Health News

Flavor Perception Is Influenced By Fat In Food

Date: Jul-20-2012
Fat in foods has a direct impact on taste perception by activating certain regions of the brain that control taste, aroma, and 'reward', say researchers.  The study, conducted by The University of Nottingham and the multinational food company Unilever, is published in the Springer journal Chemosensory Perception. The three year study found that fats in food can reduce activity in these regions of the brain, thus influencing how flavors are perceived...

Google Is Not A Doctor

Date: Jul-20-2012
A new study published in the Journal of Consumer Research has revealed that people who self-diagnose have a higher tendency of believing they suffer from a serious illness because they concentrate on their symptoms instead of the likelihood of a certain disease. The finding has important implications for both public health professionals and consumers alike. Dengfeng Yan and Jaideep Sengupta from Hong Kong's University of Science and Technology) remark: "In today's wired world, self-diagnosis via internet search is very common...

Sun Damage Causes Newly Discovered Melanoma-Driving Genetic Changes

Date: Jul-20-2012
Melanoma researchers have been struggling with this question: Which mutations drive this cancer that lead to ultraviolet (UV)-induced genetic damage in tumor cells caused by sunlight exposure? There have yet to be any mutations conclusively tied to melanoma. The great quantity of these passenger mutations has pulled away from the search for genetic driver mutations that are most important in melanoma development and progression...

First Gene Therapy Recommended For European Approval

Date: Jul-20-2012
A gene therapy medicine has been recommended for authorization in the European Union for the first time.  Glybera (alipogene tiparvovec), developed by uniQure, a Dutch biotech, is designed for patients with the genetic disorder lipoprotein lipase deficiency (LPLD) who have severe or multiple pancreatitis attacks, despite dietary fat restriction. The medicine is administered as a single injection. The European Medicine's Agency announced on Friday that its Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has recommended Glybera be authorized for marketing in the European Union...

Serious Mental Illness Increases Risk Of Cancer And Injuries

Date: Jul-20-2012
A new study, published in this month's journal Psychiatric Services, suggests that the risk of developing cancer is 2.6 times higher in those who suffer from a serious mental illness, such as bipolar disorder, debilitating depression or schizophrenia. The new Johns Hopkins research highlights whether patients with serious mental illnesses are adequately screened for cancer and receive preventive care that is linked to cancer risk factors like smoking. Leading researcher Gail L. Daumit, M.D., M.H.S...

Marriage Is Valuable - Study Confirms

Date: Jul-20-2012
UCLA psychologists have found that less affluent people hold more traditional values towards marriage and divorce compared with more affluent and rich people. The finding, which is published in the current issue of the Journal of Marriage and Family, raises questions on how effective the $1billion in government spending is on promoting the value of marriage amongst poorer people...

Long-Term ADHD Drug Use Is Not Harmful

Date: Jul-20-2012
As many as 5-7% of elementary school children are diagnosed with attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a behavioral disorder that causes problems with inattentiveness, over-activity, or a combination of these traits. Now, researchers have found that long-term ADHD drug use appears to have no long-term effects on the brain. The animal study, conducted by researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, is published online in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology. The majority of children with ADHD are treated with psychostimulant drugs...

Spouses Of Severe-Sepsis Patients Have High Risk Of Depression

Date: Jul-20-2012
According to a new study published in Critical Care Medicine, women whose husbands have severe sepsis patients are more likely to suffer from depression. The study was conducted by researchers at University of Michigan Health System and University of Washington School of Medicine. Sepsis is an illness in which the body has a severe response to bacteria or other germs. This severe inflammatory response can cause damage to vital body organs, bleeding, organ failure, and even death. Severe sepsis is one of the leading causes of death among older people in the U.S...

Consuming Vitamin E Lowers Chance Of Liver Cancer

Date: Jul-20-2012
Individuals could reduce their risk of developing liver cancer by consuming more vitamin E, either from diet or vitamin supplements, according to a new study.` According to the study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, liver cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer mortality in world. Around 85% of liver cancers occur in developing countries, with 54% in China alone. Vitamin E is fat-soluble vitamin which is considered an antioxidant. In addition, numerous studies have indicated that vitamin E may also prevent DNA damage. Wei Zhang, M.D., MPH...

Indoor Tanning Ban For Minors Hits New York

Date: Jul-20-2012
On Monday, July 16, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill that will ban children under the age of 16 from using indoor tanning beds. In addition, 17-year-olds will have to obtain parental consent in order to use tanning beds. The bill will go into effect in 30 days. Daniel M. Siegel, MD, FAAD, president of the American Academy of Dermatology Association and a New York-based dermatologist, explained: "The American Academy of Dermatology Association commends New York for joining in the fight against melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, and non-melanoma skin cancers...