Health News for June 10, 2008

Fashion show in Surat for HIV awareness
Models walked the ramp during a fashion show in Surat to create awareness on the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). ANI

115-yr-old womans normal brain debunks Alzheimers inevitability theory
Studying an unusual case of a Dutch woman, who retained an essentially normal brain function until her death at the age of 115, experts have come to the conclusion that the assumption that Alzheimers disease or other forms of dementia inevitably develop as the people age may not be true. ANI

Oral sex causing small-scale throat cancer epidemic
Growing prevalence of oral sex may be leading to an increased incidence of throat cancer, according to a new study. ANI

Actos reduces conversion to type 2 diabetes by 81 per cent
A new study has shown that people in prediabetic state were 81 pct less likely to convert into type 2 diabetes patients when treated with drug pioglitazone, brand name Actos(r). ANI

Antibiotics may heal wound complications of childbirth
A new study led by an Indian researcher has revealed that a single dose of antibiotics can significantly heal severe tearing that occurs in vaginal tissues during many births. ANI

Boosting immune response may help older patients fight TB
Researchers from Ohio State University have revealed that boosting the immune system in elderly people is the most effective way to help them fight against tuberculosis. ANI

Air in modern aircraft cabin far better than in other crowded places: Report
You need not worry about catching an infectious disease or bug next time you climb on board an aeroplane packed with people, for a study suggests that the quality of air filtered through a modern aircraft cabin is far better than in other crowded places. ANI

iPods leading to a new generation of deaf young adults
You might love listening to your favourite music on your iPods, but a new survey has revealed that more than 70 pct of young adults are loosing their hearing power, thanks to the increasing use of headphones. ANI

Cervical cancer rates soaring among teens
Incidence of cervical cancer among teenagers has seen a significant increase over the past few years, and is still increasing, suggests a new study.The study led by Jillian Birch from the University of Manchester, UK, has revealed that the incidence of cervical cancer between 1979 and 2003 has increased by 1.6 pct per year. ANI

Gene variation linked to earlier onset of Alzheimers symptoms identified
A genetic variation in a protein, called tau, is responsible for an earlier age of onset in Alzheimers disease, according to scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. ANI

Video game technology may speed up beating-heart surgical procedures
Experts at Childrens Hospital Boston say that a simple technology used by the video game industry may provide cardiac surgeons with ultrasound of images of the beating heart as a hologram while performing intricate beating-heart operations, especially on babies with congenital disease. ANI

Scientists identify potential biomarkers for pancreatic cancer
Scientists at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle have identified a panel of proteins linked to early development of pancreatic cancer in mice that may be a useful tool in detecting early tumours in humans as well. ANI

Smoking causes memory loss in middle-aged people
Middle-aged smokers are more prone to memory loss than non-smokers, says a new study by researchers at the Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale, Villejuif, France. ANI

Fad diets are no way to get that bikini body: Expert
Consuming a fad diet to achieve that ultimate beach-body? Well, you may be doing yourself more harm than good, warns a leading clinical nutritionist. ANI

Maternal obesity a factor in newborn deaths for blacks, not whites
Researchers at the University of South Florida have shed new light on obesitys role in the black-white gap in infant mortality. ANI

Therapeutic medication topiramate may treat alcohol addiction
A clinical trial by addiction experts at the University of Virginia Health System has shown that topiramate is an effective therapeutic agent that not only decreases heavy drinking but also diminishes the physical and psychosocial harm caused by alcohol dependence. ANI

New synthetic nanoparticles penetrate cells without harming them
Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed synthetic nanoparticles that can penetrate a cell without inflicting any harm to its protective membrane. ANI

Low vitamin D levels may raise heart attack risk in men
Men who have low levels of vitamin D may be at an increased risk of having a heart attack, according to a new study. ANI

Omega-3 fatty acids may cut age-related eye disease risk
A meta-analysis of nine previously published studies has found that eating fish and other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids may significantly cut the risk of developing the eye disease age-related macular degeneration (AMD). ANI

Bright light therapy may improve mums nocturnal sleep
Researchers from Georgia State University have revealed that bright light therapy can improve nocturnal sleep, decrease daytime sleepiness, in mothers. ANI

Drinking four glasses of milk daily cuts bone fracture risk
Four glasses of milk daily can significantly cut the risk of bone fractures in adults, suggests a new study. ANI

Scientists make progress in islet cell transplantation for diabetes
By modifying the procedure for islet cell transplantation, researchers at University of Illinois, Chicago, have achieved insulin independence in diabetes patients with fewer but better-functioning pancreatic islet cells. ANI

Feel good hormones in the brain halt cancer progression in rats
A US-based Calcutta University alumnus has revealed a mechanism whereby the brain can prevent the progression of cancer. ANI

Women who gain excessive weight during pregnancy have overweight kids
Researchers from The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found that children of women who gain more than the recommended amount of weight during pregnancy are more prone to being overweight at age seven. ANI

Students in schools that start late are less sleepy in the daytime
A new study has shown that high school students with a delayed school start time are more likely to sleep longer, and less likely to feel sleepy during daytime. ANI

A happy marriage may lower risk of sleep problems
A new study has shown that marital happiness may lower the risk of sleep problems in Caucasian women, while marital strife may increase the risk. ANI

Poor sleep may increase emotional, behavioral disturbance in teens
A new study has revealed that lack of sleep among teens may not only contribute to lower grades and a lack of motivation, but may also increase the odds of serious levels of emotional and behavioral disturbances, including ADHD. ANI

Good dental hygiene may protect against heart infections
A new study has found that taking good care of teeth and gums may be crucial in preventing heart valve infection. ANI

Depressed kids have more sleep problems
Researchers at the Center of Pediatric Sleep Disorders at the University of Rome La Sapienza in Italy, have found that children suffering from depression and anxiety disorders have more sleep problems. ANI