Monthly News Archives



		Working the Night Shift Promotes Cancer The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is adding working the night shift to a list of possible carcinogens, after conducting an analysis of the existing research on the topic. Women Don't Notice 40% of Their Hot Flashes Women tend to miss almost half their menopause-related hot flashes, which are associated with memory problems, according to a University of Illinois at Chicago study that included 29 women with moderate to severe hot flashes. Brain's Adventure Centre Located Scientists have located a region of the brain that encourages humans to indulge in adventurous behaviour. Feeling Powerless Leads To Expensive Purchases Feeling powerless can trigger strong desires to purchase products that convey high status, according to new research. Natural Mosquito Repellent Made from Pine Oil A naturally-occurring compound prepared from pine oil that seems to deter mosquito biting and repels two kinds of ticks has been found by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists. Is Grief Addictive? Grief is universal, and most of us will probably experience the pain grief brings at some point in our lives, usually with the death of a loved one. In time, we move on, accepting the loss. 'Feeling Fat' Is Worse Than Being Fat The quality of life of adolescents who think they are too fat is worse than for adolescents who really are obese. This was a result of the all Germany Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) of the Robert Koch Institute. More Than 10% of Emergency Room Visits Are Caused By Pharmaceutical Drugs A Vancouver, Canada study has documented that 12% of emergency room (ER) visits were the direct result of problems with a pharmaceutical drug. The length of stay for those admitted to the hospital was significantly longer. Meditation Can Alter Your Brain There is growing evidence showing that meditation can make people healthier and happier. It may even increase life span, alter brain structure and change personality. Pedometers Really Work to Increase Daily Walking Exercise The use of pedometer to track daily walking goals actually leads to an increase in how much people walk, according to a meta-analysis conducted by researchers at Stanford Medical School and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. If You Want To Lose Weight, Eat A Big Breakfast Breakfast really could be the most important meal of the day when it comes to losing weight, claims a researcher. Can You Eat Better With Less Money? The less money you have, the better you can eat. Eating healthy doesn't have to break the bank, even in trying economic times. Lifestyle Can Alter Gene Activity A Finnish study of identical twins has found that physical inactivity and acquired obesity can impair expression of the genes which help the cells produce energy. The findings suggest that lifestyle, more than heredity, contributes to insulin resistance in people who are obese. Insulin resistance increases the chance of developing diabetes and heart disease. How Big Business Can Help Prevent The Obesity Crisis? According to the American Journal of Health Promotion, each obese employee costs their company 56% more for health insurance than each normal weight employee. This striking figure translates to millions of dollars a year and companies don't know what to do about it. One thing they think may help has to do with employee health and wellness programs. Positive School Environments Help Reduce Student Smoking A survey of high-school children in Scotland has shown that pupils who experience positive and inclusive social environments in schools are less likely to take up smoking. New research published in the open access journal BMC Public Health reveals that teachers who succeed in creating a positive environment in school may be responsible for their pupils staying smoke-free. Pets Can Improve Your Health and Aid in Recovery There is now evidence showing that domestic animals not only provide great companionship, but they can also help prevent illness. A recent study conducted by the University of Minnesota has highlighted the importance of regular contact with pets. The study showed that having a cat for a pet can reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke by just under 50 percent. Your Child's Stress Could Affect Their Allergy Risk Moving house or the separation of parents can significantly increase the risk of children developing allergies later on. These are the results from a long-term study correlating life-style, immune system development and allergies. Why Soccer Parents Rage Wonder if you could be one of "those" parents who rant and rage at their kid's soccer game? Well, you don't have to look much farther than your car's rearview mirror for clues. Are There Differences In The Brains Of Gay and Heterosexual? The brains of gay men and women look like those found in heterosexual people of the opposite sex, research suggests. Legal Drugs Kill Far More Than Illegal From "Scarface" to "Miami Vice," Florida's drug problem has been portrayed as the story of a single narcotic: cocaine. But for Floridians, prescription drugs are increasingly a far more lethal habit. Psoriasis Drugs Cause Cancer An experimental psoriasis drug from Johnson & Johnson may raise the risk of cancer, U.S. drug reviewers said in documents recently released. Osteoporosis Drugs Cause Severe Pain in Muscles, Joints and Bones The FDA has issued a new warning that a popular class of osteoporosis drugs may lead to severe, chronic and even permanent pain in muscles, joints and bones. Pharmaceutical Use Common Among Athletes Experts believe athletes and performers use a strange and alarming array of methods to keep themselves competitive in two of the most competitive careers in America, often at their own peril. Chemical Law Has Global Impact Europe this month rolled out new restrictions on makers of chemicals linked to cancer and other health problems, changes that are forcing U.S. industries to find new ways to produce a wide range of everyday products. Start Protecting Your Health Now, Your Body Will Thank You Later In his famous poem, "Do not go gentle into that good night," Dylan Thomas urges us to "Rage, rage against the dying of the light." Researchers are now backing up this counsel in the lab; showing just how "raging" against threats to one's health is critical to good health and survival in late life. More Benefits of Probiotics Probiotic products, are usually consumed by the general, healthy population but not much is known about how probiotics exert their health effects. But one of the most probable action mechanisms is the modulation of immune responses via the gut's mucosal immune system. U.S. Ranks Last In Preventive Medicine The United States ranks worst among developed nations in the number of preventable deaths, according to a study conducted by researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and published in the journal Health Affairs. Vitamin D Prevents Heart Failure Strong bones, a healthy immune system, protection against some types of cancer: Recent studies suggest there's yet another item for the expanding list of Vitamin D benefits. Vitamin D, "the sunshine vitamin," keeps the heart, the body's long-distance runner, fit for life's demands. Lack Of Sleep Reduces Your Productivity And Exposes You To Health Risks The pace of life gets faster and faster, and people try to cram more and more into every minute of the day. Light Therapy Benefits New Moms Bright light therapy may improve a mother's nocturnal sleep, decrease daytime sleepiness and be beneficial to her well-being, according to a research abstract that will be presented at SLEEP 2008, the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS). A Happy Marriage Means Sound Sleep Trouble in your marriage can cause trouble in bed, but not necessarily the kind of trouble that first comes to mind. Is Age-Related Hearing Impairment Preventable? Is some deafness avoidable? Hearing loss is usually accepted as an unavoidable side effect of aging, but new research suggests that lifestyle has a greater influence than previously thought. Green Tea Extract Effective For HPV A botanical ointment containing sinecatechins, a green tea extract, is an effective and well tolerated treatment for external genital and anal warts, results of a controlled study confirm. Optimists Enjoy Better Health and Live Longer Is it half full or half empty? We now have proof that positive thinking will add years to our lives. A study published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings has revealed the difference between optimists and pessimists is around 12 years of life! Bottling Up Emotions Can Be Better Contrary to popular notions about what is normal or healthy, new research has found that it is OK not to express one's thoughts and feelings after experiencing a collective trauma, such as a school shooting or terrorist attack. Do Arthritis Drugs Cause Cancer? The Food and Drug Administration said that it was investigating whether four drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other immune system diseases might increase the risk of cancer in children. Why Talking On Cells Phones And Driving Don't Mix The study looked at how having a conversation with someone who is not present competes with those parts of the brain needed to perform visual tasks. Global View Supports Concept of Using Sunshine To Reduce Your Disease Risk Sun exposure and vitamin D levels play a strong role in risk of type 1 diabetes in children, according to new findings by researchers at the Moores Cancer Center at University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine. Vigorous Exercise Benefits The Heart Short bursts of high intensity sprints--known to benefit muscle and improve exercise performance--can improve the function and structure of blood vessels, in particular arteries that deliver blood to our muscles and heart, according to new research from McMaster University. Is Tap Water Safe During Pregnancy? Drinking water disinfected by chlorine while pregnant may increase the risk of having children with heart problems, cleft palate or major brain defects, according to a study published today in BioMed Central's open access journal Environmental Health. The Mainstream Media Misinforms The Public On The Health Benefits of Vitamins If you've been reading the health headlines in the mainstream media recently, you might have come to the conclusion that vitamins are the most dangerous thing you could possibly consume. Headlines declare antioxidants to be useless, vitamin C to be dangerous and vitamin E to be deadly! Antioxidant In Red Wine Keeps Hearts Young How, scientists wonder, do the French get away with a clean bill of heart health despite a diet loaded with saturated fats? The answer to the so-called "French paradox" may be found in red wine. More specifically, it may reside in small doses of resveratrol, a natural constituent of grapes, pomegranates, red wine and other foods, according to a new study by an international team of researchers. Fired Health Canada Scientist Exposes Dangers of Vaccines and Antibiotics Dr. Shiv Chopra, PhD, must be fire-proof. As a vaccine and drug regulator for Health Canada for nearly forty years, he evaluated every red-hot topic in public health and tried to protect us from unsafe drugs, vaccines, and agricultural practices, that is until he was fired for protecting the health of Canadians. Are Some People Allergic To Wireless? Those who claim to have electromagnetic hypersensitivity can experience fatigue, headaches, muscle pain, and other debilitating symptoms to the point where they cannot be in a building or area with wireless Internet. Good News In Our DNA: Defects You Can Fix With Vitamins And Minerals University of California, Berkeley, scientists, however, have found a welcome reason to delve into your genetic heritage: to find the slight genetic flaws that can be fixed with remedies as simple as vitamin or mineral supplements. Sunscreen Causes Cancer! Given the fact that just about everything you put on your skin gets absorbed into your bloodstream, it is interesting that there is a complete lack of regulation of cancer-causing ingredients in skin care products. There are over 150 toxic cancer-causing ingredients currently used in cosmetic products alone. Exercise Cuts Cancer Death In Men Men who exercise often are less likely to die from cancer than those who don't exercise, according to a new study from the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet. Slow Breathing Can Transform Your Health Have you ever tried slowing down your breath? What is the fewest number of breaths that you can take in one minute? When you breathe deeply and slowly, can you feel your mind relaxing? You may be surprised to discover many benefits for your body and mind from breathing slowly. It may in fact be one of the most important things you can do.