Health News

Early embryo changes shape with its first hug

Date: Nov-27-2013
In research published in Nature Cell Biology, scientists from the EMBL Australia research team based at Monash University's Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI) have revealed new insights into how cells organise and form an early mammalian embryo.In an early mammalian embryo, just 8-cells large, the roundish cells do something they had never done before - something that would determine whether the embryo survived or failed. They change their shape.

Effervescent medicines may contain harmful amounts of salt

Date: Nov-27-2013
Dietary sodium, raised blood pressure and increased cardiovascular risk have well-known links, but many effervescent or soluble medicines contain large amounts of sodium. Researchers say people should be aware of the potential hazards of high sodium consumption and that the packaging should be labeled in the same way as food.The research, published on the website of the BMJ, notes that patients taking the maximum doses of some medicines would exceed their recommended daily salt intake before they had even eaten anything.

Researchers find new Huntington's disease target

Date: Nov-27-2013
Huntington's disease, a late-onset neurodegenerative disorder characterized by problems with movement, mental function and behavior, currently has no cure. But a new study provides hope, as researchers have identified a new therapeutic target for the disease.The researchers, led by Prof. Gillian Bates and colleagues from King's College London, in collaboration with a team of international scientists, published the results of their findings in the journal PLOS Biology.

Interaction of nurses, pharmacists, and other non-physician clinicians within pharmaceutical industry is common

Date: Nov-26-2013
Scrutiny of physician relationships with industry has culminated in passage of the US Physician Payments Sunshine Act (part of the Affordable Care Act), intended to bring greater transparency to such relationships.

Burden of 2009 influenza pandemic greatest in Central and South American countries

Date: Nov-26-2013
Between 123,000 and 203,000 pandemic influenza respiratory deaths occurred globally between 1 April and 31 December 2009, according to a study by international researchers from the GLaMOR project published in PLOS Medicine.

FDA analysis of cigarette warnings 'inadequate'

Date: Nov-26-2013
Canadian researchers claim that graphic images and warning labels on cigarette packaging do reduce smoking, suggesting the FDA has underestimated their significance.The saying, "a picture is worth a thousand words" may sound like an advertising executive's mantra, but we often fall for the dream when sleek and glossy images allow us a glimpse of the "perfect world." But does the theory work in reverse? A report, published in Tobacco Control, shows that when graphic warning labels were printed on cigarette packaging in Canada, smoking rates decreased between 12% and 20%.

'Digital taste simulator' developed that tickles the tastebuds

Date: Nov-26-2013
Those who have seen the movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, will likely remember the lickable fruit wallpaper that supposedly tasted real. Now, scientists are not far off this concept after creating a "digital taste simulator" that can produce four main elements of taste - salty, sour, bitter and sweet.Details of the device were presented at the 21st ACM International Conference on Multimedia in Spain last month.

Oxytocin: the monogamy hormone?

Date: Nov-26-2013
Oxytocin has long been deemed "the love hormone," after its important role in social bonding has been documented. But now, researchers have performed a new experiment that suggests oxytocin stimulates the reward center in the male brain, increasing partner attractiveness and strengthening monogamy.The researchers, from Bonn University Medical Center in Germany, who published their results in the journal PNAS, are quick to point out that monogamy is not very widespread in mammals. More the exception than the rule, humans frequently exhibit this trait.

Never too late to start exercising for health

Date: Nov-26-2013
A new study published recently in the British Journal of Sports Medicine finds a direct link between the likelihood of healthy aging and the amount of exercise older people take - even if they only started being physically active around retirement age, they enjoyed significantly better health than their inactive peers.Doireann Maddock, Senior Cardiac Nurse with the British Health Foundation, which helped fund the study, says:"This research shows us that, even if you don't become active until later in life, your health will still benefit.

Regular physical activity in later life boosts likelihood of "healthy ageing" up to sevenfold

Date: Nov-26-2013
It's never too late to get physically active, with even those starting relatively late in life reaping significant health benefits, finds research published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.Four years of sustained regular physical activity boosted the likelihood of healthy ageing sevenfold compared with consistent inactivity, the findings show.The researchers tracked the health of almost 3500 people, whose average age was 64, for more than eight years.