Health News for June 11, 2008

Cell phones may revolutionize cancer care for young patients
Young cancer patients would now be able to manage side-effects of chemotherapy with the help of cell phones, thanks to British researchers, who have developed specially adapted mobile phones on which the patients can record and send details of all their symptoms to the medical professionals managing their care. ANI

St. Johns wort may not help treat ADHD in kids, teens
Researchers at Bastyr University, Kenmore, Washington, have found that kids and teens with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who were treated with the herb St. Johns wort did not have any greater improvement in ADHD symptoms as compared to those who received a placebo. ANI

More than 75% New Yorkers infected with genital herpes
Sex in New York could be risky now, for a new study has shown that more than a quarter of the Big Apples adult residents are infected with the herpes virus - an incurable sexually-transmitted infection that can cause painful genital sores and can double a persons risk for HIV. ANI

Scientists link sleep apnea to memory loss
Sleep apnea can lead to serious brain injury that disrupts memory and thinking, according to researchers at the University of California - Los Angeles. ANI

Early detection makes breast cancer victims live just as long as healthy women
Breast cancer patients whose tumour is detected early can survive as long as those without the disease, an analysis of latest figures has revealed. ANI

Drinking four cups of tea a day cuts heart attack risk
Drinking four cups of tea a day cuts the risk of a heart attack, according to a review of studies by the British Nutrition Found-ation. ANI

Glucose control reduces risk of kidney disease in diabetics
By intensively controlling blood glucose levels, patients with diabetes can effectively reduce their risk of developing serious kidney disease and other complications, suggest researchers. ANI

Anti-migraine drugs with fewer side effects on the anvil
Scientists have made a major breakthrough in migraine therapy by developing new anti-migraine drugs with fewer side effects, which according to them, will soon hit the markets. ANI

Bright light therapy may improve dementia symptoms in elderly
A new study from Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, has revealed that bright light therapy can significantly improve dementia symptoms in older people. ANI

HiCy drug regimen may slow MS progression
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have found that a short-term, very-high dose regimen of the immune-suppressing drug cyclophosphamide may slow progression of multiple sclerosis (MS) and may even restore neurological function lost to the disease. ANI

Study shows how belly fat causes type 2 diabetes
A new study has shed light on why abdominal fat is associated with type 2 diabetes risk, by finding that belly fat may affect liver function, thereby causing insulin resistance - a strong risk factor for the disease. ANI

Prenatal drug exposure associated with greater sleep problems in kids
Prenatal drug exposure is linked to greater sleep problems in children, according to a new study. ANI

Obese kids have poor sleep habits, lower quality of life
Researchers at the St. Josephs University in Philadelphia have found that obese children have a lower quality of life and poor sleep habits. ANI

Late-night snacking may disrupt adults sleep patterns
Late-night snacking may negatively influence sleep patterns in healthy adults, according to a new study by researchers at the Federal University of Sao Paulo in Brazil. ANI

High-fat diet linked to greater sleep problems
Researchers in Brazil have found that the more fat you consume each day, the less likely you are to get a good nights sleep. ANI

Cancer-killing viruses stimulate tumor blood-vessel growth
While viruses genetically designed to kill cancer cells offer a promising strategy for treating incurable brain tumors such as glioblastoma, a new study by an Indian-origin scientist has found that such viruses also stimulate the growth of new blood vessels to the tumor, thereby actually leading to regrowth of the tumor. ANI

Gender may influence reaction to HIV-prevention materials
A new study at Florida Department of Health in Alachua County has revealed that gender may influence a persons reaction to HIV-prevention materials. ANI

Quick responses to influenza outbreaks lower illness, death risk
A quick treatment with antiviral medications can significantly lower illness and death risk among influenza patients, suggest researchers. ANI

Golf carts can be hazardous to health
Though golf carts have become a popular means of transport outside golf course, they can actually wreck havoc on your body, for the number of golf carts related injuries have seen a significant increase in recent years. ANI

Living near green areas doesnt mean more physical activity
A new study has shown that people with more green space in their living environment walk and cycle less often and for shorter amounts of time. ANI

Smoking, obesity may lead to hearing loss
A new study has found that obesity and smoking could be linked to permanent loss of hearing. ANI

Unique drug-combo may reverse type 1 diabetes
A new study has shown that the combination of Lisofylline (LSF), a drug that is being developed to halt immune damage to insulin producing cells, and Islet Neogenesis Associated Protein peptide (INGAP), a drug based on a naturally occurring protein produced by the pancreas, may hold the key to reversing Type I diabetes. ANI

Gene linked to adult-onset obesity identified
A research team at the University of Minnesota has identified a gene that may shed light on why obesity rates increase with age. ANI