Health News

Study reveals South Africa has world's highest rate of high blood pressure

Date: Feb-04-2014
New research reveals that South Africa has the highest rate of high blood pressure reported among people aged 50 and over for any country in the world, at any time in history.Analysis of data from a major survey found that 78 per cent of those who took part in South Africa tested positive for high blood pressure, or hypertension. Less than one in 10 people were effectively controlling their condition with medication.

Childhood depression may lead to heart disease by teen years

Date: Feb-04-2014
Children with depression are more likely to be obese, smoke and be inactive, and can show the effects of heart disease as early as their teen years, according to a newly published study by University of South Florida Associate Professor of Psychology Jonathan Rottenberg.The research, by Rottenberg and his colleagues at Washington University and the University of Pittsburgh, suggests that depression may increase the risk of heart problems later in life. The researchers also observed higher rates of heart disease in the parents of adolescents that had been depressed as children.

Childhood depression may lead to heart disease by teen years

Date: Feb-04-2014
Children with depression are more likely to be obese, smoke and be inactive, and can show the effects of heart disease as early as their teen years, according to a newly published study by University of South Florida Associate Professor of Psychology Jonathan Rottenberg.The research, by Rottenberg and his colleagues at Washington University and the University of Pittsburgh, suggests that depression may increase the risk of heart problems later in life. The researchers also observed higher rates of heart disease in the parents of adolescents that had been depressed as children.

How neurons control fine motor behavior of the arm

Date: Feb-04-2014
Motor commands issued by the brain to activate arm muscles take two different routes. As the research group led by Professor Silvia Arber at the University of Basel's Biozentrum and the Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research has now discovered, many neurons in the spinal cord send their instructions not only towards the musculature, but at the same time also back to the brain via an exquisitely organized network. This dual information stream provides the neural basis for accurate control of arm and hand movements. These findings have now been published in Cell.

CDC announce 2014 adult immunization schedule

Date: Feb-04-2014
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has announced its recommended adult immunization schedule for 2014. Each year, the committee reviews the schedule, ensuring that current clinical recommendations are appropriately reflected.Among the key changes to the schedule for 2014 include revised notes on administering vaccines for flu; tetanus, diphtheria, and accellular pertussis; human papillomavirus (HPV); zoster virus; pneumococcal disease and meningococcal disease.

Change in brain anatomy shown in women with multiple sclerosis, depression

Date: Feb-04-2014
A multicenter research team led by Cedars-Sinai neurologist Nancy Sicotte, MD, an expert in multiple sclerosis and state-of-the-art imaging techniques, used a new, automated technique to identify shrinkage of a mood-regulating brain structure in a large sample of women with MS who also have a certain type of depression.In the study, women with MS and symptoms of "depressive affect" - such as depressed mood and loss of interest - were found to have reduced size of the right hippocampus.

Hot weather deaths in UK 'will increase by over 250% by 2050'

Date: Feb-04-2014
The UK is renowned for its changeable weather. Now, experts have warned that the annual number of deaths related to hot weather in the UK is expected to increase by up to 257% over the next 40 years. This is according to a study recently published online in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.The research team, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Public Health England, warns that elderly individuals will be most at risk, particularly those living in the South of England and the Midlands.

Hot weather deaths in UK 'will increase by over 250% by 2050'

Date: Feb-04-2014
The UK is renowned for its changeable weather. Now, experts have warned that the annual number of deaths related to hot weather in the UK is expected to increase by up to 257% over the next 40 years. This is according to a study recently published online in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.The research team, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Public Health England, warns that elderly individuals will be most at risk, particularly those living in the South of England and the Midlands.

Low-level pesticide exposure linked to Parkinson's disease

Date: Feb-04-2014
According to the Parkinson's disease foundation, more than 1 million Americans have the disease. Now, new research suggests that exposure to pesticides may increase the risk of the disease and that individuals with specific gene variants may be more susceptible. This is according to a study recently published in the journal Neurology.In a previous study published in PNAS last year, the research team, including Dr. Jeff M.

Low-level pesticide exposure linked to Parkinson's disease

Date: Feb-04-2014
According to the Parkinson's disease foundation, more than 1 million Americans have the disease. Now, new research suggests that exposure to pesticides may increase the risk of the disease and that individuals with specific gene variants may be more susceptible. This is according to a study recently published in the journal Neurology.In a previous study published in PNAS last year, the research team, including Dr. Jeff M.