Monthly News Archives



		Testosterone Tied to Memory Men who are given testosterone-deprivation treatment for prostate cancer forget things faster than healthy men, says a study by Oregon Health & Science University researchers. Obesity Linked to Higher Stroke Risk Obesity nearly doubles the risk that an otherwise healthy middle-aged man will eventually have a stroke, a long-running Swedish study finds. Snoring May Affect Kids' Mental Abilities Five-year-old children who snore or have sleep apnea -- the more serious disorder in which breathing stops intermittently while they sleep-- score worse on tests of memory and intelligence than unaffected kids, investigators report. Umbilical Cord Blood May Help Predict Allergy Risk Blood from a baby's umbilical cord could help doctors predict which children will suffer from allergies and asthma later in their lives, British and American scientists said. BMI Increasing According To Research Americans are getting taller on average but they are much heavier too, according to government figures released showing that the U.S. population is, literally, growing. Canadian Study Says Glucosamine No Arthritis Help Glucosamine, a popular food supplement used by arthritis sufferers to prevent painful flare-ups, has no long-term benefit, Canadian researchers said. Red Wine Slows Lung Cancer, White Raises Risk Drinking red wine could protect against lung cancer, but white wine may increase the risk, Spanish scientists said. Depression Interferes with Exercise Stress Testing People with depression who have suspected heart disease don't do well on exercise tests, Canadian investigators report. C-Section More Likely with Obesity, Diabetes When women who have diabetes or are overweight become pregnant, they have an increased likelihood of having to undergo a cesarean delivery, according to a new report. Exercise Might Protect Against Parkinson's Disease In research with rats, University of Pittsburgh scientists found that exercising limbs helps protect brain cells that are normally damaged or destroyed by Parkinson's disease. Stress a Double-Edged Sword While stress may help your ability to recall, it also makes it more difficult for you to solve complex problems, according to Ohio State University researchers. Obese People Generate Bigger Health-Care Bills Obese people have higher health-care costs than those who aren't obese, says a study in the Oct. 25 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. Herbal Medicine Eases Dementia An herbal medicine used in Asia for 2,000 years can reduce the impact of dementia, a small study suggests. 'TwoDay' Method Helps Women Avoid Pregnancy A technique that teaches women to track their vaginal secretions cues them when they are most likely to get pregnant, and offers a "valuable addition " to family planning, according to researchers. High Birth Weight Linked to Leukemia Risk Heavy babies apparently face a heightened risk of one type of childhood leukemia, a Scandinavian study indicates. Britons' Favourite Drink Could Hold Back Alzheimer's Laboratory tests found that regular cups of green and black tea inhibit the activity of certain enzymes in the brain which bring on Alzheimer's, a form of generative dementia that affects an estimated 10 million people worldwide. Officials Say Most Can Skip Flu Shot Public health officials say Americans should roll up their sleeves for a dose of reality: For most of us, getting a flu shot is not a life-or-death matter. Many Foods Serve Up Health Benefits Recent studies have given every chocolate lover reason to rejoice: Chemicals known as flavonoids -- found in abundance in dark chocolate -- loosen up the arteries and promote heart health. Study Links Sleep Loss to Teens' Suicide Behaviors Teenagers who usually fall into bed at 2 a.m. each night and get up a few hours later to make their 8 a.m. classes are putting themselves at risk for more than chronic tiredness. Dairy Intake Tied to Bone Strength in Older Men Elderly men who consume more dairy products have stronger bones, and the effect is the same in both black and white men, a new study shows. Internet Study Looking for Best Ways to Quit Smoking A large Internet study designed to evaluate the best way to help smokers kick the habit is being sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Want to Lose Weight? Watch Those Portion Sizes New study findings suggest that controlling portion sizes may be the fastest route to weight loss. You See Auras, Researchers See Brain Signals People who see colorful "auras" in response to people or words may simply have a brain condition, not psychic powers, according to a new research report. Some Supplements Can Damage Eyes Many herbal remedies and nutritional supplements can damage the eyes, including some alternative therapies that are used by people trying to correct eye problems, new research reports. Study Backs Link Between Father's Age, Schizophrenia Children born to older fathers have a higher than normal risk of developing schizophrenia later in life, Swedish scientists said. Adjustable Desks Help Productivity, Muscle Pain Working at electrically adjustable desks that enable people to stand for a while at a computer appears to reduce muscle pain and boost productivity, new research shows. Vitamin D May Help Arthritic Knees Function Better Boston researchers report a link between low serum levels of vitamin D and decreased knee function in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Caesarean Birth May Raise Allergy Risk in Babies Being born by Caesarean section may increase a baby's risk of suffering from food allergies and diarrhea in the first year of life, German doctors said. German Study Links Traffic Jams, Heart Attacks In a study that gives new meaning to the concept of a "killer commute," researchers have concluded that people caught in traffic are three times more likely to suffer a heart attack within the hour than those who aren't tied up on the road. Sneakers Help Protect Elderly from Falls When it comes to choosing fall-proof footwear, elderly people should wear athletic shoes whenever possible, and avoid going barefoot, new research suggests. Acupuncture, Herbs Ease Hay Fever Regular sessions of acupuncture and daily doses of Chinese herbal medicine may help ease the burden of seasonal allergies, new research indicates. Toothpaste Ingredient Guards Against Skin Cancer A common antibacterial and antifungal ingredient in mouthwashes and toothpaste also can also guard against skin cancer. Heavy Kids Face Higher Cancer Risk as Adults Children who are overweight appear to be at increased risk of cancer later in life, according to an analysis of British records. Acupuncture Helps Knee Pain, Study Finds Acupuncture can help boost the power of drugs in reducing the pain suffered by patients with arthritis in their knees, researchers report. Simple Exercises Help Dispel Chronic Dizziness Performing a series of head movements for a few minutes every day can improve symptoms of chronic dizziness for many patients, British researchers report. Phone-in Care Doesn't Help Heart Failure Patients Phoned-in nursing care does nothing to prevent re-hospitalization of people recuperating from heart failure, says a study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine. Waiting to Cut Umbilical Cord May Improve Preemies' Health In the case of premature infants, a new review of past studies suggests that waiting as little as 30 seconds to cut that cord can make a dramatic difference in the health of a newborn. The Need for Light in Darker Seasons The shorter days of fall and winter mean that millions with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) need to find ways to get enough light to fight off symptoms of depression. The Truth About Colds and Flu Even though they're common, there are still many misconceptions about colds and flu. New York-Presbyterian Hospital offers some information to help you sort through the facts and fictions of colds and flu. Binge Drinking May Be Bad for the Blood Moderate alcohol use has been shown to be healthier for the heart than abstinence or heavy drinking, but consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time has been linked to higher death rates from all causes, including cardiovascular ones. Location of Fat Affects Heart Risk The location of fat in the body is more important than the level of obesity in determining the risk of heart disease in older women, according to a new study. Study Suggests How Obesity Causes Diabetes Scientists know that obesity is a key player in the development of type 2 diabetes, but exactly how excess weight causes the disease isn't clear. Half of Older Adults May Face Weak Bones People of all ages must do more to protect their bones now to protect themselves from fractures and other related problems later in life, U.S. health officials warned. U.N. Health Body Warns Against 'Kitchen Killer' Some 1.6 million people, mainly small children, die each year from a "kitchen killer" -- disease brought on by inhaling smoke from cooking stoves and indoor fires, the World Health Organization said. Personality Disorders Change Over Time Experts have long believed that personality disorders -- types of mental illness in which people have trouble functioning with others -- were relatively inflexible, and endured throughout a person's life. Study Sees Link Between Breast Cancer, Adolescence A study of more than 117,000 Danish women provides the most convincing evidence yet of a link between a girl's growth rate and her risk of developing breast cancer later in life, researchers said. Low Birth Weight Affects IQ Into Teen Years The effects of low birth weight on academic achievement persist well into adolescence, even among young people from relatively affluent backgrounds, a new study shows. Differences in Autism Detailed Autistic boys with language impairment have brain structures different from autistic boys with normal language abilities, researchers have found. Low-Carb Diet May Cut Heart Risks in Severely Obese A low-carbohydrate diet can help severely obese people improve their cholesterol levels, and it may curb markers of inflammation better than a reduced-fat diet, preliminary research suggests. Alcohol Could Hike Risk of Irregular Heartbeat Alcohol consumption could slightly increase a man's risk for developing a certain type of irregular heartbeat, suggests a report in the Oct. 11 issue of The Archives of Internal Medicine. Metabolic Syndrome Common in Teens Nearly one third of overweight or obese teenagers have the metabolic syndrome, a cluster of disorders that raise the risk of developing heart disease and diabetes, according to a new report. Nearly 200 Million Chinese Obese The Health Ministry said in a report on Tuesday that 200 million Chinese are overweight, a sign that rising incomes are helping to expand waistlines. Schools Must Help in Fight Against Obesity Schools need to be more active in teaching heart-healthy behavior and they should offer more physical education and healthful meals, a new American Heart Association statement urges. Ultraviolet B, Not A, Radiation Triggers Melanoma Experiments with mice show that ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation does not initiate melanoma skin cancer, but ultraviolet B (UVB) does. Parents Affect Kids' Heart Disease Risk What parents do -- and don't do -- before the birth of a child and through the early years of life has a significant effect on the child's risk of developing heart disease as an adult, two studies find. High Folate Intake Lowers Women's Blood Pressure Upping the daily intake of folate has been widely promoted in recent years to reduce women's risk of having a baby with spina bifida, but it also seems to have another benefit. With Aging, Blood Vessels Adapt to Exercise A number of physiological changes occur in the body as we age, including a decrease in heart's ability to pump blood. New findings show that blood vessels in the legs adapt to reduced cardiac output by regulating the flow of blood to the leg muscles during exercise. Mental Health Plays Part in Marital Bliss Satisfaction with marriage is affected by the mental health of both spouses, says a study in the October issue of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. 'Weekend Warriors' Better Off Than Couch Potatoes Cramming in the recommended weekly amount of exercise into the weekend appears to offer some health benefits for otherwise healthy men, new research reports. Metabolic Syndrome on the Rise in U.S. Adults The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome is increasing among U.S. adults, and will likely lead to increases in diabetes and heart disease, results of a study published in the October issue of Diabetes Care suggest. Sports Injury Can Lead to Later Trouble Young women athletes who suffer tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) -- the ligament in the knee that provides stability -- face a serious risk of potentially crippling knee osteoarthritis (OA) when they're older, says a Swedish study in the October issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism. Smoking Ups Chances of Rheumatoid Arthritis Smoking greatly increases the risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) among people with a genetic predisposition for the disease, says a Swedish study in the October issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism. Child Mortality Rising Fast in Parts of Asia-U.N. Child mortality rates are spiraling in parts of Asia because of financially crippled public health care systems, a U.N. report said. Brisk Walks Speed Stroke Recovery Fast walking exercises during rehabilitation help stroke survivors improve their mobility, says a small study in the current issue of Stroke. The study also concluded that more intense walking exercises enhance stroke survivors' muscle strength, posture, balance, motor coordination, cardiovascular fitness and range of motion. Smoking Ups Chances of Rheumatoid Arthritis Smoking greatly increases the risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) among people with a genetic predisposition for the disease, says a study in the October issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism. Yawning, Snoring Could Be Sleep Apnea Do you yawn throughout the day or get sleepy while driving? Does your family complain about loud snoring? You might be one of the millions of Americans with undiagnosed sleep apnea, which causes more than fatigue � it also seems to spur heart disease and other serious illnesses. Obesity Lowers Odds of Surviving Breast Cancer Previous reports have shown that obesity increases a woman's risk of developing breast cancer -- and now new research indicates that obesity continues to have a negative effect once breast cancer occurs. Parents Strongly Influence Teens' Drinking Parents who supply alcohol for their teenagers' parties may be encouraging their children to binge drink when no adult is watching, a new study suggests. Cesarean More Likely with Excess Pregnancy Weight Pregnant women who put on more pounds than generally recommended are more likely to undergo a Cesarean delivery, according to a new study. Kids Need Help Staying Slim Schools may need more money and regulators may need more authority to help children from spiraling into obesity, experts and politicians stated. Heart-Healthy Lifestyle in Youth Pays Off Later Young women who are heart-healthy and work to stay that way are likelier to see that lifestyle pay huge dividends in their later years, a new study finds. Sedentary Kids Have Raised Risk of Chronic Fatigue Playing sports and being active in childhood could help reduce the risk of suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome later in life, according to a study. Sibling's Heart Problems Predict Yours Best Does your brother or sister have heart disease? That may be a better predictor of whether you are at risk that your parents' health history, researchers said. Canada Study Details Pregnancy Chemical Hazard Children whose mothers were exposed during pregnancy to common workplace chemicals scored lower on tests measuring language skills, attention and memory, researchers said. Birth Season, Schizophrenia Type Linked Schizophrenics born during the summer in the Northern Hemisphere tend to develop a more severe form of the mental illness than those born during the winter, a study said. Stress, Aggression Bound Tightly Together A biological link between stress and aggression may help explain why humans can become enraged and violent so easily and find it difficult to calm down, says a study in the October issue of Behavioral Neuroscience. Study: Food Restrictions on Kids Backfire If your child is at high risk for being overweight or obese, restricting food probably isn't the best way to try to keep the youngster at a healthy weight. Coping With the Common Cold Determined this cold season to nip your sneezing, runny nose and scratchy throat in the bud before those nasty respiratory symptoms sideline you? There's a broad array of cold remedies you might want to try, ranging from over-the-counter preparations to basic ingredients tucked away in your kitchen pantry. Adult ADHD: An Overlooked Problem Doctors are finally realizing that Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) doesn't always disappear when children enter puberty -- it is a persistent problem that can last a lifetime, although many adults don't realize they may be struggling with the condition. Are You Exercising Hard Enough? If you are able to talk while you exercise, you probably are performing at a proper intensity level, according to researchers who support the "Talk Test." Red Wine Stems Prostate Cancer A glass of red wine a day may reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 50 per cent, claims a study by researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Hand Sanitizers Keep Home Free of Germs Hand sanitizers can help prevent the spread of infections in your home, says new research. More Evidence of Doctors Over-Prescribing Drugs Despite past mounting evidence on the negative side effects of high-dose consumption of the arthritis pain reliever, Vioxx, doctors continued to prescribe the drug, and earlier this week Merck & Co., Inc announced the recall with the manufacturer's announcement that the drug is unsafe. Exercise Is Key To Reversing Obesity-Related Heart Risk in Children The arteries of overweight children act like those of middle-aged smokers, increasing their risk of an early heart attack or stroke.�But the damage can be reversed through diet and regular exercise, according to a report in an issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association. Even One Puff of Smoke Damages DNA Just one puff of a cigarette could damage a smoker's DNA, the first step to cancer and heart disease, researchers said. Lack of Activity More Dangerous to You than Being Obese? Keeping active may play a larger role in heart health than weight, according to results of a four-year study of more than 900 women. Allergen-Free Homes Won't Stop Kids' Asthma Reducing the levels of cat dander and dust mites in your home won't prevent your child from getting asthma, British researchers report. More Cranberry Juice Better Against Urinary Tract Infections Patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) often are told to drink cranberry juice to prevent future bladder problems. The advice is rather vague, since there's no data to show how much of the tart beverage people should drink for prevention's sake.