Health News for May 15, 2008

Family genome analysis pinpoints likely causative gene for Alzheimers
Analysis of the genetic profile of two large Georgia families with high rates of late-onset Alzheimers disease has led to the discovery of a gene, called TRPC4AP, that may cause the disease. ANI

A jab in the neck may alleviate hot flashes in breast cancer patients
Now a jab in the neck may help relieve the severity of unbearable hot flashes and night awakenings that come with breast cancer treatment, says a new study. ANI

Low cholesterol leads to lower prostate- specific antigen levels
A new study has found that low cholesterol levels may help reduce a persons prostate- specific antigen (PSA) level. ANI

Global warming may increase prevalence of kidney stones disease
Global warming may lead to an increase in kidney stones disease, says a new study. ANI

Maxi-K gene transfer may prove to be effective treatment for erectile dysfunction
Maxi-K gene therapy may prove to be a safe and effective future treatment for men whose erectile dysfunction (ED) is not treatable with oral therapy, according to a new study. ANI

Cold running water still the best first-aid treatment for burns
The first thing that people do after getting a burn is run to rinse it under cool tap water. And now even scientists have backed the practice, by suggesting that cold running water is still the best first-aid treatment for burns. ANI

Carbon-coated nanomagnets could serve as potential hyperthermia agents
A new research has suggested that carbon-coated nanomagnets could serve as a safe and effective hyperthermia agent, targeting and destroying cancerous cells. ANI

Weight loss may resolve erectile dyfunction in morbidly obese
Weight loss may help resolve erectile dysfunction in obese men, according to new research presented on May 15 at the 103rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA). ANI

Low cholesterol leads to lower prostate- specific antigen levels
A new study has found that low cholesterol levels may help reduce a persons prostate- specific antigen (PSA) level. ANI

Global warming may increase prevalence of kidney stones disease
Global warming may lead to an increase in kidney stones disease, says a new study. ANI

Mango madness is not a myth after all
Mango madness - a period of extreme weather tension that triggers violence as the wet season hits - is not a myth, say surgeons. ANI

Powdered passion fruit may hold a cure for asthma
Scientists from the University of Arizona and Mashhad Medical University in Iran have found that the passion fruit may hold a cure for the worlds 400 million sufferers of asthma. ANI

BP problem? Turn to 30 minutes of classical, raga music
Suffering from high blood pressure? Well then all you need to do is listen to just 30 minutes of rhythmically homogeneous music every day. ANI

Workplace interventions reduce headaches, neck and shoulder pain
A simple office-based program of relaxation and posture exercises can reduce the incidence of headaches, and shoulder and neck pain by more than 40 per cent, a new research suggests. ANI

Mums depression linked to young kids accidental injuries
A new study has shown that infants and toddlers whose mothers are severely depressed are almost three times more likely to suffer accidental injuries than other children in the same age group. ANI

Heres how TB bacteria hide and multiply in the human body
Canadian scientists have gained important insights into the process whereby tuberculosis (TB) bacteria hide and multiply in the human body, and are now endeavouring to devise a way to block this mechanism. ANI

Aspirin before bedtime may reduce BP in people with prehypertension
People with prehypertension who are treated with aspirin may experience significant reductions in blood pressure-but only if they take the pill before bedtime, and not when they wake up in the morning, says a new study. ANI

New vaccine may help consign meningitis to the history books
British scientists have achieved a significant breakthrough in obtaining powerful immune responses in 150 infants against meningitis, the infection that kills about one in 10 and often leads to permanent disabilities in many of its sufferers. ANI

Researchers find new treatment for Hepatitis C
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center have found a new treatment for Hepatitis C. ANI

Common chemical in pet shampoo may boost autism risk in kids
A new study has found that a chemical commonly found in pet shampoo could play a major role in the development of autism in children. ANI

Two doner kebabs a week could cause heart attack within 10 years
Think twice before having a doner kebab next time, for a new study has revealed that these greasy takeaway meals are so full of fat, eating just two a week could kill you with a heart attack in just ten years. ANI

Triple-drug therapy most effective at suppressing HIV
One of the most commonly prescribed triple-drug combinations for initial HIV infection is also the most effective at suppressing it, according to the largest study of its kind to evaluate commonly used HIV drugs. ANI

New factor that may contribute towards heroin addiction identified
A new study has shed light on heroin addiction, by identifying a factor that may play a key role in the development of the habit, by manipulating the adenosine A2A receptor, which regulates the brains reward pathway. ANI

New compound has the potential to inhibit HIV protease
By using computer models, researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new compound that can inhibit HIV protease, which is an established target for AIDS treatment and can further lead to a new class of AIDS drugs. ANI

Evidence of Alzheimers-like brain tangles in nonhuman primates found
Researchers at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, have discovered the first conclusive evidence of Alzheimers-like neurofibrillary brain tangles in an aged nonhuman primate. ANI

Identical genes may behave differently in mouse and man
Owing to their 85 percent identical genomes, mouse act as the best substitute for humans in medical research. But, evolutionary biologists at University of Michigan have indicated that these identical genes may behave differently in mouse and man. ANI