Health News

Anorexic Individuals' Disturbed Body Image Influences Unconscious Movements

Date: May-29-2013
Distorted image of own body alters anorexic individuals' active movements Individuals suffering from anorexia nervosa perceive their bodies as being larger than they are and this disturbed body representation affects their movements, according to research published May 29 in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Anouk Keizer and colleagues from Utrecht University in the Netherlands. Previous studies of anorexia nervosa have largely focused on patients' disturbed perception of body image...

Thermal Limit For Animal Life Re-Defined By First Lab Study Of Deep-Sea Vent Worms

Date: May-29-2013
First laboratory study of Pompeii worms identifies new temperature limit for animal life Forty-two may or may not be the answer to everything, but it likely defines the temperature limit where animal life thrives, according to the first laboratory study of heat-loving Pompeii worms from deep-sea vents, published May 29 in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Bruce Shillito and colleagues from the University Pierre and Marie Curie, France...

Use Of Stimulant Medication In Childhood Not Associated With Increased Risk Of Substance Use Disorders In Adulthood, Study Suggests

Date: May-29-2013
The treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with stimulant medication is not associated with either an increased or decreased risk of later substance use disorders, according to a meta-analysis published Online First by JAMA Psychiatry, a JAMA Network publication. The use of medication, most often with stimulant medication (e.g., methylphenidate and mixed amphetamine salts), is a well-established treatment for ADHD and constitutes the first-line ADHD treatment in many clinical settings...

Review Of Venous Thromboembolism Prevention Methods After Bariatric Surgery

Date: May-29-2013
A review of available medical literature suggests there is insufficient evidence to support the use of intra-vascular filters or augmented dosing of anti-clotting medication in patients undergoing bariatric surgery to prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE, blood clots), according to a report published Online First by JAMA Surgery, a JAMA Network publication. Prophylaxis to prevent VTE is recommended for patients undergoing abdominal surgery, according to the study background. Daniel J. Brotman, M.D...

Weight Loss May Improve Psoriasis Symptoms In Overweight Patients

Date: May-29-2013
A low-calorie diet that leads to weight loss may be associated with improved psoriasis symptoms in overweight patients, according to a report published Online First by JAMA Dermatology, a JAMA Network publication. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a prevalence of about 2 percent in Northern Europe and North America. The role of weight loss as a treatment for psoriasis in obese patients is unclear. But, weight loss may reduce obesity-induced inflammation and that in turn may improve the skin disease, the authors write in the study background. Peter Jensen, M.D., Ph.D...

Probiotic Bacteria Beneficial For Brain Function

Date: May-29-2013
Bacteria in food can affect brain function, according to new research published in the journal Gastroenterology. The study, carried out by UCLA researchers, found that brain function changed among healthy women who consumed probiotics in yogurt. Brain function changed among the women while in a resting state as well as during an emotion-recognition task. They found that the bacterial environment in the gut can affect brain activity. The researchers said that this finding has important implications for future dietary or drug interventions to improve brain function. Dr...

Experts Call For Increased Monitoring Of Drug Resistant Bird Flu

Date: May-29-2013
Drug resistance was detected in more than half of human H5N1 viruses in a new study published in the journal Antiviral Research, causing experts to call for increased monitoring of the bird flu. Highly pathogenic influenza viruses (H5N1) mostly impact birds but can sometimes cross the species barrier and infect people. H5N1 flu outbreaks have been reported in domestic poultry as well as wild birds in 63 countries and territories since 2003, the authors explained...

New MERS Virus Threat To The Entire World Says WHO Leader

Date: May-29-2013
In a speech this week, Margaret Chan, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that the newly named Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a "threat to the entire world". Her warning came in her closing address to the 66th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva on Monday. And, as if to underline the singificance of her words, on Tuesday, Saudi Arabia reported that five more people have been infected with the virus, bringing the unofficial total number of people infected in the country to 37, with 18 deaths...

Early Recognition Of Childhood Motor Delay Problems Imperative

Date: May-29-2013
A new report published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) revealed that early recognition of motor delay problems in children can be greatly beneficial in finding the appropriate specialists for treatment. The study, titled "Motor Delays: Early Identification and Evaluation," and published in the journal Pediatrics, strongly encourages pediatricians to screen and evaluate children with suspected motor delays at 9, 18, and 30 months...

First-Ever Enterovirus 71 Vaccine Protects Young Children Against Common And Potentially Deadly Hand, Foot, And Mouth Disease

Date: May-29-2013
The first enterovirus 71 (EV71) vaccine candidate to reach phase 3 clinical testing provides young Chinese children with significant protection against disease caused by EV71, a growing public-health threat which has caused over 6 million cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) and 2000 deaths worldwide over the last decade, according new research published Online First in The Lancet. Since its discovery in 1969, EV71 has caused major outbreaks of HFMD around the world, affecting mostly children. No vaccines currently exist against disease caused by EV71...