Health News for July 24, 2007

Out of nowhere fruit fly gene may elucidate how new genes are formed
U.S. scientists have suggested that the finding of a new fruit fly gene might challenge the theory that new genes are formed from existing ones. ANI

Scientists a step closer to Holy Grail cure for Alzheimers
Scottish scientists have revealed that they are in the early stages of developing a drug that could reverse some of the effects of Alzheimers disease. ANI

Allergen-free peanuts may soon be possible
An agricultural researcher at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University has developed a simple process to make allergen-free peanuts. The new process - believed to be a first for food science - could provide relief to millions of peanut allergy sufferers, and be an enormous boon to the entire peanut industry. ANI

New algorithm may provide effective personalized cancer therapy
University of Virginia oncologists have devised and tested an algorithm to match the best potential treatments for a particular tumour in a particular patient. ANI

Scientists discover novel iron-copper alliance
While iron is considered to be an essential component of red blood cells, researchers at the University at Buffalos School of Public Health and Health Professions have found that it is only one half of an all-important duo of trace minerals that work in tandem to maintain proper iron balance in the body or homeostasis. ANI

Obesity keeping girls from enrolling in colleges
The harmful effects of obesity extend further than just physical health, especially where overweight girls are concerned, for a new study has found that such girls half as likely to attend college as non-obese girls. ANI

Statins or low cholesterol levels may increase cancer risk
A new study has found that low levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in people taking statins may increase cancer risk. ANI

Americas anti-prostitution pledge hampering HIV control
Americas anti-prostitution pledge is hampering the efforts to control global HIV epidemic, researchers have found. ANI

Temple bull Shambos supporters threaten to form human chain to stall his death
Hindu supporters of a temple bull --Shambo -- have threatened to form a human chain to save the sacred bull from almost certain death, after Court of Appeal judges turned down an 11th-hour plea for clemency. ANI

Childhood sun exposure may lower multiple sclerosis risk
Spending time in the sun in childhood really is a good thing, for a new study has found that it can lower the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) in later life. ANI

New method to combat HIV/AIDS developed
Researchers at the University of Minnesotas Center for Drug Design have developed a new method to combat HIV/AIDS, potentially replacing the traditional cocktail drug approach. ANI

Low literacy raises mortality rate by 50 pct
A new study has revealed that low literacy impairs peoples ability to obtain critical information about their health and can dramatically shorten their lives. ANI

Circumcision halves HIV risk in men
Three clinical trials in Africa have revealed that found that adult male circumcision reduced the risk of men acquiring HIV infection from heterosexual sex by 51-60 pct. ANI

Spontaneous genetic mutations responsible for half of autism cases
A new study has found that almost half of all cases of male autism may be caused by spontaneous genetic accidents, rather than an inherited genetic predisposition that is passed down through generations. ANI

NRI docs find regular or diet colas can increase heart disease risk
Guzzling more than one soft drink a day increases the risk factors for heart disease, and it doesnt matter if the beverage is regular or diet. ANI

Exposure to smoking-cessation product ads helps smokers quit
A new study has found that exposure to smoking-cessation products ads helps smokers quit. ANI