Health News for September 17, 2008

Why not all HIV progresses to AIDS in non-human primates
A team of scientists from Yerkes National Primate Research Center and the Emory Vaccine Center has reached a step closer to determining why SIV and HIV infection leads to AIDS in some primate species but not others. ANI

Little epidemic of chlamydia infections in Gen Ys Down Under
An increasing number of women in generation Y age group have become a victim of chlamydia, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can cause infertility, according to a sexual health researcher, who describes it as a little epidemic. ANI

A vaccine that cuts cold and flu risk by a third
People can now expect a winter with less instances of colds and flu, for a new study has now found evidence that a popular cold and flu-fighting vaccine can offer significant help. ANI

Early parenting key to infants response to stress
A new study has shown that early parenting, as early as 6 months, plays a crucial role in changing the impact of genes that may put infants at risk for responding poorly to stress. ANI

Nearly a quarter of women suffer from pelvic floor disorders
Nearly a quarter of the women suffer from pelvic floor disorder, which includes urinary and fecal incontinence and the shifting of a pelvic organ, says a new study from University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City. ANI

The nine personality types of heavy drinkers revealed
If you think that alcohol drinkers are of only two kinds, that is, normal and alcoholics, then heres a piece of information: Britains health bosses have identified nine different personality types. ANI

Older gamblers at greater suicide risk than younger counterparts
Older problem gamblers are three to four times more likely to be suicidal than their younger counterparts, says a new study. ANI

Girls from poor neighbourhoods more likely to have sex at early age
Young girls from poor neighbourhoods are more likely to initiate sex at an early age, says a new study. ANI

Outbreak of disease follow floods in Uttar Pradesh
Floods might have receded, but villagers are faced with a new problem of trying to cope with the disease outbreak, as an aftermath of floods in Uttar Pradesh. ANI

Abstinence-only programs failing to change sexual behaviour in teens
Abstinence-only-until-marriage sex education programs have failed to change sexual behaviour among teenagers due to inaccurate information about condoms, and also violates human rights principles, say experts. ANI

New drug extends survival in patients with fatal pancreatic cancer
Researchers from Karolinska Institute have come up with a new drug that can potentially extend survival in patients with inoperable pancreatic cancer. ANI

New compound turns good viruses into magic bullet to kill cancer cells
Canadian researchers say that it is possible to enable good viruses to seek and destroy cancer cells. ANI

The five simple steps that can halve premature death risk in women
Women could halve their risk of premature death by avoiding cigarettes, exercising regularly, keeping a check on their diet and alcohol intake, and disease history, according to a new study. ANI

Cutting calories in early adulthood can limit muscle loss in aging adults
A calorie-restricted diet, when started in early adulthood, can help limit muscle loss in aging adults, according to University of Florida researchers who studied the phenomenon in rats. ANI

BP drug combo can reduce heart attack death risk
Researchers from Vanderbilt University Medical Centre have found that a combination of blood pressure drugs can help reduce risk of cardiac death in BP patients. ANI

Physical exams still accurate, cost-efficient method to assess heart failure
UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have found that patient history and physical examination, traditionally the cornerstone diagnostic tool for medical care, may still be among the most accurate and cost-efficient methods to assess patients with congestive heart failure. ANI

Finger length indicates willingness to workout
Lacking the motivation to go for a run or hit the gym? Please check your fingers, for according to a new study, theres a direct correlation between digit length and voluntary exercise. ANI

Chemical used in plastic bottles can cause heart disease, diabetes
A chemical widely used in plastic products, including baby bottles, plastic food and drink containers could increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes, suggests a new research. ANI

Steroids less effective in obese asthma patients
Steroids may not be as effective in obese asthmatics as in those with normal weight, finds a new study from National Jewish Health. ANI