Health News for January 7, 2008

Scientists unveil remarkable editing system for protein production
Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have come up with two new methods for correcting mistakes made by cells during protein production, which can have profound disease effects. ANI

Kids introduced to alcohol at home, and as early as age 10
A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh suggests that children are usually introduced to alcohol use when they are as young as eight to 10 years of age, and this mostly happens at home. ANI

Sugar on cell surface identified as key factor in flu infection
Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge have found that sugar on cell surfaces is a key factor that is necessary for sustaining the spread of flu between people. ANI

Short periods of stress may condition heart to survive major attack
A new study by researchers at the University of Cincinnati suggests that experiencing brief periods of blocked blood flow may condition a person to survive a full-blown heart attack later. ANI

Cosmetic surgery clinics lure patients through hard sell
A study has revealed that Cosmetic surgery clinics are using hard-sell techniques to lure the patients into risky procedures without proper medical advice. ANI

Hospital superbug could be treated at home
People suffering from MRSA, a bacterium responsible for difficult-to-treat infections in humans can be treated at home with antibiotics and can also reduce the lavish cost of the treatment, says experts. ANI

Link between energy-saving light bulb and migraine dismissed
A Kiwi manufacturer has rejected claims that energy-efficient light bulbs trigger crippling migraines. ANI

Breast cancer jab may be available in 10 years, says leading expert
A leading specialist has predicted that a breast cancer vaccine may be available within 10 years. ANI

First Chinese volunteers genome mapped
As part of a project to create a database of Asian genomes, the Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI) has sequenced the genome of a Chinese volunteer for the first time. ANI

Eating large fish may make kids vulnerable to mercury poisoning
Eating large fish like swordfish, marlin, and shark may make young children vulnerable to mercury poisoning, say health experts. ANI

Study finds link between fatherhood, prostrate cancer
Becoming a dad may be fraught with more risks than previously believed, for a new study has found a link between fatherhood and prostrate cancer. ANI

Tiny genetic mutations enough to create a virulent form of chlamydia
An international study has revealed that tiny genetic mutations are enough to create a virulent form of chlamydia, which leads to serious sexual disease in men. ANI

Low-energy bulb disposal may pose health and environmental risks
The next time you dispose a low-energy light bulb, be more careful because it might pose health and environmental risks. ANI

Major breakthrough for heart diseases, organ transplants
Scientists at the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB) connected to the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, while working on mice, have been able prevent muscle tissues from dying due to lack of oxygen. The breakthrough, they say, may hold implications in organ transplants and cardiovascular diseases. ANI

Researchers restore movement after spinal cord damage
Researchers at University of California Los Angeles have found that the central nervous system can reorganize itself and follow a new pathway to restore movement after a spinal cord injury. ANI