Health News

Transplanting Human Glial Cells Into The Brains Of Mice Makes Them Smarter

Date: Mar-09-2013
Glial cells - a family of cells found in the human central nervous system and, until recently, considered mere "housekeepers" - now appear to be essential to the unique complexity of the human brain. Scientists reached this conclusion after demonstrating that when transplanted into mice, these human cells could influence communication within the brain, allowing the animals to learn more rapidly...

Stroke Survivors Benefit From Regular, Brisk Outdoor Walks

Date: Mar-08-2013
A new study finds that taking regular brisk walks outdoors can help people recovering from a stroke to improve their physical fitness, enjoy a better quality of life, and increase their mobility. The researchers, from the University of the West Indies in Jamaica, write about their findings in the 6 March online issue of the journal Stroke. After experiencing a stroke, many survivors have less energy and walk less because of fear of falling. They also tend to reduce meaningful activity like going to the shops, visiting family and friends, or going to church...

Battle Against US Childhood Obesity Sees Success

Date: Mar-08-2013
U.S. groups and companies that have tried to change the country's growing childhood obesity rate are starting to see noteworthy outcomes as more American children exercise and have better access to healthy foods, a new study reports. Exercise has been widely publicised, and has successfully encouraged 3 million children to start becoming more physically active over the last year. The current report was released by The Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) in accordance with First Lady Michelle Obama...

How To Adjust To Daylight Saving Time

Date: Mar-08-2013
Several people have trouble adjusting to Daylight Saving Time, which can have a negative impact on their work performance and overall well-being. The clocks will be moved ahead one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 10, leaving us with one hours' less sleep. The good news is that the majority of people adjust to daylight saving time in just one or two days. In fact, Americans like Daylight Saving Time because "there is more light in the evenings and people can do more in the evenings", according to a poll conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation...

Exercise Prevents Children From Feeling Stressed

Date: Mar-08-2013
New research published in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM) reveals that exercise could be key to helping children cope with stress.  The study identified that sedentary children exposed to stressful events produced more of the hormone called cortisol, which is linked to stress, than kids who were very active.  The cardiovascular benefits of exercise in children is already very well established, but it also has a significant impact on their mental health too. One study found that regular exercise can help children do better in math...

Beware Of Deadly New Virus, CDC Warns Officials

Date: Mar-08-2013
State and health officials have been warned about a deadly virus which has so far killed 8 of 14 infected people in the Middle East and the United Kingdom. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) explained that this virulent coronavirus is part of the same family of viruses as the common cold and SARS. Experts believe this new coronavirus comes from the Middle East...

Blood Test Reveals Extent Of Brain Damage Following Concussion

Date: Mar-08-2013
The leading cause of brain damage in sports such as football is concussion, but researchers at Cleveland Clinic and the University of Rochester found that even in the absence of concussion, football players still suffer from long-term brain changes. Their study is published in the March issue of PLOS ONE...

Ovarian Cancer May Arise From Stem-Like Cells

Date: Mar-08-2013
Scientists have discovered that the ovary contains a group of cells similar to stem cells that can mutate to form tumors. In a study of mouse ovaries, they found they could coax the stem-like cells to become cancerous by switching off two tumor-suppressing genes. The study is likely to make a significant contribution to what we know about ovarian cancer. The researchers, from Cornell University and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL), both in New York, write about their discovery in the 6 March online issue of Nature...

BUSM Researchers Use Goal-Oriented Therapy To Treat Diabetic Neuropathies

Date: Mar-08-2013
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and VA Boston Healthcare System (VA BHS) have found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help relieve pain for people with painful diabetic neuropathies. The study, which is the first of its kind to examine this treatment for people with type II diabetes mellitus, is published in the March issue of the Journal of Pain. Type II diabetes mellitus is the most common form of the disease and affects more than 20 million Americans...

The Growing Demand For Palliative Care Could Be Met By Involving Other Providers

Date: Mar-08-2013
As baby-boomers age and the number of people with serious chronic illnesses continues to rise, the demand for experts in palliative medicine is sure to outstrip the supply, according Timothy E. Quill, M.D., professor of Medicine, Psychiatry and Medical Humanities in the Center for Ethics, Humanities and Palliative Care at the University of Rochester Medical Center...