Health (General) – Newsletter for February 22, 2010

Monday, February 22, 2010

Oz health experts call for new labelling system on food products

MELBOURNE – Health campaigners in Australia are calling for a new system of labelling on food products to help fight rising obesity rates.

The Obesity Policy Coalition argued that “daily intake” labels could not be taken as “standard” serving size for thousands of products.
Coalition senior adviser Jane … Original article on : Oz health experts call for new labelling system on food products.

Peanut allergy cure could be available within 3yrs: Expert

LONDON – Parents of children allergic to peanuts can now heave a sigh of relief, thanks to a British doctor, who believes a cure for such allergies could be available within the next three years.

According to Dr Andrew Clark of Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridge, who is kicking off a 1-million-pound NHS sponsored research project on … Read more »»».

Anti-retroviral drugs may curb AIDS spread in 5yrs

LONDON – A top scientist has said that it is possible to stop the spread of AIDS in South Africa within five years by using anti-retroviral treatments (ARVs) and mass screening.

Dr Brian Williams, based at the South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (Sacema) in Stellenbosch, has said that the cost of giving the …. Original source  : Anti-retroviral drugs may curb AIDS spread in 5yrs.

Indigenous vaccine for swine flu this year: Patil

NEW DELHI – President Pratibha Patil Monday said the government had responded with alacrity to the influenza A (H1N1) pandemic and was in the process of developing an indigenous vaccine that would be available this year.

“My government responded with alacrity to the influenza A(H1N1) pandemic. For the first time in our country an indigenous influenza …. Source  : Indigenous vaccine for swine flu this year: Patil.

Oat extract likely to boost brain power

SYDNEY – An oat extract could boost your brain power and maintain it even unto old age, says a new study.

Researchers at the University of South Australia (USA) Nutritional Physiology Research Centre are investigating whether an oat extract can improve mental health in older adults.
Peter Howe, USA research professor, said while the physical health … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Oat extract likely to boost brain power.

Lufthansa: Pilots launch 4-day strike expected to disrupt travel around the world

Lufthansa: Pilots launch 4-day strike
BERLIN – More than 4,000 pilots for Germany’s Lufthansa AG airline launched a four-day strike early Monday that is expected to cause headaches for travelers around the world.

Lufthansa spokeswoman Stefanie Stotz confirmed Monday the strike, organized by the Cockpit pilots union, began at midnight (2300GMT). It was to last until Thursday.
The …. Original article  : Lufthansa: Pilots launch 4-day strike expected to disrupt travel around the world.

TB study says US, global health officials too strict on flight rules for TB patients

Study: Health rules on flying with TB too strict
ATLANTA – Provocative new research suggests international rules that bar potentially infectious tuberculosis patients from flying are too stringent and airline passengers are really at little risk from catching TB from a fellow traveler.
Global and U.S. health authorities also go too far in advising testing …. Original source  : TB study says US, global health officials too strict on flight rules for TB patients.

Pediatricians group urges sweeping changes in food design, labeling to prevent choking in kids

Pediatricians urge choking warning labels for food

CHICAGO – The nation’s largest pediatricians group thinks more foods should have warning labels about choking hazards.
The American Academy of Pediatrics is calling for sweeping changes in the way food is designed and labeled to prevent kids from choking. The group’s report was released Monday in the journal Pediatrics.
Choking …. Original article  : Pediatricians group urges sweeping changes in food design, labeling to prevent choking in kids.

Dermatologist Albert Kligman dies, research led to wrinkle drug Retin-A

Retin-A researcher Albert Kligman dies
PHILADELPHIA – Dermatologist Albert M. Kligman, whose research led to discoveries including the acne and wrinkle drug Retin-A, has died in Philadelphia. He was 93.

UCLA sociology professor Gail Kligman said her father died Feb. 9 of heart failure at Pennsylvania Hospital.
Albert Kligman is credited as being the first dermatologist to show … Read more >>.

Researchers finding few medical differences between ‘test-tube’ kids and other children

Researchers: Most ‘test tube’ kids are healthy
SAN DIEGO – More than 30 years after the world greeted its first “test-tube” baby with a mixture of awe, elation and concern, researchers say they are finding only a few medical differences between these children and kids conceived in the traditional way.
More than 3 million … Original article on : Researchers finding few medical differences between ‘test-tube’ kids and other children.