Monthly News Archives



		C.L.A. Supplements Can Help You Lose Weight It has been called a miracle pill, able to help you shed fat, lose weight and build muscle. It can be found in health food stores all over, but is C.L.A. — also known as conjugated linoleic acid — all it’s cracked up to be? Are You Easily Distracted? New Psychological Test Measures Distractibility People who are more easily distracted are at greater risk of being involved in accidents. A scientific indicator of how easily distracted you are has been designed by a UCL (University College London) psychologist. Antidepressant Use Boosts Fracture Risk A recent study found that people ages 50 and over who regularly took antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) had double the rate of fractures as people not using such medications. Other research points to depression itself as a source of endocrine changes that can damage bone. Aerobic Exercise Helps Maintain Muscle In Elderly A small but provocative study by medical researchers in Texas and California suggests that a simple, cost-free therapy appears to largely overcome the drop-off in insulin response experienced by the elderly: moderate aerobic exercise such as walking. EU Asks Industry To Fight Obesity Europe's food and drink industry could face new regulations if it does not try harder to tackle obesity, the European Commission has warned. Exercise Boosts 'Good' Cholesterol Levels Regular exercise seems to help boost levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the "good" cholesterol, say Japanese researchers. How Children Use Their Local Environment A joint project has found interesting differences in the way children's spatial behaviour changes depending on where they are, who they are with and what they are doing. Staying Overweight Prevents You From Getting The Most Out Of Exercise Overweight and obese people get less out of resistance training than leaner people do, researchers said in a study that suggests the overweight may have to try harder to get results. But it does not mean they should give up, said the researchers, who noted the differences were small. Apple Juice 'May Prevent Asthma' Children who drink plenty of apple juice may be less likely to develop asthma symptoms, say scientists. Experimental Therapy May 'Abolish' Arthritis Pain Early-stage research has found that a new gene therapy can nearly eliminate arthritis pain, and significantly reduce long-term damage to the affected joints, according to a study published today in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism. Intake Of Vitamin D And Calcium Associated With Lower Risk Of Breast Cancer Women who consume higher amounts of calcium and vitamin D may have a lower risk of developing premenopausal breast cancer, according to a new study. Personality More Important Than Job Satisfaction In Job Performance Success Job satisfaction has traditionally been thought of by most business managers to be key in determining job performance. The prevailing thought is if you are satisfied and happy in your work, you will perform better than someone who isn't happy at work. New Research Suggests Exercise Helps Reverse Aging We all know that exercise is good for us. It boosts circulation and tones the cardiovascular system. It builds strength, burns calories and reduces depression. It improves insulin sensitivity in people with diabetes. It may even help delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease. But here's what you didn't know: it can partially reverse aging at the cellular level. Inactive Kids Storing Up Illness For The Future A new University of Leicester study funded by the British Heart Foundation reveals that the level of physical inactivity among children today has reached epidemic levels. Low-Calorie Foods Lead To Healthy Weight Loss While most diets focus on foods you shouldn't eat, those that emphasize adding low-calorie foods, like fruits and vegetables, can promote healthy weight loss, new research shows. Hypnosis 'Can Ease Bowel Problems' Hypnotherapy could help people with severe irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), researchers say. Coffee Consumption May Lower Blood Uric Acid Levels High uric acid levels in the blood are a precursor of gout, the most common inflammatory arthritis in adult men. It is believed that coffee and tea consumption may affect uric acid levels but only one study has been conducted to date. Fish Oil Plus Exercise Sheds Body Fat People looking to shed body fat might want to follow their workouts with a few capsules of fish oil, if preliminary research is correct. Psychological Bullying Impacts Victims As Much As Physical Bullying Behavior that intentionally harms another individual, through the manipulation of social relationships (or ‘relational aggression’), is just as significant a concern for adolescent psychosocial development and mental health as physical bullying. Breast Cancer Patients Do Not Get Potentially Life-Saving Information New published data from a large pan-European survey indicate that the majority of postmenopausal women with early breast cancer taking post-surgical endocrine therapy are not involved in making key decisions about their treatment, nor are they given sufficient information to make informed treatment choices that could affect their long-term outcome. How Do Aging Brains Stay Young? A team at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, says the continual formation of new brain cells (neurons) in adults may help give their brains the same kind of learning ability seen in young people's brains. Vacuum Is Ineffective At Removing Dust New research has shown vacuum cleaning to be largely ineffective at removing dust mite allergen. Resistant Genes In Our Food Supply Could the food we eat be contributing to the continuing rise of antibiotic-resistant infections? Harmless and even beneficial bacteria that exist in our food supply may also be carrying genes that code for antibiotic resistance. Once in our bodies, could they transmit the resistance genes to disease-causing bacteria? High-Salt Diet Linked To Ulcers The bug that causes stomach ulcers may be more likely to cause disease when exposed to high concentrations of salt, a US team of researchers has said. Yoga Possible Treatment For Depression Researchers have found that practicing yoga may elevate brain gamma-aminobutyric (GABA) levels, the brain's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, suggesting that yoga be explored as a possible treatment for depression and anxiety, disorders associated with low GABA levels. How Will Global Warming Influence Infectious Diseases? As the Earth’s temperatures continue to rise, we can expect a signficant change in infectious disease patterns around the globe. Just exactly what those changes will be remains unclear, but scientists agree they will not be for the good. Computer Model Predicts Crowd Behavior Patterns of human behavior and movement in crowded cities -- the tipping point at which agitated crowds become anti-social mobs, the configuration of civic areas as defensible spaces that also promote free speech, the design of retail space that fosters active walking -- are at the core of an immersive 3-D computational model under development by an Arizona State University geographer. Whose Opinion Matters? Whether people are making financial decisions in the stock market or worrying about terrorism, they are likely to be influenced by what others think. And, according to a new study repeated exposure to one person's viewpoint can have almost as much influence as exposure to shared opinions from multiple people. Moore Film Attacks U.S. Health Care Director Michael Moore says the U.S. health care system is driven by greed in his new documentary "SiCKO," and asks of Americans in general, "Where is our soul?" Good Decision-Makers Made, Not Born, Study Suggests People who do well on a series of decision-making tasks involving hypothetical situations tend to have more positive decision outcomes in their lives, according to a study by decision scientists at Carnegie Mellon University and the RAND Corp. Obesity: Is It All In Your Genes? The genetics of obesity, is hot science these days. Massive research projects have uncovered dozens of gene culprits in the past few years, yielding hopeful avenues for treating the growing obesity epidemic. But this plethora of targets, many still poorly understood and rarely seen, is generating more questions than answers. 'Bigger The Baby, The Better' Is An Incorrect Axiom To Reduce Heart Disease Dr Rachel Huxley, lead author of the paper and Acting Director of Nutrition and Lifestyle at The George Institute said, "Although there was support for a small association between birth weight and an individual's future risk of heart disease, the relationship is not as strong as earlier studies have suggested. Dairy Council's Misleading And Deceptive Campaign On Weight Loss Will End A national advertising campaign that associates dairy products with weight loss will be curtailed because research does not support the claim, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Lipoic Acid Explored As Anti-Aging Compound Researchers said today they have identified the mechanism of action of lipoic acid, a remarkable compound that in animal experiments appears to slow down the process of aging, improve blood flow, enhance immune function and perform many other functions. Fatalistic Beliefs And Fear Cloud Actual Cancer Risk If you feel that you are fated for cancer, your belief could turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy. According to a national survey, a substantial number of American adults hold fatalistic beliefs about cancer and are correspondingly less likely to take basic steps to lower their cancer risk, such as exercising, quitting smoking and eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Hyperactivity And Academic Achievement Could Be Linked By Genetics Children who are hyperactive tend to do worse academically than their peers who are not hyperactive. New research shows that the tie may be due to genetic influences. Insulin Levels May Dictate Success With a Diet A diet slightly higher in fat and lower in processed carbohydrates -- such as refined cereals, white bread and white sugar -- may help people who secrete insulin at higher levels lose more weight than a low-fat, higher-carb plan. Anxiety Increases Risk Of Heart Attack Worried sick: We've all heard the phrase, but now there's new evidence that might really knit your brow. New research shows that highly anxious patients with heart disease face nearly double the risk of heart attack or death when compared to those with a more serene outlook on life. Obesity Increases Risk Of Injury On The Job Having a body mass index (BMI) in the overweight or obese range increases the risk of traumatic workplace injury, according to researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Omega-3, Vitamin D Levels Cut Risk of Eye Disease Eating plenty of fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids -- such as tuna and salmon -- may reduce the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration, a new study says. Full-Term, Low-Birth-Weight Babies At Higher Risk For Breathing Problems Through age 5, children born at full term with low birth weight show significantly greater risk for developing respiratory symptoms, including wheezing, coughing and pulmonary infections, according to a large longitudinal study on birth weight and development. 100% Of Pregnant Women Have Pesticides In Their Placenta Human beings are directly responsible for more than 110,000 chemical substances. This is especially worrying for pregnant women since current research shows that 100% of pregnant women have at least one pesticide in their placenta, but the average rate amounts to eight different kinds of chemical substances. Are Urban Parks The Answer To Global Warming? Scientists looking at the effect global warming will have on our major cities say a modest increase in the number of urban parks and street trees could offset decades of predicted temperature rises. Breastfeeding Advice 'Is Ignored' Fewer than one in a hundred women follow government advice to breastfeed exclusively for the first six months, figures show. Could Carrots Be The Secret To A Long Life And Sex Appeal? Researchers at the Universities of Glasgow and Exeter have found that eating certain plant substances can slow down the rate of aging - and that females prefer mates that will be long-lived. Switching To Organic Crops Helps Poor Organic food has long been considered a niche market, a luxury for wealthy consumers. But researchers told a U.N. conference Saturday that a large-scale shift to organic agriculture could help fight world hunger while improving the environment. No Link Between 100% Juice And Weight Gain In Children Drinking 100 percent juice won't boost young children's risk for becoming overweight, according to a U.S. study that looked at the dietary habits of 3,618 children, ages 2 to 11. Thin People May Be Fat Inside If it really is what's on the inside that counts, then a lot of thin people might be in trouble. Some doctors now think that the internal fat surrounding vital organs like the heart, liver or pancreas — invisible to the naked eye — could be as dangerous as the more obvious external fat that bulges underneath the skin. Taking Drugs/Aspirin As Risky As Dangerous Professions Taking an aspirin every day is nearly as risky as driving a car or working as a firefighter, researchers said. Psychological Sex Differences And Behavior Topic Of Study New evidence on sex differences in people's brains and behaviors emerges with the publication of a report from the British Broadcasting Corporation. Marital Sex Biggest HIV Risk For Women Around The World For a growing number of women in rural Mexico and around the world marital sex represents their single greatest risk for HIV infection. Caring For Sick Now A Public Health Priority For Developing Countries Of the 57 million people dying worldwide each year, 6 million deaths are caused by cancer and 3 million from HIV/AIDS, with the majority of both occurring in developing countries. Barbecue Lovers May Have Higher Breast Cancer Risk Postmenopausal women who like barbecued and smoked meat would be wise to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables too, a new study suggests. The 'Healthy Immigrant Effect' And Pregnancy Outcomes New immigrants to Western nations are believed to experience fewer chronic health problems (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease) than long-time residents of those countries. Spiritual Beliefs, Practices May Help Smokers Quit A study by Oregon Health & Science University Smoking Cessation Center researchers reveals many smokers are receptive to and may benefit from their own spiritual resources, when attempting to quit. Tea Drinkers May Have Lower Skin Cancer Risk People who unwind with a cup of tea every night may have a lower risk of two common forms of skin cancer, new research suggests. Multitasking Is Hardest In The Early Morning Multitasking seems to come easier for some and is virtually impossible for others, however new research shows that it is difficult for all in the late night and early morning. Early Baby Sex Test Over The Web A test is being sold on the internet that enables parents to check the sex of their unborn baby at just six weeks. Human Brain Breaks Down Events Into Smaller Units In order to comprehend the continuous stream of cacophonies and visual stimulation that battle for our attention, humans will breakdown activities into smaller, more digestible chunks, a phenomenon that psychologists describe as "event structure perception." Snacking Can Benefit Older Adults A nationally representative study of more than 2,000 people over age 65 found snacking is an "important dietary behavior" among older adults that can help ensure they consume enough calories in their diets, according to researchers at Auburn University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Vigorous Exercise Keeps People Thin with Age The old adage "use it or lose it" is truer than ever. People who maintain a vigorously active lifestyle as they age gain less weight than people who exercise at more moderate levels, according to a first-of-its-kind study. Diabetes May Cut Male Fertility Diabetes damages a man's sperm and may reduce fertility, say UK researchers. Eating Soup Will Help Cut Calories At Meals Eating low-calorie soup before a meal can help cut back on how much food and calories you eat at the meal, a new Penn State study shows. Lying Down May Help Breastfeeding Breastfeeding newborn babies lying down may boost the chances of success, UK research suggests. Literature Review Shows Spinal Manipulation Beneficial For Neck Pain A new literature review finds evidence that patients with chronic neck pain enrolled in clinical trials reported significant improvement following chiropractic spinal manipulation, according to a March/April 2007 report in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT). Caesarean Linked To Placenta Risk Women who have their first child by caesarean are more likely to have placenta-related problems in their second pregnancy, research suggests. Exercising Harder Keeps The Weight Off Longer People who consistently engage in high levels of exercise over the long haul are the most successful at losing weight and keeping it off, a new study shows. Weight Training Gets Workers With Rotator Cuff Injuries Back On The Job Resistance training, some of it job-specific, was successful in getting 90 percent of workers with severe rotator cuff injuries back to work, the majority (75 percent) at their previous job, after traditional physical therapy had failed to do so. Pistachios Lower Cholesterol, Provide Antioxidants A handful of pistachios may lower cholesterol and provide the antioxidants usually found in leafy green vegetables and brightly colored fruit, according to a team of researchers. Green Tea May Ease Arthritis Green tea, already touted for its cardiovascular and anticancer benefits, may also help ease the inflammation and pain of rheumatoid arthritis, a new study suggests. Drama Can Help Educate And Motivate, Research Shows Drama certainly has the power to entertain, but can it also change behavior? A play about substance abuse was successful at prompting audience members to participate in substance abuse prevention activities. Left-Handed Women May Have A Shorter Life-Span A study suggests that women who are left-handed have a higher risk of dying, particularly from cancer and cerebrovascular disease - damage to an artery in the brain or an artery that supplies blood to the brain.