Going Vegetarian? With A Little Planning, It's Easier than Ever
There's more to being a vegetarian than cutting meat from the menu.
The February issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource offers suggestions
for a well-balanced vegetarian diet -- and some reasons why it's worth
considering.
--Mayo Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/548775/?sc=mwtn

Women's Heart Health: Fact Sheet
     Heart disease is the nation's number one killer for women. For many
women the signs of a heart attack can go unrecognized. Dr. Karla
Kurrelmeyer, cardiologist at the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center
in Houston, offers the following information for women.
--Methodist Hospital, Houston
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/548215/?sc=sptn

Moderate Weight Loss Reduces Risk of Heart Disease
     Evidence shows that even a modest weight reduction in obese people
could save them a lifetime of health problems, especially heart disease.
--Methodist Hospital, Houston
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/548216/?sc=sptn

How Low Can Your Cholesterol Go? Research Trial to Compare Statins
     University of Kentucky researchers have joined a study to determine
whether the progression of atherosclerosis, the leading caue of
cardiovascular disease, can be not only stopped but reversed.
--University of Kentucky
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/548372/?sc=sptn

Help Possible for People Obsessed With Imaginary Physical Flaws
     People suffering from body dysmorphic disorder obsess over
exaggerated or imaginary physical defects, to the point where it affects
their ability to work, attend school or have ordinary social contacts.
Now, a new review finds that drug therapy and psychotherapy can
effectively treat the condition. Help Possible for People Obsessed With Imaginary Physical Flaws
--Health Behavior News Service
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/548142/?sc=mwtn

Low-Carbohydrate Diet Burns More Excess Liver Fat than Low-Calorie Diet
     People on low-carbohydrate diets are more dependent on the oxidation
of fat in the liver for energy than those on a low-calorie diet,
researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found in a small
clinical study. ** Image(s) embedded **
Hepatology
--UT Southwestern Medical Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/548183/?sc=mwtn

DNA Repair Patterns May Predict Risk of Pancreatic Cancer
     Genetic variations in DNA repair patterns may increase risk of
pancreatic cancer by as much as threefold or decrease it by as much as 77
percent, depending on the genes involved, according to a report published
in the January 15, 2009, issue of Clinical Cancer Research, a journal of
the American Association for Cancer Research. Clinical Cancer Research, 15-Jan-2009
--American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/547972/?sc=mwtn

Use of Antidepressants Linked to Improvement in Fibromyalgia Symptoms
     The use of antidepressant medications by patients with fibromyalgia
syndrome is associated with a reduction in pain, sleep disturbances and
depressed mood and improvement of health-related quality of life,
according to an analysis of previous studies, which is published in the
January 14 issue of JAMA. JAMA, 14-Jan-2009
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/547935/?sc=mwtn

Hormone Therapy Associated with Reduced Colorectal Cancer Risk
     The combination of estrogen plus progestin, which women stopped
taking in droves following the news that it may increase their risk of
breast cancer, may decrease their risk of colorectal cancer, according to
a report published in the January issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers
and Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention
--American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/547801/?sc=mwtn

Chemopreventive Agents in Black Raspberries Identified
     A study published in Cancer Prevention Research, a journal of the
American Association for Cancer Research, identifies components of black
raspberries with chemopreventive potential. Cancer Prevention Research
--American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/547828/?sc=mwtn

Longer Sleep Linked With Lower Incidence of Calcification in Coronary
Arteries
     Participants in a study who slept on average an hour longer per night
than other participants had an associated lower incidence of coronary
artery calcification, which is thought to be a predictor of future heart
disease, according to a study in the December 24/31 issue of JAMA.
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/547600/?sc=mwtn

Vulnerability to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Runs in Families
     UCLA researchers have discovered that vulnerability to PTSD, anxiety
and depression runs in families.
Psychiatric Genetics, Dec-2008
--University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Health Sciences
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/547658/?sc=mwtn

Dieting May Cut Risk for Gum Disease, Mostly In Males
     University of Maryland Dental School study of diet and gum disease
bears out powerful link between chronic inflammation and poor health. **
Image(s) embedded **
Nutrition, Jan-2009
--University of Maryland Baltimore
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/547542/?sc=mwtn

Expert Offers Five Tips for Getting Health Care After Losing Your Health
Insurance
     As a result of the current economic slow down, many people have lost
their jobs -- and their health insurance. Dr. Adam Goldstein of the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill explains how people in this
situation can continue getting the health care they need. ** Media
embedded: Audio / Image(s) **
--University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/547272/?sc=mwtn

Gene Therapy Effective Treatment Against Gum Disease
     Scientists at the University of Michigan have shown that gene therapy
can be used to successfully stop the development of periodontal disease,
the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Gene Therapy, 11-Dec-2008
--University of Michigan
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/547311/?sc=mwtn

Exercise Suppresses Appetite by Affecting Appetite Hormones
     A vigorous 60-minute workout on a treadmill affects the release of
two key appetite hormones, ghrelin and peptide YY, while 90 minutes of
weight lifting affects the level of only ghrelin, according to a new
study. The research shows that aerobic exercise is better at suppressing
appetite than non-aerobic exercise and provides a possible explanation for
how that happens. ** Image(s) embedded **
Am. J. of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology
--American Physiological Society (APS)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/547310/?sc=mwtn

Presence of Gum Disease May Help Dentists and Physicians Identify Those at
Increased Risk for Cardiovascular Disease
     Individuals reporting a history of periodontal disease were more
likely to have increased levels of inflammation, a risk factor for heart
disease, compared to those who reported no history of periodontal disease,
according to an American Journal of Cardiology report available online
today.
Am. J. of Cardiology
--NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/546831/?sc=mwtn

Five Tips to Survive the Holidays
     Jonathan Abramowitz, director of the UNC Anxiety and Stress Disorders
Clinic, offers five tips for making it through the holidays with your
sanity intact. ** Video embedded **
--University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/546779/?sc=mwtn

Broccoli May Lower Lung Cancer Risk in Smokers
     The cancer preventive properties of broccoli and other cruciferous
vegetables appear to work specifically in smokers, according to data
presented at the American Association for Cancer Research's Seventh Annual
International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research.
AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research
--American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/546312/?sc=mwtn

Men Who Take Aspirin Have Significantly Lower PSA Levels
     The use of aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDS) is significantly associated with lower PSA levels, especially
among men with prostate cancer, say researchers at Vanderbilt University.
AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research
--American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/546285/?sc=mwtn

How Eating Red Meat Can Spur Cancer Progression
     Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of
Medicine, led by Ajit Varki, M.D., have shown a new mechanism for how
human consumption of red meat and milk products could contribute to the
increased risk of cancerous tumors.
PNAS
--University of California, San Diego Health Sciences
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/546458/?sc=mwtn

Saturated Fat Linked to Cancer of the Small Intestine
     Findings published in the journal Cancer Research, a journal of the
American Association for Cancer Research, identify dietary intake of
saturated fats as a possible risk factor for cancer of the small
intestine, advancing the understanding of cancer development in this and
other areas of the digestive tract. Cancer Research
--American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/546372/?sc=mwtn

Novel Four Drug Combination Proves Safe for Lung Cancer Treatment
     The four drug-combination of carboplatin and paclitaxel, with the
targeted therapies bevacizumab (Avastin) and cetuximab (Erbitux), is safe
and may improve survival for patients with advanced lung cancer, according
to a cooperative group study led by The University of Texas M. D. Anderson
Cancer Center. 2008 Chicago Multidisciplinary Symposium in Thoracic Oncology
--University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/546407/?sc=mwtn

Breakfast Improves Overall Diet Quality
     A groundbreaking new study shows that eaters of lower energy dense
breakfast have improved diet quality, and may have a better ability to
maintain a healthy weight.
Am. J. of Clinical Nutrition, Nov-2008
--Breakfast Research Institute
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/546370/?sc=mwtn

Food Allergy on the Rise, New Treatments on the Horizon
     The prevalence of food allergies is rising, and the main
manifestations of food allergy are increasing, including atopic
dermatitis, anaphylaxis, and eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders.
Although strict avoidance is currently the only treatment, new effective
therapies are currently being developed. ACAAI Annual Meeting
--American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/545808/?sc=mwtn

Study Shows Evidence of Major Environmental Trigger for Autism
     The American Medical Association journal Archives of Pediatrics &
Adolescent Medicine has published a new study by researchers at Cornell
University indicating evidence of an environmental trigger for autism
among genetically vulnerable children.  It is the first peer-reviewed
study to positively associate the prevalence of autism to a factor related
to the levels of precipitation in the areas in which children live.
Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
--Cornell University
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/546243/?sc=mwtn

The Influence of Statin Medications on Prostate-specific Antigen Levels
     A new study indicates that statin use lowers PSA levels and as a
result may confound the detection of prostate cancer in patients using
statins.
J. of the National Cancer Institute
--UroToday
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/546258/?sc=mwtn

Can Vitamins and Minerals Prevent Hearing Loss?
     A rising trend of noise-induced hearing loss is something that
researchers and physicians at the University of Michigan Kresge Hearing
Research Institute are hoping to reverse, with a cocktail of vitamins and
the mineral magnesium that has shown promise as a possible way to prevent
hearing loss caused by loud noises. ** Image(s) embedded **
--University of Michigan Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/546237/?sc=mwtn

Vitamins E and C Supplements Not Effective For Prevention of
Cardiovascular Disease in Men
     Neither vitamin E nor vitamin C supplements reduced the risk of major
cardiovascular events in a large, long-term study of male physicians,
according to a study in the November 12 issue of JAMA. The article is
being released early online November 9 to coincide with the scientific
presentation of the study findings at the American Heart Association
meeting JAMA
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/546178/?sc=mwtn

Low-Dose Aspirin Does Not Appear to Reduce Risk of CV Events in Patients
with Diabetes
     Low-dose aspirin as primary prevention did not appear to
significantly reduce the risk of a combined end point of coronary,
cerebrovascular and peripheral vascular events in patients with type 2
diabetes, according to a new study in JAMA. However, aspirin did
significantly reduce the combination of fatal coronary and fatal
cerebrovascular events. The article is being released early online Sunday,
November 9 to coincide with its scientific presentation at the American
Heart Association meeting. The study will appear in the November 12 print
issue of JAMA. JAMA, 12-Nov-2008
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/546179/?sc=mwtn

Low Potassium Linked to High Blood Pressure
     As a risk factor for high blood pressure, low levels of potassium in
the diet may be as important as high levels of sodium--especially among
African Americans, according to research being presented at the American
Society of Nephrology's 41st Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Renal Week 2008
--American Society of Nephrology (ASN)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/545968/?sc=mwtn

Exercise, Calcium-Rich Diet Could Cut Risk of Metabolic Syndrome
     Adopting daily exercise sessions and a calcium-rich diet could reduce
the risk of a group of health risk factors called the metabolic syndrome,
finds a new study of Illinois adults. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of
symptoms that together signal a significantly higher risk for heart
disease and type 2 diabetes.
Am. J. of Health Promotion, Nov/Dec-2008
--Health Behavior News Service
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/546171/?sc=mwtn

Metabolic Syndrome Found in Nearly One-Fourth of Workers
     The combination of health risks known as metabolic syndrome affects
slightly less than a quarter of the U.S. workforce and is linked to
increased absenteeism and poorer health status, reports a study in the
October Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, official
publication of the American College of Occupational and Environmental
Medicine (ACOEM).
J. of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Oct-2008
--Wolters Kluwer Health: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/546174/?sc=mwtn

10 Symptoms Not To Ignore
     Not every ache and pain merits a quick trip to the doctor -- but some
do. The November issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource outlines 10
symptoms that should never be ignored.
--Mayo Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/546125/?sc=mwtn

Folic Acid, B Vitamins Do Not Appear to Affect Cancer Risk
     A daily supplementation combination that included folic acid and
vitamin B6 and B12 had no significant effect on the overall risk of
cancer, including breast cancer, among women at high risk of
cardiovascular disease, according to a study in the November 5 issue of
JAMA. JAMA, 5-Nov-2008
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/545966/?sc=mwtn

Eating Red Meat Sets Up Target for Disease-Causing Bacteria
     An international research team, including University of California,
San Diego School of Medicine professor Ajit Varki, M.D., has uncovered the
first example of a bacterium that causes food poisoning in humans when it
targets a non-human molecule absorbed into the body through red meats such
as lamb, pork and beef.Nature, 29-Oct-2008
--University of California, San Diego Health Sciences
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/545716/?sc=mwtn

Grapes May Aid a Bunch of Heart Risk Factors, Animal Study Finds
     Could eating grapes help fight high blood pressure related to a salty
diet? And could grapes calm other factors that are also related to heart
diseases such as heart failure? A new University of Michigan animal study
suggests so. ** Media embedded: Video / Audio Journal of Gerontology: Biological Sciences
--University of Michigan Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/545757/?sc=mwtn

Statins Associated With Lower Risk of Death from Pneumonia
     Individuals who take cholesterol-lowering statins before being
hospitalized with pneumonia appear less likely to die within 90 days
afterward, according to a report in the October 27 issue of Archives of
Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Archives of Internal Medicine, 27-Oct-2008
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/545705/?sc=mwtn

Artificial Pancreas Could Revolutionize Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes
     UVA investigators have completed the first of several international
artificial pancreas clinical trials to test an individually-tailored,
computerized system which automatically regulates a Type 1 diabetic
patient's blood glucose and insulin needs.
--University of Virginia Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/545682/?sc=sptn

Depression During Pregnancy Can Double Risk of Preterm Delivery
     Depressed pregnant women have twice the risk of preterm delivery than
pregnant women with no symptoms of depression, according to a new study by
the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research. The study is published online
in the Oxford University Press's journal Human Reproduction on behalf of
the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology

Human Reproduction
--Kaiser Permanente
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/545396/?sc=mwtn

Scientists Find New Genes Linked to Lung Cancer
     Working as part of a multi-institutional collaboration, scientists at
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have assembled the
most complete catalog to date of the genetic changes underlying the most
common form of lung cancer.
Nature, 23-Oct-2008
--Washington University in St. Louis
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/545426/?sc=mwtn

Children May Be More Affected By Second-Hand Smoke Than Adults
     A study presented at this year's Annual Meeting of the American
Society of Anesthesiologists provides evidence that the carbon monoxide
levels of children exposed to second-hand smoke are often similar to that
of active adult smokers and frequently higher than levels in adults
exposed to second-hand smoke.
American Society of Anesthesiologists 2008 Annual Meeting
--American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/545141/?sc=mwtn

Sex, Smoking and Chronic Pain
     Researchers at the Mayo Comprehensive Pain Rehabilitation Center in
Rochester, Minn. have found important insights into the interaction
between smoking and the sex of the patient on the effectiveness of
treatments for chronic pain.
American Society of Anesthesiologists 2008 Annual Meeting
--American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/545121/?sc=mwtn

Cell Protein Suppresses Pain Eight Times More Effectively than Morphine
     researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School
of Medicine and the University of Helsinki have discovered a new
therapeutic target for pain control, one that appears to be eight times
more effective at suppressing pain than morphine. ** Image(s) embedded **
Neuron
--University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/545042/?sc=mwtn

Don't Let Last Year's Missteps Keep You Away from Getting a Flu Shot This
Year
     People shouldn't let last year's flu vaccine debacle prevent them
from getting a flu shot this year.
--Methodist Hospital, Houston
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/545111/?sc=mwtn

During These Times of Economic Crisis a Cardiologist Warns Against Signs
of a Cardiac Crash
     Rising unemployment rates, the worst Wall Street crises since the end
of World War II, record home foreclosures. There is plenty of stress to go
around. What effect is stress having on our health and what can we do
about it?
--Vanderbilt University Medical Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/545122/?sc=mwtn

Exercise Helps Reduce Pain, Disability After Lower Back Surgery
     An updated review from the Netherlands suggests that exercise
programs starting four to six weeks after herniated disk surgery could
lead to more rapid pain relief and a quicker recovery from disability -
without increasing the risk of additional surgery. Cochrane Library
--Health Behavior News Service
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/544694/?sc=mwtn

Red Wine May Lower Lung Cancer Risk
     Moderate consumption of red wine may decrease the risk of lung cancer
in men, according to a report in the October issue of Cancer Epidemiology,
Biomarkers and Prevention} a journal of the American Association for
Cancer Research. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, Oct-2008
--American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/544833/?sc=mwtn

St. John's Wort Helps Some Patients With Major Depression
     The herbal medicine St. John's wort appears to work just as well as
some prescribed antidepressants for treating patients with major
depression, a new review finds. However, patients in German-speaking
countries might experience the best benefits. Cochrane Library
--Health Behavior News Service
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/544871/?sc=mwtn

Individuals With Social Phobia See Themselves Differently
     Magnetic resonance brain imaging reveals that patients with
generalized social phobia respond differently than others to negative
comments about themselves, according to a report in the October issue of
Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Archives of General Psychiatry, Oct-2008
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/544931/?sc=mwtn

Metabolic Syndrome Ups Colorectal Cancer Risk
     In a large U.S. population-based study presented at the 73rd Annual
Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology, metabolic
syndrome patients had a 75 percent higher risk of colorectal cancer
compared to those without metabolic syndrome.
73rd Annual Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology
--American College of Gastroenterology (ACG)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/544985/?sc=sptn

Vitamin C Supplements May Reduce Benefit from Wide Range of Anticancer
Drugs
     In pre-clinical studies, vitamin C appears to substantially reduce
the effectiveness of anticancer drugs, say researchers at Memorial
Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Cancer Research
--American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/544580/?sc=mwtn

A Dipstick Test for Breast Cancer?
     A few drops of urine may reveal whether a woman is at risk for breast
cancer, researchers led by the Vascular Biology Program at Children's
Hospital Boston are finding. Their discoveries, licensed for clinical
development, may lead to simple "dipstick" tests for breast cancer,
catching the disease at the earliest stages or spotting a resurgence
before it becomes a threat.
--Children's Hospital Boston
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/544591/?sc=sptn

Young Breast Cancer Patients Face Unique Risks and Issues
     Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S., but
little is known about breast cancer in women in their early 40s and
younger. Ann Partridge, MD, MPH, at Dana-Farber says young breast cancer
patients have a higher risk of dying from breast cancer than older women
and an increased risk of psychosocial distress at diagnosis and in
follow-up.
--Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/544665/?sc=sptn

Controlling Insulin Is Good for Diabetes -- and Breast Cancer?
     Doctors have long encouraged patients with diabetes to exercise
regularly to help control their insulin levels and to maintain a healthy
weight. Now, breast oncologists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston
are studying the relationship between exercise, weight, and insulin levels
and the risk of breast cancer recurrence.
--Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/544670/?sc=sptn

Acupuncture Reduces Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment
     Acupuncture is as effective and longer-lasting in managing the common
debilitating side effects of hot flashes, night sweats, and excessive
sweating (vasomotor symptoms) associated with breast cancer treatment and
has no treatment side effects compared to conventional drug therapy,
according to a first-of-its-kind study to be presented Sept. 24 at the
American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology's 50th Annual
Meeting in Boston. American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology
--Henry Ford Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/544370/?sc=mwtn

Researchers Use Honeybee Venom Toxin to Develop a New Tool for Studying
Hypertension
     Researchers have modified a honeybee venom toxin so that it can be
used as a tool to study the inner workings of ion channels that control
heart rate and the recycling of salt in kidneys.
PNAS
--University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/544426/?sc=mwtn

New Synthetic Form of Protein Holds Promise to Stop Cancer Spread
     Researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee have a
pending patent on a new synthetic form of a protein involved in certain
types of cancers and immune system diseases.
Science Signaling
--Medical College of Wisconsin
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/544340/?sc=mwtn

COPD?  Eat Your Veggies
     You know it's good for you in other ways, but could eating your
broccoli also help patients with chronic lung disease? It just might.
Broccoli is known to contain a compound that prevents the degradation of a
key component that protects lungs against oxidative damage and has been
linked to the development and severity of chronic lung disease. **
Image(s) embedded Am. J. of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Sep-2008
--American Thoracic Society (ATS)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/544189/?sc=mwtn

Clinicians Debate Use of Arthroscopy in Patients with Osteoarthritis
     In a NEJM study, investigators concluded that arthroscopic surgery
for osteoarthritis of the knee provides no additional benefit to optimized
physical and medical therapy. In an accompanying editorial, however, Robert
G. Marx, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery,
points out that the study has some weaknesses and argues strongly that
arthroscopy does have a role in some patients with osteoarthritis.
NEJM, 11-Sep-2008
--Hospital for Special Surgery
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/544086/?sc=mwtn

Vitamin B12 May Protect the Brain in Old Age
     Vitamin B12, a nutrient found in meat, fish and milk, may protect
against brain volume loss in older people, according to a study published
in the September 9, 2008, issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the
American Academy of Neurology. Neurology, 9-Sep-2008
--American Academy of Neurology (AAN)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/543949/?sc=mwtn

Cholesterol Drugs Lower Risk of Stroke for Elderly Too
     Elderly people who take a cholesterol drug after a stroke or
mini-stroke lower their risk of having another stroke just as much as
younger people in the same situation, according to research published in
the September 3, 2008, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of
the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology
--American Academy of Neurology (AAN)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/543834/?sc=mwtn

Do 68 Molecules Hold the Key to Understanding Disease?
     Reviewing findings from multiple disciplines, Jamey Marth, Ph.D.,
UCSD Professor of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Investigator with
the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, realized that only 68 molecular
building blocks are used to construct these four fundamental components of
cells: the nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), proteins, glycans and lipids. **
Image(s) embedded **
Nature Cell Biology, Sep-2008
--University of California, San Diego Health Sciences
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/544015/?sc=mwtn

Exercise May Help Improve Memory Problems
     Adults with memory problems who participated in a home-based physical
activity program experienced a modest improvement in cognitive function,
compared to those who did not participate in the program, according to a
study in the September 3 issue of JAMA. JAMA, 3-Sep-2008
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/543875/?sc=mwtn

Treadmill Exercise Retrains Brain and Body of Stroke Victims
     People who walk on a treadmill even years after stroke damage can
significantly improve their health and mobility, changes that reflect
actual "rewiring" of their brains, according to research spearheaded at
Johns Hopkins. Stroke: J. of the Am. Heart Association
--Johns Hopkins Medicine
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/543757/?sc=mwtn

Statin Therapy Is Underused for Atherosclerosis Patients
     Statins, a group of drugs used to lower cholesterol levels in people
with or at risk of having cardiovascular disease, should be used more
frequently to combat the adverse cardiovascular outcomes from
atherosclerosis, according to new research published in the Journal of
Vascular Surgery.
J. of Vascular Surgery, Sep-2008
--Society for Vascular Surgery
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/543863/?sc=mwtn

Black Raspberries Slow Cancer by Altering Hundreds of Genes
     New research strongly suggests that a mix of preventative agents,
such as those found in concentrated black raspberries, may more
effectively inhibit cancer development than single agents aimed at
shutting down a particular gene.
Cancer Research
--Ohio State University
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/543839/?sc=mwtn

New Study Shows Health Benefits of Probiotic Could Extend
     Data from a recent study demonstrate the anti-inflammatory and
pathogen protection benefits of Bifidobacterium infantis 35624  a
probiotic bacterial strain of human origin. Gastrointestinal benefits of
probiotics have been well-documented, but more and more research is
revealing that probiotic benefits extend to the entire body.  The report
was published in the August issue of the Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Pathogens.
PLoS Pathogens, Aug-2008
--Alimentary Health
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/543733/?sc=mwtn

Psoriasis: More than Skin Deep
     Psoriasis is a chronic disease of the immune system that affects the
skin. As many as 7.5 million Americans suffer from psoriasis, according to
the National Institutes of Health. For some people, psoriasis can be a
nuisance, for others, it can be debilitating.
--Society for Women's Health Research (SWHR)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/543680/?sc=mwtn

Arsenic Exposure Could Increase Diabetes Risk
     Inorganic arsenic, commonly found in ground water in certain areas,
may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a study
by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
JAMA, 20-Aug-2008
--Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/543549/?sc=mwtn

Study Reveals How Diet, Antioxidants Prevent Blindness in Aging Population
     New study reveals how a diet rich in antioxidants can prevent the
leading cause of age-related blindness in developed countries. Age-related
macular degeneration affects more than 1.75 million people in the United
States and is predicted to affect 3 million by 2020.
J. of Biological Chemistry
--Brigham Young University
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/543592/?sc=mwtn

Stress, Anxiety Can Make Allergy Attacks Even More Miserable, Last Longer
     A new study shows that even slight stress and anxiety can
substantially worsen a person's allergic reaction to some routine
allergens. Moreover, the added impact of stress and anxiety seem to
linger, causing the second day of a stressed person's allergy attack to be
much worse. American Psychological Association annual convention
--Ohio State University
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/543399/?sc=mwtn

Massaging Muscles Facilitates Recovery After Exercise
     Researchers testing the long-held theory that therapeutic massage can
speed recovery after a sports injury have found early scientific evidence
of the healing effects of massage.
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
--Ohio State University
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/543447/?sc=mwtn

Low Vitamin D Levels Pose Large Threat to Health
     Researchers at Johns Hopkins are reporting what is believed to be the
most conclusive evidence to date that inadequate levels of vitamin D,
obtained from milk, fortified cereals and exposure to sunlight, lead to
substantially increased risk of death. Archives of Internal Medicine, 11-Aug-2008
--Johns Hopkins Medicine
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/543312/?sc=mwtn

Research Helps Patients Find Antidepressants That Work
     In spite of the range of medications now available, major depression
remains a challenging disease to treat. Only about half of adult patients
respond to the first antidepressant they try, with only one-third
achieving remission, reports the August 2008 issue of the Harvard Mental
Health Letter. Most adults will try two or more medications before finding
one that alleviates their depression.
--Harvard Health Publications
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/543309/?sc=mwtn

Triglycerides Count in Managing Heart Disease Risk
     Cholesterol, both good and bad, gets plenty of attention when the
subject is reducing the risk of heart disease. Yet triglycerides, a form
of fat that circulates in the blood, merit similar attention, according to
the August issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter.
--Mayo Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/543288/?sc=mwtn

Marinating Meats Prior to Grilling May Decrease Cancer-forming Compounds
     New research published in the Journal of Food Science suggests that
marinating meats may decrease the cancer-forming compounds called
heterocyclic amines (HCA), which are produced during grilling, by over 70
percent.
J. of Food Science
--Institute of Food Technologists (IFT)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/543032/?sc=mwtn

Statins May Protect Against Memory Loss
     People at high risk for dementia who took cholesterol-lowering
statins are half as likely to develop dementia as those who do not take
statins, a new study shows. Neurology, 29-Jul-2008
--University of Michigan
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/542880/?sc=mwtn

Deaths from Combining Drugs and/or Alcohol Skyrocket
     Asking patients to monitor their own medications can be fatal, as
exemplified by the recent death of actor Heath Ledger.

Archives of Internal Medicine, 28-Jul-2008
--University of California, San Diego
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/542896/?sc=mwtn

Study Clarifies Amount of Exercise Needed to Keep Weight Off
     In addition to limiting calories, overweight and obese women may need
to exercise 55 minutes a day for five days per week to sustain a weight
loss of 10 percent over two years, according to a report in the July 28
issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Archives of Internal Medicine, 28-Jul-2008
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/542923/?sc=mwtn

Dietary Factors Appear to Be Associated With Diabetes Risk
     Drinking more sugar-sweetened beverages or eating fewer fruits and
vegetables both may be associated with an increased risk of type 2
diabetes, whereas eating a low-fat diet does not appear to be associated
with any change in diabetes risk, according to three reports in the July
28 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives
journals. Archives of Internal Medicine, 28-Jul-2008
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/542924/?sc=mwtn

Study Examines Prevalence of Hearing Loss in the U.S.
     Hearing loss may be more prevalent in American adults than previously
reported, according to a study in the July 28 issue of Archives of Internal
Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals

Archives of Internal Medicine, 28-Jul-2008
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/542925/?sc=mwtn

Frequent Family Meals Might Reduce Teen Substance Use
     Parents who have regular meals with their adolescent children might
help lessen the chances they will start drinking or smoking later in their
teen years, according to a new study.  Researchers noted benefits in
families that ate five or more meals together each week, and found that
about 60 percent of the participants did so. J. of Adolescent Health, Aug-2008
--Health Behavior News Service
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/542257/?sc=mwtn

Exercise Could be the Heart's Fountain of Youth
     According to a study conducted at Washington University School of
Medicine in St. Louis, older people who did endurance exercise training
for about a year ended up with metabolically much younger hearts. The
researchers also showed that by one metabolic measure, women benefited
more than men from the training.
American J. of Physiology, 20-Jun-2008
--Washington University in St. Louis
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/542875/?sc=mwtn

New Guidelines for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis
     Updated rules add new anti-arthritic drugs and proven combinations to
the arsenal for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The RA guidelines,
issued by the American College of Rheumatology, are the first update since
2002. They focus on several classes of anti-arthritic drugs, including
disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and genetically engineered
biologics.
Arthritis Care & Research
--University of Alabama at Birmingham
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/542824/?sc=mwtn

Iced Tea's Hidden Risk of Painful Kidney Stones
     Popular summer drink can raise raise of debilitating kidney stones,
Loyola urologist warns.
--Loyola University Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/542808/?sc=mwtn

Most Adults Don't Realize Activity Lowers Colon Cancer Risk
     Many experts now consider colon cancer a largely preventable disease,
but a new study finds that primary care doctors might not always inform
patients about one important step they can take to reduce their risk:
becoming more physically active.
Patient Education and Counseling, Aug-2008
--Health Behavior News Service
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/542713/?sc=mwtn

Obesity Is No. 1 Health Concern for Kids in 2008
     A report released today by the U-M C.S. Mott Children's Hospital
National Poll on Children's Health finds childhood obesity is now the No.
1 health concern for kids in 2008, topping smoking and drug abuse. The
poll also reveals that bullying, Internet safety and teen pregnancy rank
among the nation's top health concerns for kids. ** Media embedded: Audio
/ Image(s) **
--University of Michigan Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/542561/?sc=mwtn

Consumption of Nut Products During Pregnancy Linked to Increased Asthma in
Children
     Expectant mothers who eat nuts or nut products like peanut butter
daily during pregnancy increase their children's risk of developing asthma
by more than 50 percent over women who rarely or never consume nut products
during pregnancy, according to new research from the Netherlands.

Am. J. of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jul-2008
--American Thoracic Society (ATS)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/542517/?sc=mwtn

Exercise May Prevent Brain Shrinkage in Early Alzheimer's Disease
     Mild Alzheimer's disease patients with higher physical fitness had
larger brains compared to mild Alzheimer's patients with low physical
fitness, according to a study published in the July 15, 2008, issue of
Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Neurology, 15-Jul-2008
--American Academy of Neurology (AAN)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/542428/?sc=mwtn

Vitamin D -- Builds Bones and Much More
     Vitamin D is essential to strong bones. Inadequate vitamin D can lead
to osteoporosis, a brittle bone disease.
--Mayo Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/542591/?sc=mwtn

Why the Squeeze on Fruit Juice? -- Separating Fact from Fiction
     Recently, people have become somewhat confused about 100 percent
fruit juice--how much to drink, how much to serve their children.
According to Dr. Theresa Nicklas, with Baylor College of Medicine, parents
should be confident serving their children appropriate amounts of 100
percent fruit juice.
--Kellen Communications
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/542596/?sc=mwtn

Fish Oil and Red Yeast Rice Studied for Lowering Blood Cholesterol
     In the July issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, a group of researchers
from Pennsylvania examine whether an alternative approach to treating high
blood cholesterol may provide an effective treatment option for patients
who are unable or unwilling to take statins.
Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Jul-2008
--Mayo Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/542426/?sc=mwtn

A Full Life Is Still Possible with Multiple Sclerosis
     Approximately 400,000 people in the United States have multiple
sclerosis (MS) and 200 new patients are diagnosed every week.  No one
knows what causes MS, but it is at least 2-3 times more common in women
than in men.  Patients can still live a full life with MS, according to
speakers at a recent Capitol Hill briefing.
--Society for Women's Health Research (SWHR)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/542353/?sc=mwtn

Looking for the Fountain of Youth? Cut Your Calories, Research Suggests
     In addition to reducing one's risk for many common diseases, new
research found that cutting 300 to 500 calories per day may slow the aging
process.
Rejuvenation Research, Jun-2008
--Saint Louis University Medical Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/542314/?sc=mwtn

Following Traumatic Brain Injury, Balanced Nutrition Saves Lives
     Clinician-scientists from NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell
Medical Center are suggesting an immediate and important change to
guidelines used in the care of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI).
J. of Neurosurgery, Jul-2008
--NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center/Weill Cornell
Medical College
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/542281/?sc=mwtn

The Hazards of Too Much Water
     We've all been told it's important to drink plenty of fluids during
exercise. But now it seems too much water can be very dangerous. So which
is right? Both. Good hydration is important, but overhydration can be
hazardous, even lethal. Common sense and moderation can help protect you
from both extremes, reports the July 2008 issue of Harvard Men's Health
Watch.
--Harvard Health Publications
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/542191/?sc=mwtn

Hard Work While Fatigued Affects Blood Pressure
     Working hard when fatigued may be admired by many Americans, but it
is a virtue that could be harmful to one's health, according to new
research by psychologists at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
(UAB). The research supports a theory which suggests that exhausted
individuals' cardiovascular systems are forced to work harder when they
attempt to complete tasks, such as those encountered on the job or at
school. ** Video embedded **
International Journal of Psychophysiology
--University of Alabama at Birmingham
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/542143/?sc=mwtn

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and the Heart: What is the Danger?
     Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been used as
analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents for several decades, but these
agents may have significant gastro-intestinal adverse effects. Selective
cyclooxygenase (COX-2) inhibitors, or "coxibs," were developed in the
early 1990s as a response to the
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and selective
cyclooxygenase.  (COX-2) inhibitors, or "coxibs," are used for a number of
disease conditions for relief of pain and inflammation.
Congestive Heart Failure
--University of Kentucky
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/541882/?sc=mwtn

Insulin Analogs No Better than the Real Deal, According to Latest Research
     People with diabetes, and physicians treating them, have become
excited in recent years by insulin analogs due to their rapid window of
action but recent research from Generex Biotechnology shows that the
advantages of insulin analogs may be illusory.
Endocrine Society 90th Annual Meeting
--Generex Biotechnology
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/542062/?sc=mwtn

"Natural" Trans Fat Less Harmful than Artificial Version
     Trans fat lowers "good" HDL cholesterol and raises the "bad" LDL
variety. Some municipalities have responded by banning trans fat from
restaurants and many food makers have stopped using trans fat as an
ingredient. But there's some trans fat normally present in meat and dairy
products that these bans won't touch. Fortunately, this "natural" trans
fat is not a big health concern, reports the July 2008 issue of the
Harvard Health Letter.
--Harvard Health Publications
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/542075/?sc=mwtn

Vitamin D - A Surprising Champion of Back Pain Relief, Report Says
     An extra daily dose of vitamin D can help to relieve chronic back
pain for many sufferers. A new peer-reviewed research report from
Pain-Topics.org tells how, by reviewing the clinical evidence and
providing helpful guidance for practitioners and their patients. **
Image(s) embedded **
--Pain Treatment Topics
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/542032/?sc=mwtn

Anxiety Linked with a Higher Risk for Certain Chronic Conditions
     As an everyday emotion, anxiety can be a good thing, prompting us to
take extra precautions. But when anxiety persists, it can undermine our
physical health. Evidence suggests that people with anxiety disorders are
at greater risk for some chronic medical conditions. The July 2008 issue
of Harvard Women's Health Watch describes several conditions affected by
anxiety.
--Harvard Health Publications
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/542012/?sc=mwtn

Women's Heart Health: Fact Sheet
     Heart disease is the nation's number one killer for women. But, the
well-known heart attack symptoms - acute pain, tightness, burning and a
dull ache in the chest - describe what men typically experience during an
attack.  For many women the signs of a heart attack are completely
different and can go unrecognized. Women tend to ignore signs of heart
attack, thus increasing the likelihood of tragic consequences. With
heightened attention to the facts about symptoms and treatments, much of
this can be prevented.
--Methodist Hospital, Houston
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/541860/?sc=sptn

A Heart Attack Waiting to Happen? How Do You Know Your Risk?
     The high-profile death of Tim Russert is raising awareness that
stress tests may not be the best way to find potentially fatal heart
disease. Dr. Mushabbar Syed at the University of Kentucky says an option
to more accurately identify a patient's risk is a coronary calcium scan
performed via commuted tomography (CT) imaging, which the university is
helping to implement at rural hospitals.
--University of Kentucky
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/541908/?sc=sptn

Common Cooking Spice Shows Promise in Combating Diabetes and Obesity
     Endocrinologists and researchers at the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center
at Columbia University Medical Center have discovered that
turmeric-treated mice were less susceptible to developing Type 2 diabetes,
based on their blood glucose levels, and glucose and insulin tolerance
tests.
ENDO 2008, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in San Francisco
--Columbia University Medical Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/541969/?sc=mwtn

Patient's Own Infection-fighting T Cells Put Late-stage Melanoma Into
Long-term Remission
     Researchers describe the first successful use of a human patient's
cloned infection-fighting T cells as the sole therapy to put an advanced
solid-tumor cancer into long-term remission.
NEJM, 19-Jun-2008
--Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/541738/?sc=mwtn

Researchers Link Memory Loss to Poor Diet
     Loss of memory with advanced age is a significant problem within most
societies, and appears particularly severe in advanced industrialized
nations.  In a seemingly unrelated issue, high obesity rates, particularly
in the United
States, are often due to a food supply high in cholesterol and saturated
fat. Through a new study, researchers have been able to link memory loss
to a poor
diet.
J. of Alzheimer's Disease, Jun-2008
--Medical University of South Carolina
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/541875/?sc=mwtn

Depression and Diabetes: Fellow Travelers, Researchers Say
     Researchers have long known that type-2 diabetes and depression often
go hand in hand. However, it's been unclear which condition develops first
in patients who end up with both. Now, a new study led by Johns Hopkins
doctors suggests that this chicken-and-egg problem has a dual answer:
Patients with depression have an increased risk of developing type-2
diabetes, and patients with type-2 diabetes have an increased risk of
developing depression. JAMA, 18-Jun-2008
--Johns Hopkins Medicine
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/541763/?sc=mwtn

Inherited Melanoma Risk: What You Do Know Does Help You
     Study shows people obey screening recommendations better after
genetic testing--whether or not they test positive.
Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, Jun-2008
--University of Utah Health Sciences
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/541834/?sc=mwtn

Potential New Role for Red Grape Seeds in Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease
     Mount Sinai researchers have discovered that polyphenolics derived
from red grape seeds may be useful agents to prevent or treat Alzheimer's
disease (AD). The new study entitled, "Grape derived polyphenolics prevent
Aβ oligomerization and attenuate cognitive deterioration in a mouse model
of Alzheimer's disease," was published in The Journal of Neuroscience.
This new study explored the possibility of developing 'wine mimetic pills'
that would replace the recommended beneficial glass of red wine a day for
AD prevention.
J. of Neuroscience
--Mount Sinai Medical Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/541844/?sc=mwtn

Vitamin D: New Way to Treat Heart Failure?
     Activated vitamin D protects the heart against avoid overwork and
enlargement, two of the hallmarks of heart failure, a University of
Michigan study in animals shows. The results, the first to show vitamin D
can prevent the damaging effects of heart failure, add heart health to the
growing list of vitamin D's benefits. ** Media embedded: Video / Image(s)
**
Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology
--University of Michigan Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/541653/?sc=mwtn

How to Protect Yourself from MRSA in Gyms, Health Clubs
     Loyola infection-control physician, nurse say simple steps can help
reduce your risk of contracting potentially deadly superbug.
--Loyola University Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/541652/?sc=mwtn

Researchers Make Pivotal Breakthrough in Alcohol Addiction Treatment
     Addiction experts led by a University of Virginia Health System team
have found that topiramate, an effective therapeutic medication, not only
decreases heavy drinking, but it also lowers all liver enzymes, plasma
cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), and systolic and diastolic blood
pressure - all of which tend to increase with heavy drinking and pose such
serious health risks as heart disease and cirrhosis. ** Video embedded **
Archives of Internal Medicine, 9-Jun-2008
--University of Virginia Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/541486/?sc=mwtn

Midlife Smokers May Have Worse Memory Than Non-Smokers
     Smoking appears to be associated with increased risk of poor memory
among middle-age adults, according to a report in the June 9 issue of
Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Archives of Internal Medicine, 9-Jun-2008
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/541491/?sc=mwtn

Men with Low Vitamin D May Have Increased Risk of Heart Attack
     Low levels of vitamin D appear to be associated with higher risk of
myocardial infarction (heart attack) in men, according to a report in the
June 9 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives
journals. Archives of Internal Medicine
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/541493/?sc=mwtn

Red Alert: Study Finds Chinese Food Good for Your Heart
     A clinical study on patients who have suffered a heart attack found
that a partially purified extract of Chinese red yeast rice, Xuezhikang
(XZK), reduced the risk of repeat heart attacks by 45%, revascularization
(bypass surgery/angioplasty), cardiovascular mortality and total mortality
by one-third and cancer mortality by two-thirds.

Am. J. of Cardiology, 15-Jun-2008
--Thomas Jefferson University
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/541472/?sc=mwtn

Study Links Vitamin D, Type 1 Diabetes
     Sun exposure and vitamin D levels may 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 and the
Department of Family and Preventive Medicine.  This association comes on
the heels of similar research findings by this same group regarding
vitamin D levels and several major cancers. Diabetologia
--University of California, San Diego Health Sciences
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/541379/?sc=mwtn

Genetically-Caused Low HDL Cholesterol Not Linked With Higher Risk of
Heart Disease
     Lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol due to a
gene mutation is not associated with an increased risk of ischemic heart
disease, according to a study in the June 4 issue of JAMA.

JAMA, 4-Jun-2008
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/541263/?sc=mwtn

Agent in Red Wine Found to Keep Hearts Young
     How, scientists wonder, do the French get away with a clean bill of
heart health despite a diet loaded with saturated fats?

PLoS ONE, 3-Jun-2008
--University of Wisconsin-Madison
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/541367/?sc=mwtn

Vigorous Exercise Can Help Seniors Avoid Disability
     Healthy seniors who are physically active and exercise for more than
60 minutes each week can lessen their chances of disability as they age,
finds a new long-term study. The researchers concluded that being
physically active, regardless of body weight, helped lessen disability.
Am. J. of Public Health
--Health Behavior News Service
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/541404/?sc=mwtn

The Traditional Mediterranean Diet Protects Against Diabetes
     The traditional Mediterranean diet provides substantial protection
against type 2 diabetes, according to a study published on bmj.com today.
(Embargo expired on 29-May-2008 at 19:05 ET)
BMJ
--British Medical Journal
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/541183/?sc=mwtn

Fibromyalgia Pain Linked with Central Nervous System Disorder
     Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that causes widespread pain
and tenderness throughout the body.  A University of Michigan study,
published in The Journal of Pain, shows that fibromyalgia is associated
with central nervous system abnormalities evidenced by patients' elevated
sensitivity to auditory and pressure sensations.
J. of Pain
--American Pain Society
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/541233/?sc=mwtn

Dehydrated Tomatoes Show Promise for Preventing Prostate Cancer
     New research suggests that the form of tomato product one eats could
be the key to unlocking its prostate cancer-fighting potential, according
to a report in the June 1 issue of Cancer Research, a journal of the
American Association for Cancer Research. Cancer Research, 1-Jun-2008
--American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/541129/?sc=mwtn

Sedentary High School Girls Are at Significant Risk for Future
Osteoporosis
     Significant numbers of female high school athletes and non-athletes
suffer from one or more components of the female athlete triad, a
combination of three conditions that can lead to cardiovascular disease,
according to a new study by Medical College of Wisconsin researchers in
Milwaukee. The study results were presented today at the American College
of Sports Medicine at Indianapolis, by Anne Z. Hoch, D.O.
American College of Sports Medicine
--Medical College of Wisconsin
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/541192/?sc=mwtn

5 Tips to Increase HDL Cholesterol
     Thanks to powerful cholesterol-lowering statin drugs, driving down
low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad" cholesterol, has been the primary
approach to improving cholesterol levels. But there's more to the story of
cholesterol and cardiovascular risk than LDL alone. Another key player is
high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the "good" cholesterol.
--Harvard Women's Health Watch
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/541159/?sc=mwtn

Glycemic Stability May be Important Key to Recovery from Critical Illness
     Widely varying blood glucose levels may pose as great a threat, or
possibly a greater threat, to critically ill patients as high, but steady,
glycemic levels, according to researchers in Saudi Arabia, who will present
their findings at the American Thoracic Society's 2008 International
Conference in Toronto on Tuesday, May 20. ATS 2008 Toronto International Conference
--American Thoracic Society (ATS)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/540650/?sc=mwtn

Green Tea Compounds Beat OSA-Related Brain Deficits
     Chemicals found in green tea may be able to stave off the cognitive
deficits that occur with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to a new
study published in the second issue for May of the American Thoracic
Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Am. J. of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, May-2008
--American Thoracic Society (ATS)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/540745/?sc=mwtn

Low Cholesterol Leader to Lower PSA
     Managing your cholesterol may also help you manage your prostate-
specific antigen (PSA) level. This study explored the relationship between
low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and PSA prior to beginning statin
therapy. Data collected from a study of 1,214 men prescribed
cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins) between 1990 and 2006 at the Durham
Veteran Affairs Medical Center in North Carolina shows that PSA levels
were reduced after starting statin medications and that this decline was
proportional to the decline in LDL cholesterol.
2008 AUA Annual Scientific Meeting
--American Urological Association (AUA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/540807/?sc=mwtn

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

A Plan to Reduce Fibromyalgia Pain
     Pain all over, fatigue and difficulty sleeping -- and no measurable
answer for what could be wrong.
--Mayo Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/539357/?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

taking a combination of antidepressants.

Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice

--University of Alberta

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/538978/?sc=mwtn

Dietary Risk Factors Associated with Incidence of Prostate Cancer

     Nutrition and Prostate Cancer: June Chan from UCSF presented on

Nutritional Epidemiology of Prostate Cancer. In a population migration

study, low-risk CaP populations moving to a high-risk area shifted to a

higher risk profile. Chinese men in China had a CaP risk of 3/100,000, but

after moving to the US this increased to 100-120/100,000 by three

generations later. This supports the notion that epigenetic events

contribute to CaP risk.

American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2008 Genitourinary Cancers

Symposium--UroToday

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/538861/?sc=mwtn

Soy Compound May Halt Spread of Prostate Cancer

     A compound found in soybeans almost completely prevented the spread

of human prostate cancer in mice, according to a study published in the

March 15 issue of Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association

for Cancer Research. Cancer Research, 15-Mar-2008

--American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/538636/?sc=mwtn

Regular Low Dose Aspirin Cuts Asthma Risk in Women

     A small dose of aspirin on alternate days can cut the risk of

developing asthma among women, suggests a large study, published ahead of

print in Thorax. Thorax

--British Medical Journal

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/538566/?sc=mwtn

Extra Vitamin D in Early Childhood Cuts Adult Diabetes Risk

     Vitamin D supplements in early childhood may ward off the development

of type 1 diabetes in later life, reveals a research review published ahead

of print in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.

Archives of Disease in Childhood

--British Medical Journal

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/538567/?sc=mwtn

Link Found Between Vegetables and Decreased Risk of Breast Cancer

     When your mother told you to eat your vegetables it appears that

maternal wisdom had a scientific basis. Researchers with Vanderbilt-Ingram

Cancer Center and the Shanghai Cancer Institute in China have discovered a

possible link between a diet rich in certain vegetables and a decreased

risk for breast cancer. The study appears in the March issue of the

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Am. J. of Clinical Nutrition, Mar-2008

--Vanderbilt University Medical Center

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/538457/?sc=mwtn

Broccoli May Help Boost the Aging Immune System

     The study findings show that sulforaphane, a chemical in broccoli,

switches on a set of antioxidant genes and enzymes in specific immune

cells, which then combat the injurious effects of molecules known as free

radicals that can damage cells and lead to disease.

Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

--University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Health Sciences

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/538419/?sc=mwtn

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.

Am. J. of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Mar-2008
--American Thoracic Society (ATS)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/538043/?sc=mwtn

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.

Archives of Internal Medicine, 28-Jan-2008
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/537183/?sc=mwtn

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

Ways to Reduce Gassiness
     Gassiness: It's embarrassing, bothersome and -- yes, smelly.
Sometimes, changing diet can clear the air.
--Mayo Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536580/?sc=mwtn

Moderate Exercise Yields Big Benefits
     What's the key to looking and feeling better and enhancing your
health? Exercise.
--Mayo Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/536579/?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

Food Intolerance or Food Allergy?
     Food allergy or intolerance? It's important to know the difference.
--Mayo Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/535918/?sc=mwtn

Selenium To Prevent Prostate Cancer? More Answers Needed
     A mineral diet supplement that lowers the risk of prostate cancer by
50 percent?
--Mayo Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/535924/?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.

Sexually Transmitted Infections
--British Medical Journal
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/535554/?sc=mwtn

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.

Archives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Nov-2007
--University of Michigan Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/535439/?sc=mwtn

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.

Molecular Cancer Therapeutics
--California Pacific Medical Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/535416/?sc=mwtn

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

Study Links Asthma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
     For the first time, a study has linked asthma with post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD) among adults in the community. The study of male
twins who were veterans of the Vietnam era suggests that the association
between asthma and PTSD is not primarily explained by common genetic
influences. Am. J. of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Nov-2007
--American Thoracic Society (ATS)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/535218/?sc=mwtn

New Drug May Restore Memory with Alzheimer's Disease
     Dr. Vassilios Papadopoulos, of McGill University Health Center, an
adviser to Samaritan, and the discoverer of anti-Alzheimer's spirostenols
recently published a paper reviewing current development-stage approaches
to treating Alzheimer's disease in where he identified amyloid plaque as a
key target for therapy.
Recent Patents on CNS Drug Discovery, 2, 2007
--Samaritan Pharmaceuticals
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/535325/?sc=mwtn

Eating Fish, Omega-3 Oils, Fruits and Veggies Lowers Risk of Memory
Problems
     A diet rich in fish, omega-3 oils, fruits and vegetables may lower
your risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, whereas consuming omega-6
rich oils could increase chances of developing memory problems, according
to a study published in the November 13, 2007, issue of Neurology.
Neurology, 13-Nov-2007
--American Academy of Neurology (AAN)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/535163/?sc=mwtn

Long-Term Beta Carotene Supplementation May Help Prevent Cognitive Decline
     Men who take beta carotene supplements for 15 years or longer may
have less cognitive decline, according to a report in the November 12
issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Archives of Internal Medicine, 12-Nov-2007
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/535278/?sc=mwtn

Try Adding These Superfoods to your Thanksgiving Dinner This Year
     Tired of spinach, bored with broccoli?  Experts say there's a new
generation of superfoods that promise to do double or triple-duty when it
comes to preventing illness.
--Baylor Health Care System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/535077/?sc=mwtn

Green Tea Proves Powerful Medicine Against Sepsis
     A component of green tea could prove the perfect elixir for severe
sepsis.  Haichao Wang, PhD, of The Feinstein Institute for Medical
Research, and his colleagues have been studying the therapeutic powers of
dozens of Chinese herbal compounds.
PLoS ONE
--North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/535251/?sc=mwtn

Fish Oil May Be Good Supplemental Treatment for Lupus
     Omega-3 fish oils may benefit lupus activity as well as
cardiovascular effects for patients with lupus, according to research
presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual
Scientific Meeting in Boston, Mass. ACR Annual Scientific Meeting
--American College of Rheumatology (ACR)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/534857/?sc=sptn

Can't Sleep? Sleep Expert Has the Answers
     Ever wonder why you are fatigued during the day when you thought you
slept throughout the night? Why your spouse snores so much? Whether your
sleep problems might be related to other health issues?  Dr. Aparajitha
Verma, neurologist with the Sleep Disorders Center at the Methodist
Neurological Institute in Houston, Texas, is here to answer those
questions and help you get a good night's rest.
--Methodist Hospital, Houston
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/534342/?sc=sptn

Defeat Stress This Holiday Season
     The holidays are here - and for many, stress will be an unwelcome
guest. University of Maryland psychology lecturer, Dr. Thomas Capo, says
that holiday stress can be conquered by following some common sense tips
that aim to help body, mind and pocketbook. "Your quality of life need not
be diminished because of holiday stress," he says.
--University of Maryland, College Park
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/534613/?sc=sptn

Obesity Shortens Lifespan and Costs Society Billions
     What many Americans eat and how little they exercise could wind up
costing them - and American taxpayers - some serious money. Moreover, the
overweight and obese may lose months from their lifespans.

Health Services Research
--Health Behavior News Service
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/534251/?sc=mwtn

Role of a Key Enzyme in Reducing Heart Disease Identified
     Virginia Commonwealth University researchers have identified the role
of a key enzyme called CEH in reducing heart disease, paving the way for
new target therapies to reduce plaques in the arteries and perhaps in the
future, help predict a patient's susceptibility to heart disease.
J. of Clinical Investigation, Oct-2007
--Virginia Commonwealth University
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/534672/?sc=mwtn

Incisionless Surgery To Correct Acid Reflux Disease
     Surgeons at the Ohio State University Medical Center have performed
the first incisionless operations in the United States using a device
recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration to stop
gastroesophageal reflux disease.
--Ohio State University Medical Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/534603/?sc=mwtn

People with Schizophrenia More Likely to Die of Heart Disease
     Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and
it's about twice as deadly for people with schizophrenia. The November 2007
issue of the Harvard Mental Health Letter looks at why the risk is so great
for people with schizophrenia and what can they do to reduce it.
--Harvard Health Publications
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/534615/?sc=mwtn

Eating Whole-Grain Breakfast Cereals May Be Associated With a Lower Risk
of Heart Failure for Men
     Men who consume a higher amount of whole grain breakfast cereals may
have a reduced risk of heart failure, according to a report in the October
22 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives
journals. Archives of Internal Medicine, 22-Oct-2007
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/534483/?sc=mwtn

Healthy Diet, Lifestyle Behaviors Associated With Decreased Risk of Heart
Attack in Women
     Women who eat a healthy diet, drink moderate amounts of alcohol, are
physically active, maintain a healthy weight and do not smoke have a
significantly reduced risk of heart attack, according to a report in the
October 22 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the
JAMA/Archives journals.
Archives of Internal Medicine, 22-Oct-2007
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/534486/?sc=mwtn

Healthy Lifestyle Will Boost Your Immune System Better than a Handful of
Supplements
     Vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements can help complement a
healthy diet and lifestyle, but consumers shouldn't count on them to boost
their immune response, says the new edition of a Harvard Medical School
report, The Truth About Your Immune System: What you need to know.
--Harvard Health Publications
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/534555/?sc=mwtn

Chewing Gum May Help Reduce Cravings and Control Appetite
     A research study to be presented at the 2007 Annual Scientific
Meeting of The Obesity Society, found that chewing gum before an afternoon
snack helped reduce hunger, diminish cravings and promote fullness among
individuals who limit their overall calorie intake.
2007 Annual Scientific Meeting of The Obesity Society
--Edelman PR, Chicago
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/534512/?sc=mwtn

Zinc May Reduce Pneumonia Risk in Nursing Home Elderly
     Tufts University researchers report that maintaining normal serum
zinc concentration in the blood may help reduce the risk of pneumonia
development in elderly nursing home residents. Study participants with
normal serum zinc concentrations in their blood reduced their risk of
developing pneumonia by about 50 percent.
Am. J. of Clinical Nutrition, Oct-2007
--Tufts University
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/534516/?sc=mwtn

Sunlight Exposure May Decrease Risk of Advanced Breast Cancer
     A research team from the Northern California Cancer Center, the
University of Southern California, and Wake Forest University School of
Medicine has found that increased exposure to sunlight - which increases
levels of vitamin D in the body -- may decrease the risk of advanced
breast cancer.
Am. J. of Epidemiology
--Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/534480/?sc=mwtn

Expert on MRSA "Super Bug" Says New Science and Approach is Needed to
Combat This Medical Dilemma
     -    Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
stated that invasive infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA) may be twice as common as previously thought and could have
mortality rates that would exceed those attributed to HIV/AIDS, emphysema,
or homicide, according to a paper published in the Journal of the American
Medical Association. For those covering this news, PolyMedix makes
available Dr. Eric McAllister, vice president of clinical development of
PolyMedix.
--PolyMedix
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/534431/?sc=mwtn

Acupuncture Diminishes Acute Postop Pain
     An analysis of several large research studies found that acupuncture,
a traditional form of Chinese medicine, effectively eases postoperative
pain without serious side effects. The findings were presented at the
American Society of Anesthesiologists 2007 Annual Meeting in San
Francisco. American Society of Anesthesiologists 2007 Annual Meeting
--American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/533691/?sc=mwtn

Findings Could Lead to New Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury
     UCSD Findings Could Lead to New Therapy for Spinal Cord
Injury-Induced Spasticity and Rigidity. Research led by scientists at the
UCSD School of Medicine has identified a target with potential as an
effective new therapy for chronic spasticity and rigidity, a painful
condition that often results from spinal cord injury. (Embargo expired on
16-Oct-2007 at 15:00 ET)
J. of Neuroscience, 17-Oct-2007
--University of California, San Diego Health Sciences
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/534200/?sc=mwtn

Simple Eye Scan Opens Window to Multiple Sclerosis
     A five-minute eye exam might prove to be an inexpensive and effective
way to gauge and track the debilitating neurological disease multiple
sclerosis, potentially complementing costly magnetic resonance imaging to
detect brain shrinkage - a characteristic of the disease's progression.
Neurology, Oct-2007
--Johns Hopkins Medicine
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/534210/?sc=mwtn

Vitamin D Inadequacy May Exacerbate Chronic Pain
     Approximately one in four patients who suffer from chronic pain also
have inadequate blood levels of vitamin D, possibly contributing to their
ongoing pain, according to a new study at the American Society of
Anesthesiologists 2007 Annual Meeting in San Francisco.

American Society of Anesthesiologists 2007 Annual Meeting
--American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/533686/?sc=mwtn

Nicotine Patch Decreases Post-Surgical Pain
     The use of a nicotine patch - successfully used to help many smokers
decrease their dependency on nicotine - was shown to reduce pain in men
after prostate removal surgery in a new anesthesiology study today at the
American Society of Anesthesiologists 2007 Annual Meeting in San
Francisco. American Society of Anesthesiologists 2007 Annual Meeting
--American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/533681/?sc=mwtn

Drug Derived from Chili Peppers May Reduce Acute Pain After Surgery
     Purified capsaicin, a drug derived from chili peppers, reduced pain
for at least three days following groin hernia surgery, according to a new
study presented today at the American Society of Anesthesiologists 2007
Annual Meeting in San Francisco.

American Society of Anesthesiologists 2007 Annual Meeting
--American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/533677/?sc=mwtn

Statins Reduce Loss of Function, Keeping Old Lungs Young--Even in Smokers
     Statins are known to be good for lowering cholesterol and maybe even
fighting dementia, and now they have another reported benefit: they appear
to slow decline in lung function in the elderly-- even in those who smoke.
According to researchers in Boston, it may be statins' anti-inflammatory
and antioxidant properties that help achieve this effect.

Am. J. of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Oct-2007
--American Thoracic Society (ATS)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/534094/?sc=mwtn

Researchers Say Stress and Disease Are Likely Linked
     A new commentary in the Oct. 10 edition of the Journal of the
American Medical Association explores whether psychological stress leads
to disease and concludes that the link is likely.
JAMA, 10-Oct-2007
--Health Behavior News Service
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/534175/?sc=mwtn

Even Mild Thyroid Problems Double Risk of Heart Conditions
     Individuals with subclinical hypothyroidism--a mildly underactive
thyroid only detectable by a blood test--are twice as likely to develop
heart failure, compared to those with normal thyroid levels.

American Thyroid Association Annual Meeting
--American Thyroid Association
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/534000/?sc=mwtn

Relaxation: A Necessity For Good Health
     Relaxation should not be last on the to-do list. According to the
October issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource, relaxation is a vital
process that decreases wear and tear on the mind and body.
--Mayo Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/533963/?sc=mwtn

Manage Long-Term Stress to Avoid Ill Health Effects
     When stress never seems to go away, health can suffer. The October
issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter offers an overview of stress, the good,
the bad and ways to reduce its ill effects.
--Mayo Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/533975/?sc=mwtn

New Treatment for Chronic Arthritis-Related Back Pain
     Radiofrequency ablation, where heat energy destroys or stuns the
nerves of a painful joint, is a developing therapy for chronic
arthritis-related back pain. In the right situation, this approach may be
welcome -- though usually not permanent -- relief, according to the
October issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter.
--Mayo Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/533976/?sc=mwtn

Dietary Calcium Could Possibly Prevent the Spread of Breast Cancer to Bone
     A strong skeleton is less likely to be penetrated by metastasizing
cancer cells, so a fortified glass of milk might be the way to block
cancer's spread, according to researchers at the ANZAC Research Institute
in Concord, Australia. Using a mouse model of breast cancer metastasis,
the researchers found that a calcium deficiency may increase the tendency
of advanced breast cancer to target bone. Dietary calcium, they reason,
might help prevent the spread of breast cancer to bone and serve as an
adjuvant treatment during therapy.
Cancer Research, 1-Oct-2007
--American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/533887/?sc=mwtn

New Treatment for Stroke Works up to a Day After Symptoms Start
     People treated with the drug minocycline within six to 24 hours after
a stroke had significantly fewer disabilities, according to a study
published in the October 2, 2007, issue of Neurology.  Researchers say
minocycline may be an alternative treatment for stroke because current
treatments only work during the first few hours after the onset of
symptoms, and many people don't get to the hospital in time to be treated.
Neurology
--American Academy of Neurology (AAN)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/533674/?sc=mwtn

Depression, Aging, and Proteins Made by A Virus All Linked to Heart
Disease
     Researchers have linked an increase in two immune system proteins
essential for inflammation to a latent viral infection and proposed a
chain of events that might accelerate cardiovascular disease.
Brain, Behavior and Immunity
--Ohio State University
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/533856/?sc=mwtn

New, Non-Invasive Imaging Test Could Help Prevent Heart Attacks
     A new type of non-invasive imaging test may help prevent heart
attacks. Known as Low-Dose Coronary CT Angiogram (CTA), the test uses less
radiation than conventional imaging tests and may help detect heart disease
certain asymptomatic patients.
--Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/533804/?sc=mwtn

Diet Rich in Fatty Acids Could Thwart Diabetes Onset
     Now a study of nearly 1,800 children at risk for type 1 diabetes has
found that increased consumption of dietary omega-3 fatty acids appears to
reduce the risk of the body attacking its own insulin-producing cells, a
precursor to this form of the disease, report researchers at the
University of Colorado and the University of Florida.
JAMA, 26-Sep-2007
--University of Florida Health Science Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/533751/?sc=mwtn

Experimental Drug Boosts Survival Time For Recurrent Ovarian Cancer
     An experimental drug has shown promise in extending the survival
period for women with recurrent ovarian cancer whose treatment options
have dwindled. Early testing data showed that pertuzumab added weeks to
the lives of Stage 3 ovarian cancer patients whose disease had returned
after treatment with existing chemotherapy, said a researcher from the
University of Alabama at Birmingham.
14th European Cancer Conference in Barcelona, Spain.
--University of Alabama at Birmingham
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/533781/?sc=mwtn

Professor Uses iPods to Provide Help for People Who Stutter
     Compared to advancements in modern medicine over the past 70 years,
there have been few new treatment options for people who stutter. That's
one reason a $50 digital device is drawing attention. Contrast that price
to a typical digital speech device costing approximately $5,000, and it's
easy to see why Greg Snyder, assistant professor of communicative
disorders, may be on to something big.
--University of Mississippi
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/533763/?sc=mwtn

Why Don't Painkillers Work on Fibromyalgia? Research Explains Why
     People with the common chronic pain condition fibromyalgia often
report that they don't respond to the types of medication that relieve
other people's pain. New research from the University of Michigan Health
System helps explain why: Patients with fibromyalgia were found to have
reduced binding ability of a type of receptor in the brain that is the
target of opioid painkiller drugs such as morphine.
J. of Neuroscience, 12-Sep-2007
--University of Michigan Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/533735/?sc=mwtn

Autism Symptoms Can Improve Into Adulthood
     Hallmarks of autism are characteristic behaviors - repetitive
motions, problems interacting with others, impaired communication
abilities - that occur in widely different combinations and degrees of
severity among those who have the condition.
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Sep-2007
--University of Wisconsin-Madison
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/533715/?sc=mwtn

Enhanced Program for Treating Depression Appears to Reduce Symptoms,
Improve Productivity, Cost-Effective for Employers
     Employees seeking treatment for depression who participated in a
program that included a telephone outreach intervention had fewer
symptoms, worked more hours and had greater job retention than
participants receiving usual care, according to a study in the September
26 issue of JAMA.  26-Sep-2007
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/533561/?sc=mwtn

Consumption of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Associated With Decreased Risk of Type
1 Diabetes
     Preliminary research suggests that in children at increased risk for
type 1 diabetes, dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids was associated with
a reduced risk of pancreatic islet autoimmunity, which is linked to the
development of diabetes, according to an article in the September 26 issue
of JAMA. 26-Sep-2007
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/533563/?sc=mwtn

Acupuncture Treatment May Be More Effective Than Conventional Therapy In
Treating Lower Back Pain
     Six months of acupuncture treatment appears to be more effective than
conventional therapy in treating low back pain, according to a study in the
September 24 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the
JAMA/Archives journals, although the study suggests that both sham
acupuncture and traditional Chinese verum acupuncture appear to be
effective in treating low back pain. (Archives of Internal Medicine, 24-Sep-2007
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/533569/?sc=mwtn

Quick-burning Carbs May Cause Fatty Liver
     The obesity epidemic has spawned not just diabetes, but another
serious public health problem: a surge in fatty liver disease, which can
lead to cirrhosis and liver failure. Now, research suggests that limiting
intake of high-glycemic-index carbohydrates can prevent the condition in
mice. A clinical trial in overweight adolescents is now testing the
possibility of reversing fatty liver through diet. Obesity, Sep-2007
--Children's Hospital Boston
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/533304/?sc=mwtn

Cell Phone Use Causes High Frequency Hearing Loss
     Hold the phone - long-term use of a cell phone may cause inner ear
damage and can lead to high frequency hearing loss, according to a new
study. (Embargo expired on 19-Sep-2007 at 10:00 ET)
2007 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO
--American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (AAOHNS)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/533259/?sc=mwtn

New Method Speeds Up Gene Discovery, Pinpoints Cholesterol Gene
     Scientists will be able to pinpoint genetic causes of human diseases
faster than ever with a powerful new discovery method unveiled in the
Sept. 16 online edition of Nature Genetics. An international team led by
Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research explains the new method and
how it was used to find a gene that regulates HDL, the good cholesterol.
Nature Genetics Online, 16-Sep-2007
--Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research (SFBR)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/533292/?sc=mwtn

Apples, Apple Juice Lower Wheezing and Asthma Risk in Children
     Consumption of apples and apple juice are associated with decreased
symptoms and risk of asthma and wheezing among children, according to two
studies in respected European journals: Thorax and European Respiratory
Journal.
Thorax, Sep-2007
European Respiratory Journal, Jun-2007
--Apple Products Research and Education Council
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/533371/?sc=mwtn

Metabolic Syndrome Heightens Risk for Development of Uric-Acid Kidney
Stones
     Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found that
patients suffering from the metabolic syndrome - a cluster of conditions
that increases the risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes - also have
a propensity to develop highly acidic urine, which increases the risk of
developing kidney stones.
Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, Sep-2007
--UT Southwestern Medical Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/533324/?sc=mwtn

Nicotine May Accelerate Atherosclerosis, May Be as Dangerous as Tar
     By comparing reduced-nicotine cigarettes like Quest 3 and Eclipse
with regular cigarettes, researchers discovered that the extent of
cigarette-smoke induced atherosclerosis in mice correlated with the levels
of nicotine -- the higher the nicotine, the more disease.
Cardiovascular Toxicology
--NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center/Weill Cornell
Medical College
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/533287/?sc=mwtn

Mediterranean Diet May Help Alzheimer's Patients Live Longer
     A Mediterranean diet may help people with Alzheimer's disease live
longer than patients who eat a more traditional Western diet. The study is
published in the September 11, 2007, issue of Neurology, the medical
journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology, 11-Sep-2007
--American Academy of Neurology (AAN)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/533037/?sc=mwtn

Vitamin D Supplements Appear to Be Associated With Lower Risk of Death
     Individuals who take vitamin D supplements appear to have a lower
risk of death from any cause over an average follow-up time of six-years,
according to a meta-analysis of 18 previously published studies in the
September 10 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the
JAMA/Archives journals. Archives of Internal Medicine, 10-Sep-2007
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/533137/?sc=mwtn

Study Sheds Light on Role of Vitamin E in Heart Disease Prevention
     Should you increase your vitamin E intake to prevent heart disease?
The answer is "maybe." Research by scientists at Southwest Foundation for
Biomedical Research helps explain why human studies have been
contradictory, and why vitamin E might help some but not others.
Am. J. of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 86, No. 3, Sep-2007
--Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research (SFBR)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/533168/?sc=mwtn

Avocados May Help Prevent Oral Cancer
     Nutrients taken from avocados are able to thwart oral cancer cells,
killing some and preventing pre-cancerous cells from developing into
actual cancers, according to researchers.
Seminars in Cancer Biology
--Ohio State University
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/533019/?sc=mwtn

Chiropractic May Help Adults Suffering from Attention Deficit
     A pilot study, published in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation
Research (www.jvsr.com), suggests that chiropractic care may help adults
suffering from concentration problems and attention deficit (ADD/ADHD).
The study was performed by Yannick Pauli, DC, director of the "Centre
Wellness NeuroFit" in Lausanne, Switzerland.
J. of Vertebral Subluxation Research
--World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/533031/?sc=mwtn

Flaxseed Shows Potential to Reduce Hot Flashes
     Data from a new Mayo Clinic study suggest that dietary therapy using
flaxseed can decrease hot flashes in postmenopausal women who do not take
estrogen. The findings from the pilot study are published in the summer
2007 issue of the Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology.
Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology
--Mayo Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/532814/?sc=mwtn

Heart Palpitations Usually Not Dangerous
     Palpitations are usually caused by a harmless hiccup in the heart's
rhythm. Sometimes, though, they reflect a problem in the heart or
elsewhere in the body. Sorting out worrisome palpitations from harmless
ones isn't always easy, reports the September 2007 issue of the Harvard
Heart Letter.
--Harvard Heart Letter
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/532867/?sc=mwtn

Fish Oil Could Provide Measure of Relief for Some MS Patients
     New findings confirm previous research findings that suggest the
intake of fish oil, containing Omega-3 fatty acids could provide a measure
of relief for those with MS, a disease that is progressive, debilitating,
and without a cure.
22nd Annual Meeting of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians
(AANP)
--American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/532660/?sc=mwtn

Study Shines More Light on Benefit of Vitamin D in Fighting Cancer
     A new study looking at the relationship between vitamin D serum
levels and the risk of colon and breast cancer across the globe has
estimated the number of cases of cancer that could be prevented each year
if vitamin D3 levels met the target proposed by researchers.
Nutrition Reviews, Aug-2007
--University of California, San Diego Health Sciences
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/532669/?sc=mwtn

Take the Itch and Burn Out of Hemorrhoids: Tips to Reduce Pain and
Discomfort
     Are you tired of the itch and burn of hemorrhoids? While it's a
fairly common condition, many patients may be too embarrassed to talk to
their doctor about it.
The ACG has important health tips to reduce the pain and discomfort of
hemorrhoids.
--American College of Gastroenterology (ACG)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/532628/?sc=mwtn

New Research Shows How Chronic Stress Worsens Neurodegenerative Disease
Course
     The evidence is accumulating on how bad stress is for health. Chronic
stress can intensify inflammation and increase a person's risk for
developing central nervous system infections, neurodegenerative diseases,
like multiple sclerosis (MS), and other inflammatory diseases, say
researchers presenting at the 115th Annual Convention of the American
Psychological Association (APA). American Psychological Association's 115th Annual Convention--American Psychological Association (APA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/532293/?sc=mwtn

Whiplash May Produce Delayed Jaw Pain
     One in three people exposed to whiplash trauma is at risk of
developing delayed TMJ symptoms that may require treatment, according to
research published in the August issue of The Journal of the American
Dental Association.
J. of the Am. Dental Association, Aug-2007
--American Dental Association (ADA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/532549/?sc=mwtn

Exercise Tips for Diabetics
     You have diabetes and want to exercise.  It is possible, says Dr.
Stephen G. Rosen, Chief of Endocrinology & Metabolism at Pennsylvania
Hospital.  Diabetes affects 20.8 million people in the, about 7% of the
population, according to the American Diabetes Association.
--University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/532570/?sc=sptn

Research Identifies Sirtuin Protein Instrumental in Fat Production and
Metabolism
     A new Joslin Diabetes Center-led study has identified a protein found
in fat cells that may play a major role in how fat is produced and stored,
offering a new target for treatments to prevent obesity and reduce the
risk for type 2 diabetes. This latest research appears in the August 2007
issue of Cell Metabolism.
Cell Metabolism, Aug-2007
--Joslin Diabetes Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/532517/?sc=mwtn

Diet High In Meat, Fat and Refined Grains Associated With Increased Risk
for Colon Cancer
     Patients treated for colon cancer who had a diet high in meat,
refined grains, fat and desserts had an increased risk of cancer
recurrence and death compared with patients who had a diet high in fruits
and vegetables, poultry and fish, according to a study in the August 15
issue of JAMA. 15-Aug-2007
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/532352/?sc=mwtn

Abdominal Pain...When is it Serious?
     Have you ever experienced pain in your abdomen?  Of course, all of us
have experienced a "belly ache" sometime in our lives, but how can you
decide when abdominal pain is serious?  While most stomach pain isn't
serious, persistent or severe pain should not be ignored.
--American College of Gastroenterology (ACG)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/532428/?sc=mwtn

Harvard's New Eating Guide Busts Diet Myths for Diabetes
     Myths abound when it comes to diabetes and food--one of the most
common being that there is a "diabetes diet" that prohibits sugar and
other items. A new report from Harvard Health Publications dispels this
and other misconceptions, and explains what people with diabetes should
eat to keep their blood sugar steady. The report includes 40 new recipes.
--Harvard Health Publications
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/532466/?sc=mwtn

Pot Bellies Linked to Early Signs of Cardiovascular Disease
     Most of us rely on the bathroom scale to tell us when middle-aged
spread is getting out of hand. It might be better to keep a tape measure
at the ready. New research shows that adding several inches to the
waist--even if body weight still falls within a normal range--markedly
increases the risk of unhealthy plaque build-up in the arteries of the
heart and the rest of the body. J. of the Am. College of Cardiology, 21-Aug-2007
--American College of Cardiology (ACC)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/532267/?sc=mwtn

Waist-to-hip Ratio may better Predict Cardiovascular Risk than Body Mass
Index
     A tape measure, not just a bathroom scale, may help you better assess
your heart disease risk. In a study to be published in the Aug. 21 issue of
the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, investigators at UT
Southwestern Medical Center found that people with a larger waist-to-hip
ratio may be at increased risk for heart disease. The research evaluates
the association between different measures of obesity and the prevalence
of arterial disease. J. of the Am. College of Cardiology, 21-Aug-2007
--UT Southwestern Medical Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/532354/?sc=mwtn

Even Low Levels of Weekly Exercise Drive Down Blood Pressure
     Even low levels of weekly exercise drive down blood pressure and
boost overall fitness, suggests a small study in the Journal of
Epidemiology and Community Health. (Embargo expired on 13-Aug-2007 at
19:05 ET)
J. of Epidemiology and Community Health
--British Medical Journal
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/532382/?sc=mwtn

Important Facts About Irritable Bowel Syndrome
     Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of bowel function.
Patients who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome have abdominal pain or
discomfort accompanied by changes in bowel habits such as constipation or
diarrhea (or both). Additional symptoms of IBS include abdominal bloating,
loss of appetite, and general malaise.
--American College of Gastroenterology (ACG)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/532223/?sc=mwtn

Olive Oil -- Reaping Its Health Benefits
     Among cooking oils, olive oil is touted as one of the healthiest.
Olive oil contains monounsaturated fat, which can lower total cholesterol
and low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol in the blood.
--Mayo Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/532208/?sc=mwtn

How Much Water Should You Drink? It Depends
     Eight glasses a day? More or less? The amount of water we need to
drink each day can vary. The August issue of Mayo Clinic Women's
HealthSource lists factors that can increase the need for fluid.

-- Increased physical activity
-- Hot and humid weather
-- Dry indoor air and high altitudes, which reduce moisture in the air
-- Having an illness, particularly one accompanied by fever, vomiting or
diarrhea
--Mayo Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/532207/?sc=mwtn

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: A Way to Improve Heart Health
     While a heart-healthy diet has become synonymous with plenty of
fruits and vegetables and little fat and cholesterol, there's more to the
story. Omega-3 fatty acids should be part of a heart-healthy diet, too,
according to the August issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter.
--Mayo Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/532213/?sc=mwtn

Elusive Solution for Eliminating Trans Fats
     Limiting and labeling trans fats in food is not enough, according to
Walter Willett, an epidemiologist and nutrition professor at the Harvard
School of Public Health, who argues to food manufacturers that they should
be banned altogether. Willett was among dozens of speakers on the opening
day of the Institute of Food Technologists Annual Meeting & Food Expo
here, the world's largest annual food science forum and exposition.
IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo
--Institute of Food Technologists (IFT)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531946/?sc=mwtn

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. The results may help in designing new
anti-inflammatory drugs with fewer side effects than the ones currently
available. J. of Biological Chemistry, 3-Aug-2007
--American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531827/?sc=mwtn

Living with Dangerous Food Allergies
     Testing children with serious food allergies can be an extremely
stressful and even dangerous situation. These concerns have prompted the
U-M Health System to create an innovative Food Allergy Clinic that offers
families a safe and relaxing facility to test or challenge for food
allergies.
--University of Michigan Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/532059/?sc=mwtn

Food Isn't the Only Thing That Can Expire--Old Makeup Can Harbor Dangerous
Bacteria
     Is your mascara clumpy?  Your liquid foundation thickening?  Can't
remember what year you bought your half-used lipstick?  Dermatologists say
your old makeup may be causing you blemishes or even worse--it could lead
to a dangerous infection.
--Baylor Health Care System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/532172/?sc=mwtn

Is Grilling Linked to Cancer?
     The sizzle, the smoky flavor, the grill lines...barbequed meats are
not only delicious, but healthy too, right? It's true--those juicy
burgers, especially the charred ones, can contain cancer-causing
carcinogens.
--Baylor Health Care System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/532169/?sc=mwtn

Foodborne Illness: Increased Scrutiny on Fresh Produce
     Once was the day that beef was considered a primary source of
foodborne illness. Now fresh produce is increasingly responsible for the
outbreaks, and receiving increased focus from people paid to protect
public health.
IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo
--Institute of Food Technologists (IFT)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/532046/?sc=mwtn

Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Don't Offset Healthy Choices
     Within the medical field, it is often assumed that patients view
cholesterol-lowering medications (or statins) as a license to eat whatever
they like -- they figure their medication has them covered, so a steak here
and there won't hurt. However, a study published in the August issue of
Mayo Clinic Proceedings finds that such patients don't tend to adopt
unhealthy diets when prescribed statins.
Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Aug-2007
--Mayo Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/532094/?sc=mwtn

Should You Take a Statin?
     The cholesterol-lowering drugs have been shown to help prevent heart
attack and stroke with minimal side effects.
Weill Cornell Medical College's Women's Health Advisor
--Belvoir Media Group, LLC.
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/532014/?sc=mwtn

How Much Salt Is Safe?
     Most people get too much sodium, but many older adults don't get
enough. Find out the exact amount you need.
UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine's Healthy Years
--Belvoir Media Group, LLC.
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/532015/?sc=mwtn

Drug Improves Symptoms of Severe Alzheimer's Disease
     A drug initially used to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease
improved the memory and global function of people with severe Alzheimer's
disease and was safe and effective, according to a study published in the
July 31, 2007, issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American
Academy of Neurology. Neurology, 31-Jul-2007
--American Academy of Neurology (AAN)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531830/?sc=mwtn

Q&A: High Fructose Corn Syrup: Special Culprit in American Obesity?
     A new study by the University of Maryland Center for Food, Nutrition,
and Agriculture Policy (CFNAP) says there isn't enough evidence to conclude
that high fructose corn syrup contributes to weight gain any more than any
other energy source. In this Q&A, CFNAP director Maureen Storey
Ph.D.discusses the study and recommendations for further research on the
HFCS question.
Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition
--University of Maryland, College Park
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531862/?sc=mwtn

Obesity Is 'Socially Contagious'
     Are your friends making you fat? Or keeping you slender? According to
new research from Harvard and the University of California, San Diego, the
short answer on both counts is "yes." The study finds that if one person
becomes obese, those closely connected to them have a greater chance of
becoming obese themselves. The greatest effect is seen among friends.
NEJM, 26-Jul-2007
--University of California, San Diego
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531763/?sc=mwtn

Air Pollution Linked to Clogged Arteries
     A new UCLA study links diesel exhaust to hardening of the arteries,
which significantly increases one's risk for heart attack and stroke.
Published in the July 26 edition of the online journal Genome Biology, the
findings are the first to explain how fine particles in air pollution
conspire with artery-clogging fats to switch on the genes that cause blood
vessel inflammation and lead to cardiovascular disease. Genome Biology
--University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Health Sciences
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531799/?sc=mwtn

Scratch No More: Gene for Itch Sensation Discovered
     Itching for a better anti-itch remedy? Your wish may soon be granted
now that scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St.
Louis have identified the first gene for the itch sensation in the central
nervous system. The discovery could rapidly lead to new treatments directly
targeting itchiness and providing relief for chronic and severe itching.
Nature, online, 25-Jul-2007
--Washington University in St. Louis
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531838/?sc=mwtn

Brain Implant Being Studied Could Predict and Stop Epilepsy Seizures
Before They Even Begin
     An implanted stimulator being studied at Thomas Jefferson University
Hospital may be able to predict and prevent seizures before they start in
people with uncontrolled epilepsy.
--Thomas Jefferson University
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531845/?sc=mwtn

Metabolic Defect in Liver Can Lead to Obesity
     Researchers at the Monell Center have identified a
genetically-transmitted metabolic defect that can lead to obesity. The
defect involves decreased production of liver enzymes needed to burn fat
and may help to explain why some people become obese while others remain
thin. The findings could open the door to the development of new obesity
drugs.
Metabolism, Aug-2007
--Monell Chemical Senses Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531815/?sc=mwtn

Gallstone Disease: Are You at Risk? Tips on Gallstone Disease
     Gallstones are one of the most common gastrointestinal (GI) problems,
especially for women.  Women between the ages of 20 and 60 years are three
times more likely to develop gallstones than men. The ACG has developed
important tips on gallstone disease and ways to reduce your risk of
developing the disease.
--American College of Gastroenterology (ACG)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531798/?sc=mwtn

Dietary Supplement Can Turn the Skin Permanently Blue
     Colloidal silver is peddled as a cold medicine, decongestant,
all-around germ fighter, and a kind of cure-all. Is there any legitimate
reason for taking the dietary supplement? The short answer is no, and
there may be some serious and strange side effects, reports the August
2007 issue of the Harvard Health Letter.
--Harvard Health Publications
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531804/?sc=mwtn

Reducing Insulin Signaling in the Brain Can Prolong Lifespan
     A study from Children's Hospital Boston finds that reducing insulin
levels in the brain boosts longevity. Though it was done in genetically
engineered mice, old-fashioned exercise and good diets also keep brain
insulin levels low in humans. --Children's Hospital Boston
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531660/?sc=mwtn

Obesity Found to be a Risk Factor for Multiple Myeloma
     An obese person is more likely than a lean person to develop multiple
myeloma, according to researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital,
Harvard Medical School, and Harvard School of Public Health.  Their
findings indicate that Body Mass Index (BMI) - a statistical measure that
scales weight to height - provides an indicator for one's risk of
developing multiple myeloma, a cancer of the blood cells that produce
antibodies.  Multiple myeloma currently affects more than 50,000 people in
the U.S., and the five-year survival rates of the cancer are below 40
percent.
Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, July-2007
--American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531715/?sc=mwtn

New Therapy is Effective for Patients with Crohn's Disease
     Mayo Clinic researchers have found that certolizumab pegol is an
effective treatment for adults with Crohn's disease, according to two new
studies. These findings were published in today's issue of the New England
Journal of Medicine. Certolizumab pegol blocks tumor necrosis factor, an
important cause of inflammation in Crohn's disease. (NEJM
--Mayo Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531552/?sc=mwtn

Disc Replacement in Neck Relieves Pain, Preserves Mobility
     Loyola was the first and only medical center in the Chicago area five
years ago to begin evaluating the Medtronic PRESTIGE Artificial Cervical
Disc that the FDA approved July 16, 2007.   This is the only cervical disc
approved by the FDA.  Nockels was principal investigator for the Loyola
site.
--Loyola University Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531706/?sc=mwtn

Evidence Review: Low Glycemic Index Diets Better for Weight Loss
     Put aside the white bread and pick up an apple. A diet of foods less
likely to spike blood sugar levels helps dieters lose more weight,
according to a new systematic review from Australia. Cochrane Library
--Health Behavior News Service
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531473/?sc=mwtn

New Review Adds More Reasons to Avoid Diabetes Drug Avandia
     Little evidence supports using rosiglitazone (Avandia) to improve the
quality or length of life among adults with diabetes, according to a
systematic review of data by German researchers. Cochrane Library
--Health Behavior News Service
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531477/?sc=mwtn

High Fiber/Low Fat Diet Does Not Appear to Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer
Recurrence More Than '5-A-Day' Diet
     Women with early stage breast cancer who adopted a diet very high in
vegetables, fruit and fiber and low in fat did not have a lower risk of
breast cancer recurrence compared to women who followed a diet of five or
more servings a day of fruit and vegetables (the "5-A-Day" diet),
according to a study in the July 18 issue of JAMA. JAMA, 18-Jul-2007
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531489/?sc=mwtn

High Nonfasting Triglyceride Levels Associated With Increased Risk for
Cardiovascular Events
     Results from two studies indicate that elevated nonfasting
triglyceride levels are associated with cardiovascular events such as a
heart attack, with one study finding that triglyceride levels measured
after fasting does not show this association, according to studies in the
July 18 issue of JAMA. --American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531490/?sc=mwtn

Vitamin C Offers Little Protection Against Colds
     Unless you run marathons, you probably won't get much protection from
common colds by taking a daily supplemental dose of vitamin C, according to
an updated review of 30 studies. Cochrane Library
--Health Behavior News Service
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531508/?sc=mwtn

Key to Preventing Melanoma is Early Education
     Melanoma is killing young people as never before, and a new
educational program created in part by a group of medical students and
dermatology faculty from Saint Louis University School of Medicine is
hoping to reverse this deadly trend.
--Saint Louis University Medical Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531653/?sc=mwtn

Study Highlights Misperceptions About ADHD in College Students
     A recent study warns parents of college-bound students with Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to be prepared for difficulties when
adjusting to life in higher education, suppressing the notion that
symptoms of the disorder disappear in adulthood.
--Buffalo State College
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531572/?sc=sptn

Binge Drinking on College Campuses: a Matter of Fear, Not Freedom
     Indiana University shyness expert Bernardo J. Carducci says college
freshmen binge drink because of fear and loneliness, not because of
freedom.  Universities need to hire social assistants, the social
equivalent of teaching assistants, to help new students learn how to talk
to others and to make friends.
--Indiana University
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531533/?sc=sptn

Nutrition, Health, Safety, and Special Education Needs: Experts Available
     Going back to school can be just as stressful for parents as for
children. Columbia University Medical Center experts are available to talk
about a multitude of aspects of the back to school process, including how
to cope with your child's anxiety about going back to school and how to
talk to your child's school about their special dietary needs because of
diabetes.
--Columbia University Medical Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531602/?sc=sptn

How Loud is Too Loud?
     We live in a noisy world. Traffic, construction, stereo and airport
noise can disrupt our sleep, work and play, and has been linked to
stress-related health problems. If sufficiently loud and prolonged, some
of the noises we encounter during our average day can cause permanent
hearing loss.
--Children's Hospital Boston
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531511/?sc=sptn

New Recommendations for Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination
     Hearing bacterial meningitis mentioned on the evening news can strike
fear in any parent, especially if their child is in a high risk setting
such as a high school or college dorm. U.S. health officials recently
advised distribution of the vaccine to a wider age group as vaccinations
are now widely available.
--Children's Hospital Boston
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531519/?sc=sptn

Marker for Cardiovascular Disease May Indicate Cognitive Disability Among
Children with OSA
     C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation that is often used to
detect cardiovascular disease, may also indicate cognitive impairment in
children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to a new study of
children ages 5 to 7. Am. J. of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jul-2007
--American Thoracic Society (ATS)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531430/?sc=mwtn

Gene Discovered for Type 1 Diabetes in Children
     Pediatrics researchers at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and
McGill University in Montreal have identified a gene variant that raises a
child's risk for type 1 diabetes, formerly called juvenile diabetes. As
investigators continue to pinpoint genes contributing to diabetes, they
have their eyes on providing a scientific basis for designing better
treatments and preventive measures for the disease. Nature, 15-Jul-2007
--Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531521/?sc=mwtn

Laser Used to Help Fight Root Canal Bacteria
     High-tech dental lasers used mainly to prepare cavities for
restoration now can help eliminate bacteria in root canals, according to
research published in the July issue of The Journal of the American Dental
Association (JADA).
J. of the Am. Dental Association, Jul-2007
--American Dental Association (ADA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531467/?sc=mwtn

Healthy Diets Are Important, Even in Your College Years
     With the number of Americans overweight and obese at an all-time
high, the diet choices of young people are of concern, especially as they
prepare to leave home for the first time in the fall and fend for
themselves at college.
Kral J. Preventing and Treating Obesity in Girls and Young Women to Curb
the Epidemic
--Society for Women's Health Research (SWHR)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531492/?sc=mwtn

Milk and Dairy Products Protect Against "Metabolic Syndrome"
     A daily pinta or a helping of dairy foods protect against the
clustering of abnormal body chemistry known as the metabolic syndrome,
suggests a study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
J. of Epidemiology and Community Health
--British Medical Journal
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531417/?sc=mwtn

Link Between Carbohydrate Quality and Vision Loss Is Strengthened by New
Data
     People consuming diets with a higher glycemic index than average were
at greater risk of developing advanced age-related macular degeneration
(AMD), report researchers at Tufts. The researchers suggest that 20
percent of cases of advanced AMD might have been prevented if individuals
had consumed a diet with a glycemic index below average.
Am. J. of Clinical Nutrition, Jul-2007
--Tufts University
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531424/?sc=mwtn

When it Comes to Walking, it's all Good
     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.
Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Jul-2007
--Mayo Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531443/?sc=mwtn

Western-Style "Meat-Sweet" Diet Increases Risk of Breast Cancer in
Postmenopausal Women
     A new study finds that the more "western" the diet -- marked by red
meat, starches and sweets -- the greater the risk for breast cancer among
postmenopausal Chinese women.  According to researchers who conducted the
analysis at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, Harvard University,
Shanghai Cancer Institute, and Vanderbilt University, the findings mark
the first time a specific association between a western diet and breast
cancer has been identified in Asian women.

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, July-2007
--American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531341/?sc=mwtn

Researchers Probe Risks, Benefits of Folic Acid Fortification
     Researchers at Tufts University report a temporal relationship
between nationwide folic acid fortification and an increase in rates of
colorectal cancer. Their analysis and resulting hypothesis adds to ongoing
debate and suggests further research on total population effects of
fortification Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, Jul-2007
--Tufts University
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531359/?sc=mwtn

Obesity Rates Continue to Climb in the United States
     The U.S. obesity prevalence increased from 13 percent to 32 percent
between the 1960s and 2004, according to researchers at the Johns Hopkins
Bloomberg School of Public Health Center for Human Nutrition. The
prevalence of obesity and overweight has increased at an average rate of
0.3-0.8 percentage points across different sociodemographic groups over
the past three decades.
Epidemiologic Reviews, online, 17-May-2007
--Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531377/?sc=mwtn

Is it Just Heartburn or Something More Serious?
     What's your heartburn IQ?  The American College of Gastroenterology
has created a quiz to test your knowledge about heartburn, its symptoms,
and what to do to reduce heartburn discomfort.
--American College of Gastroenterology (ACG)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531344/?sc=mwtn

Low Vitamin D Levels May Be Common in Otherwise Healthy Children
     Many otherwise healthy children and adolescents have low vitamin D
levels, which may put them at risk for bone diseases such as rickets.
African American children, children above age nine and with low dietary
vitamin D intake were the most likely to have low levels of vitamin D in
their blood, according to researchers from The Children's Hospital of
Philadelphia. Am. J. of Clinical Nutrition
--Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531320/?sc=mwtn

Consumption of Small Amounts of Dark Chocolate Associated With Reduction
in Blood Pressure
     Eating about 30 calories a day of dark chocolate was associated with
a lowering of blood pressure, without weight gain or other adverse
effects, according to a study in the July 4 issue of JAMA. JAMA
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531178/?sc=mwtn

Higher Rates of Personality Disorders in Nose Job Candidates
     Patients seeking cosmetic rhinoplasty ("nose jobs") often exhibited
personality abnormalities, including obsessiveness, hypochondriasis, and
making false statements that make them look better compared with others
("good faking"), according to a new study published in the July 2007 issue
of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.
Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery, July 2007
--American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (AAOHNS)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531254/?sc=mwtn

Staying Mentally Sharp Takes Brain Work
     Research is increasingly showing that aging doesn't automatically
result in a steady erosion of brain cells. Rather, older adults who work
their brains can develop new connections between brain cells.
--Mayo Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531233/?sc=mwtn

Folic Acid and Vitamin B-12 -- Get Enough of Both
     Folate, or its synthetic form, folic acid, is good for brain health.
But there's concern that this brain booster could mask deficiencies in
vitamin B-12, which can result in mental decline and other nerve problems.
The July issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter covers why it's important to
have enough of both.
--Mayo Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531234/?sc=mwtn

MRI Plus X-ray Mammography Doubles Breast Cancer Detection in Women at
High Risk
     For women at high risk of breast cancer, use of magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) plus X-ray mammography for screening will detect more breast
cancers than mammography alone, a new technology assessment has found.
TARGET 2007 from ECRI
--Health Behavior News Service
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531174/?sc=mwtn

Control Acid Reflux to Prevent Esophageal Cancer
     Esophageal cancer rates are on the rise and the increase may be due
to the rise in obesity. Fortunately, U-M experts have rediscovered a
procedure that's helping many patients battle this often silent form of
cancer.
--University of Michigan Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531123/?sc=mwtn

Inhaled Insulin for Type 2 Diabetes Shows Mixed Results
     Inhaled insulin, taken before meals, can improve blood glucose
control for people with type 2 diabetes who have not had good results with
short-acting injected insulin that is taken in addition to the baseline
insulin administered throughout the day and night, according to a new
review of the body of published research.
Windows on Medical Technology from ECRI
--Health Behavior News Service
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531173/?sc=mwtn

Frequent Brain Stimulation in Old Age Reduces Risk of Alzheimer's Disease
     How often old people read a newspaper, play chess, or engage in other
mentally stimulating activities is related to risk of developing
Alzheimer's disease, according to a study published June 27, 2007, in the
online edition of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy
of Neurology. Neurology, 27-Jun-2007
--American Academy of Neurology (AAN)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530949/?sc=mwtn

The Role of Environmental Factors in the Development of Parkinson's
Disease
     Combined exposure to environmental toxics accelerate age-related
development of Parkinson's disease in mice. The Buck Institute study
highlights the role of environmental factors in the the most common form
of the disease. J. of Neuroscience, 27-Jun-2007
--Buck Institute for Age Research
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530955/?sc=mwtn

Study Estimates 15,000 Children and Teens Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes
Annually
     Approximately 15,000 children and adolescents in the United States
are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and about 3,700 youth are diagnosed
with type 2 diabetes annually, according to estimates from a major
national study called SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth.
JAMA, 26-Jun-2007
--University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531107/?sc=mwtn

Commonly Prescribed Antidepressants Associated With Lower Bone Density in
Older Men and Women
     The class of antidepressant medications known as selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors may be associated with an increased rate of bone loss
in older men and women, according to two articles in the June 25 issue of
Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Archives of Internal Medicine, 25-Jun-2007
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531027/?sc=mwtn

Scientists Identify First Gene Linked to Scoliosis
     The causes of scoliosis have remained a mystery for centuries --
until now. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St.
Louis and collaborating institutions have discovered a gene that underlies
the condition, which affects about three percent of children. The finding
lays the groundwork for determining how the genetic defect leads to
scoliosis.
Am. J. of Human Genetics, May-2007
--Washington University in St. Louis
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531074/?sc=mwtn

Overwhelming Scientific Evidence Confirms Aspartame's Safety
     The findings of a new rat study conducted by Italy's Ramazzini
Institute are contradictory to the extensive scientific research and
regulatory reviews conducted on aspartame.  The U.S. Food & Drug
Administration (FDA) has stated they are not recommending any changes in
the use of aspartame.
--Calorie Control Council
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531097/?sc=mwtn

Radio Frequency Ablation Vaporizes Inoperable Kidney and Liver Tumors
     A new, non-surgical procedure called radio-frequency ablation (RFA)
offers new hope for patients with inoperable kidney and liver tumors. RFA
uses heat to "vaporize" tumors.
--Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/531061/?sc=mwtn

Can Blindness be Prevented Through Diet?
     Increasing intake of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, found in
popular fish-oil supplements, may protect against blindness resulting from
abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye, finds a study in Nature Medicine.
The study was done in mice, but a clinical trial at Children's Hospital
Boston will soon begin testing the effects of omega-3 supplementation in
premature babies, who are at risk for vision loss. Nature Medicine
--Children's Hospital Boston
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530928/?sc=mwtn

Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy and Coronary Disease
     The results of WHI-CACS, now published in N Engl J Med, re-affirm
that estrogen has a wide range of well-documented beneficial metabolic and
vascular effects, provided that treatment is started early in the
menopause. Women can be reassured that estrogen therapy is
cardioprotective at least until age 65. NEJM
--International Menopause Society
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530903/?sc=mwtn

Dietary Calcium Is Better than Supplements at Protecting Bone Health
     Women who get most of their daily calcium from food have healthier
bones than women whose calcium comes mainly from supplemental tablets, say
researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
Surprisingly, this is true even though the supplement takers have higher
average calcium intake.
Am. J. of Clinical Nutrition, May-2007
--Washington University in St. Louis
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530952/?sc=mwtn

Eye Infections Tied to Contact Lens Use
     The use of a particular contact lens solution has a strong
association with Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK), a rare severe eye infection,
report researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago in a study
published online this week by the American Journal of Ophthalmology.
Am. J. of Ophthalmology
--University of Illinois at Chicago
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530814/?sc=mwtn

Blood Pressure Drug May Slow Parkinson's
     Gloria E. Meredith, Ph.D., collaborated with D. James Surmeier, Ph.D.
and other scientists at Northwestern University to study the drug,
Isradipine, and its possible effects on Parkinson's disease.
Nature
--Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530818/?sc=mwtn

Landmark Study on Aspirin Resistance
     Aspirin is used by millions of patients for the prevention and
treatment of coronary artery disease, the single leading cause of death in
the world. In the largest study to date on the effectiveness of aspirin,
researchers at the Center for Thrombosis Research at Sinai Hospital of
Baltimore recently demonstrated that aspirin resistance is rare, less than
5 percent, at all doses (81 mg, 162 mg and 325 mg) in patients with heart
disease.
Circulation, 11-Jun-2007
--LifeBridge Health
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530821/?sc=mwtn

Can a Mediterranean Diet Help Prevent Colon Cancer?
     Researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center
are beginning a study to look at whether diet can impact a person's risk of
developing colon cancer. Specifically, the researchers will compare a
Mediterranean diet - high in olive oil, nuts and fish - with a standard
healthy eating plan.
--University of Michigan Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530807/?sc=mwtn

Researchers Reveal Structure of Protein Altered in Autism
     As a result of mapping the structure of the protein complex
implicated in autism spectrum disorders, a research team led by scientists
at theUCSD Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences has
discovered how particular genetic mutations affect this complex and
contribute to the developmental abnormalities found in children with
autism Structure, Jun-2007
--University of California, San Diego Health Sciences
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530683/?sc=mwtn

Antibiotic Use in Infants Linked to Asthma
     New research indicates that children who receive antibiotics before
their first birthday are significantly more likely to develop asthma by
age 7. --American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530627/?sc=mwtn

New MRI Image Technique Predicts Early Onset of Alzheimer's Disease
     Using new MRI techniques to analyze tissue composition and structure
in the brain, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of
Medicine and the National Institute on Aging successfully detected mild
cognitive disorder (MCI), a condition in which patients suffer mild memory
problems and is often an early symptom of Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Alzheimer's Association Prevention Conference
--University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530768/?sc=mwtn

A Wider Range of Sounds for the Deaf
     A tiny electrode array placed directly in the auditory nerve could
overcome limitations of today's widely used cochlear implants, initial
research in animals suggests. Such a device would allow deaf people to
hear low-pitched sounds typical in speech, converse in a noisy room and
enjoy a symphony.
Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology, Jun-2007
--University of Michigan Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530720/?sc=mwtn

Potential New Target for Type 2 Diabetes
     Researchers have discovered a potential new target for treating type
2 diabetes. The target is a protein, along with its molecular partner,
that regulates fat metabolism.
Nature
--University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530729/?sc=mwtn

Sun Exposure Early in Life Linked to Specific Skin Cancer Gene Mutation
     Early life sun exposure, from birth to 20 years old, may specifically
increase the risk of melanomas with BRAF gene mutations.
Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, May-2007
--University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530732/?sc=mwtn

Alcohol Injections for Common Cause of Foot Pain Highly Successful
     Sonographically-guided alcohol injections has a high success rate and
is well tolerated by patients with Morton's neuroma, a common cause of foot
pain, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at the Royal
National Orthopaedic  Hospital and Kingston Hospital NHS Trust in
Middlesex, United Kingdom.
Am. J. of Roentgenology, Jun-2007
--American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530737/?sc=mwtn

Parents May Play Role in their Kids' Migraine Headache Pain
     According to preliminary results of an ongoing study at Columbus
Children's Hospital, to be presented at the American Headache Society's
June meeting in Chicago, parents of adolescents with migraines may have an
influence on the level of pain reported. American Headache Society's June meeting in Chicago
--Columbus Children's Hospital
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530461/?sc=mwtn

Folic Acid Supplements Do Not Appear to Reduce Risk of Colorectal Tumors
     New research indicates that folic acid supplementation does not
decrease the risk of benign colorectal tumors, but may possibly increase
the risk for some types of colorectal tumors, according to a study in the
June 6 issue of JAMA. Some previous studies have suggested that folate
supplementation may help to prevent colorectal tumors. JAMA, 6-Jun-2007
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530491/?sc=mwtn

What Women Need to Know: Getting the Facts About Women and Heart Disease
     Many women don't worry about heart disease, or if they do, they are
concerned it's something the men in their lives might develop. But that
attitude is a mistake. While it's true that estrogen gives women some
protection against the disease, at least until menopause, heart disease is
still the leading killer of American women. Here's what women should watch
for.
--Baylor Health Care System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530593/?sc=mwtn

Ten Symptoms Not to Ignore
     Chest pains, abdominal pain and unexplained bleeding are good reasons
to seek immediate medical care.
--Mayo Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530603/?sc=mwtn

Exercising With Cancer
     A cancer diagnosis doesn't dictate the end of exercise and activity.
--Mayo Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530607/?sc=mwtn

Degenerative Disk Disease
     Back pain can interfere with normal activities. One of the most
common causes is degenerative disk disease.
--Mayo Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530608/?sc=mwtn

Pesticide Use Linked to Brain Cancer
     Agricultural workers exposed to high levels of pesticides and people
who use them on houseplants appear to have a greater risk of developing
brain tumours, suggests a study published online ahead of print in
Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Occupational and Environmental Medicine
--British Medical Journal
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530553/?sc=mwtn

Tips for Safer Grilling
     Ruining a piece of meat isn't the only thing you need to worry about
if you're cooking at high temperatures. High heat can also produce
chemicals with cancer-causing properties, reports the June 2007 issue of
the Harvard Health Letter.
--Harvard Health Publications
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530566/?sc=mwtn

Fibromyalgia: the Misunderstood Disease
     Ongoing research at the University of Michigan is demonstrating that
fibromyalgia may affect millions of Americans, and research using
sophisticated imaging techniques is helping the medical community better
understand this disease.
--University of Michigan Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530528/?sc=mwtn

Herb Shows Potential to Reduce Cancer-related Fatigue
     North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG) researchers, based at
Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., have generated preliminary data
suggesting that a form of American ginseng provides greater improvements
in fatigue and vitality in patients who receive the highest doses tested,
compared to lower doses or no treatment. American Society of Clinical Oncology
--Mayo Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530482/?sc=mwtn

Study Tests Oral Insulin to Prevent Type 1 Diabetes
     The University of Florida Health Science Center and Shands at UF are
among 14 centers in the United States testing oral insulin to prevent or
delay type 1 diabetes in people at risk for the disease. The center will
work alongside affiliate sites and participating physicians in Type 1
Diabetes TrialNet, a research group dedicated to the understanding,
prevention and early treatment of type 1 diabetes.
--University of Florida Health Science Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530522/?sc=mwtn

Innovative Device to Treat Brain Cancer Shows Promise in Early Studies
     New early data showed that an investigational device that
specifically targets rapidly growing cancer cells with intermediate
frequency electrical fields -- called Tumor-Treating Fields (TTFields) --
more than doubled the median overall survival rates in patients with
recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common and aggressive
type of malignant brain tumor. These survival rates observed in the data
were compared to historical data.
PNAS
--Edelman PR, NYC
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530361/?sc=mwtn

Exercise May Slightly Boost "Good" Cholesterol Levels
     Regular exercise appears to modestly increase levels of high-density
lipoprotein, or "good," cholesterol, according to a meta-analysis study in
the May 28 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives
journals. Archives of Internal Medicine, 28-May-2007
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530312/?sc=mwtn

Soy Nuts May Improve Blood Pressure in Postmenopausal Women
     Substituting soy nuts for other protein sources in a healthy diet
appears to lower blood pressure in postmenopausal women, and also may
reduce cholesterol levels in women with high blood pressure, according to
a report in the May 28 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the
JAMA/Archives journals. Archives of Internal Medicine, 28-May-2007
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530314/?sc=mwtn

Some Cancers Linked to Very Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields
     Some cancers seem to be linked to extremely low frequency
electromagnetic fields, suggests research published ahead of print in
Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

Occupational and Environmental Medicine
--British Medical Journal
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530260/?sc=mwtn

More Pounds=Worse Asthma?
     A new study presented at the American Thoracic Society 2007
International Conference finds that obese people are significantly more
likely to have persistent or severe persistent asthma than their thinner
counterparts. American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference
--American Thoracic Society (ATS)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529954/?sc=mwtn

Exercise Reverses Aging in Human Skeletal Tissue
     Buck Institute faculty leads study showing "genetic fingerprints"
becoming younger in healthy seniors who did resistance training. The study
involved before and after analysis of gene expression profiles in tissue
samples taken from 25 healthy older men and women who underwent six months
of twice weekly resistance training, compared to a similar analysis of
tissue samples taken from younger healthy men and women.

PLoS ONE, online, 23-May-2007
--Buck Institute for Age Research
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530013/?sc=mwtn

Researchers Link High Salt Diet to Ulcers
     Scientists from the Uniformed Services University of the Health
Sciences (USU) have discovered that diets high in salt may increase the
virulence of the pathogen Helicobacter  pylori (H. pylori), which is the
most common cause of ulcers in the stomach and duodenum.
American Society of Microbiology
--Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530221/?sc=mwtn

Can You Exercise Too Much? Mental Health Experts Say Yes
     If you exercise frequently because you enjoy it and you like the
health benefits it provides, you have the right reasons in mind. If you
exercise because you feel compelled to do so, and in spite of having
injuries, you may be at risk for developing an exercise disorder.
--Menninger Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530229/?sc=mwtn

Some Vitamin Supplements Don't Protect Against Lung Cancer
     A study of more than 75,000 adults found that taking supplemental
multivitamins, vitamin C and E and folate do not decrease the risk of lung
cancer. The findings are being reported at the American Thoracic Society
2007 International Conference, on Monday, May 21.

American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference
--American Thoracic Society (ATS)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529959/?sc=mwtn

Cure for Hepatitis C Announced
     The use of peginterferon alone, or in combination with ribavirin,
points to a cure for hepatitis C, the leading cause of cirrhosis, liver
cancer and the need for liver transplant, a Virginia Commonwealth
University researcher said today. Digestive Disease Week
--Virginia Commonwealth University
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530150/?sc=mwtn

Eating Apples and Fish During Pregnancy May Protect Against Childhood
Asthma and Allergies
     Women who eat apples and fish during pregnancy may reduce the risk of
their children developing asthma or allergic disease, suggests a new study
presented at the American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference,
on Sunday, May 20. American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference
--American Thoracic Society (ATS)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529944/?sc=mwtn

Hotter is Better for Removing Allergens in Laundry
     A new study finds that the heat setting you choose when doing laundry
makes all the difference when it comes to killing dust mites. The
researchers found that washing laundry in hot water--140 degrees
Fahrenheit (60 (o)C) or higher--kills all house dust mites, compared with
just 6.5% of dust mites in laundry washed at 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40
(o)C), or warm water. (Embargo expired on 20-May-2007 at 16:30 ET)
American Thoracic Society 2007 International Conference
--American Thoracic Society (ATS)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529948/?sc=mwtn

Myth:  Sunscreen Is All You Need to Prevent Skin Cancer
     As the weather warms up and Pennsylvanians emerge from hibernation,
we dust off the sunscreen, dab it on and head outside -- feeling safe from
the sun. But we're not, says the Pennsylvania Medical Society.
--Pennsylvania Medical Society
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530170/?sc=mwtn

No Magic Tomato? Study Breaks Link between Lycopene and Prostate Cancer
Prevention
     Tomatoes might be nutritious and tasty, but don't count on them to
prevent prostate cancer.  In the May issue of Cancer Epidemiology,
Biomarkers & Prevention, researchers based at the National Cancer
Institute and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center report that lycopene,
an antioxidant predominately found in tomatoes, does not effectively
prevent prostate cancer. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, May-2007
--American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530088/?sc=mwtn

Hair Straightening Chemicals Not Linked to Breast Cancer Risk in
African-Americans
     Chemical "relaxers" used to straighten hair are not associated with
an increased risk of developing breast cancer among African-American
women, say researchers who followed 48,167 Black Women's Health Study
participants. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, May-2007
--American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/530087/?sc=mwtn

Low-Glycemic Load Diet May Be More Effective For Dieters With Certain
Insulin Response Patterns
     Overweight individuals who secrete insulin at a higher level may
experience greater weight loss by selecting a low-glycemic load diet,
compared to a low-fat diet, according to a study in the May 16 issue of
JAMA. The researchers also found a low-glycemic load diet to have
beneficial effects on HDL cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations.
JAMA, 16-May-2007
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529885/?sc=mwtn

Anxiety Hikes Risk of Heart Attack, Death
     New research shows that highly anxious patients with heart disease
face nearly double the risk of heart attack or death when compared to
those with a more serene outlook on life. Patients whose anxiety intensified over time were in greatest peril, while those who started out highly anxious but later found inner calm markedly
reduced their risk. The research appears in the May 22, 2007 issue of the
Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC).

J. of the Am. College of Cardiology, 22-May-2007
--American College of Cardiology (ACC)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529819/?sc=mwtn

Calcium Plus Vitamin D Supplements May Help Prevent Weight Gain In
Postmenopausal Women
     Postmenopausal women who take calcium and vitamin D supplements may
gain less weight than those who do not, although the overall effect is
small, according to a report in the May 14 issue of Archives of Internal
Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. The benefit is greater in
those who had not previously been getting the daily recommended amount of
calcium. Archives of Internal Medicine, 14-May-2007
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529910/?sc=mwtn

Grain Fiber and Magnesium Intake Associated With Lower Risk for Diabetes
     Higher dietary intake of fiber from grains and cereals and of
magnesium may each be associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes,
according to a report and meta-analysis in the May 14 issue of Archives of
Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Archives of Internal Medicine, 14-May-2007
--American Medical Association (AMA)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529911/?sc=mwtn

America Faces Allergy Crisis
     A growing shortage of allergists in the United States may soon impact
the quality of patient care for asthma and other allergic diseases. The
number of allergy-immunology specialists is projected to decline by 7
percent while demand will increase by 35 percent over the next 12 years.
To cover attrition and keep up with the growing demand, training programs
must increase their graduation rate by 120 allergy-immunology physicians
each year.
--American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529939/?sc=mwtn

Summer Skin Protection "Did You Knows?"
     From tried-and-true methods to the latest regimens, keep on top of
the best and easiest ways to keep skin protected this summer.
--University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529922/?sc=mwtn

Should Women Take Cholesterol Lowering Drugs to Prevent Heart Disease?
     Women in western countries are more likely to die from heart disease
than from cancer. In this week's BMJ, two experts debate whether women
should be offered cholesterol lowering drugs as a preventive treatment.
BMJ
--British Medical Journal
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529869/?sc=mwtn

Cutting Calories, Not Exercise, Plays Bigger Role in Maintaining Weight
Loss
     But new research from EatRight suggests that for those who have been
successful at losing weight, reducing calories is an effective way to keep
weight off, especially when it is difficult to find time to exercise.
Obesity, May-2007
--University of Alabama at Birmingham
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529918/?sc=mwtn

Study Confirms Health Benefits of Whole Grains
     A diet high in whole grain foods is associated with a significantly
lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease, including heart disease
and stroke, according to an analysis conducted by researchers at Wake
Forest University School of Medicine.
Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, online
--Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529841/?sc=mwtn

Skin Care Safety in the Sun
     Monday, May 7, officially launched Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and
Prevention Month. Physicians and staff at UCSD Medical Center say this is
the perfect time to remind San Diegans that they can take care of their
skin and still have fun in the sun.
Brian Jiang, M.D., associate clinical professor in the Division of
Dermatology understands why the sun is such a draw.
--University of California, San Diego
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529847/?sc=mwtn

Drink Green Tea, Prevent Skin Cancer
     To add to the abundance of health-improving qualities of the
beverage, UAB Researcher Santosh Katiyar, Ph.D., associate professor of
dermatology, claims that it can reduce the risk of skin cancer.
J. of Nutritional Biochemistry, May-2007
--University of Alabama at Birmingham
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529782/?sc=mwtn

Summer Sweat
     No need to sweat excessive perspiration.  If you're sweating out
embarrassing perspiration for an upcoming prom or summer wedding, consider
botox injections.
--UT Southwestern Medical Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529799/?sc=sptn
 

When Allergy Symptoms Bloom, Find the Right Medication
     Choosing the right medications is essential to gaining control over
symptoms as allergy season comes into full bloom, allergy specialists at
UT Southwestern Medical Center warn.
--UT Southwestern Medical Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529801/?sc=sptn

Protecting Your Eyes from Dangers of the Summer Sun
     The sun provides enjoyment, but over-exposure can damage your eyes.
The harm  comes from ultraviolet (UV) light which can trigger cataracts,
macular degeneration, corneal burns, benign growths, solar retinopathy and
eye cancer.  Sun glasses with UV protection are "sunblock for your eyes"
for these problems.
--New York Eye and Ear Infirmary
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529608/?sc=sptn

Make Seasonal Sun Block A Daily Habit
     Make seasonal sun block a daily habit.  Popular outdoor activities
from riding bikes to boating and beaches can mean wrinkles and skin cancer
down the road if you don't take time to put on sun block, dermatologists at
UT Southwestern warn.
--UT Southwestern Medical Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529800/?sc=sptn

People with Diabetes Need More than Sunglasses to Protect Eyes
     Here Comes the Sun! Summer's Coming and People with Diabetes Need
More than Sunglasses to Protect Their Eyes
--Joslin Diabetes Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529807/?sc=sptn

Sunscreen and Summer Sun Safety
     One of the best sun safety tips is to use sunscreen when spending
time outdoors. However, the proper application of sunscreen is just as
important to obtain the maximum benefits of sun protection."Many associate
a suntan with good health and vitality; however, 95 percent of all skin
cancers are caused by the sun," says Carol Drucker, M.D., associate
professor in the Department of Dermatology at The University of Texas M.
D. Anderson Cancer Center. "While the sun does provide Vitamin D, just a
small amount of sunlight - not a suntan - is needed to meet the body's
needs and regular use of sunscreen is a great way to limit that exposure."
--University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529806/?sc=sptn

New Study Identifies Five Risk Factors Linked to Melanoma Detection
     Since its inception in 1985, the American Academy of Dermatology's
(Academy) National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Screening Program has screened
more than 1.7 million people and detected more than 171,200 suspicious
lesions.  More than 20,000 of these lesions were suspected melanomas - the
most serious form of skin cancer.  Now, a new study published online today
in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology suggests criteria to
help gauge a person's melanoma risk and identify those that may be most in
"HARMM's" way.  The full text of the article can be found at
www.eblue.org .
J. of the Am. Academy of Dermatology
--American Academy of Dermatology
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529675/?sc=mwtn

What's Your "stroke IQ"?
     Stroke is the third largest cause of death and the top cause of
disability. Still, studies have shown that Americans don't know enough
about why strokes happen or how to prevent strokes from happening.  So,
the U-M Stroke Program is offering a test that can check anyone's stroke
IQ. ** Video embedded **
--University of Michigan Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529640/?sc=mwtn

7 Common Myths About Osteoporosis
     Even though millions of Americans suffer from bone loss due to
osteoporosis, it still remains a widely misunderstood disease. To help
separate fact from fiction, a U-M endocrinologist offers information about
osteoporosis, as well as diagnosis, prevention and treatment options
available for the disease. ** Video embedded **
--University of Michigan Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529644/?sc=mwtn

Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Reduce Risk of Stroke, Heart Attack
     People whose cholesterol improved after one month on
cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins reduced their risk of stroke and
heart attack, according to research that will be presented at the American
Academy of Neurology's 59th Annual Meeting in Boston, April 28 - May 5,
2007.American Academy of Neurology's 59th Annual Meeting
--American Academy of Neurology (AAN)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/528874/?sc=mwtn

Breastfeeding, Good Fats Help New Moms Fight Depression
     Breastfeeding and the good fats in Omega-3 fatty acids help new moms
fight depression, according to a new article published in the most recent
issue of the International Breastfeeding Journal by a University of New
Hampshire researcher.
International Breastfeeding Journal
--University of New Hampshire
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529536/?sc=mwtn

Secondhand Smoke Increases Risk of Dementia
     Exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke increases the risk of developing
dementia, according to research that will be presented at the American
Academy of Neurology's 59th Annual Meeting in Boston, April 28 - May 5,
2007. American Academy of Neurology's 59th Annual Meeting in Boston
--American Academy of Neurology (AAN)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/528857/?sc=mwtn

Migraines During Pregnancy Linked to Stroke and Other Vascular Diseases
     Migraines during pregnancy are strongly linked to vascular diseases,
such as stroke and heart disease, according to research that will be
presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 59th Annual Meeting in
Boston, April 28 - May 5, 2007. 59th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology
--American Academy of Neurology (AAN)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/528859/?sc=mwtn

Good News on Heart Attack and Chest Pain
     People who suffer a heart attack or severe chest pain today are much
less likely to die, or to experience long-lasting effects, than their
counterparts even a few years ago, according to a new international study.
It's the first time that a study has shown a significant drop in the rate
of heart failure and death over such a short time in this population.
JAMA, 3-May-2007
--University of Michigan Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529388/?sc=mwtn

Eating Pistachios May Reduce the Impact of Carbohydrates on Blood Sugar
Levels
     Pistachios, when eaten with some common high-carbohydrate foods, may
actually slow the absorption of carbohydrates into the body, resulting in
a lower than expected blood sugar level according to a study conducted by
the University of Toronto and funded by a grant from the California
Pistachio Commission.
Experimental Biology Conference, Washington DC
--Henson Consulting
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529532/?sc=mwtn

4 Ways to Wipe Away Stress
     Repeated and prolonged stress can do damage to your mind and body.
Learning to protect yourself from the effects of chronic stress may help
you live a longer, healthier life, according to Massachusetts General
Hospital's Mind, Mood & Memory.
Massachusetts General Hospital's Mind, Mood & Memory
--Belvoir Media Group, LLC.
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529557/?sc=mwtn

5 Ways You Can Beat Lower Back Pain
     The National Institutes of Health estimates that eight out of ten
people will suffer from back pain, making it one of the most common
medical problems today. The good news is that you can treat it, minimize
it, and even prevent it by following some back-friendly guidelines.
--Belvoir Media Group, LLC.
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529576/?sc=mwtn

A Cherry on Top: Tart Cherries May Alter Heart/Diabetes Factors
     Tart cherries may be good for more than just making pie, according to
new animal data. Researchers report that rats that received powdered tart
cherries in their diet had lower total cholesterol, lower blood sugar,
less fat storage in the liver and lower oxidative stress, compared with
rats that didn't receive cherries. Experimental Biology 2007
--University of Michigan Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529387/?sc=mwtn

Green Tea Compound May be a Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis
     A new study from the University of Michigan Health System suggests
that a compound in green tea may provide therapeutic benefits to people
with rheumatoid arthritis. Experimental Biology 2007
--University of Michigan Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529468/?sc=mwtn

Depression May Be Early Sign of Parkinson's Disease
     Depression may be an early symptom of Parkinson's disease, according
to research that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's
59th Annual Meeting in Boston, April 28 - May 5, 2007.

American Academy of Neurology's 59th Annual Meeting
--American Academy of Neurology (AAN)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/528610/?sc=mwtn

Low Vitamin D Levels Linked to Poor Physical Performance
     Older adults who don't get enough vitamin D - either from their diets
or exposure to the sun - may be at increased risk for poor physical
performance and disability, according to new research from Wake Forest
University School of Medicine and colleagues.

J. of Gerontology: Medical Sciences, Apr-2007
--Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529133/?sc=mwtn

Are Higher Doses of Cholesterol Drugs Worth the Extra Money?
     When it comes to cholesterol-lowering drugs, more is better. At
least, that's what heart doctors and patients have been hearing recently -
leading to widespread use of higher doses of drugs called statins. Now, a
new study looks at whether paying extra for those higher doses is really
going to pay off for some patients.
Circulation, 8-May-2007
--University of Michigan Health System
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529259/?sc=mwtn

Dining Out Poses Hidden Dangers for Food-Allergic Patrons
     A survey of restaurant and food establishment personnel reveals that
for food-allergic consumers, dining out may be a greater risk than they
realize. The first-of-its-kind study found that food-allergy training was
reportedly conducted in only 42 percent of personnel at 100 restaurants
and food establishments.
Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
--American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529239/?sc=mwtn

Growth of Betting Websites Carries Added Risks for Gamblers with
Parkinson's Disease
     Parkinson's disease sufferers could be adversely affected by the
growth of betting on the web because they are more likely to become
gambling addicts, says a doctor writing in today's BMJ. BMJ
--British Medical Journal
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529165/?sc=mwtn

Eating Less Salt Could Prevent Cardiovascular Disease
     People who significantly cut back on the amount of salt in their diet
could reduce their chances of developing cardiovascular disease by a
quarter, according to a report on bmj.com today. BMJ
--British Medical Journal
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529163/?sc=mwtn

Patients with Psoriasis Prone to Diabetes and Serious Cardiovascular
Condition
     Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition characterized by thick, red,
scaly plaques that itch and sometimes bleed, causing considerable
discomfort and emotional stress for patients.  In addition to the daily
chore of dealing with the physical symptoms of this condition, new
research suggests an association between psoriasis and two potentially
serious medical conditions - diabetes and atherosclerosis.
J. of the Am. Academy of Dermatology, Apr-2007
--American Academy of Dermatology
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529118/?sc=mwtn

LASIK for Older Adults
     A new University of Illinois at Chicago study appearing in the online
edition of the journal Ophthalmology reports on the safety, efficacy and
predictability of laser eye surgery (laser in situ keratomileusis or
LASIK) in patients 40-69 years old.
Ophthalmology
--University of Illinois at Chicago
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529131/?sc=mwtn

Cancer Vaccines: Taking a Jab at Cancer by Stimulating the Immune System
     Today at the 2007 Annual Meeting of the American Association for
Cancer Research, presentations on ongoing HPV trials and other new
approaches to stimulating the immune system are injecting momentum into
cancer vaccine research. AACR Annual Meeting 2007
--American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/528828/?sc=mwtn

Screening for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Saves Men's Lives
     Regular ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms can
sharply reduce the likelihood of dying from a ruptured aneurysm among men
age 65 and older, according to a new review of recent studies. Cochrane Library
--Health Behavior News Service
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/528864/?sc=mwtn

Breast Cancer Vaccine Stimulates Potent Immune Response to Cancer Cells
     Mayo Clinic researchers have designed a new strategy in the promising
field of cancer vaccine research that's proven to be successful in boosting
T cells -- the immune builders akin to a super defense force against cancer
cells. American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting
--Mayo Clinic
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/528973/?sc=mwtn

Research Could Lead to Treatment for Alzheimer's Disease
     A molecule designed by a Purdue University researcher could lead to
the first drug treatment for Alzheimer's disease. There are many people
suffering, and no effective treatment is available to them. The new
molecule prevents the first step in a chain of events that leads to
amyloid plaque formation in the brain.
J. of Medicinal Chemistry, 3-May-2007
--Purdue University
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529110/?sc=mwtn

Does Alcohol or Aspirin Consumption Increase Hemorrhaging in TBI Patients?
     An estimated 1.5 million people in the United States incur a
traumatic brain injury (TBI) every year and 60,000 people die annually
from these injuries. More than half of the patients brought to the
hospital with TBI are intoxicated and many have cardiovascular disease
requiring them to be on blood-thinners such as aspirin. Yet no prior
studies have examined the potential effects of alcohol and aspirin
consumption on worsening hemorrhage in patients with TBI.

AANS 75th Annual Scientific Meeting: Celebrating AANS' Diamond Jubilee
--American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/528255/?sc=mwtn

Treatment Holds Promise for Thousands of Patients Impacted by Spinal Cord
Injury
     Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most significant forms of
neurotrauma with major economic and social impact. Every year, nearly
12,000 individuals in the United States and Canada, mostly young adults,
sustain a SCI. Research utilizing a novel protein shows promise for
partially restoring neurological function in acute SCI cases treated
quickly after the incident. AANS 75th Annual Scientific Meeting:

Celebrating AANS' Diamond Jubilee
--American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/528258/?sc=mwtn

Spring Cleaning Brings Hazards
     Spring cleaning brings potential hazards. People use them every day,
but if common cleaners and pesticides are stored or applied incorrectly,
they can have fatal consequences, say experts in environmental safety and
emergency medicine at Washington University in St. Louis.
--Washington University in St. Louis
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/529068/?sc=mwtn