Health News

Scientists find new brain area for anxiety

Date: Feb-04-2014
Researchers have discovered that an area of the brain that was previously assumed to dampen response to stress, in fact does the opposite and directly promotes anxiety. In reporting their findings in the journal Cell, the investigators add a new dimension to the science of anxiety.They describe how they found a brain circuit that connects an area called the lateral septum (LS) with other brain structures in a way that directly affects anxiety.

Scientists find new brain area for anxiety

Date: Feb-04-2014
Researchers have discovered that an area of the brain that was previously assumed to dampen response to stress, in fact does the opposite and directly promotes anxiety. In reporting their findings in the journal Cell, the investigators add a new dimension to the science of anxiety.They describe how they found a brain circuit that connects an area called the lateral septum (LS) with other brain structures in a way that directly affects anxiety.

Cancer growing at 'alarming pace,' says WHO

Date: Feb-04-2014
A new report from the World Health Organization's cancer agency reveals that cancer rates are growing at an "alarming pace" around the world and urges stronger efforts on prevention measures to curb the disease.The World Cancer Report 2014, from the World Health Organization's (WHO's) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), estimates that the global burden of cancer will rise from an estimated 14 million new cases per year in 2012 to 22 million within the next 20 years.

Research shows women trying hard to avoid unwanted pregnancy

Date: Feb-04-2014
Most women experiencing unwanted pregnancy report they used a contraceptive at the time they conceived, data released by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (bpas) shows. Older women undergoing abortion were less likely to have used contraception than women under 30, which may reflect their belief they are no longer fertile.bpas looked at contraceptive use of more than 150,000 women aged 15 and over receiving care at its clinics over the past 3 years. The analysis showed:Two thirds (66%) of women having an abortion at bpas reported using a form of contraception when they conceived.

Smokers lack motivation, feel more tired and are less physically active than non-smokers, new study reveals

Date: Feb-04-2014
While the results of smoking may be expected to decrease fitness, new research, published in Respirology, has found that smokers are less physically active, lack motivation and are more likely to suffer symptoms of anxiety and depression.The research, led by Dr. Karina Furlanetto, from Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Brazil, is the first study to show that smokers are less physically active than non-smokers.60 smokers and 50 non-smokers were asked to wear a pedometer for a minimum of 12 hours per day, over 6 days. The results showed that smokers walked less on a daily basis.

Smokers lack motivation, feel more tired and are less physically active than non-smokers, new study reveals

Date: Feb-04-2014
While the results of smoking may be expected to decrease fitness, new research, published in Respirology, has found that smokers are less physically active, lack motivation and are more likely to suffer symptoms of anxiety and depression.The research, led by Dr. Karina Furlanetto, from Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Brazil, is the first study to show that smokers are less physically active than non-smokers.60 smokers and 50 non-smokers were asked to wear a pedometer for a minimum of 12 hours per day, over 6 days. The results showed that smokers walked less on a daily basis.

U.K. insulin use trebles in twenty years as diabetes rates increase

Date: Feb-04-2014
In the United Kingdom the estimated number of people with diabetes has risen from 1.4 million to 2.8 million between 1996 and 2010, and new research in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism has found that insulin use has trebled across the population in the last twenty years.The financial cost of insulin to the National Health Service increased from £156 million in 2000 to £359 million in 2009, due in part to the introduction of more expensive insulin analogues and the more frequent use of insulin by type 2 diabetics.

U.K. insulin use trebles in twenty years as diabetes rates increase

Date: Feb-04-2014
In the United Kingdom the estimated number of people with diabetes has risen from 1.4 million to 2.8 million between 1996 and 2010, and new research in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism has found that insulin use has trebled across the population in the last twenty years.The financial cost of insulin to the National Health Service increased from £156 million in 2000 to £359 million in 2009, due in part to the introduction of more expensive insulin analogues and the more frequent use of insulin by type 2 diabetics.

Eisai's Phase III lenvatinib Study 303 for improvement in refractory differentiated thyroid cancer

Date: Feb-04-2014
Eisai has announced that the Phase III SELECT trial (Study 303) of lenvatinib, an investigational selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) with a novel binding mode,[1] met its primary endpoint. Compared to placebo, lenvatinib showed a highly statistically significant improvement in progression free survival (PFS) in patients with radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RR-DTC). The preliminary safety analyses showed that the five most common adverse reactions were hypertension, diarrhoea, decreased appetite, decreased weight and nausea.

British medical tourists seeking treatment overseas without sufficient information and advice

Date: Feb-04-2014
A team of researchers has found that British people travelling abroad for medical treatment are often unaware of the potential health and financial consequences they could face.The researchers say this can, in some cases, have catastrophic effects for individual patients.At least 63,000 UK residents travel abroad for medical treatment each year.