Health News for January 29, 2008

School bag style may cause severe back injury, warns expert
School bags slung on one shoulder may be a style quotient for students but an expert has warned that this may cause a severe back injury. ANI

Carbon nanotubes may help revolutionise X-ray technology
Rice University chemists have come up with an idea to improve X-ray images to such an extent that they will reveal the difference among soft tissues as clearly as they show the differences between bones and soft tissues. ANI

Parents want doctors to discuss sex, drugs, tobacco use with their kids
When parents bring their adolescents for routine check-ups, they hope that the doctors talk to their children about sex, diet, drug abuse and tobacco use, according to a new report. ANI

Scientists map signalling networks that control neuron function
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) have mapped thousands of neuronal proteins to discover how they connect into complex signalling networks that guide neuron function. ANI

Genetic link to human herpes susceptibility identified
Researchers at the University of Utah have found that people prone to herpes simplex virus (HSV) outbreaks are most likely to inherit the susceptibility through their genes. ANI

Being an early riser or night owl is all in your genes
If you are an early bird or struggle to get out of the bed in the morning, then you should blame your genes for the habit. ANI

Daily marijuana use increases severity of disease in hepatitis C patients
A new study has found that daily use of marijuana increases the severity of the disease in patients with chronic hepatitis C (HCV). ANI

Small tumours linked to higher likelihood of surviving pancreatic cancer
A recent study, led by an Indian researcher, has revealed that the chances of surviving pancreatic cancer significantly increases if the tumours are smallest. ANI

Diuretics reduce heart disease events in patients with hypertension, metabolic syndrome
Diuretics may be helpful in reducing the incidence of heart disease among patients with the metabolic syndrome and high blood pressure, according to the researchers from The University of Texas School of Public Health and Case Western Reserve University. ANI

Over-the-counter eardrops may cause severe damage to the ear
Certain over-the-counter earwax softeners can cause severe inflammation and damage to the eardrum and inner ear, say researchers. ANI

Inactive lifestyle leads to accelerated aging process
Individuals who lead sedentary lifestyles during their leisure time appear to be biologically older than those who are physically active, say researchers. ANI

US approves new test to detect most prevalent respiratory viruses
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new test developed at McMaster University, which may make the diagnosis of a nasty cough a lot easier. ANI