Health News

Autism begins in the womb, according to a new study

Date: Mar-27-2014
A new study claims to show for the first time that autism begins in the womb, while another examines possible environmental influences on autism development.The origins of autism have been passionately debated by many scientists and commentators. What is known about autism is that it is a physical condition, which is linked to abnormal biology and brain chemistry. Genes seem to play an important part in the development of autism - identical twins, for instance, are much more likely to both have autism than non-identical siblings.

Alzheimer's puzzle piece found using giant X-ray facilities

Date: Mar-27-2014
Protein fragments that comprise Alzheimer's lesions have been implicated as a hallmark of the disease, but until now, why they accumulate or cause brain cells to die has not been understood. Now, researchers have used giant X-ray centers - called synchrotrons - to investigate and have found that biological material may contribute to the build-up of toxic iron in the brain.

Significant polio milestone: 11 countries officially polio-free

Date: Mar-27-2014
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) today congratulates the countries in the South-East Asia Region of the World Health Organization (WHO) on being certified polio-free, a historic milestone in the worldwide effort to end polio and realize the broad benefits eradication will bring. The 11 countries in the region - Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste - are home to 1.8 billion people and represent the fourth of six WHO regions of the globe to be officially certified polio-free.

Being overweight may benefit older people

Date: Mar-27-2014
A new study from Australia finds that people aged 65 and over with a body mass index in the overweight range live longer and suggests perhaps the World Health Organization guidelines on BMI may not be suitable for older people.The World Health Organization (WHO) defines overweight as having a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 25, and a BMI of 30 or over as obese. BMI is equal to a person's weight in kilos divided by the square of their height in meters (kg/m2).

MRI helps diagnose prostate cancer more accurately

Date: Mar-27-2014
In a world first, an Australian clinical trial has shown that biopsy guided by MRI can significantly improve the diagnosis of life-threatening prostate cancer and reduce the over-diagnosis of non-life-threatening cases, thus avoiding the side effects of unnecessary treatment.

American Academy of Ophthalmology announces official launch of IRIS Registry

Date: Mar-27-2014
The American Academy of Ophthalmology today announced the official launch of the IRIS™ Registry, or Intelligent Research in Sight, the nation's first comprehensive eye disease and condition registry.

Diabetes: Good self-management helps to reduce mortality

Date: Mar-27-2014
People with type 2 diabetes who report good self-management behavior have a reduced mortality risk. This was the result of a population-based study conducted by scientists at Helmholtz Zentrum München emphasizing the great importance of patient behavior in the diabetes treatment process. These findings were published in the journal Diabetes Care.

NICE rejects life-extending bowel cancer drug two weeks after Scottish approval

Date: Mar-27-2014
NICE announced on 25 March 2014 that it is not recommending ZALTRAP® (aflibercept) to the NHS in England and Wales for the treatment of advanced, metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).1 Based on the same basic evidence, aflibercept was approved for use in Scotland on 10 March.2 Dr Rob Glynne-Jones, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Macmillan Lead Clinician in Gastro-Intestinal Cancer, Northwood commented:"This is another example of NICE failing cancer patients who are in dire need of innovative medicines.

Fertility experts in pioneering 'mediterranean diet' IVF study

Date: Mar-27-2014
Fertility experts in Southampton are trialling the use of omega-3 fish oil and vitamin D to improve outcomes after in vitro fertilisation (IVF). In a pioneering study, researchers will identify how two different diets taken six weeks prior to treatment - known as the preconception period - affect the quality of sperm and egg cells, the resulting embryo and the environment of the uterus into which it must implant to achieve a pregnancy.

Smartphone app helps support recovery after treatment for alcoholism

Date: Mar-27-2014
A smartphone application appears to help patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) reduce risky drinking days compared to patients who received usual care after leaving treatment in a residential program. The research is published in JAMA Psychiatry. Alcohol dependence is a lifetime psychiatric diagnosis with relapse rates similar to other chronic illnesses. Continuing care for AUDs has been associated with better outcomes, but patients leaving treatment for AUDs typically are not offered aftercare.