Health News for October 23, 2007

WHO calls for global action to protect health from climate change
As the momentum for action on climate change continues to grow, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced today that it will focus its World Health Day 2008 theme on protecting health from climate change. ANI

More educated people lose memory faster after diagnosis of dementia
People with more years of education lose their memory faster in the years before a diagnosis of dementia, compared to their counterparts with lesser education, a new study has revealed. ANI

A good nights sleep is crucial for your work performance
Getting just four hours of sleep every night reduces a persons ability to perform complex tasks over the period of a five-day working week, a new EU study has found. ANI

Study explains how exercise cuts down risk of cardiovascular diseases
It is well known that exercise playa s a vital role in cutting down risk of cardiovascular diseases. Now, a new study has shown just how exercise lowers the risk. ANI

Weight gain may increase breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women
A study has found that women who gained weight throughout adulthood instead of maintaining a stable weight might have an increased risk of breast cancer. ANI

New therapeutic device may help zap cancer cells
Researchers have developed a therapeutic device that not only has the potential to capture cells as they flow through the blood stream and treat them but can also zap cancer cells spreading to other tissues, or signal stem cells to differentiate. ANI

Maintaining zinc levels in blood may reduce pneumonia risk in nursing home elderly
A new study has suggested that maintaining normal serum zinc concentration in the blood might help reduce the risk of pneumonia development in elderly nursing home residents. ANI

Height may point to a biological basis for paedophilia
Researchers at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) have found that mens height may be a factor for the biological basis for paedophilia. ANI

Peoples food preferences are written in their genes
UK researchers have suggested that peoples food preferences may be dependent on their genes, instead of their upbringing and social environment, as earlier thought. ANI

Nearly 50pct of human population is overweight: Study
A global study has revealed that close to half of the general population is overweight, revealing that excess body weight is pandemic. ANI

First genome scan for Autism Spectrum Disorders completed
The Autism Consortium, a group of leading universities and medical centres in the Boston area, has announced the completion of first genome scan for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) through its Autism Gene Discovery Project, and has released the reference data set to a database that scientists researching into the condition can use. ANI

Eating whole-grain breakfast cereals may lower heart failure risk for men
Eating whole grain breakfast cereals in higher amounts may help reduce the risk of heart failure for men, says a report. ANI