Health News for November 22, 2007

Mothers enticing kids with snacks: Study
Mums often use food as a means to reward, bribe or entertain their kids. However, researchers in Australia are warning that this can undermine a childs ability self-regulate their own eating according to hunger. ANI

Fat hormone may add to longevity
Using a mouse model, researchers at the University of North Carolina have reported that a fat hormone which causes changes in the metabolism may increase life span. ANI

Molecule that may improve cancer vaccines identified
Authors at St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital have found a new signalling molecule that might one day allow clinicians to treat diseases by regulating the immune response depending on the needs of the patient. ANI

Drug combo slows multiple myeloma progression
A collaborative study has revealed that combining the new thalidomide derivative with a steroid slows progress of multiple myeloma, an incurable bone marrow cancer, and prolongs the lives of patients who have relapsed from previous treatment. ANI

Brain area that amplifies behaviourally significant speech sounds identified
US researchers have identified the brain region that selectively amplifies behaviourally significant speech sounds, such as recognising the unmistakable sound of a spouse calling ones name. ANI

Scientists uncover microRNA role in sight loss
A collaborative research has uncovered a role for microRNA in retinal disease. ANI

Peptide therapy may prevent Parkinsons progression
A new study has shown that peptide therapy can prevent the progression of Parkinsons disease. ANI

Mother to Child Transmission Programme could be doing more harm than good
Researchers have highlighted the severe shortcomings of South Africas Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) Programme, insisting that the course could be doing more harm than good. ANI

Researchers identify genes that may be responsible for type 1 diabetes
Researchers at the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, UK, have identified faulty versions of two genes that may be responsible for type 1 diabetes. ANI

ICMR unveils 20 Grand Challenges to control the most deadly diseases
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), along with several of the worlds most renowned health scientists and organizations has come out with a landmark global consensus on the 20 primary measures needed to control humanitys most deadly diseases. ANI

Antidepressant found to extend lifespan in roundworms by 30%
Researchers at Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) have discovered that an antidepressant can extend the lifespan of adult roundworms by up to 30 percent. ANI

US university alerted Bangladeshi authorities 24hr before Cyclone Sidr hit
About 24 hours before the devastating Cyclone Sidr hit Bangladesh, an expert on coastal engineering at Louisiana State University had provided the countrys emergency officials with storm surge maps charting high-risk areas. ANI

Vitamin E may help reduce heart attack risk among 40% of diabetics
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. ANI

Cigarette smoke, alcohol combo causes greatest degree of heart disease
While inhaling second-hand smoke is known to be bad for the heart, a new study has now revealed that the damage increases nearly 5-fold when you are drinking as well. ANI

Brain protein that helps us learn and remember things identified
A study of rats brains at Northwestern Universitys Feinberg School of Medicine has revealed the protein that helps people learn and remember what they have learnt. ANI

Carbon monoxide may help counter side-effect of anti-cancer drug
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have found that carbon monoxide counteracts one side-effect of an anti-cancer drug called Doxorubicin (DOX). ANI

Pregnant mums smoking may decrease daughters fertility
Pregnant women have been given yet another reason to kick the butt with researchers finding that it might decrease their daughters fertility. ANI