Health News
Vitamin D is ‘nature''s antibiotic’
Washington, Nov 24 : Vitamin D is being appreciated as "nature''s antibiotic” as a string of recent discoveries about the multiple health benefits of this nutrient have come to the fore.
Right from the health of your immune system to prevention of heart disease and even vulnerability to influenza, vitamin D is now seen as one of the most critical nutrients for overall health.
Potential therapeutic target for stress-induced high BP identified
Washington, Nov 24 : Does your blood pressure increase in stressful situations? Well, then your phosducin gene could be responsible, says a new study.
Finding the right gene may help break obesity-type 2 diabetes link, says expert
Washington, October 3 : A Cornell University researcher is working to break the inextricable link between obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Ling Qi, an assistant professor of nutritional sciences in Cornell''s College of Human Ecology, says that finding just the right gene could do it.
Protein ‘key’ may guide efforts to develop treatments for nicotine addiction
Washington, October 3 : American researchers at Grinnell College in Iowa may be very close to developing effective treatments for nicotine addiction, for they have uncovered a “key” that may “unlock” certain proteins that respond to the poisonous chemical which is found in tobacco.
11 new genetic variations linked to type 2 diabetes
Washington, Oct 3 : Scientists from Michigan Technological University have identified 11 new genetic variants linked to Type 2 diabetes.
With the help of Ensemble Learning Approach (ELA) software, the researchers have isolated 11 variations within genes—called single nucleotide polymorphisms, SNPs or snips, associated with type 2 diabetes.
Gene linked to fertility problems identified
Washington, Oct 3 : Virginia Commonwealth University researchers have identified a gene that might help explain fertility problems in humans.
In females, fertility depends upon the growth of a follicle, a structure that ultimately transforms to release a mature egg.
In an ordinary cycle, one follicle, known as the dominant follicle, matures to release an egg, while the rest of the eggs produced in that cycle will die.
Cholesterol crucial to brain development
Washington, October 3 : Swedish researchers have shown that a derivative of cholesterol is necessary for the formation of brain cells by conducting experiments on mice.
Professor Ernest Arenas, from the medical university Karolinska Institutet, says that the study’s findings may prove helpful for scientists in cultivating dopamine-producing cells outside the body.
Aspirin misuse behind high death toll during 1918-1919 flu pandemic
Washington, October 3 : The high death toll during the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic might be attributed to the misuse of aspirin, says an article.
Published in the online edition of Clinical Infectious Diseases, the article sounds a cautionary note at a time when health experts are discussing their concerns about the novel H1N1 virus.
Weight loss may help reduce sleep apnea
Washington, Sept 29 : Obese people with sleep apnea may triple the chances of eliminating their sleep problems by losing weight, claims a new study.
More than just loud snoring, sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, stroke, cardiovascular disease and a poor quality of life.
Regular exercise cuts prostate cancer risk
New Delhi, Sept 29 : A new study has revealed that regular exercise can help keep prostate cancer at bay.
According to researchers at Duke University Medical Centre, those who were moderately active - anything equivalent to walking at a moderate pace for several hours a week - were significantly less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer.
China''s H1N1 cases will double to 10,000 soon, says expert
Beijing, Sep. 7 : With the surfacing of 100 new H1N1 cases since Friday, Chinese health experts have warned that the total cases nationwide will soon double to 10,000, as the peak of the outbreak has begun.
“The recent clusters of school outbreaks are just the start of the peak season, which will feature widespread infections.
Molecular signature may tell which cancer patients will respond to therapy
London, September 7 : American scientists say that a molecular signature that that helps account for the aggressive behaviour of a variety of cancers—such as pancreatic, breast and melanoma—may also help identify patients who are likely to respond to a particular anti-cancer drug.
New “liquid condom” to protect women from transmitted diseases including HIV
The new “liquid condom” developed by the scientists will not only empower women by aiding in controlling their pregnancy without their partner’s permission it will also protect them from sexually transmitted diseases including HIV.
Health Canada investigating the long-term safety profile of Xolair
Xolair, manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada, is used for the treatment of asthma in people 12 years old and older who have moderate to severe persistent asthma, who react to airborne allergens and whose symptoms are not adequately controlled with inhaled corticosteroids.
