Health News for November 19, 2008

Barbiturates and narcotics abuse can increase frequency of migraine attacks
A new study has discovered that overusing of certain commonly prescribed medications could increase the frequency of migraine attacks. ANI

Soft-patch device to close hole in heart may prevent recurrent strokes
Scientists at Rush University Medical Center are using a soft-patch device made of a Gore-tex-type material, often used to make durable outerwear, to close a common hole found in the heart called a patent foramen ovale (PFO). ANI

Novel cost-effective screen test can speed up cancer genes discovery
Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) have devised a cost-effective screen test that can speed up the rate of discovering cancer-related genes and validating their function in living animals. ANI

High levels of social support may improve stroke patients survival rates
Social support may help increase survival rates among people who suffer strokes, suggests a new study. ANI

Popular cancer drug increases blood clot risk
After analysing randomised controlled trials, scientists have found that cancer drug bevacizumab significantly increases the risk of venous thromboembolism, i.e. blood clots in the deep veins of the legs or in the lungs. ANI

Exercise, calorie restricted diet lowers postmenopausal womens breast cancer risk
Regular exercise and reduced-calorie diet can significantly cut breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women, suggests a new study. ANI

The list of fat womens woes is endless
Being fat is a curse on a womans entire life, thats what a new study suggests, which found that obese females are more likely to be fired from their job or get in trouble with the police than thin ones. ANI

Vitamin B3 better than sunscreen in preventing skin cancer
Vitamin B3, which is found in meats, nuts, grains and cereals, can be more effective than sunscreen in providing protection against skin cancer, a new study has found. ANI

Alcohol sponsorship promotes hazardous drinking in sportsmen
Sportspeople, who are sponsored by the alcohol industry, are more likely to engage in binge drinking than those with no alcohol sponsors, according to a new study. ANI

People with depressive disorders or schizophrenia at high risk of re-attempting suicide
People suffering from depressive disorders or schizophrenia are at a greater risk of re-attempting suicide within a year of their first attempt, says a new study. ANI

Exercise, veggie-rich diet improves elderly cancer survivors health
Regular exercise and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help improve body weight and physical function in elderly cancer survivors, says a new study. ANI

Brain compound behind problem-solving deficits in schizophrenia patients identified
A research team in the United States says that the inability to solve problems among patients with schizophrenia may be due to elevated levels of a specific compound, called kynurenic acid, in their brains. ANI

Maternal consumption of canola oil cuts breast cancer risk in offsprings
Heres some advice for mums to be - consuming canola oil during pregnancy may help reduce their offsprings risk of developing breast cancer. ANI

Kids who sleep less than 10 hours a day likely to become fat
Kids who sleep less than 10 hours a night are likely to become overweight by age 6, a new study has found. ANI

Weight loss surgery before pregnancy may benefit both mother and child
A new study ha revealed that obese women who have weight loss surgery before becoming pregnant have a lower risk of pregnancy-related health problems and their children are less likely to be born with complications. ANI

Women separated from abusive partners experience long-term chronic pain
Canadian researchers have found that many women separated from abusive partners are likely to experience high-disability chronic pain after almost two years. ANI

Even a single exposure to stress can impair decision-making for several days
A study on mice has shown that even a single exposure to uncontrollable stress can impair the ability to make decisions for several days. ANI

Herbal supplement Ginkgo does not prevent Alzheimers disease
Ginkgo, one of the most widely used herbal supplements for improving memory and cognition, does not prove effective against development of dementia or Alzheimers disease, says a new study. ANI

Common cancer drugs may offer treatment for type 1 diabetes
A new study from University of California, San Francisco has shown that two common cancer drugs may offer treatment option for type 1 diabetes. ANI

Broccoli may cut lung cancer risk in smokers
Eating broccoli and similar veggies can reduce a smokers risk of developing lung cancer, says a new study. ANI

Methamphetamine abuse linked to alcohol, risky behaviour in teens
Adolescents with a history of alcohol abuse and risky sexual behaviours are more likely to take methamphetamines (MA) or speed, according to a new study. ANI