Health News

Extract of the plant cats claw may harbour dengue cure
A plant from the Amazon region called the cats claw has been found to be effective in combating dengue. ANI

Yeast studies provide clue about controlling cholesterol levels
Johns Hopkins researchers say that they have gained significant insights into the mechanism whereby a single-celled fungus regulates its version of cholesterol. ANI

Stress-related disorders deteriorates brains memory processing ability
Using functional MRI (fMRI), a researcher team, which was led by an Indian-origin scientist, has found that patients suffering from stress-related psychiatric disorders have impaired wiring in the area of the brain behind suppressing memory. ANI

Health News for August 30, 2008

vCJD can be transmitted via blood transfusion
After studying sheep for nine years, researchers at the University of Edinburgh have found evidence that vCJD can be transmitted through blood transfusion in humans. ANI

Worlds first laser surgery to destroy brain tumour on conscious patient
French surgeons have successfully used keyhole laser surgery to destroy a brain tumour on a conscious patient. Doctors at Pitie-Salpetriere hospital in Paris drilled a 3mm hole into the skull of a patient under local anaesthetic and inserted a tiny fibre-optic cable armed with a laser, which enabled them to see the metastatic tumour and steer the cable. ANI

Magnesium sulfate may cut cerebral palsy risk in preemies
Premature babies are 50 pct less likely to develop cerebral palsy if their mothers are given magnesium sulfate at the time of childbirth, suggests a new study. ANI

Healthy people are happy but happy people are even healthier
While it is said that healthy people are happy, a new study suggests that people whore joyful and satisfied with their lives are healthier. ANI

Men and women respond differently to antidepressants
Women with depression are more likely than men to benefit from antidepressant drug citalopram (Celexa), according to a new study, which suggests a biological basis for difference in response. ANI

Influenza shots do not lower death risk
Influenza shots might protect against flu but it does not lower the overall mortality risk in the elderly, suggests a new study led by an Indian origin scientist. ANI

Gene signature in breast cancer cells can predict treatment prognosis
Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine have revealed that genetic response to insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I) in breast cancer cells can help predict aggressive tumours that are less likely to respond to treatment. ANI

Smoking during pregnancy a double-edged sword
Smoking during pregnancy is a double-edged sword in respect of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) - as it not only does raise a mothers likelihood of having a preterm baby, but it also increases the infants susceptibility to SIDS further, according to a new study. ANI

The dos and donts of dealing with earwax
Cotton-tipped swabs use for routinely cleaning out earwax may prove harmful because the wax actually plays a critical protective function for the ear, say health care experts. ANI

Inflammation not to blame for asthma-obesity link
Though there is a strong link between obesity and asthma, inflammation is not the conditions long-suspected mediator, according to a group of researchers. ANI

Physically, sexually abused kids at higher asthma risk
Physically or sexually abused kids are at a significantly higher risk of having asthma, according to a new study. ANI

Chewing gum may be the best stress buster
Chewing gum can reduce stress and anxiety, according to a new research. ANI

IIT-Bombay scientists bring online asthma monitoring closer to reality
IIT-Bombay scientists have developed an inexpensive web-enabled device that can enable doctors to remotely measure lung function in patients with asthma and other disorders, and to quickly instigate medical attention in an emergency. ANI