Monthly News Archives



		Physical Activity In Middle Age Determines Your Physical Ability Later In Life Researchers from the Peninsula Medical School in Exeter, UK, have concluded a study that proves a direct link between levels of physical activity in middle age and physical ability later in life -- regardless of body weight. Data On Food Antioxidants Aid Research Measures of the antioxidant capacities of 277 selected foods were released today by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists. The new database provides easy access to antioxidant values for a wide variety of foods, many of which may be excellent sources of healthful compounds. Personality Traits Influence Perceived Attractiveness A new study published in Personal Relationships examines the way in which perceptions of physical attractiveness are influenced by personality. Graveyard Shift Work Linked To Cancer Like UV rays and diesel exhaust fumes, working the graveyard shift will soon be listed as a "probable" cause of cancer. It is a surprising step validating a concept once considered wacky. And it is based on research that finds higher rates of breast and prostate cancer among women and men whose work day starts after dark. Low Testosterone Might Shorten Men's Lives Men aged 40 or over with low levels of testosterone may be at increased risk of fatal heart attacks or death from any cause, a British study suggests. You Could Lose Your Vision If You Have Too Many Of The 'Wrong' Carbs Consuming higher-than-average amounts of carbohydrates that cause blood sugar levels to spike and fall rapidly could be a risk factor for central vision loss with aging. Are You Being Unnecessarily Exposed To Radiation Because Of Doctor's Orders? Computed Tomography (CT) scans are an increasingly used X-ray-based tool for providing a three-dimensional view of a particular organ or tissue. The value of CT scanning to diagnose injury, cancer and other health problems is undisputed. But are these scans being used too frequently, in some cases unnecessarily? What are the health consequences of having too many CT scans over the course of a person's life? The Truth About Lying Getting away with lies seems less easy to do these days. There are e-mail trails and cellphone videos and rabid cable news networks with a nose for hypocrisy and double talk. There are video montages on YouTube of government officials blatantly contradicting themselves. Still, this doesn't mean a golden age of truth telling is at hand. Gender And Friendship Influence Alcohol Use Adolescents who drink alcohol, smoke and/or use drugs tend to have peers who do the same. A new study that looked at other factors which may moderate the influence of peers has found that gender, and gender of friends, can also affect this association. High Glycemic Index Diet May Boost Diabetes Risk Regular consumption of foods with a high glycemic index appears to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes in African-American and Chinese women, according to the results of two studies recently published. Sitting May Increase Risk Of Disease Researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia say a new model regarding physical activity recommendations is emerging. Is Your Doctor Prescribing A Harmful Imaging Exam While You're Pregnant? Pregnant women are receiving more high-tech imaging exams, exposing their babies to higher doses of radiation than a decade ago, a study said. Women Working In The City Have A Higher Breast Cancer Risk Women living and working in the city have a higher risk of breast cancer, researchers say. Materialism In Youth Linked To Self-Esteem In one of the first studies to focus on the development of materialism among children, a professor of marketing at the University of Minnesota�s Carlson School of Management, reveals that a young person�s level of materialism is directly connected to their self-esteem. The Big Holiday Depression Myth Most people have heard the bit of folk wisdom about how depression and suicide increase during the last two months of the year. The holidays can be stressful, no doubt about it: the crowds, the hassles, the cold weather, those annoying relatives you thankfully see only once a year. But what are the facts? Flu Shots Don't Reduce Flu Deaths A new study published in the October 2007 Lancet by researchers at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, concludes that influenza vaccinations in the US have prevented fewer deaths than indicated by previous research. Money Motivates -- Especially When Your Colleague Gets Less The feelings an individual has on receiving his paycheque depend critically on how much his colleague earns. Hard evidence for this comes from an experiment conducted by economists and brain scientists at the University of Bonn. Babies Prefer Good Samaritans In the first evidence of its kind to date, Yale researchers find that infants prefer individuals who help others to those who either do nothing, or interfere with others� goals, it is reported today in Nature. Environmental Toxins May Limit Fertility In Offspring Mothers who are exposed to certain toxic environmental compounds prior to pregnancy could limit their offspring's fertility, says a new study by researchers at U of T and Mount Sinai Hospital's Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute. Eating More Fish May Improve Seniors' Memory Misplaced your keys? Can't place that face? Study findings suggest that you may be able to lessen the frequency of these "senior moments' simply by eating more fish. And the more fish you eat, the bigger the effect, according to research conducted in Norway. Removing Tonsils Is Not Best For Kids Removing the tonsils of children with mild or moderate throat infections is more expensive and has fewer health benefits than simply watching and waiting, Dutch researchers said. Heart Disease Killing More Women Under 45 For decades, heart disease death rates have been falling. But a new study shows a troubling turn -- more women under 45 are dying of heart disease due to clogged arteries, and the death rate for men that age has leveled off. If You Want To Lose That Baby Weight, Get Some Sleep Researchers presented a conundrum to new mothers, says that women who want to lose the extra weight gained in pregnancy should try to get more sleep. Babies 'Show Social Intelligence' At the age of six months, most babies have barely learnt to sit up, let alone crawl, walk or talk. Most Physicians Aren't Prepared To Deal With Obesity Epidemic The soaring obesity rates across the globe have been called the most critical challenge to public health of the 21st century. A top university researcher argues that most physicians are not adequately prepared to deal with this obesity epidemic. Why Are Older Workers Less Stressed? With age come wisdom and less stress. Older individuals say they experience less work-related stress, according to a new survey that indicates the secret could be the absence of children at home.� We Need Exposure To The Sun To Prevent Endometrial Cancer Using newly available data on worldwide cancer incidence, researchers at the Moores Cancer Center at University of California, San Diego (UCSD) have shown a clear association between deficiency in exposure to sunlight, specifically ultraviolet B (UVB), and endometrial cancer. Brain Differences Found In People With Migraines People with migraines have differences in an area of the brain that helps process sensory information, including pain, according to a study published in the November 20, 2007, issue of Neurology. Early Sexual Activity May Curb Teen Delinquency Teens who start having sex at an early age may be less likely to engage in delinquent behavior in early adulthood than teens who wait until they're older to have sex, a new U.S. study finds. Environment Plays A Key Role In Your Child's Readiness For School A new study finds that children�s environment plays a major role in their readiness for school, suggesting that intervention could help boost readiness in at-risk youngsters. Drug Studies More Likely To Show Bias In Favor Of Funding Body Previous work has shown that, when a drug study was funded by the company that made that drug, the results might be biased in favour of that drug because the methods or analyses were manipulated. Good Night's Sleep Key to Strong Memories Scientists are finding new evidence that a good night's rest plays a crucial role in cementing memories formed during the day. Parents In The U.S. Now Being Forced To Vaccinate Kids Or Go To Jail The parents of thousands of students in the U.S could be facing jail time if they refuse a state's outdated but mandated law to vaccinate their children. People Who Fidget More Likely To Be Thin A specific molecule that predisposes mice or humans to fidget may also be linked to a decreased likelihood of obesity, according to a study conducted by scientists from Germany and the United States and published in the journal Cell Metabolism. Support From Family Affects Timing of Puberty In Girls Early puberty in girls has been found to negatively affect these teenagers� health in areas such as mood disorders, substance abuse, adolescent pregnancy, and cancers of the reproductive system. Given these findings, it is critical to understand why certain adolescents are at increased risk for early puberty in order to develop effective early intervention and prevention strategies for high-risk youths. What To Eat For Glowing Healthy Skin The old adage "you are what you eat" not only applies to our overall health and nutrition, but how our skin looks and feels as well. Low Vitamin D Levels Worsens Osteoarthritis Of The Knee Low vitamin D levels may cause greater knee pain and difficulty walking in patients with knee osteoarthritis, according to research presented recently at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Boston, Mass. Living Arrangements, Health And Well-Being: A European Perspective A new study, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), analysed the impact of living alone, with a spouse or with others on the health and happiness of older people and how it varies within Europe and in England and Wales. Citrus Juice, Vitamin C Adds Staying Power To Green Tea Antioxidants A study found that citrus juices enable more of green tea's unique antioxidants to remain after simulated digestion, making the pairing even healthier than previously thought. Breast-Feeding Cuts Food Allergy Risk Breast-feeding in the first three months of life appears to help shield children from developing food allergies. Positive Parenting Reduces Child Obesity One way to reduce the risk of childhood obesity could simply come down to positive parenting, according to a Temple University study published in the November issue of Child Abuse & Neglect. Drugs Are Not The Answer For ADHD Treating children who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) with drugs is not effective in the long-term, research has shown. Top Cause Of Painful Sex Explained Sex is supposed to be enjoyable, but for countless women suffering from vulvodynia, that's not the case. Characterized by pain or discomfort with sexual intercourse, rawness, stinging, itching and burning in the vagina or vulva, vulvodynia is a common condition, but it is often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. World Faces Choice On Human Cloning The world faces a stark choice between banning cloning of humans or preparing ways to protect them from potential abuse or discrimination, a U.N. study said. Healthy Diet Reduces Risk of Dementia More evidence that a diet rich in oily fish and vegetables can reduce the chances of dementia later in life has been uncovered by scientists. Thermography: A Safer Option for Breast Cancer Detection Thermography (also called thermology) is a little-known technique for breast cancer detection that's been available since the 1960s. It's non-invasive, non-toxic, and much safer than mammograms. Using an infrared camera to measure thermal emissions from the entire chest and auxiliary regions. The Rise And Fall of The Medicalization of Politics We have the opportunity to prevent disease, bring more fullness and joy to humanity than ever before. Will we rise to the challenge, or continue to allow the medicalization of politics to govern our health? Morphine-Like Substances Released During Exercise Protect Your Heart Endorphins and other morphine-like substances known as opioids, which are released during exercise, don't just make you feel good -- they may also protect you from heart attacks, according to University of Iowa researchers. Being Obese Or Overweight Linked To Higher Prostate Cancer Mortality Men who are overweight or obese when diagnosed with prostate cancer are at greater risk of death after treatment, according to a new study in the December issue of CANCER. Soy Can Cause, Contribute To And Even Accelerate The Growth Of Cancer Does soy prevent breast cancer or increase the risk? The debate heats up this month as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Emotional Eaters Have The Hardest Time With Dieting Emotional eaters -- people who eat when they are lonely or blue -- tend to lose the least amount of weight and have the hardest time keeping it off, U.S. researchers said. 40 Percent of People Worldwide Have No Access To Hygienic Toilets According to the World Health Organization, 40 percent of the globe, or 2.6 billion people, have no access to hygienic toilets. Yet Experts all agree that access to sanitary toilets are by far the most imperative public health measure to prevent deaths worldwide. Diet Of Walnuts, Blueberries Improves Cognition, Brain Function Junk food junkies take notice. What you eat does more than influence your gut. It also may affect your brain. Increasing evidence shows that mom was right: You should eat your vegetables, and your blueberries and walnuts, too. Caveman Diet Best Choice To Control Diabetes In the first controlled study of a Paleolithic (stone age) diet in humans, Lund University, Sweden, heralds the simple diet of the caveman as the best choice to control diabetes. Birth Control Pill Raises Risk of Heart Disease A troubling study from Belgium hints that long-term use of oral contraceptives � at least the high-estrogen ones sold decades ago � might increase the chances of having artery buildups that can raise the risk of heart disease. Vitamin D Helps Slow Aging A vitamin made when sunlight hits the skin could help slow down the aging of cells and tissues, say researchers. High-fat Diet Throws Off Body's Internal Clock Diets that are high in fat can shift the timing of the body�s internal clock, researchers report in the November issue of Cell Metabolism, a publication of Cell Press. Climate Change May Reduce Drinking Water For Coastal Communities As sea levels rise, coastal communities could lose up to 50 percent more of their fresh water supplies than previously thought, according to a new study from Ohio State University. Study Examines Various Links Between Weight and Cause of Death The association between weight and causes of death can vary considerably, with obesity associated with a significantly increased mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD), underweight associated with increased mortality from primarily non-cancer, non-CVD causes, and overweight associated with increased mortality from diabetes and kidney disease combined, but with reduced mortality from other non-cancer non-CVD causes of death. Relieve Stress and Pain By Floating Relaxation in large, sound- and light-proof tanks with high-salt water �floating �is an effective way to alleviate long-term stress-related pain. Study Has Surprising Results On Marijuana Use A study of more than 5,000 youngsters in Switzerland has found those who smoked marijuana do as well or better in some areas as those who don't, researchers said. Single Gene Influences IQ While Breastfeeding A single gene influences whether breastfeeding improves a child's intelligence, say London researchers. Lack of Sleep Leads To Fatter Kids Here's another reason to get the kids to bed early: More sleep may lower their risk of becoming obese. Researchers have found that every additional hour per night a third-grader spends sleeping reduces the child's chances of being obese in sixth grade by 40 percent. Blood Pressure Tougher to Tame in Winter It turns out blood pressure has a chill factor: Hypertension is harder to control in colder weather, heart experts say. Lifestyle Choices Critical To Your Risk of Cancer Weight management, exercise and proper nutrition are key to reducing your risk of cancer. And the earlier in life you adopt these practices, the better off you'll be, a new study suggests. Forget About Sausages and Lunchmeats: No Amount of Processed Meats Are Safe There is more evidence than ever that a person who weighs too much is more likely to develop cancer, a landmark report said. Sense Of Humor At Work Good Thing It is commonly believed that kidding around at work isn�t a good thing. Well, it is, says a University of Missouri-Columbia researcher, who has examined how workplace humor affects the working environment. New Fitness Guidelines For Promote A Healthier Heart The American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association have released new guidelines for physical activity that recommend that healthy adults ages 18 to 65 exercise a minimum of five days per week in order to promote health and prevent disease. Are You Hearing Things? New Study Might Explain Why Shhh! Did you hear that? The ghostly whispers that grab your attention could be the result of chit-chatting nerve cells in your ears that were there in the womb. Diet and Lifestyle Changes May Help Prevent Infertility Women who followed a combination of five or more lifestyle factors, including changing specific aspects of their diets, experienced more than 80 percent less relative risk of infertility due to ovulatory disorders compared to women who engaged in none of the factors. Weight Loss Should Not Be One Size Fits All There is no "one size fits all" when it comes to weight loss through exercise, says Queensland University of Technology behavioural scientist Neil King. Overweight Mothers Risk Having Hyperactive Children If a woman is overweight when she becomes pregnant, the probability is much greater that her child will evince ADHD-like symptoms when he/she reaches school age, according to a new Nordic study. Breast Milk Prevents Asthma In Children Later In Life Breast-feeding seems to protect children from asthma later in life, but only when the mother does not have the respiratory disorder herself, U.S. researchers said. Children At Increased Risk From Effects Of Global Climate Change There is broad scientific consensus that the earth's climate is warming, the process is accelerating, and that human activities are very likely the main cause. Children are often most vulnerable to adverse health effects from environmental hazards because they are not fully developed physically and psychologically.