Health News

Feeding rhythm and the pace of the liver set by the internal clock

Date: Jan-17-2014
Living organisms have adapted to the day-night cycle and, in most cases, they have evolved a "circadian clock". Its effects are not completely known yet but its functioning has been shown to have important metabolic consequences for the body. Disruption of normal circadian rhythms can have deleterious effects on health; for example lack of sleep is linked with obesity, and the time of feeding was shown to affect the ability to control body weight.

When caring for own family members, geriatric health professionals experience added burden

Date: Jan-17-2014
In what is believed to be the first study of its kind, researchers from Boston Medical Center (BMC) and Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have found that in addition to the well-known burdens of caring for an older family member, a further set of complex stressors is imposed on geriatric health care professionals serving in this capacity. These findings, which appear online in Gerontologist, highlight the critical challenges facing all caregivers, even those who deal with these patients daily on a professional basis.

How metabolism and brain activity are linked - Study sheds light on why diet may help control seizures in epilepsy patients

Date: Jan-16-2014
A new study by scientists at McGill University and the University of Zurich shows a direct link between metabolism in brain cells and their ability to signal information. The research may explain why the seizures of many epilepsy patients can be controlled by a specially formulated diet.The findings, published in Nature Communications, reveal that metabolism controls the processes that inhibit brain activity, such as that involved in convulsions.

Heavy drinking in middle age may speed men's mental decline

Date: Jan-16-2014
Research led by University College London in the UK suggests men who drink heavily in middle age experience a faster rate of mental decline, compared with men who consume light to moderate amounts of alcohol.The researchers defined heavy drinking in men as consuming 36 g of alcohol or more per day. This is the amount of alcohol in four to five 25 ml measures of spirits, or around two pints of beer, or two 175 ml glasses of wine, depending on strength.Lead author Dr.

Brain can classify images seen for only 13 milliseconds

Date: Jan-16-2014
Computer processing speeds seem to exponentially increase every year. But a new study suggests that the original computer, the human brain, can process images the eyes see for only 13 milliseconds - a speed much faster than previously thought.The study, conducted by neuroscientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), was recently published in the journal Attention, Perception, and Psychophysics.

Independent working may reduce adult autism symptoms

Date: Jan-16-2014
More independent work environments may reduce symptoms of autism spectrum disorder and improve daily quality of life for adults with the condition. This is according to a study recently published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is described by the National Autistic Society in the UK as a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates and relates to other people.

Sit less, move more to improve health and quality of life

Date: Jan-16-2014
Research from Kansas State University shows that people who spend less time sitting and more time physically active have a lower risk for chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, breast cancer, colon cancer and others.Even just standing more and sitting less appears to make a difference to health and quality of life, say Sara Rosenkranz and Richard Rosenkranz, both assistant professors of human nutrition, who led the study.Prof.

Can patients trust doctors with ties to drug companies?

Date: Jan-16-2014
A personal view published on bmj.com asks if patients can trust doctors who have ties with medical companies.Emergency Physician Leana Wen, from George Washington University in the US, says that doctors should fully disclose any conflicts of interest to patients in order to build on patient trust. She says that due to her campaigning, she has become an "object of hatred".

UK GPs make youth mental health a priority

Date: Jan-16-2014
Dr Maureen Baker, Chair of the Royal College of GPs (RCGP) said: "The majority of GPs are skilled at supporting young people and families in their generalist role but fewer than half of GPs are given the opportunity to undertake a paediatric or psychiatry training placement during their training. "The vast majority of NHS care for children and young people is delivered by general practice teams and so GPs have a crucial role to play in improving the mental health of younger people.

Wikipedia and Cancer Research UK to take cancer information to the next level

Date: Jan-16-2014
Cancer Research UK is to recruit its very own 'Wikipedian in Residence' to help ensure the free online encyclopaedia Wikipedia has the most up to date and accurate information on cancer. The exciting new role will include teaching Cancer Research UK's scientists to edit the website as well as researching how cancer patients use the site to access information and helping to make information on its pages as easy as possible to understand. They will also support Wikipedians already editing its cancer science pages.