Health News

Maternal iron intake linked to offspring autism risk

Date: Sep-23-2014
Children whose mothers did not take iron supplements while pregnant are at significantly greater risk of autism, claim researchers, in the first study to link iron to autism risk.

Should manufacturers of sports drinks, supplements sponsor sports?

Date: Sep-23-2014
Sports sponsorships from nutritional supplements and sports drinks companies should be scrapped due to lack of evidence that the products are beneficial, according to a new review.

Metformin use linked to risk of low thyroid hormone levels

Date: Sep-22-2014
A new study links a common drug used for treatment of type 2 diabetes to a risk of low levels of thyroid hormone levels, potentially putting patients at cardiovascular risk.

What are the effects of climate change on health?

Date: Sep-22-2014
A new study, analyzing the effects of climate change on public health, argues that reduced combustion of fossil fuel may provide 'substantial health and economic benefits.'

Impaired brain signaling pathway 'may be a cause of Alzheimer's'

Date: Sep-22-2014
Mayo Clinic researchers say a brain signaling defect in the Wnt pathway may be a cause of Alzheimer's, and boosting Wnt signaling could prevent the disease.

Dry-roasted peanuts more likely trigger for allergy

Date: Sep-22-2014
New study of mice finds dry-roasted peanuts are more likely to trigger allergy than raw peanuts, likely because dry roasting produces chemicals that prime the immune system.

Ebola epidemic could gain 6,800 new cases by end of September

Date: Sep-22-2014
If new control measures are not implemented, the number of new cases in the Ebola epidemic in West Africa could reach as high as 6,800 by the end of September, say researchers.

Plant-derived compound 'may effectively treat lupus with fewer side effects'

Date: Sep-22-2014
Researchers from the University of Houston, TX, say a plant-derived compound called CDDO halted development of lupus nephritis in mice and produced no significant side effects.

Mutations in gene linked to brain development 'may be a cause of autism'

Date: Sep-22-2014
Researchers have identified mutations in a gene linked to brain development that they believe may be a cause of severe autism. The gene is also linked to another related to speech.

E-cigarettes 'not helping cancer patients to quit smoking'

Date: Sep-22-2014
Despite an increasing number of cancer patients turning to e-cigarettes to aid smoking cessation, a new study suggests that they could be having little effect.