Health News for May 30, 2008

WHO wants a ban on all tobacco advertising to protect youth?
The World Health Organization (WHO) today urged governments to protect the worlds 1.8 billion young people by imposing a ban on all tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. ANI

Study reveals how males make up for their X chromosome shortage
Uncovering new insights into how sex chromosomes are regulated, researchers at European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany, and the EMBL-European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) in Hinxton, UK, have found that an enzyme, called MOF, binds differently to male and female sex chromosomes and thus helps males to make up for their X chromosome shortage. ANI

New non-invasive CT scan may detect early signs of heart disease
Scientists have developed a new non-invasive technique that may prove effective in uncovering early signs of heart disease. ANI

New drug candidate could protect against Alzheimers disease
A new drug candidate, called AL-108, has now been discovered to effectively treat Alzheimers disease, as well as other cognitive diseases like schizophrenia and Parkinsons, by limiting damage to the brain. ANI

Polymorphisms in two genes cause susceptibility to major depressive disorder
While not much has been known about major depressive disorder, researchers have now found that polymorphisms in two inflammation-related genes are responsible for susceptibility to major depression and antidepressant response. ANI

Research sheds light on couples battle against vulvar pain disorder
A new research has shed light on the experiences of couples in which the woman has a diagnosis of vulvar vestibulitis syndrome (vvs) - a vulvar pain disorder - and also explores coping strategies that aid in the subsequent emotional, relational, and sexual challenges. ANI

Worrying about the future makes us gobble more cookies
Gobbling cookies can provide a sweet escape from worrying about the future, finds a new study. ANI

Diabetics with fatty liver at higher risk of diabetes-related kidney disease
Type 2 diabetes patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are at an increased risk of developing diabetes-related chronic kidney disease (CKD), says a new study. ANI

Scientists identify common bacteria linked to cot death
Researchers have identified two common bacteria that may contribute to the increasing number of cot deaths. ANI

Postcard mailings could help smokers kick the butt
A new study has found that cigarette manufacturers often rely on direct mail advertisements to entice smokers to use their products but ad-mailing campaigns can also help people kick the habit. ANI

Fruits, veggies and teas may curb lung cancer risk in smokers
Three servings of fruits and vegetables and green or black tea daily may protect smokers from developing lung cancer, suggests a new study. ANI

Warmer environments raise ecstasy fatality risk
According to a new research, the effects of the illicit drug ecstasy are worsened when it is taken in a warm environment. ANI

Study highlights life-threatening implications of poor dental care
A new study has shown that lack of dental care may have life-threatening implications, by finding that the number of people needing hospital treatment for dental abscesses has doubled in 10 years despite the fact that these serious infections are preventable with regular dental care. ANI

Aging dental bridges hazardous for oral health
Researchers from American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) have revealed that aging dental bridges may prove hazardous for oral health and should be replaced with permanent dental implants. ANI

New dressing may help heal difficult burn, diabetes wounds
Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC in Wurzburg have developed a new type of wound dressing made of silica gel fibers that may soon help heal difficult wounds caused by burns or diabetes. ANI

Enzyme may hold promise for better targeting of cancer-fighting drugs
Researchers from Boston College and the University of Wisconsin, Madison, have found that a critical enzyme used to prepare a powerful cancer-killing agent may be able to help drug makers better target the cells the natural product attacks. ANI

Quality of life predicts survival in head and neck cancer patients
Quality of life can be an important indicator in determining survival among patients with head and neck cancer, according to a new study. ANI

Self-monitoring of blood glucose highly effective in diabetes care
A collection of new reports has indicated that frequent self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) by patients of type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and their subsequent alteration of their treatment regimens may help them attain improved glucose control. ANI

Mediterranean diet may help prevent diabetes
A traditional Mediterranean diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, fibre and healthier fats could help protect against type 2 diabetes, according to a new study. ANI

Exercise cuts mens cancer death risk by 34%
Men who take regular moderate exercise have a 34 per cent lower chance of being killed by cancer than those who do not, according to a study from the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet. ANI

RHT improves post-menopausal womens quality of life
Researchers at the University of Granada have found that use of Replacement Hormone Therapy (RHT) for at least five years improves quality of life in post-menopausal women. ANI

Type of tomato product may prevent prostate cancer
Researchers at the University of Missouri have found that one specific form of tomato product may have the ability to prevent prostate cancer. ANI