Health (General) – Newsletter for January 25, 2011

GM food preferable to chemical ones: Indian American oncologist

NEW DELHI – There are many kinds of “organic” food flooding the market, but they are actually produced using chemicals, says Indian American oncologist Siddhartha Mukherjee, author of a much-talked about book on cancer, adding he would prefer GM food instead.

I tend to think that genetically-modified food is safer than chemically-modified food. I know … Original article on : GM food preferable to chemical ones: Indian American oncologist.

Stress management program benefits patients with heart disease

WASHINGTON – Scientists have found that a cognitive behavioral therapy program focusing on stress management decreases the risk of recurrent heart attacks and other cardiovascular events in patients with heart disease.

Mats Gulliksson and colleagues at …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Lowering BP in middle-aged women cuts heart disease risk

WASHINGTON – A new study has suggested that middle-aged women can reduce their risk of developing cardiovascular disease by lowering their blood pressure.

Researchers found that high systolic blood pressure (the pressure when the heart contracts) is a powerful risk factor for …. Original article  : Lowering BP in middle-aged women cuts heart disease risk.

Weight loss plus walking ‘can improve mobility in older, obese adults’

WASHINGTON – A new Wake Forest University study has suggested that weight loss combined with walking can improve mobility by 20 percent in older, obese adults with poor heart health.

These findings run counter to the commonly held belief that it is unhealthy for older adults to … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Weight loss plus walking ‘can improve mobility in older, obese adults’.

Blocking rogue gene could halt the spread of most cancers

WASHINGTON – University of East Anglia scientists have discovered a rogue gene, which – if blocked by the right drugs – could stop cancer in its tracks.he culprit gene – known as WWP2 – is an enzymic bonding agent found inside cancer cells. It attacks and …. Original article  : Blocking rogue gene could halt the spread of most cancers.

Blocking rogue gene could stop cancer

LONDON – In a major breakthrough, scientists have discovered that blocking a rogue gene with the right drugs could halt cancer in its tracks.

The culprit gene, known as WWP2, attacks and breaks down a natural inhibitor which normally prevents cancer cells from spreading.
A University of East Anglia team found that blocking WWP2 raised …. Original article  : Blocking rogue gene could stop cancer.

Oestrogen patch for sharper memory?

LONDON – An oestrogen skin patch could boost memory in post-menopausal women, researchers say.

Latest theories suggest that the hormone, which drops during menopause, also has a protective effect on nerve cells in the brain, including those involved in memory.
The implications of the clinical trial could be enormous, say researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Oestrogen patch for sharper memory?.

Rising indoor winter temperatures associated with obesity

WASHINGTON – Increases in winter indoor temperatures in developed countries may be contributing to rises in obesity in those populations, according to UCL research.

The review paper examines evidence of a potential causal link between reduced exposure to seasonal cold and increases in obesity in the UK and US.

Reduced exposure to cold may have two effects …. Original article  : Rising indoor winter temperatures associated with obesity.

Smoking linked to increased risk of breast cancer

WASHINGTON – A new study has revealed that smoking before menopause, especially prior to giving birth, may be associated with a modest increase in the risk of developing breast cancer.

Using data collected from the Nurses’ Health Study, Fei Xue, of Brigham and Woman’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, and colleagues examined the records of … Read more »»».

New vaccine against pneumonia ‘to save thousands of lives’

LONDON – A new vaccine against pneumonia is being introduced in Africa and some other countries across the world.

The vaccine could save more than half a million lives a year globally, reports the BBC.

The Gavi Alliance, a global health partnership of public and private sectors for immunisation, says 19 countries will get the jab at …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : New vaccine against pneumonia ‘to save thousands of lives’.