Health News for November 6, 2007

Researchers call for urgent TB drug development
Researchers have revealed that early stage drug discovery is a key bottleneck in the pipeline to find novel drugs for tuberculosis and have therefore called for a new approach to overcome it. ANI

Insulin-boosting medication doesnt cut patients heart attack survival rates
A recent study has put to rest concerns about the link between diabetes mellitus treatments and heart attack by finding that a group of common diabetes medications dont hamper patients heart attack survival rates. ANI

Heart disease risk factors, overweight problems begin at an early age
The problems of overweight and heart disease risk factors begin at an early age, and may become evident by the time a child reaches age seven, according to a study. ANI

Biomarker that may predict breast cancer more effectively identified
A recent study has identified a molecule that may help predict which breast cancer will develop into an advanced form more accurately. ANI

Floating may be the best stress and pain buster
A recent study has found that relaxing in large, sound -and -light proof tank with salt water-floating is an effective way of easing long-term stress-related pain. ANI

Lack of sleep makes for fatter kids
Children who stay up past their bedtimes are at an increased risk for being overweight, a new study has found. ANI

Medication, counselling may help teens quit cigarette smoking
A new report has suggested that the medication bupropion together with counselling may help adolescents kick cigarette smoking in the short term. ANI

Frequent fliers run risk of life-threatening blood clots, confirms study
Researchers in The Netherlands have confirmed that business travellers who fly frequently are at an increased risk of developing life-threatening blood clots. ANI

Fear of putting on weight may keep women from kicking the butt
Fear of gaining weight has not let women quit smoking despite the health risks it poses. ANI

Simple method for treating high blood pressure developed
Researchers at Robarts Research Institute have developed a simplified step-care protocol for treating high blood pressure. ANI

Breastfed babies less likely to have heart disease risk in adulthood
A new study has revealed that breastfed babies are less likely to have certain cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in adulthood than their bottle-fed counterparts. ANI

Dandruff may soon be history
Scientists conducting a research for Proctor and Gamble have decoded the complete DNA of a natural fungus responsible for dandruff, a genetic breakthrough that may lead to the elimination of the problem of the flaky skin condition. ANI

How environmental stress causes cancer revealed
Environmental stress causes cancer by reducing the activity level of an enzyme that causes cell death, say researchers led by Indian researcher Kapil Bhalla and Dr. Yonghua Yang. ANI

Urban kids with asthma need four or more check-ups a year
A team of researchers at Johns Hopkins Childrens Center have revealed that urban kids with asthma need four or more check-ups a year. ANI

Chest pains, high blood pressure speed up memory loss in Alzheimers patients
A recent study has found that Alzheimers patients suffering from problems like high blood pressure, chest pains or irregular heart beat often tend to loose their memories faster in comparison to those with only the disease. ANI

Marijuana-like brain transmitter may work as antidepressant
A study has found that by enhancing the amounts of a marijuana-like brain transmitter, called anandamide, antidepressant effects were produced in test rats. ANI

Over-the-counter pain drugs may reduce Parkinsons disease risk
A study has found that over-the-counter pain medications known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) might help reduce risk of Parkinsons disease in a person. ANI

Students learn more from group activities than lectures
Students learn better and develop higher-level skills by participating in group activities as compared to traditional classroom teaching methods, says a two-year study of college students. ANI

Children with Alzheimers risk gene display reduced cognitive function
A new study has found that children who have a gene known to increase the risk of Alzheimers disease already display signs of reduced cognitive function. ANI

Vacuuming and mopping can help you burn 50,000 calories a year
A piece of advise for all you fitness-conscious people - clean your house regularly, for a new study has found that the mundane task of washing the dishes or dusting the shelves helps you burn approximately 50,000 calories a year. ANI

Pregnant mums drinking linked to conduct problems in kids
A new study has given expectant mothers yet another reason to stay away from booze during their pregnancy by revealing that such drinking is associated with conduct problems in kids, independently of other risk factors. ANI

A daily 30-minute vigorous workout can control weight gain over 20 years
A new study has revealed that a consistently high level of physical activity from young adulthood into middle age increases the odds of maintaining a stable weight and lessens the amount of weight gained over time. ANI

Breast milk makes for bright kids with helpful gene
A study has found that breastfeeding boosts infants IQs, but only if the babies have a genetic variant that enhances their metabolism of breast milk. ANI