Health News for October 2, 2008

Ramadoss distributes pamphlets on smoking-ban in Chennai
Union Heath Minister Anbumani Ramadoss distributed pamphlets on smoking-ban in Chennai on Thursday the day when about 1.2 billion people have been forbidden by the law from lighting up in all public places including bars, offices, bus stands. ANI

Menopause does not increase blood pressure, cardiovascular disease risk
While increases in blood pressure and cardiovascular disease risk are often observed in postmenopausal women, two new studies now suggest that menopause itself does not give rise to such conditions. ANI

Early depression, anxiety treatment may cut relapse risk
Early treatment with antidepressant and anti-anxiety medication can significantly reduce relapse risk in future, says a new study by University of Alberta. ANI

New HIV drug effective for drug-resistant patients
Maraviroc, the first of a new class of HIV drugs called CCR5 receptor antagonists, can provide major benefits for certain patients who have become immune to existing medications, according to a new study. ANI

Teen insomniacs at increased depression, substance abuse risk
Teenagers with insomnia are at an increased risk of developing depression and substance abuse problems in adolescence and young adulthood, a new study has found. ANI

Adolescents affiliation with delinquent peers tied up in the genome
Adolescent males who possess a certain type of variation in a specific gene are more likely to develop affinity with delinquent peers, says a new study. ANI

Women with history of dieting likely to gain more weight during pregnancy
Women who diet prior to becoming pregnant tend to gain more weight during pregnancy, according to a new study from University of North Carolina. ANI

Now, a 15-minute test for cancer, multiple sclerosis diagnosis
Testing for diseases including cancer and multiple sclerosis could soon take 15 minutes and would be as simple as using a pregnancy test kit, say scientists. ANI

Genes decide weight loss drugs effectiveness
Obese patients with specific genetic makeup have an enhanced response to a weight loss drug, while others who lack the factors lose little or no weight, says a new study. ANI

Simple saliva test could help detect oral cancer
A simple test of saliva proteins could soon help doctors in detecting oral squamous cell carcinoma, a form of oral cancer, according to a new study. ANI

Major sources of lower back pain revealed
A new study has revealed that the collection of fluid in the spinal joints, and swelling of the interspinal ligaments are major sources of lower back pain. ANI

Wheezing infants with colds at 10-fold asthma risk in later life
Infants who wheeze while suffering from common cold are at a ten-fold risk of developing asthma in later life, say researchers. ANI

Blame your genes for your poor reading ability
A genetic variant believed to be associated with dyslexia can be partly blamed for poor reading ability, according to anew study. ANI

Scientists successfully use nanoparticles to treat brain, spinal cord injuries
Purdue University researchers have shown that it is possible to use nanoparticles for delivering treatments to injured brains and spinal cord cells. ANI

Groundbreaking discovery may lead to more effective antibiotics
A groundbreaking discovery by researchers at the University of Virginia may provide physicians and patients a potential new approach towards the creation of less resistant and more effective antibiotics. ANI

Scientists see how HIV matures into AIDS
Researchers at the University of Missouri have ctually watched the HIV-1 protease mature from an inactive form into an active infection. ANI

Cannabis use less harmful than drinking, smoking
Cannabis use is less harmful than drinking or smoking cigarettes, according to a new UK report. ANI

Extra-marital affairs can prove fatal for migraine sufferers
Cheating on your partner can cost you more than your marriage, at least in the case of migraine sufferers. ANI

Computers as effective as experts in reading mammograms
Computers can read mammograms to spot breast cancer nearly as effective as experts, according to a new study. ANI

Cartoon characters under fire for promoting unhealthy food
Tony the Tiger and the Dairylea Cow have come under fire for failing to promote healthy eating in children, a consumer group has said.A report by Which? has accused few of the 19 cartoon characters in supermarkets for not marketing healthy food - and therefore, fuelling childhood obesity. ANI

Rock music boosts exercise endurance in the best way possible
Rock and pop music with a strong fast beat is the best to exercise to, says a new research. ANI

Asian-white couples have distinct pregnancy risks
Asian-white couples face pregnancy risks that can vary depending on which parent is Asian, according to a new study from Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital and the Stanford University School of Medicine. ANI

New study indicates HIV pandemic began around 1900
The most pervasive global strain of HIV began spreading in humans around 1900 in sub-Saharan Africa, according to a new research. ANI