Monthly News Archives



		Family Income, Education Impact Teen Obesity, Depression Depression and obesity in teens can be affected by a family's income and education level, says a study by researchers from Brandeis University in Massachusetts and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Fruits, Veggies Cut Breast Cancer Risk A diet rich in fruits and veggies can help protect against breast cancer. A study by Oregon Health and Science University researchers found women who eat at least four servings of fruits and vegetables have a 50 percent lower risk of breast cancer than women who consume no more than two such servings each day. Schizophrenia Risk Rises with Father's Age Children fathered by older men have an increased risk of schizophrenia in later life, possibly because of mutations in their father's DNA, according to a new study from Sweden. Forgive for Good Health They say to forgive is divine. It may be good for your health, too, researchers report. The results of a new study suggest that people with forgiving natures may have lower blood pressure than less forgiving folks. Diabetic Smokers Are More Hardcore Smokers with diabetes have a more difficult time giving up cigarettes than do other smokers, even when they have a strong desire to quit, a new study finds. Teens More Curious About Sex Than STDs Teens are more interested in finding out about sexual relationships, such as pain after intercourse and pregnancy, than about contraception and protecting themselves from sexually transmitted infections, a new study suggests. Conception Time, Premature Birth Linked Women who take more than a year to get pregnant have a slightly higher than normal chance of giving birth prematurely, new research indicates. Breathe Easy on Halloween Night Face paints, candy and other foods all may pose potential health hazards for children who have allergies and asthma, warn doctors and nurses at National Jewish Medical and Research Center. They offer some suggestions on how parents can ensure their children have a happy and safe Halloween. Good Night's Sleep May Benefit Immune System Conventional wisdom says getting enough sleep is key to staying healthy, and now there's new scientific evidence to back it up. Researchers in Germany found that among a group of volunteers vaccinated against hepatitis A infection, those who got a good night's sleep afterward showed a stronger immune response to the vaccine. Ginger, Tea May Fight Cancer, Studies Show Ginger, green tea and a Chinese herb may all help prevent the development of cancer, researchers told a conference. Preschoolers Tuned Into TV Children under age six spend an average of two hours a day in front of a television or computer screen and are less likely to read or be read to, according to a recent study released. Lighting Up Linked to Bad Grades Smoking and asthma and poor grades seem to go hand in hand. An American study found inner-city students in schools with the poorest academic ratings have a much higher rate of tobacco exposure and experimentation than students at other schools. Obesity Number One Health Threat While much of her time is spent preparing to fight anthrax, smallpox, and biological threats, and diseases like SARS and West Nile virus, Centers for Disease, Control and Prevention Director Dr. Julie Gerberding, said Americans are much more likely to die from cancer, heart disease, and diabetes caused by smoking, eating too much and exercising too little. The Young at Heart Live Longer New research from the University of Pittsburgh suggests men (and women) could also be as young as their arteries. Measuring and treating extremely low levels of cardiovascular disease, levels that don't yet show any symptoms, can extend life spans significantly. Red Wine Could Be Good for Your Lungs A compound found naturally in red wine could help fight chronic bronchitis and emphysema, a study has found, although scientists say there is probably not enough of the stuff in a glass for chronic sufferers to drink their way to good health. Smoking Increases Risk of Multiple Sclerosis Smokers are up to three times as likely to develop multiple sclerosis than nonsmokers, researchers said. Have a Healthy Halloween Keep all your little ghouls and goblins safe and healthy this Halloween by following these tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Kids Risk Heart Disease As Teenagers If Obesity Epidemic is Not Addressed Today's children face a future of heart disease, potentially as early as the end of their teen years, if parents and policy-makers don't urgently address the exploding problem of childhood obesity, a U.S. obesity expert warned. Depression Doesn't Increase Physical Pain An American study found no association between depression, extreme sensitivity to pain stimulus, and how pain is processed in the brain in people with fibromyalgia with and without clinical depression. A Weather Illness Myth Despite what your grandmother may have told you, cold weather does not cause colds, and in fact, that goodbye kiss and pinch on the cheek that she gave you may have placed you at much greater risk for catching something than not bundling up. Infants Eat Fries, Drink Soft Drinks Infants are eating fattening foods such as french fries and drinking soft drinks instead of milk, which may help explain the growing obesity problem, researchers said. Moderate Alcohol During Pregnancy Seen OK At least in terms of preterm delivery, it seems harmless for pregnant women to have a drink or two a day, new research from indicates. However, women who have three or more alcoholic drinks per day while pregnant are more likely to deliver prematurely. Coke to Launch Cholesterol- Reducing Orange Juice Soft drink maker Coca-Cola Co., which is battling rival PepsiCo Inc. for control of the growing health drinks market, said it was preparing to launch a cholesterol-reducing orange juice. Obesity: The Little Known Cancer Risk For more than three decades, the American Cancer Society has nagged, cajoled and inspired people to stop smoking, conducting such campaigns as the Great American Smokeout. Exercise Delays Breast Cancer in Women with Mutated Genes Women who inherit mutations of certain genes are at an 82 per cent lifetime risk of developing breast cancer and have a 23 to 54 per cent risk of ovarian cancer, according to a study that also found that exercise and maintaining a healthy weight during adolescence delays the onset of breast cancer even in women who have these mutations. 'Designer Steroid' THG Rocking Sports World A designer steroid at the center of a sports doping scandal is synthesized so craftily that it is undetectable by the standard test given to athletes. UK Child Blindness More Common Than Expected Childhood blindness in Britain is more common than previously thought and youngsters from ethnic minorities and lower economic groups and premature babies are vulnerable. Routine Tests Miss Liver Disease Routine blood tests that screen for liver disease may not be effective in people who are morbidly obese, says an American study. Men, the More You Lose the More Stays Off For obese men trying to lose weight, the more pounds they shed the more likely they are to keep the pounds off, researchers in the Netherlands report. Helping Young Girls Avoid Depression A new model that looks at genes and environment to identify depression and anxiety in young girls has been developed by researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Hostility Seen Harmful to Long-Term Health A recent study found that people who displayed high levels of hostility during college tended to have more health risk factors than people who were more mellow in college. Dentists Can Detect Eating Disorders Physical changes in the mouth are often the first signs of an eating disorder. Dentists and their staff may be able to watch for any signs of eating disorders so they can refer people to professionals who deal with those kinds of disorders. Genes May Contribute to 'Gender Identity' Researchers say they've discovered genes that may help determine sexuality in the early days of life, weeks before hormones kick in and force fetuses to develop into males or females. Hypnosis Offers Long- Term Benefits for IBS Hypnotherapy can offer long-term benefits for patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, researchers said. In a study of more than 200 patients with the disorder, hypnotherapy helped to relieve the cramping, bloating and diarrhea or constipation caused by the syndrome for five years or more. Lung Cancer Soaring Among Women in France Women smokers are to pay the price in France, where smoking is often associated with images of beautiful women, with female deaths from lung cancer set to rocket in coming years, a study showed. Research Shows Higher Cancer Risk for Flight Crews New research released showed airline flight crews had a higher than normal rate of skin and breast cancer. Researchers at the University of Iceland in Reykjavik found that flight attendants who had worked for five or more years were more likely to develop breast cancer. Dad's Genes May Be to Blame in Cancer, Study Finds A father's genes, already known to urge a developing embryo to grow faster and bigger, may be to blame in some cancers, researchers reported. Talking Sex With Teens While few parents relish the idea of talking to their teenage children about sex, don't shy away from the subject, advises the American Medical Association. Coffee May Protect Against Colon Cancer That morning cup of java might do more than just kickstart your day -- it could actually help protect you against cancer. German researchers say they've found a highly active compound, called methylpyridinium, in coffee that may prevent colon cancer. Avoiding Pets Won't Avert Allergies Contrary to commonly held beliefs, pet avoidance doesn't stop kids from developing allergies to animals, new research contends. In fact, exposure to pets might actually be a better hindrance, the researchers say. Strength Training Pumps Up Seniors Lifting weights and other kinds of strength training help older adults fight the loss of muscle mass and strength, and the resulting physical disability and frailty. Sexual Identity Hard-Wired by Genetics Sexual identity is wired into the genes, which discounts the concept that homosexuality and transgender sexuality are a choice, California researchers reported Catching Heart Trouble During Your Workout By detecting a person's inability to pump oxygen through their bloodstream while they exercise, doctors may be able to pinpoint early heart problems, says a study by researchers at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions. Grant Funds Green Tea Research A National Institute of Cancer grant of about $300,000 for the next two years will let Medical College of Georgia scientists continue their research into green tea's cancer-fighting properties. Coping With Arthritis While pain and stiffness caused by arthritis can be relieved by medications, occupational therapy helps people with arthritis regain their mobility and independence. It achieves this by changing any potentially harmful habits and by protecting the joints while people do daily activities. Canadians Eating More Fruit and Fish, Statistics Canada Says Canadians are eating more fresh fruit and fish but their intake of fats and oils has also increased in the past decade, Statistics Canada says. Breast Feeding May Have No Effect On Fighting Adult Obesity Breast feeding provides many vital benefits for health but has no effect on fighting adult obesity, according to research in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). Fast Food Is Lure to Overweight Children Overweight children appear to be especially susceptible to the lure of fast food, a study found. They stuff themselves even more ravenously than other youngsters do and are less able to compensate by eating sparingly the rest of the day. Unsafe Herbal Products Still Sold on Net Herbal products containing a harmful chemical are still widely offered as "natural" medicine over the Internet, even after more than two years of widespread warnings about its use, researchers said. Many Teenage Girls Underestimate STD Risk Teenage girls who have unprotected sex and engage in other risky sexual behavior may underestimate their odds of getting a sexually transmitted disease, the results of a new study suggest. Poverty Can Influence Kids' Behavior Among a group of children between the ages of 9 and 13, those who lived in poverty tended to show more behaviors linked to psychiatric problems than those who did not live in poverty. Pizza Hut Jumps on Lower-Fat Bandwagon In recent years, Pizza Hut has operated on the assumption that people like cheese -- the more, the better. But the world's No. 1 pizza chain faced up to consumers' -- and health advocates' -- insistence that fast-food chains start offering lower-fat items. Study Shows Depth of Obesity Stigma While it is no surprise that people often have a low opinion of the overweight, a new study finds that just standing next to a large person can be bad for one's image. Study Backs Exercise for Alzheimer Victims A combination of exercise for Alzheimer's disease patients and training for their caregivers helps combat depression and improve the health of disease victims, a recent study suggested. Asthma Does Know Gender While boys account for nearly two of three children with severe asthma, more than two of three adults with severe asthma are women. Cholesterol Gene Linked to Longevity One reason some people live into their 90s and beyond may be a genetic variation that makes the cholesterol particles in their blood really big. Exercise Seen As Help in Cancer Fight New nutrition and fitness guidelines for those living after a cancer diagnosis say appropriate exercise can help even the weakest eat better, feel less fatigue and recover faster. 1 in 50 Americans Morbidly Obese Americans are not just getting fatter, they are ballooning to extremely obese proportions at an alarming rate. The number of extremely obese American adults � those who are at least 100 pounds overweight � has quadrupled since the 1980s to about 4 million. That works out to about 1 in every 50 adults. Arthritis in the Knee Can Flow With Seasons Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, is caused by the deterioration of the cartilage at the end of the knee bones where they join in the knee joint. Cold winter weather can also make the joints feel stiffer than usual, according to the National Arthritis Association. Low-Carb Diets Are Working, Study Says Fibromyalgia patients, who suffer pain in the muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons, are not all the same and can be classified into three distinct subgroups, a new study suggests. Fitness and Your 6- to 12-year-old Kids who enjoy sports and exercise tend to stay active throughout their lives. And staying fit can help improve your child's self-esteem and decrease the risk of serious illnesses (such as heart disease and stroke) later in life. Many Women Are Starved for Sleep Start with the stresses of work and family. Add household responsibilities and perhaps worry about an elderly parent. Then factor in the hormonal changes that come with being female, and it should come as no surprise many women are shortchanged on sleep. Magnesium in Diet May Alter Heart Disease Risk Greater intake of magnesium -- one of the minerals recommended in a healthy diet -- appears to reduce the risk of heart disease, a study of more than 7,000 men shows. Adult Blood Pressure Tied to Birthweight People who were relatively light at birth, and who had an unprivileged childhood, are likely to have high blood pressure as adults, a UK study shows. Fibromyalgia Patients Not All The Same Fibromyalgia patients, who suffer pain in the muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons, are not all the same and can be classified into three distinct subgroups, a new study suggests. Socioeconomics Can Spur Smoking Socioeconomic factors influence whether a person starts smoking and the difficulty he experiences if he tries to kick the habit. AIDS Threatens World's Adolescents Young people are increasingly responsible for the spread of HIV/AIDS around the world because of poverty and a severe lack of information and prevention services, says the United Nations. Make Your Kids Wash Their Hands It seems many parents need to polish up on their awareness about the importance of hand hygiene in preventing illness among children. Make School Meals Healthier, Experts Say Soggy canned vegetables and gluey white bread have no place in school meals and ought to be replaced with fresh produce and whole grains, experts told a recent Congressional hearing. Parents Key to Reducing Childhood Obesity Parents are the best weapons to tackle Britain's growing problem of childhood obesity, the government's Health Development Agency (HDA) said. Epidemic of Diabetes Worsening with Obesity One in three Americans born in the year 2000 will develop adult-onset diabetes, a worsening epidemic that disproportionately affects women and minorities, federal researchers said. Peanut Butter Good for Your Heart study in the latest issue of the Journal of Food Sciences found commercial peanut butter contains levels of vitamin E as high as those in raw peanuts. The study says that confirms peanut butter can be as beneficial as nuts in protecting people against coronary heart disease. Hospital Complications Cost $9 Billion, 30,000 Deaths Medical complications cost U.S. patients extra days in the hospital, add billions of dollars to their medical bills and are blamed for more than 30,000 deaths each year, researchers said. Moderate Drinking May Cut Diabetes Risk A moderate amount of alcohol appears to reduce the risk of developing adult-onset (type 2) diabetes; however, for women, heavy drinking increases the risk, according to a Scandinavian study. Exercise May Lower Breast Cancer Risk Participating in regular physical "recreational" activity, even for just a few hours a week, may significantly lower a woman's risk of developing early, localized breast cancer, what doctors call breast carcinoma in situ (BCIS). You're Never Too Old To Exercise Abe Cohen works out every day, and the workouts include at least a couple hundred crunches. Cohen is 92. His wife, Esther, who works out with him, is 86. Her daily ab exercise total is 400. Experts think the Cohens show what older people are capable of. Asthma and Vaccines Asthma is an autoimmune disorder that tops the list of chronic respiratory diseases found in children. Although public health officials attribute the recorded increases in asthma to better case diagnosis, more air pollution both indoors and outdoors and smoking, some scientists find evidence that vaccination and lack of contagious infectious diseases in early childhood may later encourage the development of asthma and other allergic conditions. Kids' Diets May Promote Weight Gain Children who diet may actually gain weight in the long run, perhaps because of metabolic changes but more likely because they resort to binge eating, doctors report. Diabetes, Obesity on Rise in U.S. Diabetes rates are shooting up in the United States, with a 27 percent increase between 1997 and 2002, according to official government statistics. Socioeconomics Plays Role in Obesity A child's socioeconomic status plays a direct role in whether his genetic susceptibility to obesity is expressed or controlled, says a Medical College of Georgia study. Why Aging Hearts Slow Down Elevated levels of a heart protein called G-alpha-i in older adults are linked to a decrease in the pumping ability of the heart. So says a Duke University Medical Center study in the latest issue of the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology. Another Clue to Alzheimer's Cause Research in mice suggests the inability of a certain protein to exit the brain may be a cause of Alzheimer's disease. The new clue comes from a Saint Louis University study in the October issue of Neuroscience. Startling Study Says People May Be Born Gay The origins of sexual orientation may be evident in the blink of an eye. In what is the first study to show an apparent link between a non-learned trait and sexual orientation, British researchers have discovered the way peoples' eyes respond to sudden loud noises may signal differences between heterosexual and homosexual men and women that were developed before birth. Heinz to Launch Low-Carb Ketchup H.J. Heinz Co. said it will launch a low-carbohydrate ketchup and other new products, as it aims to expand key products and tap demand for foods popularized by trends such as the Atkins diet. Blood Test May Predict Rheumatoid Arthritis The presence of certain antibodies in the blood may signal the development of rheumatoid arthritis years before symptoms begin. Obesity Doubles in Canada Since 1985 The fat isn't just creeping up on Canadians, it's galloping. The prevalence of obesity among Canadian women has doubled over the last 15 years, new data show. For men it has more than doubled. Exercising During Pregnancy Although you may not feel like running a marathon - especially in the first 3 months of pregnancy - most women benefit greatly from exercising throughout their pregnancy. But during that time you'll need to make a few adjustments to your normal exercise routine. Scientists Say Fatty Diet Not Linked to Stroke Risk High blood pressure is the most important risk factor for stroke but unlike heart disease, a high fat disease does not have an impact on stroke. How to Avoid In-Flight Colds What can a traveler do to guard against something as common as the everyday cold or as stealthy as SARS in the elbow-to-elbow confinement of an airline cabin? Study Shows Vitamins Save Health Care Costs Want to save health care dollars? Give vitamins to the elderly, a recent study suggests. The study, done on behalf of the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Wyeth Consumer Health by health care consultant The Lewin Group, finds that vitamins could improve overall health, making elderly people less likely to need drugs or hospital care. Girls Having Sex Earlier But Still Lack Knowledge Of Risks Sweet sixteen isn't quite as innocent as she used to be. The average age of first sexual intercourse for teenage girls is 16.8 years, says a new study of women's health. Girls used to wait longer than boys to become sexually active but the gap has virtually disappeared, said Donna Stewart of the University of Toronto, co-author of the study. The average for boys is currently 16.7 years. New Imaging Technique Spots Hidden Breast Tumors Finding breast tumors at their earliest, most easily treated stage is one step closer to reality, thanks to new research conducted at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. Good Night's Sleep May Put Cancer to Rest A good night's sleep may help you fight cancer, says a Stanford University Medical Center study. This new study suggests that a person's sleep/wake cycle may explain how such psychosocial factors can have an impact on cancer. Infants Given Antibiotics at Risk for Allergy Treating infants with antibiotics seems to increase their risk of developing childhood diseases like eczema and allergic asthma, a new study suggests. Drinking Tea May Lower Bad Cholesterol Black tea consumption may lower bad cholesterol levels and could one day be used to help reduce the chance of heart disease for those at risk, U.S. researchers report. Hormone Therapy Risks Outweigh Bone Benefits Even though hormone therapy reduces the risk of broken bones and womb cancer, the treatment's potential benefits are outweighed by a heightened risk of other diseases, a new report confirms. Wheat Gluten Linked to Type 1 Diabetes People who develop type 1 diabetes have a genetic predisposition to the disease that is triggered by some, as yet unknown, environmental factor.