Health News for September 18, 2007

WFP supports Afghan farmers with local wheat purchase
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today announced a 1.1 million dollar purchase of 4,000 metric tons of locally grown wheat in Herat, Afghanistan, as a way of overcoming continuing security problems hampering food deliveries, while at the same time supporting poor Afghan farmers. ANI

Exercising after high-fat meal may help fight fat
Scientists have revealed that exercising right after eating a meal high in fat content may help people keep in shape. ANI

0-10 scale may not give doctors accurate picture of patients pain
According to researchers in the Indiana University School of Medicine and the University of North Carolina, the most commonly used measure for screening of pain may only be moderately accurate. ANI

Universal exercise equipment for disabled, elderly on the anvil
An industrial designer at Priority Designs in Columbus, Ohio has conceptualised a universal exercise equipment for both able-bodied and disabled people. ANI

Statin drug helps unclog blood vessels from excess cholesterol, fats
Scientists have shed more light on the use of statins, by discovering how a statin drug used against heart disease helps to unclog blood vessels from an excess of cholesterol and fats. ANI

Tight socks can leave infants with lesions on their legs
A team of researchers at Washington University has revealed that socks with tight elastic bands may result in infants getting lesions on their legs. ANI

Scottish mineral water may hold anti- ageing properties
A new research has revealed that Scottish brand Deeside Mineral Water may hold anti- ageing properties. ANI

Giving your cows cannabis may prevent mad cow disease!
It seems that cattle will now be turning into dopeheads for a new study has found that feeding cattle with cannabis could stop the development and spread of mad cow disease. ANI

Fruitflies study gives new insight into cancer-causing genes in humans
A new study at the University of Rochester Medical Center has shown that the cancer-promoting effects of a mutation to the DNA sequence of the JAK gene in fruit flies, which is closely related to a common cancer-causing gene in humans, can be passed from parents to offspring, even if the mutation itself is not passed to the offspring. ANI

Teaching teenagers to use condoms does reduce HIV risk: Review
A new study has revealed that abstinence-plus programs (to use condoms) are better than abstinence-only programs when it comes to reducing HIV risk among teenagers. ANI

Reduced serotonin levels make women more depressed, men more impulsive
Scientists have found that women and men respond differently to manipulation of serotonin levels, a biochemical whose reduced transmission has been implicated in major depressive disorder (MDD), a common mental disorder. ANI

Study identifies genomes role in rheumatoid arthritis
A new study has revealed that one specific part of the genome, TRAF1 (TNF receptor-associated factor 1), is associated with rheumatoid arthritis. ANI

Gene mutation linked to developing Parkinsons disease at a young age
Researchers have revealed that people with a specific gene mutation are more likely to develop Parkinsons disease before they turn 50. ANI

Dental splint can ease snoring better than breathing mask
A new study has revealed that use of a dental splint is more effective in alleviating snoring than breathing mask. ANI

Action-programme devised to help academically at-risk Undergraduates
According to a study at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), it was found that the students who perform lowly, accomplish more when primary causes which are related to poor performance, like- social isolation, stress, improbable expectations, and shame linked with being on probation, are dealt with. ANI

New bone-growing nanomaterial may revolutionise orthopaedic implants
A team of engineers from Brown University has discovered a novel, bone-growing material that may revolutionise orthopaedic implants. ANI

Genes decide whether smoking-cessation drugs will help you kick the butt
According to a new study by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), it is a persons genes that decide whether or not a smoking-cessation drug would help when it comes to quitting smoking. ANI

ER episodes improve viewers health information
A new study has revealed that medical dramas on TV such as ER are an influential medium for health communication. ANI

New criteria may help detect Alzheimers early
Researchers have proposed a new diagnostic criteria which will enable physicians to detect and treat Alzheimers Disease (AD) in its earliest stages, when patients are experiencing only mild degrees of cognitive impairment. ANI

Smoking causes acne in women
Smoking has been linked to a number of health problems ranging from lung diseases to cancer, but a new study has found another undesirable side effect of smoking cigarettes, particularly in women - acne. ANI