Monthly News Archives



		More Fish Oil, Less Vegetable Oil, Better For Your Health Scientists have provided new evidence that using more fish oil than vegetable oil in the diet decreases the formation of chemicals called prostanoids, which, when produced in excess, increase inflammation in various tissues and organs. Many People Are Unnecessarily Worried About Hereditary Cancer People worry unnecessarily about cancer in their family because they do not realise only a small number of cancers are hereditary, a survey has found. Caffeine And Exercise Can Prevent Skin Cancer Regular exercise and little or no caffeine has become a popular lifestyle choice for many. But a new Rutgers study has found that it may not be the best formula for preventing sun-induced skin damage that could lead to cancer. Low to moderate amounts of caffeine, in fact, along with exercise can be good for your health. Electrical Power From Human Movement Two graduate students at MIT's School of Architecture and Planning want to harvest the energy of human movement in urban settings, like commuters in a train station or fans at a concert. Grandmothers "Extend Life" Women, not men, ensure the success of future generations, work suggests. Hidden Drug Industry Ties To Medical Research Still Widespread A new study showing that padded hip protectors didn't prevent fractures in the elderly has renewed questions about hidden drug industry ties to medical research. Good Nutrition Can Reverse Genetic Pre-Disposition To Obesity In a study by the Liggins Institute, Southampton University and AgResearch to be published this week in a United States journal, the researchers describe molecular changes that can occur after dietary intervention in early childhood. 'Yo-Yo' Weight Warning To New Mothers Mothers who gain or lose lots of weight between pregnancies could be putting their baby at risk, say experts. Study Predicts Who Is Better At Learning A Second Language Think you haven�t got the aptitude to learn a foreign language? New research led by Northwestern University neuroscientists suggests that the problem, quite literally, could be in your head. Is Obesity Contagious? A groundbreaking new study says obesity is contagious, spreading through social networks. Friends, more than family or neighbors, are the ones propagating the epidemic. Many 'Believe Myths' About Epilepsy Many people believe potentially harmful myths about epilepsy, a study from University College London suggests. Broccoli Decreases Risk Of Prostate Cancer Eating more cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower is associated with a reduced risk of aggressive prostate cancer. Diesel Pollution 'Clogs Arteries' Diesel fumes appear to combine with artery-clogging fats to raise the risk of heart disease, research suggests. Diet And Regular Soft Drinks Linked To Heart Disease Drinking more than one soft drink daily -- whether it's regular or diet -- may be associated with an increase in the risk factors for heart disease, Framingham researchers reported in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association. Essential Fatty Acids Even More Essential If You Drink Alcohol A new study has found that men who binge drink have substandard intake of n-3 fats, one of two types of EFAs, indicating poor dietary choices with negative long-term health consequences. Poor Diet In Pregnancy Causes Child Obesity The diets of pregnant women may have an important role in determining whether their children will be obese later in life, a new study suggests. Culture Influences Our Brain The brain's mirror neuron network responds differently depending on whether we are looking at someone who shares our culture, or someone who doesn't. Childhood Sun Exposure Lowers MS Risk People who spent more time in the sun as children may have a lower risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) than people who had less sun exposure during childhood, according to a recent study published in the latest issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Low-Carb Diets May Combat Metabolic Syndrome A low-carbohydrate diet helps people with a condition called metabolic syndrome, a collection of serious risk factors found in some obese individuals. Tea Does A Body Good A growing number of studies suggest such potential benefits from tea as improved mental alertness, lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, reduced blood pressure, lower risk of breast, colon, lung, ovarian and prostate cancer, as well as possible protection again Type 2 diabetes and maybe even help with weight loss. What Causes Heart Attacks? Anger really can trigger a heart attack. But then, so can getting sick, being too hot, being too cold, air pollution, lack of sleep, grief, overeating, natural disasters, exercise and sex. Evidence Is Mounting That Sunscreen Is Dangerous For Your Health In a new investigation of 785 name-brand sunscreens, an Environmental Working Group (EWG) found widespread evidence that many products on the market are not safe and effective, including one of every eight high-SPF sunscreens that does not protect from UVA radiation. More Research Highlights the Broad Health Benefits of Omega-3 Fish Oils Research on omega-3 fish oils keeps looking better and better: new studies have found that omega-3s fish oils can help with three catastrophic diseases -- Alzheimer's, heart failure, and cancer. Healthy Weight Link To Longevity Keeping a healthy weight may help people live longer by limiting brain exposure to insulin, say US scientists. Flavonoids In Orange Juice Make It A Healthy Drink Orange juice, despite its high caloric load of sugars, appears to be a healthy food for diabetics due to its mother lode of flavonoids, a study by endocrinologists at the University at Buffalo has shown. Organic Produce Prevents Disease People who choose organic fruits and vegetables to avoid pesticides and other chemicals may have another reason to buy organic. A new study finds that organically grown tomatoes have higher levels of flavonoids, which may protect against cardiovascular disease. Why The Placebo Effect Varies From Person To Person Why do some people experience a "placebo effect" that makes them feel better when they receive a sham treatment they believe to be real -- while other people don't respond at all to the same thing, or even feel worse? Fast Food Companies Are After Kids Online Fast food brands are getting around laws banning the promotion of unhealthy snacks online, research suggests. Fat Loss: Taking A Break While Exercising More Effective Than Non-Stop Exercising Taking a break in the middle of your workout may metabolize more fat than exercising without stopping, according to a recent study in Japan. Link Between Food Cravings And Weight Management Accepting food cravings and keeping them in check may be an important component of weight management, according to findings from the first six-month phase of a calorie-restriction study conducted at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (USDA HNRCA) at Tufts University. Insulin Resistance In Muscle An Indicator of Metabolic Syndrome Abdominal fat, the spare tire that many of us carry, has long been implicated as a primary suspect in causing the metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that includes the most dangerous heart attack risk factors: prediabetes, diabetes, high blood pressure, and changes in cholesterol. Walking Does Wonders For Your Health These days, it's easy for people to get confused about exercise -- how many minutes a day should they spend working out, for how long and at what exertion level? Conflicting facts and opinions abound, but one Mayo Clinic physician says the bottom line is this: walking is good, whether the outcome measurement is blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, joint problems or mental health. Valerian And Melatonin May Help You Sleep A study published in the July 1st issue of the journal SLEEP finds that large segments of the U.S. population use valerian or melatonin to treat their insomnia. Why Obese Are More Prone To Asthma Researchers say they may have worked out why the obese are more prone to asthma than those of normal weight. Move Just a Little, Live Longer If you don't exercise because you think you don't have the time or energy, here's a news flash: Those excuses no longer work. Weight Training Can Help Elderly Pumping a little iron can help elderly nursing home residents and heart failure patients gain strength for everyday life, the American Heart Association says, expanding on earlier advice. Overweight Kids Face Widespread Stigma Overweight children are stigmatized by their peers as early as age 3 and even face bias from their parents and teachers, giving them a quality of life comparable to people with cancer, a new analysis concludes. Late-Night Teens More Prone To Problems? A propensity for activities in the evening rather than in the morning may offer clues to behavioral problems in early adolescence, according to psychologists who have found that kids who prefer evenings are more likely to exhibit antisocial behavior, rule-breaking, and attention problems. How Food Manufacturers Trick Us With Deceptive Ingredient Lists Ingredient lists on food products are supposed to be designed to inform consumers about what's contained in the product. The reality is that these ingredient lists are frequently used by food manufacturers to deceive consumers and trick them into thinking products are healthier (or better quality) than they really are. Moles 'Good Indicator To Aging' The number of moles may offer an indication of how quickly the body ages, a study suggests. Prevent Toxins In The Kitchen Eating for longevity begins in the kitchen. You may be eating only organic, antioxidant-rich foods, but if you cooked your food on the toxic surface of your stovetop in a carcinogenic no-stick pan, you just might be doing more harm than good. Low Vitamin D Levels May Be Common In Healthy Children Many otherwise healthy children and adolescents have low vitamin D levels, which may put them at risk for many diseases. Western Diet Risky For Asian Women Asian women who eat a Western-style diet high in meat, white bread, milk and puddings may be at higher risk of breast cancer, research has suggested. Exercise In Elderly Improves Quality Of Life A new study appearing in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society compares the efficacy of three programs designed for reducing falls and improving quality-of-life among the elderly; education, home safety assessment and modification (HSAM) and exercise training. Muscular Men Have More Flings, Partners, Affairs Men who are more muscular than average are much more likely to have short-term affairs and multiple sex partners than their scrawnier peers, according to new UCLA research published in the August issue of the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. Fruit, Fish Help Teens Fight Asthma The vitamin C in fruit and the omega-3 fatty acids in fish could help tame teens' asthma symptoms, a new study finds. Can An Apple A Day Keep Asthma Away? A new study, published in the July issue of CHEST, shows that a low dietary intake of certain nutrients increases the likelihood of respiratory symptoms such as asthma, especially in teens who smoke. Who Chats More, Men or Women? New research challenges the notion � frequently communicated in major publications, broadcast media and popular entertainment � that women talk significantly more than men. Autism Can Be Diagnosed At Close To One Year Of Age In a study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, researchers from the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland found that autism can be diagnosed at close to one year of age, which is the earliest the disorder has ever been diagnosed. Will Losing Weight Make You Happy? The answer to happiness may include losing weight, and making more money, and a lot of other things, but one thing we all know is that if your goal is to be thin, you're likely to try any number of rapid weight loss remedies, and the likelihood of those remedies actually getting you to your 'ideal weight' (for more than a short period of time) is small. Yawning Helps You Stay Awake Yawning may appear the height of rudeness, but in fact your body is desperately trying to keep you awake, according to research from the US. Intelligent People Are More Patient In Financial Matters Assuming someone gave you the choice of 100 euros today or 150 euros in a year's time. Which sum would you take? The result of a study found that intelligent people prefer to wait for a higher return, rather than going for the money now. Why We Learn From Our Mistakes Psychologists from the University of Exeter have identified an 'early warning signal' in the brain that helps us avoid repeating previous mistakes. Scientific Medicine Is Often Scientific Deception Promoters of conventional medicine claim that all the drug marketing, drug approvals, surgical procedures, chemotherapy and all other treatments are based on "hard science." But is it really science? Many 'Still Ignorant About HIV' There is still widespread ignorance about HIV, particularly among young people, research has suggested. How Dietary Iron Is Used By Cells A four-year study on iron metabolism within cells, an essential process that impacts both iron deficiency and iron toxicity, conditions responsible for a multitude of human diseases, is underway at the University at Buffalo. Study Links Candy Cigarettes to Smoking Candy cigarettes predispose children who play with them to smoke the real things later, new research concludes. Psychiatrists Get The Most Gifts By Drug Companies As some US states begin to require that drug companies disclose their payments to doctors for lectures and other services, a pattern has emerged: psychiatrists earn more money from drug makers than doctors in any other specialty. Drinking Water Is Key to Kidney Stone Prevention Staying hydrated in the summer is important for many reasons, including prevention of kidney stones, says Dr. Gary Faerber, associate professor of urology at the University of Michigan Health System. Glucosamine Shows Little Benefit Against Arthritis Although millions of arthritis sufferers buy glucosamine supplements to ease their joint pain, there's still no convincing proof the product works, according to a major new analysis.