Health (General) – Newsletter for November 12, 2010

Dark chocolate can help lower high BP

LONDON – Want to keep your blood pressure under control? Start eating dark chocolate, scientists say.

It is already known that dark chocolate contains high levels of antioxidants that are thought to be beneficial to health.

Now, a team of researchers in Sweden have revealed that dark chocolate works on the body in the same way … Original article on : Dark chocolate can help lower high BP.

Alcohol does much more harm than just damaging the liver

WASHINGTON – A recent research has pointed out that alcohol does much more harm to the body than just damaging the liver.

Researchers at the Loyola University Medical Center have found that alcohol intake can also weaken the immune system, slow healing, impair bone formation, increase the risk of HIV transmission and hinder recovery from burns, … Read : Alcohol does much more harm than just damaging the liver.

Urine markers may reveal kidney damage earlier

WASHINGTON – A new research has pointed out that the presence of certain markers in the urine might be a red flag for acute kidney injury (AKI).

The results suggest that a simple urine test could help prevent cases of kidney failure.

Unlike heart or brain injuries, which show obvious outward signs, AKI usually doesn’t show any … Read more >>.

New breakthrough paves way for vaccines against pneumonia, meningitis

WASHINGTON – Scientists in Dublin and Leicester have announced a new breakthrough in the fight against pneumonia, meningitis and septicaemia.

The discovery will lead to a dramatic shift in our understanding of how the body’s immune system responds to infection caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and pave the way for more effective vaccines.

The collaborative research was jointly …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Microbubbles can deliver stroke drugs directly to brain

LONDON – Tiny bubbles of gas injected into the blood, can ease the passage of vital drugs to the brain and help protect it from the effects of a stroke.

Bubbles can even open up the blood-brain barrier, the protective blockade that regularly stops drugs from getting into the brain from the bloodstream.
Examples include …. Read the original article  : Microbubbles can deliver stroke drugs directly to brain.

Cutting umbilical cord too soon could harm baby

LONDON – Umbilical cords should not be clamped immediately after birth, say medical experts, explaining that waiting for three minutes could allow more blood to flow to the newborns and reduce the risk of iron deficiency and anaemia.

Retired consultant obstetrician, David Hutchen, said both the World Health Organisation and the International Federation of Gynaecology …. Source article  : Cutting umbilical cord too soon could harm baby.

Alcohol consumption in Russia is double WHO limit

Moscow, Nov 12 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Per capita alcohol consumption in Russia is twice the critical limit set by the World Health Organisation (WHO), an official said Friday.

The present consumption is currently about 18 litres a year, which has prompted the government to declare an anti-alcohol campaign which aims to halve consumption by 2020.
About …. Read the original article  : Alcohol consumption in Russia is double WHO limit.

Unsweetened chocolate protects heart by tackling high BP

LONDON – Cocoa can bring down blood pressure (BP) by inhibiting an enzyme that pushes it upwards – hence protecting the heart.

In fact, it was as effective as BP drugs designed for the same purpose, according to a new study by scientists from Linkoping University in Sweden.
Ingrid Persson, who led the study, said: … Original source on Gaea Times at : Unsweetened chocolate protects heart by tackling high BP.

Haiti cholera toll goes up to 724

Port-au-Prince (Haiti), Nov 12 (IANS/EFE) The toll in the cholera epidemic in Haiti has risen to 724, authorities said.

The disease has infected a total of 11,125 people nationwide, according to government figures released Thursday.
The maximum number of fatalities, 497, has been in the northern province of Artibonite, where the cholera outbreak began.
Nine …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Haiti cholera toll goes up to 724.

Lung Cancer Different In Non-Smokers?

VANCOUVER, CANADA (GaeaTimes.com)- A new research which was carried out by scientists at the Vancouver based BC Cancer Agency Research Centre has highlighted startling details about lung cancer. The study reveals that lung cancer that develops among people who are chain smokers is a different disease from the cancer that non-smokers develop. According to …. Read the original article  : Lung Cancer Different In Non-Smokers?.