Help Nerve blocks, commonly given to patients with low back pain, don't seem to reduce pain, improve mood or cut the use of analgesic medications, a researcher reported here Monday at the 10th World Congress on Pain. Blueberries May Help Old Folks Keep Their Smarts A cup of blueberries a day may keep "senior moments" away, new findings suggest. Backpacks Not Always to Blame for Kids' Back Pain Parents often warn their school-age children not to carry heavy backpacks, worried that they'll get backaches. But a new study has found that the load on the back is often not the culprit when youngsters develop low back pain. Soy May Help Keep Post- menopausal Arteries Healthy A Western diet rich in tofu and other soy products may help protect older women from artery disease, new study findings suggest. Left Side of Brain Important for 'Self-Memory' Most of the time, the right side of the brain is better at identifying familiar faces, but when it comes to recognizing one's own face, the left side of the brain is tops, new research suggests. 'Beer Goggles' Are Rose Tinted Want to be more attractive? -- then make sure those around you are having a drink. Scientists have found even modest amounts of alcohol will make the opposite sex appear better-looking. Honey Exhibits Antioxidant Properties Research indicates that honey seems to offer many of the benefits of the fresh fruits and vegetables that nutritionists recommend for a daily diet. Broccoli 'Pill' Eyed in Cancer Fight Researchers have developed a new synthetic compound, derived from a known anti-cancer agent found in broccoli, that they say could become a pill to prevent breast cancer, and, possibly, other forms as well. Aromatherapy May Do More Than Soothe Your Spirit Kwang-Geun Lee, of the University of California at Davis, released findings at the annual meeting of the American Chemical Society yesterday in Boston that suggest some smells could act as antioxidants, the healthful agents found in fruits and vegetables. Preventing Tennis Elbow Overuse of your arm and forearm muscles can cause abrupt or subtle tearing of the muscles and tendons around the outside of the elbow, resulting in pain. That's tennis elbow. Here's some tips for prevention. Fitting Fitness Back in Your Life In the good old days before you were married, had kids, got the promotion, bought the house and did the yard work, you really worked out. Prevention and Conditioning Tips Here are some injury prevention and conditioning tips from Dr. Fred Cushner, an orthopedic surgeon at the Insall Scott Kelly Institute for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. Many 'Strawberry' Birthmarks Fade Without Lasers Many children with so-called "strawberry birthmarks" on their faces and other body regions appear to do just as well when doctors let the mark disappear naturally as when it is treated using laser therapy, new study findings suggest. Epidurals Don't Cause Long-Term Back Pain Epidurals, used for pain relief during labor, don't seem to cause the back problems later on that many women fear. How Much Water Should You Drink? The mantra on daily water consumption may be a washout. A New Hampshire doctor says the advice of 8 glasses of water a day is hogwash, a national myth with no basis in physiologic fact. Healthy Weight Loss a Low Priority for Teen Boys Overweight boys are just as likely as their female peers to try to shed weight at age 11, but seem to stop trying as they get older, Scottish researchers report. Marriage Keeps Men Alive Longer Marriage seems to be so good for men's health that married men are less likely to die in a given period than their single counterparts, according to British researchers. Laser Vision Correction Can Worsen Dry Eyes People with dry eyes can get better vision with laser eye surgery--but at the risk of making their dry eyes worse, according to researchers. Smoking Just a Few Cigarettes Ups Heart Attack Risk Smokers who think they will cheat death by puffing away on fewer cigarettes or not inhaling the noxious smoke better think again. Eating Disorders Rooted in Childhood As early as age 11, girls are more worried than boys about their weight. Even worse, while boys shed their concerns about being overweight as they mature, girls become more even more worried that they're too fat, new research shows. Is Overtime Worth It? Working overtime can result in major personal sacrifices for minor monetary rewards. Here are some things to consider before you commit yourself to extra hours at the office. Regular Exercise Helps Keep Colds at Bay Female primary care doctors spend more time on average with their patients and are more likely than their male counterparts to inquire about emotions, family and work, but the effect of this type of communication style on patients' health is not clear, researchers conclude. 'Office Rage'--Feel Like Punching a Colleague? Half of Britain's stressed-out office workers say they have come close to punching a colleague, according to a survey published Wednesday. Short Women, Tall Men Likely to Have More Kids Height matters when it comes to having children, according to a British study showing that shorter women and taller men are likely to have more kids. Female Doctors Spend More Time with Patients Female primary care doctors spend more time on average with their patients and are more likely than their male counterparts to inquire about emotions, family and work, but the effect of this type of communication style on patients' health is not clear, researchers conclude. Catch Your 40 Winks to Boost Performance Want to improve your tennis game or play that tricky guitar chord? Sleep on it, new research from Germany suggests. People Programmed to Sniff Out Cheaters People appear to have an innate ability to determine when someone is cheating them out of a deal, US researchers suggest. Peer Influence Top Factor in Teen Smoking Teens start smoking for a lot of reasons, but one of the biggest influences on whether they become regular smokers is their friends, concludes a new study. Chelation Therapy's Mettle to Be Tested Much like tattoos and body piercing, chelation therapy may be poised to move from the margins of medicine into the mainstream. Asthma In Kids Can Be Controlled Parents and health-care professionals have the tools they need to control most cases of childhood asthma, but one nursing expert says those tools often go unused. Natural Substance May Hold Key to Asthma Therapies A chemical that naturally occurs in the body may help scientists find better treatments for asthma. 'Mommy' or 'Moo'? Babies Learn Early, Study Finds Babies who are just starting to pick up language learn to tease out words from the constant noise surrounding them by discovering properties that distinguish words from other sounds, new research reveals. Backpacks Stress the Spine Backpacks can take their toll on a child's back and neck, recent research finds. Keeping Kids in Shape Don't depend on a school's physical education program to keep your children in shape. You have to do your bit to pump them up. Light May Help Pain Management Infrared light has been used for years to ease aches and pains, and now proponents say a federally approved device known called a Photonic Stimulator is providing more effective and safer light therapy than was available before. Dirt and Dust Arm You Against Allergies Allergic disorders such as asthma, hay fever and eczema are on the rise in industrialized nations, and British researchers are saying that could be because children's immune systems aren't challenged enough. Hypertension Traced to Infancy A new study has found that babies who don't mind the taste of salt have higher blood pressure than infants who can't stand the stuff. Keeping in Shape is Healthy and Affordable If you believe keeping fit means your financial health has to suffer, think again. You don't need expensive health club memberships or exercise equipment that costs thousands of dollars to stay in shape, says Carol Johnson, director of wellness at the University of Richmond. Lifestyle Key in Staying Healthy How you've lived may be more important to your health than how long you've lived. Teens Try to Lose Weight by Smoking, Diet Pills More US high school students are trying to lose weight than need to, and many are adopting unhealthy practices to reach their goals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fight Fat by Cutting Off Its Blood Supply Depriving fatty tissue of its nutrient-rich blood supply can stop obese mice from continuing to gain weight--and even, in some cases, help them lose weight by reducing existing fat tissue, new study findings show. Hormone Patch May Heat Up Women's Desires A skin patch that may help restore sexual desire in post-menopausal women is being tested in clinical trials at more than 150 sites in the United States and Canada. New Hope for Back Pain A stainless steel and plastic artificial back disc is being tested by University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) Medical Center orthopedic surgeons for use on people with crippling back pain. Depo-Provera Can Sap Bones of Young Women A new study shows about 2 percent of college-aged women already have osteoporosis, and as many as 15 percent more have significant bone density loss that's a precursor to the bone-weakening condition. Painful Sex Possibly Linked to Pill in Some Women Women with vulvar vestibulitis, a condition marked by painful intercourse, are more likely than other women to have taken birth control pills for long periods of time and to use those with a particular composition of hormones, according to Quebec researchers. Herbal Extract May Help Rheumatoid Arthritis The effects of early-childhood abuse appear to last well into the teen years, and abused youngsters go on to miss more school and have more emotional and behavioral problems than other children, researchers report. Child Abuse Linked to Behavioral Problems in Teens The effects of early-childhood abuse appear to last well into the teen years, and abused youngsters go on to miss more school and have more emotional and behavioral problems than other children, researchers report. Scientists Find Potential New Cancer Therapy Australian scientists have found that a master gene appears to play a key role in switching on and off genes that kill cells, a discovery that could offer a new way to fight cancer. Gym Instructors May Not Be Fit for the Job Gyms may not be as healthy for you as many people think because they are willing to hire unqualified instructors who may not be fit for the job, a UK magazine reported Tuesday. TV Junk Food Ads Spur Kids' Obesity TV advertisements that aggressively market junk food to children contribute to the growing obesity epidemic and should be regulated, according to group made up of Australian physicians and researchers. Many Headache Patients Use Alternative Medicine Many headache sufferers are finding relief in therapies ranging from acupuncture to meditation despite a dearth of scientific evidence that these remedies are effective, researchers report. School Anti-Violence Programs Found Successful School-based programs that teach conflict resolution, anger control or social skills appear to lessen students' aggressive behavior, new study findings show. Testosterone: Shot in the Arm for What Ails Aging Males Lack of energy, depression, decreased work and sports performance, falling asleep after dinner, muscle loss, fat gain, low libido, weak erections -- these are just some of the symptoms of low testosterone levels, also referred to as andropause. Mental Aerobics, Diet to Stave Off 'Senior Moments' If those 'senior moments' -- when you can't remember why you opened the refrigerator door or where you left your keys -- are becoming more frequent, mental aerobics and a healthy brain diet may help. Baby Boomers Need Help Beating the Bulge Everywhere you turn, it seems someone is inviting you, even begging you, to eat. To feast, actually. Why have two cookies when you can buy three for the same price? Why have small portions when you can polish off a hungry man meal? Caffeine Affects Your Stress Level Stressed out? Try kicking caffeine for a week, and you will see your blood pressure, adrenaline levels and overall stress drop, according to a study by Duke University Medical Center. Breastfed Babies Grow as Quickly as Others Healthy infants breast-fed exclusively for the first three months of life grow faster than their formula-fed peers, but there are no differences in weight, length or head circumference between the two groups by the time they reach the age of one year, a new study shows. Fat Children Can Overcome Classmates' Teasing Not surprisingly, overweight kids who are teased while exercising are less likely than their untaunted peers to engage in and enjoy physical activity, according to new study findings. Scientists Find New Clues About How Cancer Spreads Scientists have discovered how a key protein helps cancerous cells spread through the body in a finding that could pave the way for new drugs to slow the progression of the disease. Failure to Lose Weight After Birth May Be Lasting Women who gain excess weight during pregnancy or fail to shed the pounds after birth are at increased risk of having those extra pounds stick around for many years, researchers report. Better Collar for Dog May Cut Kids' Infection A group of German researchers has discovered a structural brain abnormality in people who stutter, a finding that may one day shed light on why some early stutterers become spontaneously cured of their condition. New Test Helps Predict Outcome for Cancer Children A new test that lights a tumor's DNA is helping doctors monitor and predict the progress of children suffering from cancer. Clues to the Brain Changes Behind Stuttering A group of German researchers has discovered a structural brain abnormality in people who stutter, a finding that may one day shed light on why some early stutterers become spontaneously cured of their condition. Life Expectancy in Japan Now Longer Than Ever The life expectancy of Japanese men jumped by over four months to 78.07 years, the first time the expected life span for Japanese men has exceeded 78 years, according to new data released by the Japanese Health and Welfare Ministry. The Ministry released new figures from 2001 this week. Natural 'Fat Burner' Found in Mouse Study Many scientists have suspected the body tries to prevent weight gain by heating up the calorie-burning furnace when we eat too much, but proving this hunch has been difficult. Now, a new study in mice provides the first proof that this weight-control mechanism, known as diet-induced thermogenesis, does exist. Three 'Longevity Factors' Found in Monkeys and Men Men who have three "longevity factors" seen in animals on calorie-restricted diets appear to enjoy a longer life span--even without cutting back on calories. Rise in Body Weight Linked Directly to Heart Risk The risk of developing heart failure increases with a person's weight: rising slightly in those who are only slightly overweight, and eventually doubling in those who are obese, US researchers report. Battling That Bulge Even though you're not overweight, is your stomach more fat than flat? Moms Who Breast-Feed Reduce Infants' Asthma Risk Mothers who breast-feed infants for 4 months or longer may help protect their children from developing asthma, according to a new study conducted in Australia.