Health (General) – Newsletter for February 13, 2011

Bionic arm that relies on mind power to work

LONDON – In a chapter straight out of sci-fi, scientists have fashioned a bionic arm by connecting nerves from an amputee’s stump to his chest muscles to make it work seemingly on mind power.

When the amputee wishes to move his chest muscles, the signals are picked up by the nerves previously connected to the … Read more »».

Camel ciggies maker forced to pay $260K to smoker who developed cancer

LONDON – Camel cigarettes maker R.J. Reynolds has been forced to pay more than 260,000 dollars in damages to an elderly man who developed cancer from smoking.

Leroy Kirkland had sought damages of more than 10 billion dollars from the company, which is the largest award ever sought by an individual, but he settled for 260,000 …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Camel ciggies maker forced to pay $260K to smoker who developed cancer.

‘Need to upgrade diagnostic facilities in health sector’

NEW DELHI – Diagnostic facilities and infrastructure need to be upgraded to meet the growing demands of the public health sector, a diagnostic expert said here Sunday.

“Demand for better facilities in diagnostic care is increasing with times. When we talk of efficient healthcare facilities, it’s very important to consider diagnostic care as a major … Read more >>.

Srinagar’s ‘dogged’ problem giving nightmares

SRINAGAR – Is Srinagar going to the dogs? Packs of ferocious canines nip at the heels of the devout at the entrance of mosques, chase students on way to tuition, and bark raucously at people taking an evening stroll. The pretty city’s stray dog population stands at over 100,000 and in four years is estimated … Read more »».

Cancer to be number one killer disease worldwide by 2025: Indian doctors

BHUBANESWAR – Cancer is set to take over as the number one killer disease globally by 2025, doctors at the Indian Cancer Congress said on Saturday.

Jitendra Kumar Singh, Secretary of the Indian Cancer Society, told the gathering in Bhubaneswar, Orissa, that cancer would knock heart disease from the top spot soon.

“By 2025, cancer …. Original source  : Cancer to be number one killer disease worldwide by 2025: Indian doctors.

Did India inspire China to ban smoking in films, TV serials?

BEIJING – As the Indian government steadily takes a tough stand against tobacco companies, it seems to have influenced neighbouring Chinese authorities too, who have banned smoking scenes in movies and television shows.

The Chinese government’s move is aimed at discouraging the smoking habit among the general public, particularly minors.
The State Administration …. Source article  : Did India inspire China to ban smoking in films, TV serials?.

Australia faces underage alcohol addicts

SYDNEY – Kids as young as 10 years in Australia are undergoing treatment for alcohol addiction, while five teenagers and young people die each week in incidents related to heavy drinking.

Recent studies have confirmed experts’ fears that underage drinking is out of control, The Daily Telegraph reported Saturday.
One in five teenagers … Read : Australia faces underage alcohol addicts.

Meet the Oz mum who didn’t know of pregnancy until something ’slid out’

MELBOURNE – A 34-year-old Oz woman was took by surprise when she gave birth as she had no idea she was pregnant and thought was bloated from drinking too much chocolate milk.

Jessica Fogg, a childcare worker, was up most of the night with stomach pains at her home and it was only in the morning … Read : Meet the Oz mum who didn’t know of pregnancy until something ’slid out’.