Monthly News Archives



		Girls Need Big Breakfast? Girls need a more filling breakfast than boys if they are to do their best in school tests, according to researchers in Northern Ireland. Blue Light Sets Body Clock Your body's internal clock is more sensitive to shorter wavelength blue light than it is to longer wavelength green light. That's the conclusion of a study by researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. Icelanders Find One Gene Makes You Fat or Thin Icelandic researchers said they had found a gene that in different versions determines whether people are predisposed to being obese or thin. Molecule Found in Meat, Milk and Tumors A non-human molecule found in red meat and milk makes its way into the human system when eaten -- and seems to build up especially in tumors, U.S. researchers reported. Preventing Autumn Illnesses When the leaves fall in autumn, your immune system may well take a beating. Not only are you more susceptible to the damp and cold, but the changes in humidity and temperature increase the chance of illness. Weight Gain in College a True Phenomenon College can broaden your mind, your tolerance and your political views -- not to mention your hips, belly and thighs. High Heels Acquitted of Causing Arthritis New research confirms what women all over the world have no doubt been waiting to hear: Wearing high heels does not increase your chances of developing osteoarthritis of the knee. Economics May Be Behind Your Baby's Gender Difficult economic conditions in a country may result in fewer male than female births, says a study from the University of California, Berkeley. Heart Disease Worse Killer Than Cancer, Women Told The World Health Organization urged women on Friday to take better care of their hearts, warning that cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks and strokes kill far more women than breast cancer every year. Pedometers Tested As Step to More Exercise Can an inexpensive device that clips onto your belt and tracks your steps really turn a nation of exercise slouches into healthier, more active adults? The Dangers of Trans Fatty Acids You've likely been hearing a lot lately about the health dangers of trans fatty acids, which are found in fried and processed foods. But what makes trans fats such a threat to your well-being? Diet Guidelines Aimed at Healthy People Several experts updating benchmarks for good eating habits plan to aim their "eat well, exercise regularly" message at healthy consumers, rejecting the government's suggestion they direct their diet advice to only the overweight. Exercise Benefits Rheumatoid Arthritis Sufferers Regular, intensive exercise for patients with rheumatoid arthritis builds muscle strength and aerobic capacity, improves the ability to do daily tasks and fosters a sense of emotional well-being. Food Giants Mend Their Ways to Fight Child Obesity With American children getting fatter, giant food companies are now promising to offer a healthier alternative to their sugar- and oil-laden products popular with school kids. Yeast Offers Insight Into Aging and Cancer Yeast cells start making a lot of genetic mistakes as they reproduce in their old age, a finding that may help explain why the incidence of cancer in humans increases with age. Tooth Loss Damages Health Changes in your diet caused by tooth loss could increase your risk of heart disease and other chronic health problems. That warning comes from a study in the Journal of the American Dental Association. Stress Test Can Gauge Women's Heart Risk Doctors hesitate to give women stress tests to diagnose heart disease because the results can be misleading, but a study said that a woman's stamina on the treadmill exam can help gauge her risk. How Deadly Is Pot? It's no secret that marijuana makes people high. But can it also send them six feet under? That's the crux of an ongoing debate in the latest issue of the British Medical Journal between experts who disagree about the potential health risks of smoking pot. Study Ties Stress to Breast Cancer Contrary to several previous studies, new research out of Sweden claims stress can increase a woman's chance of developing breast cancer. Exercise Testing War Women of Heart Trouble A brief exercise test can identify seemingly problem-free women who are at high risk of heart attack and stroke. Women Who Exercise With Mirrors Feel Worse Mirrors are as common as paint on the walls of health clubs, but what is so inspiring about watching yourself gasping and drenched in sweat? For exercise novices, not much, according to one study, which found that women who exercised in front of a mirror felt worse than women who exercised without them. Tai Chi May Help Prevent Shingles Tai chi exercises may help prevent shingles, U.S. researchers reported. Tests on 36 older men and women showed the combination of relaxation and movement used in tai chi boosted immunity to the virus that causes the painful outbreaks. Panic Attacks Common Among Older Women Nearly 18% of women who've passed menopause experience panic attacks and their occurrence seems to be tied to stressful life events and coexisting medical problems, new research suggests. Death Not Necessarily Painful Losing a loved one is always painful, but the knowledge that the person didn't suffer in the end can be some small comfort to family and friends. Obesity in Children Linked with Asthma Risk The results of a study published in the current issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology suggest there is an association between being overweight and an increased risk of developing asthma in school-age children. The Pressures of Back Pain Reports that back pain increases with changes in humidity levels and barometric pressure have persisted for centuries, but the association remains one of the world's great medical mysteries. When Stormy Weather Gives You a Migraine An approaching storm may prompt many to reach for an umbrella, but for migraine sufferers, those clouds may mean it's time to reach for a bottle of aspirin. Few Parents Help Kids Fight Acne Even though most parents realize acne affects their teenagers' self-esteem, few take their children to a doctor to have the condition treated. Girls Hit Tanning Booths More Than Boys White teenage girls are more likely to use indoor tanning booths than boys and to use them more frequently, says a Case Western Reserve University study. Infants of Diabetic Moms at Risk for Heart Defects Babies born to diabetic mothers are five times more likely than other infants to have heart defects, new research shows. Battling Scoliosis in Overweight Teens Back bracing is less effective in overweight teens with curvature of the spine, says a Johns Hopkins Children's Center study. Millions Condemned to Die as Health Policies Fail More than 80 million mothers and children will die unnecessarily over little more than a decade through misguided policies and lack of cash, aid agencies said. Growth and Your 13- to 18-year-old As children near adulthood, they continue to mature and grow. Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet, exercising at least three times weekly, and getting adequate rest will help ensure that they will grow and develop properly. Teens who have entered puberty will notice many changes in their developing bodies as fat deposits and muscles change shape. Often these changes are quite dramatic. Large Meal Portions Raise Cancer Risk "Portion distortion" is increasing waistlines and raising the risk of developing cancer, health experts said. From fast food outlets in Mexico and Brazil to restaurants in Singapore and grocery stores in Britain, the size of food portions, chocolate bars and beverages has expanded, along with the size of the people who eat them. Antibiotics Don't Help Heart in Study Antibiotics failed to ward off heart trouble in the biggest study yet to test the theory that low-level infections play a major role in triggering heart attacks. But researchers said they are not yet ready to give up on the idea. More Kids Breaking Their Arms Kids are breaking their wrists and forearms far more often than they did 30 years ago. Experts don't yet know what's behind this increase, but it does raise the possibility that children and teens aren't getting enough calcium and, as a result, have lower bone density. This, in turn, raises the specter that these same kids may develop osteoporosis as they age. Strength Training for Children and Adolescents Muscle strength development in children has been a topic of debate in the past few decades. However, scientific evidence to separate fact from fiction has been lacking. This report from the Physician and sportsmedicine journal gives an excellent overview of clinical evidence which establishes that supervised strength training programs for children are safe and effective. Aching Feet? Get Better Shoes and Avoid Magnets Shoe inserts containing magnets don't provide more relief for people with heel pain than regular inserts. That's the conclusion of a study in the Sept. 17 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association that was funded by an unrestricted grant from Spenco Medical Corp., which makes insoles and other orthotic devices. Study Links Obesity to Cervical Cancer A new study by researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) suggests being overweight could double a woman's risk of developing one type of cervical cancer, known as cervical adenocarcinoma. Happy Marriage Strengthens a Woman's Heart A happy marriage can be a healthy blessing for women. A 13-year American study of middle-aged women found that those in good marriages were less likely to develop cardiovascular disease risk factors than unmarried women or those in unsatisfying marriages. Prostate Cancer Risk Highest with Affected Brother To have a lower risk of prostate cancer, it's better to have a father with the disease than a brother, new research suggests. Of course, having no family members with the disease carries the lowest risk. Skill Sets Stay Same As We Age Are you a whiz at finishing crossword puzzles, but mystified by math? Researchers have assumed aging would eventually equalize your cognitive skills at a lower level. Feds Target Programs Against Obesity Years of dire warnings about obesity's dangers don't seem to be shrinking Americans' girth. Now federal health officials hope programs that target different communities' special needs � plus financial incentives like Pacificare Health Systems is about to offer � will work better. Helping Seniors Stay Fit Older adults at risk for heart disease can improve their exercise habits when they receive behavioral counseling combined with exercise therapy, says a Wake Forest University study. Almost Half of Australia's 20 million Population is Overweight, Report Says Almost half of Australia's 20 million people are overweight and are fast creeping up to the obesity levels of the world's fattest nation �the United States, according to a health report released. Outlook for Living to Healthy Old Age Improving More people are living to a healthier old age with fewer disabilities and the trend is likely to continue, an expert in geriatric medicine announced. The Earlier You Light Up, the Harder to Quit If you started smoking as a teenager, you may be particularly vulnerable to long-term nicotine addiction. Resistance Training Strengthens Seniors Older adults can maintain muscle strength by doing resistance training just once a week. That's the claim of a Ball State University study in the current issue of the Journal of Gerontology: Biological Sciences. Team Sports Reduces Risky Behavior in Teens High school students who take part in team sports and are also physically active outside school may be at reduced risk for engaging in risky sexual behavior and for using drugs or cigarettes, says a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study. Binge Drinking Bad for Your Heart Those extra shots of liquor after your weekly baseball game may be adding another strike to your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Women on St. John's Wort May Become Pregnant Despite Taking the Pill Women who take St. John's wort, an herb often used to treat depression, as well as those who are overweight can become pregnant while on birth control pills. Lesbians Face Higher Heart Disease Risk Lesbians could be at greater risk for heart disease than heterosexual women because they generally weigh more and tend to have more abdominal weight, says a University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) study. Diet Sodas Can Cause Weight Gain! Dr. Batmanghelidj offers an observation that diet sodas (artificially sweetened soft drinks), even though containing no appreciable number of calories, are possibly the cause of more weight gain in people who drink them to control their weight. HRT's Risks, Benefits Becoming Clearer For women struggling with whether hormone replacement therapy is safe, studies are now simplifying the decision: In the short run they're fine, in the long term they're not. High Cholesterol at 40 Signals Heart Trouble Later Researchers appear to have confirmed what doctors have long suspected: High cholesterol levels among people 40 and older translate into higher risks of heart disease throughout their lives. Rebuilding Food Pyramid to Slim Waistlines The U.S. government will refashion its Food Guide Pyramid to help pear-shaped Americans eat less and exercise more, according to a proposal released. Soda and TV Pack Pounds on Teens Too much television and too many soft drinks may be contributing to the epidemic of obese adolescents. That claim comes courtesy of a study in the September issue of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. Diabetes Drugs May Cause Heart Failure Two popular drugs used to treat type-2 diabetes can cause fluid buildup and heart failure in some patients, U.S. doctors said. N.Y. Issues First Cancer Prevention Plan Reducing the number of New Yorkers who smoke, weigh too much, don't exercise enough and are exposed to pollution should be among the state's cancer-fighting priorities over the rest of this decade, a new state cancer control plan stresses. More Signs That Red Wine May Cut Cholesterol Scientists have found another group of chemicals that may be responsible for red wine's cholesterol-lowering effects. Flavonoids Can Taste Good, Too A Penn State study found that the presence of heart-healthy flavonoids, which occur naturally in plant foods, does not automatically increase bitterness. In fact, the study found that adding them during food processing can actually promote good flavor in some food products. Asian Kids Blame Homework, Heat For Not Exercising Schoolchildren in Asian cities are getting fatter and need more exercise, but they're blaming the hot weather and too much homework for their lack of physical activity, health experts told an international conference. The Power of Tea A dozen or so studies being presented Sept. 8 at the American Chemical Society meeting in New York City are reporting health benefits from the beverage that range from fighting fat to fighting cancer. High Blood Pressure Dangerous During Pregnancy When people hear the phrase "high blood pressure," most immediately think "heart disease." But for a significant number of women, high blood pressure is a potentially dangerous condition that's intimately linked to pregnancy. Putting Off Smokers with Rotting Lung Pictures The European Commission has started the hunt for images of rotting lungs and dying cancer patients to be printed on cigarette packets across the European Union. Garden Without Back Pain Readying your garden for fall should not include wrecking your back for the winter. Scott Bautch, past president of the American Chiropractic Association's Council on Occupation Health, says gardening is like any other exercise. The Power of a Placebo The placebo effect seems to play a part in acupressure wrist bands that claim to ease the nausea of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, says a University of Rochester Medical Center study. Exercise Before Surgery Aids Recovery, Study Finds Exercising before surgery can get the body into shape and help recovery after an operation, U.S. researchers announced. Many Kids Don't Feel Safe at School Nearly 20 percent of urban students and more than 10 percent of suburban school students report feeling unsafe in their schools, and almost a third of children say their schools are disorderly, reports a New York University study. Heartburn Advice for Pregnant Women Pregnant and nursing women can take several steps to prevent and treat heartburn, says the March of Dimes. Millions in U.S. Have Smoking-Related Diseases At least 8.6 million people in the United States are living with chronic bronchitis, emphysema and other serious smoking-related illnesses, according to a new study that paints a dark picture of the health risks of tobacco. Why Should You Exercise? An Overview of the Benefits There are so many reasons to exercise, so many benefits of exercising, that entire books could be written on the topic. If you can find even one benefit on this list, you have enough reason to begin an exercise program and begin taking steps to take care of your health. Exercise Testing Predicts Heart Risk Exercise testing not only helps predict a person's risk of death, but it can also help rule out those who don't require aggressive treatment for cardiovascular disease, a study says. The Basics of Healthy Writing Students are soon going to start spending a lot of time with their pens, so here's some advice on pen ergonomics and the prevention of carpal tunnel syndrome. Find Out Where Your Fat Is with New Scanner You could soon go to the gym, step in front of a scanner and find out exactly where the fat needs to come off. How to Start the School Year Right As millions of children return to the classroom after the long summer break, parents need to do their own homework to help ensure their kids' health, safety and success. Future Doctors Favor Lifestyle Over Money An increasing number of medical students are picking their specialty based on the lifestyle it permits, including more time to spend with family, rather than such traditional factors as pay and prestige, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. C-Section May Increase Risk for Food Allergy Some infants who are delivered by cesarean section may have an increased risk of developing food allergies, according to a new report published in the August issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Ladies, Don't Forget Your Folic Acid Despite the fact that folic acid can prevent spina bifida and other birth defects in babies, many women of childbearing age fail to take daily doses of it. Juices Better Than Colas for Kids' Teeth In a bit of bad news for children with a sweet tooth, a new study suggests soft drinks and powdered beverages cause more cavities than fruit juice, but even OJ can spell trouble if kids overdo it. What Causes Snoring in Children? A child's snore may sound cute, or even funny, but habitual snoring in children may contribute to problems ranging from bed-wetting to poor school performance. Study Supports Power of Positive Thinking While medical science remains skeptical about the power of positive thinking and its ability to thwart disease, a new study lends scientific credence to the widely held notion, The New York Times reports. Who Can You Count On? Often, we rely on the kindness of strangers to help us out in an emergency. But in what circumstances would you help someone, and in what circumstances would you be helped if you were the victim? Address Your Emotional Issues When Addressing Your Diet Indeed, food is a part of life more primitive and fundamental than our most basic emotions. But, for many, food is so closely tied to emotions that it can quickly turn from that which nourishes and provides sustenance to that which causes harm. The Obesity Fight Has Several Obstacles Obesity is a bigger culprit than smoking in chronic illness and health-care costs. Yet Kelly D. Brownell, director of the Yale Center for Eating and Weight Disorders, has hope and offers a solution in a new book targeting the food industry and obesity crisis. Red Wine Good for Smokers If you must smoke, at least make sure you have a glass of red wine in the other hand. Researchers said there were enough beneficial chemicals in two glasses of red wine to suspend the harmful effect that smoking one cigarette has on the functioning of arteries. Eating Disorders As a Midlife Crisis You can never be too rich or too thin. It was a mantra that defined more than a generation of adult women. But now, experts say, some have taken the phrase to its literal extreme -- at least the "too thin" part. Dutch Approve Cannabis as Prescription Drug The Netherlands recently became the world's first country to make cannabis available as a prescription drug in pharmacies to treat cancer, HIV and multiple sclerosis patients, the Health Ministry said.