The genetic code of two of the most deadly cancers has been cracked by British scientists in a world first that opens up a whole new era in the treatment for the disease.
All the mutations that turn healthy cells cancerous in both lung and skin tumours have been identified in what researchers described as a “transforming moment” in the search for preventions, treatments and cures for both terminal illnesses.
Washington, Dec 18: The aroma of foods could become a new weapon in the battle of the bulge by quenching hunger pangs.
A real possibility does exist for developing a new generation of foods that make people feel full by releasing anti-hunger aromas during chewing, according to Dutch scientists.
Such foods would fight the global epidemic of obesity with aromas that quench hunger and prevent people from overeating.
Washington, Dec 18: Girls who took part in interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), may be better able to prevent obesity over the years, compared to girls who took traditional health education classes, says a new research.
IPT focuses on improving relationships by targeting the underlying social and interpersonal difficulties that influence individuals to engage in binge eating.
New York, Dec 17: Individuals who have higher levels of an appetite-suppressing hormone are less likely to develop the debilitating Alzheimer’s disease, a new study finds.
Previous studies had pointed out the role of the hormone known as leptin that is released by fat cells in curbing the appetite. The hormone, however, has failed to show any promising results when used as weight loss treatment.
According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, higher levels of leptin can protect individuals against developing the mind-robbing form of dementia.
London, Dec 17: Younger-looking individuals are reported to outlive individuals who look more than their age, a new study finds.
According to the study published in the British Medical Journal, baby-faced individuals live longer than their older-looking peers, suggesting that appearance alone can predict survival rate.
Younger-looking individuals have longer telomeres, the short section located at the end of the chromosomes and indicate the ability of cells to replicate.
Gurgaon, Dec 17: A 48-year-old woman died of swine flu in a Gurgaon hospital, officials said today.
Anita Agarwal, a resident of Jeoni Mandi in Agra, was admitted to a hospital in Gurgaon after her condition deteriorated. She died Monday night.
Medical authorities in Agra have alerted private nursing homes and government hospitals to take precautions and have asked them to report every suspected case of swine flu.
Health officials visited Agarwal’s residence to examine other family members.
She was cremated in Agra on Tuesday.
–IANS
Washington, Dec 17: A form of high blood pressure and subsequent cardiovascular events is influenced by disturbances in the body’s 24-hour clock, a new study finds.
Previous studies had linked the malfunction of the body clock, responsible for certain changes in the body chemistry, to many diseases.
According to the study published in Nature Medicine, the circadian clock directly controls a gene with a key role in the production of the aldosterone, a hormone which regulates blood pressure through prompting water retention in the kidneys.
London, Dec 17: Despite the reduced number of prostate cancer deaths due to new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, a new study finds a high prevalence of suicide among such patients.
Previous studies had reported that a considerable number of individuals diagnosed with prostate cancer are not going to die of the slow growing disease. The new study, however, points out that many men are unaware of this fact.
Toronto, December 17: Beauty is not only in the eye of the beholder, but also in the relationship of the eyes and mouth of the person, according to new research by Canadian and American researchers.The distance between a woman’s eyes and the distance between her eyes and her mouth determine her attractiveness, say researchers from the University of Toronto and the University of California in San Diego.
London, December 17: Two common forms of cancer have been genetically mapped for the first time, British scientists announced, in a major breakthrough in understanding the diseases.
The maps have exposed the DNA mutations that lead to skin and lung cancers, in a discovery scientists said could transform the way these diseases are diagnosed and treated in coming years.
Hamburg, December 17: Despite the reduced number of prostate cancer deaths due to new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, a new study finds a high prevalence of suicide among such patients.
Previous studies had reported that a considerable number of individuals diagnosed with prostate cancer are not going to die of the slow growing disease. The new study, however, points out that many men are unaware of this fact.
New Delhi, December 16: Cities of India will now be rated on the basis of sanitation.
The new initiative, launched by the Urban Development Ministry today, is aimed at ensuring cleanliness and eliminate open defecation in 441 cities across the country as part of the National Urban Sanitation Policy.
Besides rating of cities, it also initiated a sanitation awareness campaign to sensitise people about the issue.
New Delhi, December 16: A record 23 swine flu deaths were recorded in India on Tuesday, taking the total toll due to Influenza A (H1N1) virus to 730, health authorities here said.
According to union health officials, 11 deaths occurred in Haryana due to swine flu in the last 10 days, but were confirmed on Tuesday. With these deaths, the toll in the state has gone up to 22.
Rajasthan continued to see swine flu deaths with four fatalities reported Tuesday. The toll in the state has now touched 100.
Sydney, December 16: Getting married is good for the well being of both men and women, cutting down risks of depression, anxiety and substance abuse, says a new study.
The study was based on a survey of 34,493 people from 15 countries.
Conversely, ending marriage through separation, divorce or being widowed, is associated with much higher risks of mental disorders in both genders; particularly substance abuse for women and depression for men.
London, Dec 16: Students who watch peers being bullied verbally or physically, could become as distressed if not more so, by the events than the victims themselves.
Bullies and bystanders may also be more likely to take drugs and drink alcohol, according to these findings.
“Children and adolescents who are exposed to violence within their families or outside of school are at a greater risk for mental health problems than those children who are not exposed to any violence,” said Ian Rivers of Brunel University, who led the study.
Sydney, December 16: Getting married is good for the well being of both men and women, cutting down risks of depression, anxiety and substance abuse, says a new study. The study was based on a survey of 34,493 people from 15 countries.
Conversely, ending marriage through separation, divorce or being widowed, is associated with much higher risks of mental disorders in both genders; particularly substance abuse for women and depression for men.
Toronto, Dec 16: An international study has found a molecule in H1N1, or swine flu, patients whose levels determine the severity of the illness or even death.
Canadian and Spanish scientists have found this molecule called Interleukin 17 (IL-17) to be the first potential immunological clue of why some people develop severe pneumonia when infected by the H1N1 virus. The study was carried in 10 Spanish hospitals during the first pandemic wave in July and August this year.
Washington, December 16: Headaches can be significantly eased with fifteen minutes of treatment with high flow oxygen, says a study. Cluster headache attacks, characterised by bouts of excruciating pain usually near the eye or temple, typically last for 15 minutes to three hours if untreated and have a frequency of up to eight attacks a day on alternate days.
High flow oxygen is given at a rate of six to seven litres per minute for 10 to 20 minutes at the start of a cluster headache.
Toronto, December 16: An international study has found a molecule in H1N1, or swine flu, patients whose levels determine the severity of the illness or even death.
Canadian and Spanish scientists have found this molecule called Interleukin 17 (IL-17) to be the first potential immunological clue of why some people develop severe pneumonia when infected by the H1N1 virus. The study was carried in 10 Spanish hospitals during the first pandemic wave in July and August this year.
Washington, December 16: According to a new study, obese persons can improve their cardiovascular health by eating less and exercising more. The results of this two-year study showed that weight loss led to improvement in four key measures of heart and vascular health. They included decreased thickness of heart muscle, improved pumping and relaxation functions of the heart and decreased thickness of the carotid artery walls.
Heart muscle thickening and impaired pumping and relaxation functions predict heart failure, and increased carotid wall thickness foreshadows plaque formation.
Sydney, December 16: There is good news for all the tea and coffee lovers, as studies have indicated that drinking three to four cups of coffee per day was associated with a 25 percent lower risk of diabetes than drinking two cups or less per day, according to Dr. Rachel Huxley of the George Institute for International Health in Sydney, Australia, and her colleagues. These results were arrived at, after a review of 18 studies.
New Delhi, December 15: India along with Brazil is among the top five government funders of neglected disease research and development, and and two countries are taking the lead on diseases like leprosy and dengue fever, a new study revealed Tuesday.
The study by Sydney based George Institute for International Health said that nearly $2.96 billion was spent on making new products for neglected diseases in 2008 globally.
New Delhi, December 15: India along with Brazil is among the top five government funders of neglected disease research and development, and and two countries are taking the lead on diseases like leprosy and dengue fever, a new study revealed Tuesday.
The study by Sydney based George Institute for International Health said that nearly $2.96 billion was spent on making new products for neglected diseases in 2008 globally.
Sydney, Dec 15: Drinking more than four cups of a favourite beverage daily can cut the risk of developing type-2 diabetes by up to 40 percent, says a new study.
People who consumed three to four cups of coffee a day had one-quarter lower risk of developing diabetes compared to non-coffee drinkers, said study leader Rachel Huxley, associate professor at The George Institute.
‘The reduction in risk of developing diabetes was even greater, up to 40 percent, in those drinking more than six cups per day,’ she said.
New Delhi, Dec 15: Expenses incurred on treatment of dental diseases are reimbursed to beneficiaries of the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) at pre-fixed rates, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Dinesh Trivedi said today.
Replying to supplementaries during Question Hour in Rajya Sabha, he said only essential dental treatments are reimbursed but not cosmetic surgeries.
Till now only 10 procedures were allowed for reimbursement but now 55 more procedures are being added, he said.