Health News

Drug reduces brain changes, motor deficits associated with Huntington's disease

Date: Dec-02-2013
A drug that acts like a growth-promoting protein in the brain reduces degeneration and motor deficits associated with Huntington's disease in two mouse models of the disorder, according to a study appearing in the Journal of Neuroscience. The findings add to a growing body of evidence that protecting or boosting neurotrophins - the molecules that support the survival and function of nerve cells - may slow the progression of Huntington's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Photography empowers women living with HIV to share their stories

Date: Dec-02-2013
Taking pictures empowers women to realize their strengths and move beyond their illness, MU researcher finds.Having human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS, can create many challenges for individuals physically, socially and emotionally. A University of Missouri researcher found that participating in photovoice, a process by which individuals document their lives by taking pictures, empowered women living with HIV to realize their strengths in the midst of their struggles.

Successful oral delivery of nanoparticle therapeutics

Date: Dec-02-2013
Pop a pill or be poked by a needle? Being able to orally deliver microscopic particles - know as nanoparticles - loaded with medicine is a simple, convenient way to treat patients for various diseases, such as cancer or diabetes. But so far, nanoparticles can only be given via injection since they have trouble being readily absorbed by the intestine, which limits their usefulness.

What are the health benefits of almonds?

Date: Dec-01-2013
Almonds are one of the most nutritious foods and there are a number of potential health benefits associated with its consumption.Almonds are typically eaten on their own as a satisfying snack or used as an ingredient in various different dishes.The health benefits of almonds have been documented for centuries and modern research is backing up many of the claims - there any many reasons for some people to add them to their diet.At the beginning of the Bible in the Book of Genesis 43:11, almonds are described as "among the best of fruits".

Poor limb motor function recovery following stroke

Date: Dec-01-2013
Negative motor evoked potentials after cerebral infarction, indicative of poor recovery of limb motor function, tend to be accompanied by changes in fractional anisotropy values and the cerebral peduncle area on the affected side, but the characteristics of these changes have not been reported. As reported previously, the lower limit value of fractional anisotropy of the cerebral peduncle in healthy volunteers is 0.36, and the lower limit of the asymmetry of the cerebral peduncle area is 0.83.

What are the health benefits of green tea?

Date: Dec-01-2013
Green tea, native to China and India, has been consumed and hailed for its health benefits for centuries globally, but has only recently gained popularity in the US.It is considered the most consumed beverage in the world behind water, however 78% of the tea consumed worldwide is black and only about 20% is green.1All types of tea except herbal tea are brewed from the dried leaves of the Camellia sinensis bush. The level of oxidation of the leaves determines the type of tea.

New blood test 'can detect risk of infection in minutes'

Date: Dec-01-2013
Scientists have created a device that is able to detect a person's risk of infection from a drop of blood within minutes, as opposed to current methods, which can take up to 2 hours. This is according to a study published in the journal Technology.One common laboratory test to determine an individual's risk of infection is the counting of neutrophils in the blood, known as absolute neutrophil count.Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell found in human blood.

'More likely to be murdered' than die from food allergies

Date: Dec-01-2013
The CDC estimates that around 4-6% of children in the US suffer from food allergies. Severe food allergies can lead to anaphylaxis - a reaction that causes swelling and breathing difficulties. Although a serious condition, a new study suggests that a person is more likely to be murdered than die from a food allergy.Food allergies are increasingly becoming a safety and public health concern worldwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that prevalence of food allergies increased 18% between 1997 and 2007.

Preventive care utilized more when people are insured but no increase seen in risky behaviors

Date: Dec-01-2013
People with health insurance are more likely to use preventive services such as flu shots and health screenings to reduce their risk of serious illness, but they are no more likely than people without health insurance to engage in risky health behaviors such as smoking or gaining weight, researchers at UC Davis and University of Rochester have found.The findings, published in the November-December issue of the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, contradict the common concern that expanding health-care coverage may encourage behaviors that increase utilization and costs.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) a greater risk for children whose mothers are afflicted

Date: Dec-01-2013
A Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) study indicates that children are more likely to develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) if their mother is already afflicted. In the study published in the Journal of Depression & Anxiety, while fewer than 10 percent (8.4 percent) of the mothers were suffering from PTSD, more than a fifth (21 percent) of their children presented PTSD symptoms. Children who developed PTSD symptoms also had more psychosomatic complaints such as constipation, diarrhea and headaches.