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Medical News Powered by Newswise.com
Mental
Disorders in Parents Linked to Autism in Children Parents of
children with autism were roughly twice as likely to have
been hospitalized for a mental disorder, such as schizophrenia, than
parents of other children, according to an analysis of Swedish birth and
hospital records by a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
researcher and colleagues in the U.S. and EuropePediatrics, 5-May-2008
--University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/540280/?sc=mwtn
Calm
the Heart to Stop a Stroke? Researchers
estimate that about 20 percent of all strokes are caused
by atrial fibrillation, a chaotic electrical heart rhythm that occurs in
as many as 2.2 million Americans. Fortunately, there are many treatment
options available for people with AF, including a new device under
investigation at the U-M Cardiovascular Center.
--University of Michigan Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/540340/?sc=mwtn
Common
Drugs Linked to Impaired Physical Function in Older Adults Older adults
who take drugs designed to block the neurotransmitter
acetylcholine - including common medications for incontinence, high blood
pressure and allergies - are more likely to be dependent in one or more
activities of daily living and to walk slower, according to new findings
from researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and
colleagues. American Geriatrics Society
--Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/540255/?sc=mwtn
Early
Treatment of Stomach Infection May Prevent Cancer Based on
research using a new mouse model of gastritis and stomach
cancer, researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
say that prompt treatment of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections
reverses damage to the lining of the stomach that can lead to cancer.
Cancer Research, 1-May-2008
--American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/540217/?sc=mwtn
Tree
Lined Streets Mean Lower Rates of Childhood Asthma Children who
live in tree lined streets have lower rates of asthma,
suggests research published ahead of print in the Journal of Epidemiology
and Community Health. J. of Epidemiology and Community Health
--British Medical Journal
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/540207/?sc=mwtn
Prozac May Help to Curb Disease Activity in Multiple Sclerosis The antidepressant Prozac may help to curb disease activity in the
relapsing remitting form of multiple sclerosis (MS), reveals preliminary
research published ahead of print in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery
and Psychiatry. J. of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry
--British Medical Journal
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/540208/?sc=mwtn
Three
Out of Four American Women Have Disordered Eating Sixty-five
percent of American women between the ages of 25 and 45
report having disordered eating behaviors, according to the results of a
SELF Magazine and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill survey. An
additional 10 percent of women report symptoms consistent with eating
disorders such as anorexia.
Disorders cut across racial and generational lines. --University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/540002/?sc=mwtn
Benefits of Omega-3s Still Unclear for Bipolar Disorder Despite
intriguing findings that omega-3 fatty acid supplements could
alleviate depression symptoms, there is still not enough evidence to say
whether omega-3s are useful treatments for people with bipolar disorder,
according to a review of recent studies.
Cochrane Library
--Health Behavior News Service
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/540021/?sc=mwtn
Lumbar
Supports Not Particularly Effective for Low Back Pain Lumbar or lower back supports -- those large belts that people wear
around their waists when they lift or carry heavy objects -- are not very
useful for preventing low back pain, according to a new systematic review.
Cochrane Library
--Health Behavior News Service
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/540019/?sc=mwtn
A
Healthy Breakfast May Protect Against Heart Disease Breakfast is
more than just an eye-opener that helps you transition
from sleep to the day ahead. Eating breakfast, especially one that
includes whole grains, reduces your risk for heart attack, stroke, type 2
diabetes, and heart failure, reports the May 2008 issue of the Harvard
Heart Letter.
--Harvard Heart Letter
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/540035/?sc=mwtn
Diabetes: A Cardiac Condition? The
relationship between diabetes and cardiovascular disease is
growing ever-increasingly apparent, requiring experts to address the
growing concerns of diabetes patients. But what is the true nature of this
relationship? This issue will be examined at the American Association of
Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) 17th Annual Meeting & Clinical Congress,
at 2:15 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2008, at the Walt Disney World Dolphin
Resort in Orlando.
--American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/539973/?sc=mwtn
High
Anxiety? Right now,
about half of all people who take medicine for an anxiety
disorder don't get much help from it. And doctors have no definitive way
to predict who will benefit from each prescription they write. But
scientists are working to bring more certainty to how anxiety is treated,
by probing the connection between brain activity, genetics and medication.
J. of Neuroscience, 5-Mar-2008
--University of Michigan Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/539960/?sc=mwtn
The Top
10 Functional Food Trends in America Foods that may
provide a health benefit beyond basic nutrition,
identified as functional foods, are becoming a key part of everyday life,
according to a new article appearing in Food Technology, a publication of
the Institute of Food Technologists.
--Institute of Food Technologists (IFT)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/539944/?sc=mwtn
Considering Weight Loss Surgery? What You Need to Know According to
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 66
percent of all U.S. adults are overweight or obese. Faced with conditions
of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes, many Americans are
shopping for bariatric surgery to help manage these conditions and, in
some cases, cure them. What should a consumer look for in a bariatric
program? Here are five tips from Nick Nicholson, M.D.
--Baylor Health Care System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/539447/?sc=mwtn
New
Hybrid Hearing Device Being Tested, Combines Advantages of Hearing
Aids, Implants A new hybrid hearing aid/cochlear implant device designed for
patients who can benefit from both is being evaluated by UT Southwestern
Medical Center otolaryngologists, as part of a multisite, national study.
--UT Southwestern Medical Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/539914/?sc=mwtn
High
Cholesterol in Your 40s Increases Risk of Alzheimer's Disease People with high cholesterol in their early 40s are more likely to
develop Alzheimer's disease than those with low cholesterol, according to
research that will be presented at the upcoming American Academy of
Neurology 60th Anniversary Annual Meeting in Chicago, April 12-19, 2008.
American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting, April 12-19, 2008, Chicago
--American Academy of Neurology (AAN)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/539200/?sc=mwtn
Alzheimer's Starts Earlier for Heavy Drinkers, Smokers Heavy drinkers and heavy smokers develop Alzheimer's disease years
earlier than people with Alzheimer's who do not drink or smoke heavily,
according to research that will be presented at the American Academy of
Neurology 60th Anniversary Annual Meeting in Chicago, April 12-19, 2008.
American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting, April 12-19, 2008, Chicago
--American Academy of Neurology (AAN)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/539205/?sc=mwtn
Is Bottled Water
Any Better than Tap Water? How
much do you spend on bottled water? If you buy certain brands
thinking the water is cleaner or safer, experts say you may as well be
pouring money down the drain. When it comes to some brands of bottled
water versus tap--there may not be a sip of difference.
--Baylor Health Care System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/539446/?sc=mwtn
How What and How
Much We Eat (And Drink) Affects Our Risk of Cancer A
healthy diet and lifestyle protect against a wide range of
diseases, and new research presented at the AACR 2008 Annual Meeting,
April 12-16, shows that cancer is no exception. Researchers demonstrate
how excessive alcohol drinking could lead to an increased risk of breast
cancer, how consuming too many calories may increase one's risk for
melanoma, and why with folic acid, timing is everything for colon cancer
prevention. AACR Annual Meeting 2008
--American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/539532/?sc=mwtn
Outsmart the Summer
Sun at Any Age
Simple Tips to Keep Skin Safe This Summer from The University of
Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.
--University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/539733/?sc=mwtn
Diabetes in
Mid-Life Linked to Increased Risk of Alzheimer's Disease Men
who develop diabetes in mid-life appear to significantly increase
their risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to a long-term
study published in the April 9, 2008, online issue of Neurology, the
medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology, 9-Apr-2008
--American Academy of Neurology (AAN)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/539278/?sc=mwtn
Experimental
Treatment for Type 1 Diabetes Patients Shows Promise New
research monitoring the effects of Islet cell transplantation
resulted in near-normal metabolic control and decreased hypoglycemia. This
research will be presented at the American Association of Clinical
Endocrinologists (AACE) 17th Annual Meeting & Clinical Congress, on
Friday, May 16th, at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort in Orlando.
American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) 17th Annual
Meeting & Clinical Congress
--American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/539604/?sc=mwtn
Adults Who Eat
Apples, Drink Apple Juice Have Lower Risk for Metabolic
Syndrome
Apple product consumers likely to have lower blood pressure, trimmer
waistlines, and more nutrient dense diets. Experimental Biology 2008
--US Apple Association
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/539476/?sc=mwtn
Childhood
Maltreatment Linked to Adult Inflammation, Depression A
history of neglect or abuse in childhood appears to be associated
with depression and inflammation in adulthood, a combination that may
increase cardiovascular risk, according to a report in the April issue of
Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Archives of General Psychiatry, Apr-2008
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/539443/?sc=mwtn
Study Suggests
Genetic Factors Associated With Common Fears
Genetic factors that are associated with fears appear to change as
children and adolescents age, with some familial factors declining in
importance over time while other genetic risk factors arise in adolescence
and adulthood, according to a report in the April issue of Archives of
General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. (Archives of General
Psychiatry
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/539444/?sc=mwtn
New Study Finds
Anticipating a Laugh Reduces Stress Hormones In
2006, researchers investigating the interaction between the brain,
behavior, and the immune system found that simply anticipating a mirthful
laughter experience boosted health-protecting hormones. Now, two years
later, the same researchers have found that the anticipation of a positive
humorous laughter experience also reduces potentially detrimental stress
hormones. 121st annual meeting of the American Physiological Society (APS); part
of
the Experimental Biology Conference
--American Physiological Society (APS)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/538982/?sc=mwtn
Tart Cherries May
Reduce Heart/Diabetes Risk Factors
Tart cherries may have more than just good taste going for them,
according to new animal research. Rats that received whole tart cherry
powder mixed into a high-fat diet didn't gain as much weight or build up
as much body fat, and their blood showed much lower levels of indicators
of the kind of inflammation that has been linked to heart disease and
diabetes.
Experimental Biology 2008
--University of Michigan Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/539490/?sc=mwtn
Red
Wine, Tea, May Help Regulate Blood Sugar in Type 2 Diabetics Food scientists
have found that certain antioxidants found in red
wine and tea may help regulate the blood sugar of people with type 2
diabetes by inhibiting the action of alpha-glucosidase that controls the
absorption of glucose from the small intestine, and protect the body from
complications such as high blood pressure and heart disease.
Journal of Food Biochemistry, Feb-2008
--University of Massachusetts Amherst
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/539273/?sc=mwtn
Trans
Fat: Why It's Time to Eliminate This Dietary Villain Trans fats are
a cholesterol double whammy. Also known as trans-fatty
acids, trans fats raise low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol
and lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL or "good") cholesterol.
--Mayo Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/539332/?sc=mwtn
Chemo-induced Anemia Ups Risk of Local Breast Cancer Recurrence Patients with
breast cancer who developed anemia during chemotherapy
had nearly three times the risk of local recurrence as those who did not,
according to a study published in the April 1 issue of Clinical Cancer
Research} a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Clinical Cancer Research, 1-Apr-2008
--American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/539035/?sc=mwtn
Softer
Beds May Help Low Back Pain: Differences Are Small; Hard Mattresses
May Make Back Pain Worse For patients
with low back pain, sleeping on softer types of beds
that confirm to the body may lead to improvements in pain and sleep,
reports a study in the April 1 issue of Spine. Spine, 1-Apr-2008
--Wolters Kluwer Health: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/539178/?sc=mwtn
Statin
Can Reduce Plaques That Cause Heart Attack New research
shows that an aggressive statin regimen can reduce the
dangerous plaque that clogs arteries, causing heart attacks. Results were
presented today at the American College of Cardiology Scientific Session
in Chicago and were published today in Circulation, a journal of the
American Heart Association. ACC: American College of Cardiology Scientific
Sessions
--Methodist Hospital, Houston
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/539145/?sc=mwtn
A Link Between Antidepressants and Type 2 Diabetes
University of
Alberta researcher Lauren Brown has found people with
depression are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Brown's
results discovered the risk of diabetes almost doubled for those who were
Certain
Vitamin Supplements May Increase Lung Cancer Risk, Especially in
Smokers Vitamin
supplements do not protect against lung cancer, according to
a study of more than 77,000 vitamin users. In fact, some supplements may
even increase the risk of developing it.
Low-Fat
Diets More Likely to Reduce Risk of Heart Disease Than Low-Carb
Diets Low-fat diets
are more effective in preserving and promoting a
healthy cardiovascular system than low-carbohydrate, Atkins'-like diets,
according to a new study by researchers at the Medical College of
Wisconsin in Milwaukee.
The study, is published in the February edition of the scientific journal
Hypertension.
Hypertension: J. of the Am. Heart Association, Feb-2008
--Medical College of Wisconsin
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/538239/?sc=mwtn
Broccoli Sprouts May Protect Against Bladder Cancer A concentrated
extract of freeze dried broccoli sprouts cut
development of bladder tumors in an animal model by more than half,
according to a report in the March 1 issue of Cancer Research, a journal
of the American Association for Cancer Research. Cancer Research, 1-Mar-2008
--American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/538042/?sc=mwtn
Does
Gingko Biloba Affect Memory? Taking the
supplement ginkgo biloba had no clear-cut benefit on the
risk of developing memory problems, according to a study published in the
February 27, 2008, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the
American Academy of Neurology. Neurology, 27-Feb-2008
--American Academy of Neurology (AAN)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/538007/?sc=mwtn
Intranasal Insulin May Lower Food Intake in Men, Improve Memory Function
in Women Insulin
administered intranasally, acutely decreases food intake in
men but not women and in contrast, the compound improves memory function
in women but not men according to a new study accepted for publication in
the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).
J. of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Apr-2008
--Endocrine Society
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/537944/?sc=mwtn
Overcoming an Eating Disorder: a Glimpse Into One Woman's Journey Worrying about
weight might seem like a common occurrence in our
image-obsessed society. For some people, the worry takes over in the form
of an eating disorder, ruling almost every waking moment. Persons with
eating disorders spend up to 90 percent of their day obsessing about their
appearance, say treatment professionals with the Eating Disorders Program
at The Menninger Clinic in Houston.
--Menninger Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/537850/?sc=mwtn
Too
Much Fast Food and Too Little Exercise Harm the Liver Too much fast
food and too little exercise can harm the liver,
reveals a small study published ahead of print in the journal Gut.
Gut
--British Medical Journal
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/537710/?sc=mwtn
Probiotic Cuts Respiratory Illness Rates in Endurance Athletes The probiotic Lactobacillus substantially cuts the rate and length of
respiratory illness in professional long distance runners, reveals a small
study published ahead of print in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
British J. of Sports Medicine
--British Medical Journal
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/537711/?sc=mwtn
What's
Good for the Heart May be Good for the Prostate Men who eat a diet low in fat and red meat but high in vegetables and
lean protein and who drink alcohol in moderation may not just be doing
their hearts a favor. A new study shows that such a heart-healthy diet may
also be good for the prostate.
Am. J. of Epidemiology
--Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/537733/?sc=mwtn
One
Drink of Red Wine Or Alcohol Is Relaxing to Circulation, but Two
Drinks Are Stressful One drink of
either red wine or alcohol slightly benefits the heart
and blood vessels, but the positive effects on specific biological markers
disappear with two drinks, say researchers at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre
of the Toronto General Hospital.
Am. J. of Physiology: Heart and Circulatory Physiology, Feb-2008
--University Health Network (UHN)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/537678/?sc=mwtn
Why So
Many Children Are on the Road to Heart Disease We teach our
children how to walk, talk and go to the bathroom, but
do we teach them how to eat right? National statistics show that many of
us do not. According to the American Obesity Association, an alarming 15.5
percent of children between the ages of six and 11 are considered obese,
putting them on a collision course with the nation's biggest killer: heart
disease.
--Baylor Health Care System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/537658/?sc=mwtn
How to
be Heart Smart with Your Shopping Cart What you eat
can have huge impact on your heart health. That's why
it's important to read labels before putting food in your grocery cart. To
help, a University of Michigan nutrition expert offer tips on what to look
for on food packages to ensure you're buying heart-healthy items.
--University of Michigan Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/537292/?sc=mwtn
Diet,
Exercise Can Put Kids on a Path to a Healthy Heart Millions of
kids today may face heart disease in the future,
especially if heart disease runs in the family. But University of Michigan
Cardiovascular Center experts say parents can act now to change their
children's diet and exercise regime to put them on a better path to a
healthy heart.
--University of Michigan Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/537296/?sc=mwtn
Sugary
Soft Drinks Linked to Increased Risk of Gout in Men Consumption of
sugar sweetened soft drinks and fructose is strongly
associated with an increased risk of gout in men, finds a study published
on bmj.com today. --British Medical Journal
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/537341/?sc=mwtn
Bacon,
Eggs, Toast: As Many Omega-3s As A Piece of Salmon? Many of the
foods we eat every day, including eggs and bacon, used to
be full of Omega-3s and other essential nutrients -- when the animals they
came from were eating grass, insects, and other green foods. Now our
livestock eat mostly seeds and grains.
--Axel F. Bang PR & Marketing
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/537348/?sc=mwtn
Intensive Education Helps Back Pain Sufferers Get Back to Work People who
suffer from short-term lower back pain might be able to
return to work sooner if given an intensive individual patient education
session from their health care provider, according to a new review from
researchers in the Netherlands.
Cochrane Library
--Health Behavior News Service
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/537282/?sc=mwtn
Tips
for Dry Winter Skin What
ingredients should you look for in a moisturizer?
Well-controlled studies are few and far between. And despite the long
lists of obscure ingredients, all moisturizers help with dry skin for a
pretty simple reason: they supply water to the skin and contain a greasy
substance that holds it in, reports the February 2008 issue of the Harvard
Health Letter.
--Harvard Health Letter
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/537275/?sc=mwtn
Sedentary Lifestyles Associated With Accelerated Aging Process Individuals who
are physically active during their leisure time
appear to be biologically younger than those with sedentary lifestyles,
according to a report in the January 28 issue of Archives of Internal
Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Salsalate May Help Reduce Risk for Diabetes, Heart Disease An
anti-inflammatory drug similar to aspirin may provide an
inexpensive means of treating and/or reducing the risk for diabetes in
obese young adults by reducing glycemia and lowering inflammation, a study
being published in the February issue of Diabetes Care finds.
Diabetes Care, Feb-2008
--American Diabetes Association (ADA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/537175/?sc=mwtn
Modified Atkins Diet May Cut Epileptic Seizures in Adults A modified version of a popular high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet
can significantly cut the number of seizures in adults with epilepsy, a
study led by Johns Hopkins researchers suggests. The Atkins-like diet,
which has shown promise for seizure control in children, may offer a new
lifeline for patients when drugs and other treatments fail or cause
complications.
Epilepsia, 2/2008
--Johns Hopkins Medicine
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/537221/?sc=mwtn
Virtual Reality Teaches Autistic Children to Cross Streets Safely Recent research conducted in the Department of Occupational Therapy
at the University of Haifa found that children with autism improved their
road safety skills after practicing with a unique virtual reality system.
--University of Haifa
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/537223/?sc=mwtn
Anti-Inflammatory Drug May Prevent Type 2 Diabetes Researchers at the Joslin Diabetes Center are reporting that an
inexpensive anti-inflammatory drug similar to aspirin, salsalate, may
prevent type 2 diabetes by lowering blood glucose and reducing
inflammation.
Diabetes Care, Feb-2008
--Joslin Diabetes Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/537225/?sc=mwtn
Allergic Disease Linked to Irritable Bowel Syndrome In a study of
125 adults, investigators at Rush University Medical
Center, Chicago, found the likelihood of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
was significantly higher in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (2.67
times), patients with allergic eczema (3.85 times), and patients with
depression (2.56 times), suggesting a link between atopic disorders and
IBS.
Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
--American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/537153/?sc=mwtn
OTC
Cough Medicine: Not Worthwhile for Children or Adults? Alert parents
know that small children should not take
over-the-counter cough medications. Now researchers say the stuff might
not help adults much, either. Cochrane Library
--Health Behavior News Service
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536793/?sc=mwtn
Cranberries Might Help Prevent Urinary Infections in Women Evidence
supports drinking cranberry juice -- a familiar home remedy
-- to treat urinary tract infection (UTI), according to a new review from
Scotland. Cochrane Library
--Health Behavior News Service
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536794/?sc=mwtn
Herbal
Remedy Useful for Heart Failure Adding another twist to the ongoing debate over the value of an
herbal treatment for patients with heart failure, a new review of existing
research suggests that hawthorn extract "significantly" improves symptoms.
Cochrane Library
--Health Behavior News Service
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536797/?sc=mwtn
Whole
Grain Foods Might Reduce Diabetes Risk, But Evidence Weak Many have touted whole grain foods as a way to prevent type 2
diabetes, and a new review finds a reduction in risk for people who
consume a diet high in unrefined grains. However, the authors caution that
more research is necessary before scientists can confirm a causal
relationship. Cochrane Library
--Health Behavior News Service
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536924/?sc=mwtn
Findings Suggest Link Between Vitamin E and Subsequent Decline in Physical
Function for Older Adults Low serum
concentration of vitamin E, an indication of poor
nutrition, is associated with physical decline for older persons,
according to a study in the January 23 issue of JAMA. JAMA, 23-Jan-2008
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/537029/?sc=mwtn
Newer,
Stronger Evidence Caffeine Increases Miscarriage Risk High doses of
daily caffeine during pregnancy - whether from coffee,
tea, caffeinated soda or hot chocolate -- cause an increased risk of
miscarriage, according a new study by the Kaiser Permanente Division of
Research. The study controlled, for the first time, pregnancy-related
symptoms of nausea, vomiting and caffeine aversion that tended to
interfere with the determination of caffeine's true effect on miscarriage
risk. Am. J. of Obstetrics and Gynecology
--Kaiser Permanente
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536954/?sc=mwtn
The
Missing Link Between Belly Fat and Heart Disease? Overweight
people have a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes and
other problems that arise from clogged, hardened arteries. Now, a new
study in mice gives the first direct evidence of why this link might exist
- and a tantalizing look at how it might be broken.
Circulation
--University of Michigan Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/537073/?sc=mwtn
Why
High-Protein, Low-Fat, and Low-Carbohydrate Diets Suppress Hunger Many popular
diet plans are based on changing the proportion of
carbohydrates, proteins, and fats one ingests as a method to promote
weight loss. A new study accepted for publication in the Journal of
Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM) could shed light on potential
mechanisms by which various diets promote weight loss. J. of Clinical
Endocrinology and Metabolism, Apr-2008
--Endocrine Society
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536948/?sc=mwtn
Calcium
and Vitamin D Prevents Bone Loss The combination
of calcium and vitamin D is more effective than
calcium alone in preventing bone loss in elderly women, according to a new
study accepted for publication in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology &
Metabolism (JCEM). J. of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
--Endocrine Society
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536945/?sc=mwtn
Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs May Not Prevent Alzheimer's Disease Contrary to
some reports, taking statins, which are
cholesterol-lowering drugs, offers no protection against Alzheimer's
disease, according to research published in the January 16, 2008, online
issue of Neurology. Neurology, 16-Jan-2008
--American Academy of Neurology (AAN)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536732/?sc=mwtn
Gene
Markers Located for Hereditary Prostate Cancer Researchers
have identified an array of gene markers for hereditary
prostate cancer that, along with family history for the disease, appear to
raise risk to more than nine times that of men without such markers. The
panel, gleaned from a study of more than 4,000 Swedes, found that these
markers are common and could account for nearly half of the prostate
cancer cases in this studyNEJM, 16-Jan-2008
--Johns Hopkins Medicine
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536888/?sc=mwtn
Researchers Find Cell Protein That Nips HIV in the Bud UCLA
researchers have found that a key protein in the body's
dendritic cells can stop the virus that causes AIDS from "budding" -- part
of the virus' life cycle that is crucial to its ability to replicate and
infect other cells.
FASEB Journal, Apr-2008
--University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Health Sciences
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536883/?sc=mwtn
Researchers Report Breakthrough in Lowering Cholesterol, Fatty Acids University of
Alberta medical researchers have found a way to reduce
the amount of bad cholesterol and fatty acids that end up in the blood
from food the body metabolizes, a key discovery that could lead to new
drugs to treat and reverse the effects of Type 2 diabetes and heart
disease related to obesity.
J. of Lipid Research, Dec-2007
--University of Alberta
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536876/?sc=mwtn
Scientists Identify New Genetic Link to Autism UCLA scientists
used language onset - the age when a child speaks his
first word - as a tool for identifying a new gene linked to autism. The
team also discovered that the gene is most active in brain regions
involved with language and thought. Interestingly, evidence for the
genetic link came from the DNA of families with autistic boys, not those
with autistic girls. Am. J. of Human Genetics, 10-Jan-2008
--University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Health Sciences
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536733/?sc=mwtn
Women
and Heart Disease: Something to Talk About Dr. Blanchard
of the UCSD Medical Center, and Susan Iliff, a retired
nurse discuss the symptoms of heart attack in women.
--University of California, San Diego Health Sciences
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536834/?sc=sptn
Women:
Take Control of Your Heart Health! Do you know
that heart disease is the leading cause of death for
American women? That's right, heart disease kills more women each year
than breast cancer and ovarian cancer combined. The Society for Women's
Health Research wants you to take control of your heart disease risk
factors today.
--Society for Women's Health Research (SWHR)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536840/?sc=sptn
Drug
Coated Stents Heart-Safe Much
controversy has developed over the past year about the safety
and potential complications of drug-eluting heart stents, increasing the
risk of possible fatal blood clots, even years after an angioplasty
procedure. However, a new Canadian study led by investigators from
Ontario's Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) and McMaster
University's Program for Assessment of Technologies in Health, tells a
different story.
NEJM, 4-Oct-2007
--Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536843/?sc=sptn
Mild
Exercise May Protect Heart Against the Damaging Effects of a Heart
Attack John C. Quindry, an assistant professor in Appalachian State
University's Department of Health, Leisure and Exercise Science, is
studying the role short-term exercise plays in protecting the heart muscle
during a severe heart attack.
--Appalachian State University
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536645/?sc=sptn
Is an
Aspirin a Day Good for You? Is an aspirin a
day good for you, and how much should you take? Ten
years after the FDA issued recommendations about the use of aspirin for
people who have had heart attacks or are at risk for them, it may be a
good time to talk to your doctor about the aspirin you're taking.
--University of Kentucky
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536765/?sc=sptn
Health
Tip: Healthy Habits for Your Heart American Heart
Month is the ideal time to initiate the lifestyle
changes that can help lower your risk of heart disease. USP's Dr. Ara
DerMarderosian promotes proactive prevention rather than damage control.
--University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536764/?sc=sptn
Maximizing Your Heart Health At Work: Five Tips Each summer,
experts from the University of Virginia Health System
provide health and wellness training to American and international
business leaders through The Executive Program (TEP), a prestigious,
month-long program at UVA's Darden Graduate School of Business.
--University of Virginia Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536827/?sc=sptn
Study
Links Drinking, Stroke Risk A study by
Tulane University researchers found that heavy drinking --
more than 21 drinks per week -- may increase the risk of stroke.
Annals of Neurology, Dec-2007
--Tulane University
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536815/?sc=sptn
Type 2
Diabetics Require Special Heart Care Type 2 diabetes
is the most common form of diabetes mellitus. People
who have this condition are resistant to their insulin and often develop
inflammation in their coronary arteries. Although type 2 diabetes commonly
occurs in adults, an increasing number of overweight children and
adolescents are also developing it.
--University of Virginia Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536823/?sc=sptn
Is Your
Heart Racing for the Wrong Reason? Sweet indulgences are Valentine's Day traditions. For some of us,
they may also trigger episodes of "holiday heart," or rapid, irregular
heart beats. Medically, the condition is called atrial fibrillation, or
Afib.
--University of Virginia Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536821/?sc=sptn
Strawberries May Help Reduce Risk of Having Elevated Inflammation in Blood
Vessels Strawberries
are not only delicious and nutrient-rich, new research
from Harvard Medical School found that they may offer cardiovascular
disease protection. The new study found that those who reported eating
the most strawberries experienced lower blood levels of C-reactive
protein, a biomarker for inflammation in the blood vessels.
J. of the Am. College of Nutrition, Aug-2007
--Ketchum PR, San Francisco
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536803/?sc=sptn
Eat
Less Or Exercise More? Either Way Leads to More Youthful Hearts Overweight people who lose a moderate amount of weight get an
immediate benefit in the form of better heart health, according to a study
conducted at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. And the
heart improvements happen whether that weight is shed by eating less or
exercising more.
American J. of Physiology
--Washington University in St. Louis
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536820/?sc=sptn
Reversal of Alzheimer's Symptoms Within Minutes An
extraordinary new scientific study, which for the first time
documents marked improvement in Alzheimer's disease within minutes of
administration of a therapeutic molecule, has just been published in the
Journal of Neuroinflammation.
Journal of Neuroinflammation
--University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536734/?sc=mwtn
Compound Found in Soybeans Effective in Reducing Hot Flashes in Menopausal
Women Researchers at
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) have
found that a compound in soybeans is effective in reducing the frequency
and severity of hot flashes in menopausal women.
Menopause, Jan-2008
--Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536739/?sc=mwtn
Oatmeal's Health Claims Strongly Reaffirmed The link
between eating oatmeal and cholesterol reduction is stronger
than when the FDA initially approved the health claim's appearance on food
labels in 1997, a new study shows.
American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, Jan/Feb-2008
--University of Kentucky
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536701/?sc=mwtn
Testosterone May Improve Mental Function When we think
about the powers of testosterone, we usually do not
consider mental processes. However, research suggests that testosterone
levels may affect men's cognitive performance, reports the January 2008
issue of Harvard Men's Health Watch.
--Harvard Men's Health Watch
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536616/?sc=mwtn
No
Excess Cardiovascular Risk from Hormone Replacement Therapy for Most
Patients An American
Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) analysis
of several studies monitoring the impact of Hormone Replacement Therapy
(HRT) shows young women in early menopause may not only have no increased
cardiovascular risk from the therapy, but may indeed show benefit in the
future.
--American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536561/?sc=mwtn
Osteoporosis: Eight Tips for 2008 We can't
control all the factors that contribute to osteoporotic
fractures, but there's a lot women can do to strengthen and preserve their
bones, reports the January 2008 issue of Harvard Women's Health Watch.
--Harvard Health Publications
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536568/?sc=mwtn
Learning to Forgive May Improve Well-Being Forgiveness may
be good for your health, according to the January
issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource.
--Mayo Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536583/?sc=mwtn
Tips to
Get Into Shape without Leaving the House Don't have the
time or money to sign up for a gym membership? That
shouldn't keep you from making a New Year's resolution to get fit. U-M
Health System fitness experts say you don't have to join a gym to develop
a sustainable fitness regimen. With the right equipment and motivation,
you can start an exercise program at home that will last.
--University of Michigan Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536491/?sc=mwtn
Fibrosis can be Stopped, Cured and Reversed University of
California, San Diego researchers have proven in animal
studies that fibrosis in the liver can be not only stopped, but reversed.
Their discovery, to be published in PLoS Online on December 26, opens the
door to treating and curing conditions that lead to excessive tissue
scarring such as viral hepatitis, fatty liver disease, cirrhosis,
pulmonary fibrosis, scleroderma and burns. PLoS ONE, 26-Dec-2007
--University of California, San Diego Health Sciences
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536366/?sc=mwtn
Why
Fish Oil Is Good for You UCLA
researchers report that omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid
(DHA), found in fish oil, increases the production of LR11, a protein that
is found at reduced levels in Alzheimer's patients and which is known to
destroy the the "plaques" associated with the disease. J. of Neuroscience
--University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Health Sciences
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536485/?sc=mwtn
Oral
Anti-Diabetic Substance Discovered Research in the
Department of Biology at the University of Haifa has
discovered a substance that may become an oral treatment for diabetes and
its complications. The substance, which is derived from yeast, is called
Glucose Tolerance Factor (GTF).
--University of Haifa
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536512/?sc=mwtn
Brain
Abnormalities Underlying Key Element of Borderline Personality
Disorder Identified Using new
approaches, an interdisciplinary team of scientists at
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York
City has gained a view of activity in key brain areas associated with a
core difficulty in patients with borderline personality disorder --
shedding new light on this serious psychiatric condition.
Am. J. of Psychiatry, Dec-2007
--NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center/Weill Cornell
Medical College
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536471/?sc=mwtn
Walking
and Moderate Exercise Help Prevent Dementia People age 65
and older who regularly walk and get other forms of
moderate exercise appear to significantly lower their risk of developing
vascular dementia, the second most common form of dementia after
Alzheimer's disease, according to a study published in the December 19,
2007, online issue of Neurology. Neurology, 19-Dec-2007
--American Academy of Neurology (AAN)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536164/?sc=mwtn
Can
Omega-3 Fatty Acids Help Depression? Researchers at
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's Department of Psychiatry
and Behavioral Neurosciences are seeking participants for a clinical trial
examining whether two polyunsaturated Omega-3 fatty acids are effective
treatments for depression.
--Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536324/?sc=mwtn
Drug
Combo Shrinks Breast Cancer Metastases in Brain A combination
of a "targeted" therapy and chemotherapy shrank
metastatic brain tumors by at least 50 percent in one-fifth of patients
with aggressive HER2-positive breast cancer, according to data presented
by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute investigators at the San Antonio Breast
Cancer Symposium. San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
--Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536234/?sc=mwtn
50
Percent of Americans Age 50 and Older Have Never Had a Colonoscopy Only half of
all Americans age 50 and over have had a colonoscopy,
one of several common screening tests for colon cancer. The U.S.
Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all people age 50 and over
be screened for colon cancer - the second leading cause of cancer deaths.
--Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536318/?sc=mwtn
Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs and the Risk of Hemorrhagic Stroke People taking
cholesterol-lowering drugs such as atorvastatin after a
stroke may be at an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke, or bleeding in
the brain, a risk not found in patients taking statins who have never had
a stroke. But researchers caution the risk must be balanced against the
much larger overall benefit of the statin in reducing the total risk of a
second stroke and other cardiovascular events when making treatment
decisions. Neurology, 12-Dec-2007
--American Academy of Neurology (AAN)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536013/?sc=mwtn
Mediterranean Diet and Physical Activity Each Associated With Lower Death
Rate Over Five Years Eating a
Mediterranean diet and following national recommendations
for physical activity are each associated with a reduced risk of death
over a five-year period, according to two reports in the December 10/24
issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Archives of Internal Medicine, 10-Dec-2007
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536031/?sc=mwtn
Protein
Found That May Provide Relief from Neuropathic Pain Research in
rodents by scientists from the University of California,
San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine has provided evidence that a protein
called LRP1 may help to ease neuropathic pain by blocking the response of
glial cells that support and protect sensory neurons in the peripheral
nervous system.
J. of Clinical Investigation
--University of California, San Diego
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/535944/?sc=mwtn
Exercise Can Help Ease Knee Pain Pain in the kneecap is a common problem -- with many causes. Often,
recovery includes exercises to strengthen the muscles that support the
knee, as well as stretching tight muscles and thighs, according to the
December issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter.
--Mayo Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/535925/?sc=mwtn
Get to
Know Your Family History This Holiday Season: Be Aware of Prevalent
Cancers in Your Family This holiday season, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer
Center recommends that you take time to speak with relatives about your
family's history of cancer. A small percentage of cancers - five to 10
percent - are inherited. Common cancers associated with family history
include breast, colorectal, ovarian and endometrial cancers.
--University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/535929/?sc=mwtn
Seven
Steps to Prevent Colds and Flu this Winter Cold and flu season is already well under way, but a few simple
actions can greatly reduce your chances of getting sick or spreading germs
to family, friends and coworkers, says an expert at Saint Louis University.
--Saint Louis University Medical Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/535931/?sc=mwtn
Doctors
and Patients Poorly Informed About Herpes Family doctors
and patients with herpes are poorly informed about the
viral infection, indicate the results of an online survey, published ahead
of print in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Cigarette Smoke and Alcohol Damage Hearts Worse As Combo A new study
shows that taking in smoky air and drinking alcohol
basically nullifies any potential heart benefit from drinking alcohol by
itself. UAB researchers found that mice exposed to smoky air and fed a
liquid diet containing ethanol, the intoxicating ingredient in alcohol,
had a 4.7-fold increase in artery lesions, a key sign of heart disease.
Free Radical Biology and Medicine
--University of Alabama at Birmingham
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/535579/?sc=mwtn
Vitamin
E Could Help 40% of Diabetics Ward Off Heart Attacks Vitamin E
supplements can significantly reduce the risk of heart
attacks and related deaths for the 40 percent of diabetics who carry a
particular version of a gene. The findings by Israeli researchers are
published in the November 21 online edition of the Arteriosclerosis,
Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology.
Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 21-Nov-2007
--American Technion Society
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/535582/?sc=mwtn
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Effective Treatment for Depression For the first
time in a large-scale study, transcranial magnetic
stimulation has been shown to be an effective, non-drug treatment for
major depression. Current antidepressant therapies are not beneficial for
at least a third of depressed individuals, leaving many with a lack of
adequate treatment options. This study will be published in the December
1st issue of Biological Psychiatry
Biological Psychiatry, 1-Dec-2007
--Rush University Medical Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/535588/?sc=mwtn
Brain
Differences Found in People with Migraine 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, the medical
journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology, 20-Nov-2007
--American Academy of Neurology (AAN)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/535356/?sc=mwtn
Sinus
Problems Are Treated Well with Safe, Inexpensive Treatment An inexpensive,
safe and easy treatment is an effective method for
treating chronic nasal and sinus symptoms - more effective, in fact, than
commonly used saline sprays, according to a new study from University of
Michigan Health System researchers.
Stress
Hormone May Hasten the Progression of Certain Blood Cancers Researchers
have shown that in cell cultures, the stress hormone
norepinephrine appears to promote the biochemical signals that stimulate
certain tumor cells to grow and spread. The finding, if verified, may
suggest a way of slowing the progression and spread of some cancers enough
so that conventional chemotherapeutic treatments would have a better chance
to work.
Brain, Behavior and Immunity
--Ohio State University
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/535502/?sc=mwtn
Marijuana Compound Shows Promise in Fighting Breast Cancer A compound
found in cannabis may prove to be effective at helping
stop the spread of breast cancer cells throughout the body.
Holiday
Survival Guide for Diabetics OK, it's not as
if you've been dropped into the Sahara Desert with
only your wits to rely on, but surviving the holidays with diabetes can
still pose a challenge. Pam Davis, R.D., L.D., CDE, certified diabetes
educator at Baylor Medical Center at Garland, offers some advice on
keeping your diabetes regimen from going astray.
--Baylor Health Care System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/535078/?sc=mwtn
