RxPG News : Health

Domestic violence associated with chronic malnutrition in women and children in India

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:00:00 PST

Boston, MA-- In a new, large-scale study exploring the link between domestic violence and chronic malnutrition, researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) have found that Indian mothers and children experiencing multiple incidents of domestic violence in the previous year are more likely to be anemic and underweight. The findings were published online March 26, 2008 in The American Journal of Epidemiology and will appear in an upcoming print issue of the journal.

How exercise changes structure and function of heart

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 PST

For the first time researchers are beginning to understand exactly how various forms of exercise impact the heart. Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators, in collaboration with the Harvard University Health Services, have found that 90 days of vigorous athletic training produces significant changes in cardiac structure and function and that the type of change varies with the type of exercise performed. Their study appears in the April Journal of Applied Physiology.

A simplified method of giving rabies vaccine

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 PST

A simplified economical method of giving rabies vaccine is just as effective as the expensive standard vaccine regimen at stimulating anti-rabies antibodies.

New vaccine may give long-term defense against deadly bird flu and its variant forms

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:00:00 PST

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - A new vaccine under development may provide protection against highly pathogenic bird flu and its evolving forms, according to researchers at Purdue University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who discovered the new preventative drug and have tested it in mice.

An apple a day does keep the doctor away

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 10:21:49 PST

Washington, April 9 - There is, it appears, more than an element of truth in the old adage about an apple a day keeping the doctor away. A new study has found that eating an apple a day - or drinking its juice - is a sound way of maintaining a slimmer waistline and insuring oneself against high BP and cardiac disease.

Communicating your way to a healthy heart

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:32:33 PST

Washington, March 31 - Regular communication with doctors not only lowers risk of cardiovascular disease, but is also the key to a healthy heart, according to a study.

Mounting evidence shows red wine antioxidant kills cancer

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 04:00:00 PST

Rochester researchers showed for the first time that a natural antioxidant found in grape skins and red wine can help destroy pancreatic cancer cells by reaching to the cell's core energy source, or mitochondria, and crippling its function. The study is published in the March edition of the journal, Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology.

Study links dietary folate intake to genetic abnormalities in sperm

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 04:00:00 PST

Berkeley -- Healthy men who report lower levels of the nutrient folate in their diets have higher rates of chromosomal abnormalities in their sperm, according to a new study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Adolescent girls with ADHD are at increased risk for eating disorders, study shows

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 04:00:00 PST

Girls with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder stand a substantially greater risk of developing eating disorders in adolescence than girls without ADHD, a new study has found.

Vaccine/antibody therapy effective, milder side effects in melanoma and ovarian cancer

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 05:00:00 PST

BOSTON--One of the shortcomings of a therapy that uses millions of identical antibodies to boost the immune system's attack on cancer cells is that many patients whose tumors recede in response to the treatment also experience serious inflammatory problems, such as severe diarrhea and rashes. In a new study, a team led by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers shows that giving periodic infusions of such monoclonal antibodies to patients who have received a widely used cancer vaccine unleashes a strong immune response to tumors, with less-harsh side effects.

Breast cancer diagnosis comes late for women in gentrifying neighborhoods

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 23:30:00 PST

Women who live in Chicago's gentrifying neighborhoods are more apt to receive a late diagnosis of breast cancer than women who live in poverty-stricken neighborhoods, University of Illinois at Chicago researchers have found.

New, noninvasive prostate cancer test beats PSA in detecting prostate cancer

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 22:25:00 PST

An experimental biomarker test developed by researchers at the University of Michigan more accurately detects prostate cancer than any other screening method currently in use, according to a study published in the February 1 issue of Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

T cell immunity enhanced by timing of interleukin-7 therapy

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 08:25:00 PST

MADISON -- That the cell nurturing growth factor interleukin-7 can help ramp up the ability of the immune system to remember the pathogenic villains it encounters is well known.

NIH announces new initiative in epigenomics

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 05:00:00 PST

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will invest more than $190 million over the next five years to accelerate an emerging field of biomedical research known as epigenomics.

US$ 38 million grant for fight against malnutrition

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 01:14:05 PST

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) today announces a US$ 38 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to increase private sector engagement in the fight against malnutrition in young children.

More sun exposure may be good for some people

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 05:00:00 PST

UPTON, NY - A new study by scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory and colleagues in Norway suggests that the benefits of moderately increased exposure to sunlight - namely the production of vitamin D, which protects against the lethal effects of many forms of cancer and other diseases - may outweigh the risk of developing skin cancer in populations deficient in vitamin D. The study will be published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences the week of January 7, 2008.

Now '100 percent' vegetarian eggs

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 09:39:42 PST

Erode -, Dec 21 - Here's some good news for diehard vegetarians who may yet like to tuck in some eggs. India's leading egg powder manufacturer and exporter will launch a '100 percent vegetarian egg' in the coming year.

Drug aimed at 2 bioterror agents blocks live viral infection, Weill Cornell team reports

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 05:00:00 PST

NEW YORK (Dec. 19, 2007) -- Two deadly and highly infectious viruses -- both potential bioterror threats -- may have met their match in a new drug developed by scientists at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City.

Waistline growth on high-carb diets linked to liver gene

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 05:00:00 PST

MADISON - Experts have been warning for years that foods loaded with high-fructose corn syrup and other processed carbohydrates are making us fatter. Now, a University of Wisconsin-Madison study has uncovered the genetic basis for why this is so.

Price of lower-calorie foods rising drastically, researchers find

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 05:00:00 PST

As food prices rise, the costs of lower-calorie foods are rising the fastest, according to a University of Washington study appearing in the December issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. As the prices of fresh fruit and vegetables and other low-calorie foods have jumped nearly 20 percent in the past two years, the UW researchers say, a nutritious diet may be moving out of the reach of some American consumers.

Poxvirus ability to hide from the immune system may aid vaccine design

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 05:00:00 PST

The cowpox virus, a much milder cousin of the deadly smallpox virus, can keep infected host cells from warning the immune system that they have been compromised, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found. The scientists also showed that more virulent poxviruses, such as the strains of monkeypox prevalent in Central Africa, likely have the same ability.

Citrus juice, vitamin C give staying power to green tea antioxidants

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 05:00:00 PST

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - To get more out of your next cup of tea, just add juice.

Fat cells send message that aids insulin secretion

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 05:00:00 PST

The body's fat cells help the pancreas do its job of secreting insulin, according to research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. This previously unrecognized process ultimately could lead to new methods to improve glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetic or insulin-resistant people.

Mice help researchers understand chlamydia

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Genetically engineered mice may hold the key to helping scientists from Queensland University of Technology and Harvard hasten the development of a vaccine to protect adolescent girls against the most common sexually transmitted disease, Chlamydia.

U of I scientist does nutritional detective work in Botswana

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Many Americans have a soft spot for Botswana, developed while reading the best-selling #1 Ladies Detective Agency series. But few have had a chance to do any sleuthing of their own in that African country.

Parasites a key to the decline of red colobus monkeys in forest fragments

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Forest fragmentation threatens biodiversity, often causing declines or local extinctions in a majority of species while enhancing the prospects of a few. A new study from the University of Illinois shows that parasites can play a pivotal role in the decline of species in fragmented forests. This is the first study to look at how forest fragmentation increases the burden of infectious parasites on animals already stressed by disturbances to their habitat.

Severely restricted diet linked to physical fitness into old age

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

BUFFALO, NY -- Severely restricting calories leads to a longer life, scientists have proved.

XDR TB in South Africa traced to lack of drug susceptibility testing

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

In South Africa, the 2001 implementation of the World Health Organization�s anti-tuberculosis program may have inadvertently helped to create a new strain of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR TB). In a new study published in the December 1 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases, currently available online, researchers tracked the developing drug resistance of one particular strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis over 12 years. They found that at the time of the 2001 adoption of the DOT+ strategy for multi-drug resistant strains, the strain was already resistant to one or more of the drugs mandated by that strategy, thus allowing the strain to survive and develop resistance to additional drugs.

Exercise improves thinking, reduces diabetes risk in overweight children

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Just three months of daily, vigorous physical activity in overweight children improves their thinking and reduces their diabetes risk, researchers say.

Zinc may reduce pneumonia risk in nursing home elderly

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

BOSTON � When elderly nursing home residents contract pneumonia, it is a blow to their already fragile health. Simin Nikbin Meydani, DVM, PhD of the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University and colleagues report that maintaining normal serum zinc concentration in the blood may help reduce the risk of pneumonia development in that population.

New study: pine bark extract boosts nitric oxide production

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

A study to be published in the October edition of Hypertension Research reveals Pycnogenol, (pic-noj-en-all), an antioxidant plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, helps individuals by enhancing healthy nitric oxide (NO) production which leads to an increase in blood flow and oxygen supply to muscles.

The 'arms' race: Adult steroid users seek muscles, not medals

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

The majority of non-medical anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) users are not cheating athletes or risk-taking teenagers. According to a recent survey, containing the largest sample to date and published in the online open access publication, Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, the typical male user is about 30 years old, well-educated, and earning an above-average income in a white-collar occupation. The majority did not use steroids during adolescence and were not motivated by athletic competition or sports performance.

Depressed older people risk losing their minds

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 14:30:35 PST

New York, Oct 9 - Older people who suffer from depression face higher risk of losing intellectual ability, the results of a study conducted in the US show.

Drink tea for stronger bones, suggests study

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 11:01:04 PST

Sydney, Oct 9 - Drinking tea regularly, known to have several health benefits, may be good for the bones too, say researchers in Australia.

Influenza: Insights into cell specificity of human vs. avian viruses

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Rotterdam, The Netherlands � Researchers have identified which sites and cell types within the respiratory tract are targeted by human versus avian influenza viruses, providing valuable insights into the pathogenesis of these divergent diseases. The report by van Riel et al, �Human and avian influenza viruses target different cells in the lower respiratory tract of humans and other mammals,� appears in the October issue of The American Journal of Pathology and is accompanied by a commentary and highlighted on the cover.

Folic acid lowers blood arsenic levels, according to Mailman School of Public Health study

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

October 8, 2007 -- A new study by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health finds that folic acid supplements can dramatically lower blood arsenic levels in individuals exposed to arsenic through contaminated drinking water. This toxic element, naturally present in some aquifers used for drinking, is currently a significant public health problem in at least 70 countries, including several developing countries and also parts of the U.S. Chronic arsenic exposure is associated with increased risk for skin, liver and bladder cancers, skin lesions, cardiovascular disease, and other adverse health outcomes. The study results are published in the October issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Limiting refined carbohydrates may stall AMD progression

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Eating fewer refined carbohydrates may slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a new study from researchers at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University.

Corazonas Foods and Brandeis University partner to create cholesterol-reducing snacks

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Waltham, MA -- Corazonas Foods, Inc., creators of great-tasting, heart-healthy snack foods, has announced an exclusive licensing agreement with Brandeis University to utilize its technology in creating several new categories of heart-healthy snacks. Brandeis�s innovative technology allows high levels of plant sterols to be incorporated into snack foods while retaining the product�s outstanding flavor. The partnership�s first venture, Corazonas Heart-Healthy Tortilla Chips, are currently the first and only snack chips clinically proven to reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, a.k.a. �bad cholesterol,� by up to 15 percent. The chips have been a huge hit since debuting in early 2006, further demonstrating the overwhelming consumer demand for healthful snack alternatives without sacrificing great taste.

Patients with pneumonia who received pneumococcal vaccine have lower rate of death, ICU admission

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Among patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia, those who had previously received the pneumococcal vaccine had a lower risk of death and admission to the intensive care unit than patients who were not vaccinated, according to a report in the Oct. 8 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

NIH grant supports UCSF research exploring early HIV infection

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

A team led by researchers at the UCSF Positive Health Program has been named to receive $15 million over five years to expand understanding of the complex interactions between HIV and the immune systems of newly infected patients following HIV transmission.

Kids still not drinking enough milk

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

American children are drinking too little milk and what they are consuming is too high in fat, according to a Penn State study.

Scripps research scientists develop innovative dual action anthrax vaccine-antitoxin combination

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

The immune response generated in rats by the new agent protects against lethal toxin exposure after only one injection, and is faster and stronger than any currently available vaccine.

Flu vaccine in painless skin patches under development at Emory, Georgia Tech with NIH grants

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Flu vaccine delivered through painless microneedles in patches applied to the skin could soon be an alternative to delivery through hypodermic needles, according to researchers at Emory University and the Georgia Institute of Technology. Using new grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) totaling approximately $11.5 million over five years, researchers from the two institutions plan to develop a new vaccine product using the microscopic needles.

Avoiding sweets may spell a longer life, study in worms suggests

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

A new study in the October issue of Cell Metabolism, a publication of Cell Press, reveals that worms live to an older age when they are unable to process the simple sugar glucose. Glucose is a primary source of energy for the body and can be found in all major dietary carbohydrates as a component of starches and other forms of sugar, including sucrose (table sugar) and lactose.

Low doses of a red wine ingredient fight diabetes in mice

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Even relatively low doses of resveratrol�a chemical found in the skins of red grapes and in red wine�can improve the sensitivity of mice to the hormone insulin, according to a report in the October issue of Cell Metabolism, a Cell Press publication. As insulin resistance is often characterized as the most critical factor contributing to the development of type 2 diabetes, the findings �provide a potential new therapeutic approach for preventing or treating� both conditions, the researchers said.

UMass Medical School study identifies the best weight-loss plans for heart health

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Over the past three decades, the rising obesity epidemic has been accompanied by a proliferation of weight-loss plans. However, as a new study by researchers from the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) reveals, these weight-loss plans vary significantly in their ability to positively affect heart health.

Joslin researchers uncover potential role of leptin in diabetes

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

BOSTON�October 1, 2007�A new Joslin-led study has shown that leptin, a hormone known mainly for regulating appetite control and energy metabolism, plays a major role in islet cell growth and insulin secretion. This finding opens up new avenues for studying leptin and its role in islet cell biology, which may lead to new treatments for diabetes. This study appears in the October 2007 issue of The Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Second pathway behind HIV-associated immune system dysfunction identified

Sun, 30 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Researchers at the Partners AIDS Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital (PARC-MGH) may have discovered a second molecular �switch� responsible for turning off the immune system�s response against HIV. Last year members of the same team identified a molecule called PD-1 that suppresses the activity of HIV-specific CD8 T cells that should destroy virus-infected cells. Now the researchers describe how a regulatory protein called CTLA-4 inhibits the action of HIV-specific CD4 T cells that control the overall response against the virus. The report will appear in the journal Nature Immunology and is receiving early online release.

'Bad carbs' not the enemy, University of Virginia professor finds

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

The latest common wisdom on carbohydrates claims that eating so-called �bad� carbohydrates will make you fat, but University of Virginia professor Glenn Gaesser says, �that�s just nonsense.� Eating sandwiches with white bread, or an occasional doughnut, isn't going to kill you, or necessarily even lead to obesity, he said.

Glycemic index values are variable, report researchers

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

BOSTON � (Sept. 26, 2007) In work investigating the reproducibility of glycemic index values, researchers at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University (USDA HNRCA) have reported that multiple glycemic index value determinations (measure of the rate of glucose absorption into the bloodstream) using a simple test food, white bread, resulted in a relatively high level of inter-individual (among different individuals), and intra-individual (within the same individual) variability. Further studies will focus on better defining the magnitude and the sources of the variability. The intent is to better understand how glycemic index relates to chronic disease risk in a wide range of individuals.

New drug makes weight loss safer

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

TEL AVIV � More than 60 percent of American women are overweight, with nearly a third falling into the category of obese and at greater risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Until now, there has been no safe, long-term medical remedy that tackles unwanted weight gain.

Simulating kernel production influences maize model accuracy

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

MADISON, WI, Sept. 18, 2007 -- Recently, researchers at Iowa State University discovered a way to increase the accuracy of a popular crop model. By zeroing in on early stages leading up to kernel formation, scientists believe they can help improve yield predictions across a variety of environmental conditions. The team of scientists reported their findings in the September-October issue of Crop Science.

Vitamin E trials 'fatally flawed'

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

CORVALLIS, Ore. � Generations of studies on vitamin E may be largely meaningless, scientists say, because new research has demonstrated that the levels of this micronutrient necessary to reduce oxidative stress are far higher than those that have been commonly used in clinical trials.

Brain system serves as 'remote control' for fat metabolism

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

CINCINNATI�A system in the brain already known to regulate food intake also serves as a direct �remote control� for the way fat is stored and metabolized in the body, say University of Cincinnati (UC) researchers.

Chronic infection persists by targeting stromal cell network in lymphoid organs

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

One of the biggest challenges to treating infectious diseases and developing preventive vaccines is the ability of many chronic infections to suppress the immune T-cell response over time. An Emory-led team of scientists has discovered one important way in which chronic viral infections are able to evade the immune response. The research is reported this week online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Success of 'Shape Up Somerville' childhood obesity intervention to be presented

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Christina Economos, PhD, principal investigator of Shape Up Somerville: Eat Smart. Play Hard, a large-scale community intervention to curb childhood obesity, will present her research at the second annual Friedman School Symposium at Tufts, October 29th to 31st in Boston.

New nanoparticle vaccine is more effective but less expensive

Sun, 16 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Good news for public health: Bioengineering researchers from the EPFL in Lausanne, Switzerland, have developed and patented a nanoparticle that can deliver vaccines more effectively, with fewer side effects, and at a fraction of the cost of current vaccine technologies.

Researchers discover correlation between GERD and obesity in females

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

A group of scientists recently discovered an association between being overweightand a disease called gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) in women.

Thousands of starving children could be restored to health with peanut butter program

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Sept. 12, 2007 -- An enriched peanut-butter mixture given at home is successfully promoting recovery in large numbers of starving children in Malawi, according to a group of researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

'Fruity vegetables' and fish reduce asthma and allergies

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Giving children a diet rich in fish and �fruity vegetables� can reduce asthma and allergies, according to a seven-year study of 460 Spanish children, published in the September issue of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology.

Soft drinks alone do not affect children's weight

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Soft drink consumption has increased in both the USA and the UK over the years and this has often been blamed for a rise in childhood body mass index (BMI). However, many of the review methodologies investigating the alleged links have been flawed. A recent scientific analysis of a nationally representative sample of children�s diets and lifestyles found no link between the amount of soft drinks children consume and their body weight.

Purdue researchers click nutrition with camera diet study

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - A Purdue University team plans to help health-conscious people better gauge what's on their plates by using their cell phone cameras.

Low vitamin D during pregnancy linked to pre-eclampsia

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 7 � Vitamin D deficiency early in pregnancy is associated with a five-fold increased risk of preeclampsia, according to a study from the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences reported this week in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Soy isoflavone may inhibit common gastrointestinal illness in infants

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

The soy isoflavone genistin--at concentrations present in soy infant formula-- may reduce a baby�s susceptibility to rotavirus infections by as much as 74 percent, according to a University of Illinois study published in September�s Journal of Nutrition.

Hands off the medicine cabinet when treating sick children

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 08:44:23 PST

Munich, Sep 5 - It's no secret that children suffer more coughs, sniffles and fevers than adults. However, the course of action for parents when they find themselves forced into the role of nurse is not always clear.

Right breakfast bread keeps blood sugar in check all day

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

If you eat the right grains for breakfast, such as whole-grain barley or rye, the regulation of your blood sugar is facilitated after breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It was previously not known that certain whole-grain products have this effect all day. This is due to a combination of low GI (glycemic index) and certain type of indigestible carbohydrates that occur in certain grain products. The findings are presented in a dissertation from the Faculty of Engineering at Lund University. The dissertation shows that even people who have had a breakfast low in GI find it easier to concentrate for the rest of the morning.

Sugary drinks, not fruit juice, may be linked to insulin

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

BOSTON (Sept. 5, 2007) � Steady increases in consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages over the last several decades, as well as rates of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, led nutritional epidemiologists at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (USDA HNRCA) at Tufts University and colleagues to explore the relationship between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and insulin resistance, a precursor to Type 2 diabetes. Their findings suggest that higher consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks, but not 100 percent fruit juice, may be associated with insulin resistance, even in otherwise healthy adults.

Novel HIV vaccine created at The Wistar Institute funded for clinical development

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

(PHILADELPHIA) � A promising new HIV vaccine created at The Wistar Institute has received funding for clinical development aimed at moving the vaccine into human clinical trials as soon as possible.

Binghamton University researchers investigate evolving malaria resistance

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Funded by a $1.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, scientists at Binghamton University, State University of New York, hope to understand how the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum evolved resistance to the once-effective medication chloroquine.

Stay happy for better health

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 13:22:28 PST

London, Aug 24 - A new study in Britain suggests that people can get better health if they stay happy.

Folate mystery finally solved

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Some biochemical processes, especially those in bacteria, have been so well studied it�s assumed that no discoveries are left to be made. Not so, it turns out, for Johns Hopkins researchers who have stumbled on the identity of an enzyme that had been a mystery for more than 30 years. The report appears in the May 15 issue of Structure.

IAVI, CDC and USMHRP release new data redefining laboratory reference ranges in Africa

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

(SEATTLE, August 21, 2007) Leading researchers from the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Military HIV Research Program (USMHRP) presented final results today from a collection of independent studies reexamining the medical criteria for including African volunteers in AIDS vaccine trials. The findings, presented at the AIDS Vaccine 2007 Conference in Seattle, suggest that many healthy Southern and East Africans have, in the past, been excluded from participating in trials based on laboratory reference ranges that were developed for Western populations and may not be appropriate locally. Implementation of the results of the studies should improve participation of African volunteers in clinical trials for new drugs and vaccines against emerging infectious diseases currently ravaging Africa, including AIDS, TB and malaria, and enable clinicians to better monitor and define adverse events in trials.

GI concept tested in children

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Experts are struggling to find ways to contain the growing number of children who are becoming obese. One useful approach might be to encourage them to choose low glycaemic index (GI) foods. However, until now there has been little evidence that this approach will work for children in the long term.

UGA study finds common component of fruits, vegetables kills prostate cancer cells

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Athens, Ga. � A new University of Georgia study finds that pectin, a type of fiber found in fruits and vegetables and used in making jams and other foods, kills prostate cancer cells.

Natural chemical found in broccoli helps combat skin blistering disease

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Johns Hopkins scientists have found yet another reason why you should listen to your mother when she tells you to eat your vegetables. Sulforaphane, a chemical present at high levels in a precursor form in broccoli and related veggies (cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, etc.), helps prevent the severe blistering and skin breakage brought on by the rare and potentially fatal genetic disease epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS).

Compound in broccoli could boost immune system, says new study

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Berkeley -- A compound found in broccoli and related vegetables may have more health-boosting tricks up its sleeves, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley.

Tumors use enzyme to recruit regulatory T-cells and suppress immune response

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

One way tumors fly under the radar of the immune system is by using IDO, an enzyme used by fetuses to help avoid rejection, to recruit powerful regulatory T cells that turn down the immune response, researchers say.

Obesity and lack of exercise could enhance the risk of pancreatic cancer

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

PHILADELPHIA Obesity and aversion to exercise have become hallmarks of modern society and a new study suggests that a blood protein linked to these lifestyle factors may be an indicator for an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Researchers from the Dana Farber Cancer Institute report their findings in the August 15 issue of Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

New Joslin research identifies sirtuin protein instrumental in fat production and metabolism

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

BOSTON--August 15, 2007--A new Joslin Diabetes Center-led study has identified a protein found in fat cells that may play a major role in how fat is produced and stored, offering a new target for treatments to prevent obesity and reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes. This latest research appears in the August 2007 issue of Cell Metabolism.

Anthrax vaccine produces immunity with nanoparticles, not needles

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

ANN ARBOR, Mich. A vaccine against anthrax that is more effective and easier to administer than the present vaccine has proved highly effective in tests in mice and guinea pigs, report University of Michigan Medical School scientists in the August issue of Infection and Immunity.

'Western' diet linked to increased risk of colon cancer recurrence

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

BOSTONColon cancer patients who eat a diet high in red meat, fatty products, refined grains, and desserts a so-called Western diet may be increasing their chance of disease relapse and early death, report researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

HPV vaccine does not appear to be effective for treating pre-existing HPV infection

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

For women with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, use of the HPV-16/18 vaccine will not accelerate reduction of the virus and should not be used to treat the infection, according to a study in the August 15 issue of JAMA.

Posture linked to blood pressure

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 12:18:34 PST

London, Aug 13 - Scientists in Britain have said that the position in which you hold your body plays a role in maintaining blood pressure.

DNA vaccine against multiple sclerosis appears safe, potentially beneficial

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

A newly developed DNA vaccine appears safe and may produce beneficial changes in the brains and immune systems of individuals with multiple sclerosis, according to an article posted online today that will appear in the October 2007 print issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Adverse housing conditions contribute to diabetes risk

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Studying people in their homes and neighborhoods, investigators have found that poor housing conditions contribute to the risk for diabetes in urban, middle-aged African-Americans.

Whole grain may prevent high blood pressure

Sat, 11 Aug 2007 14:48:55 PST

New York, Aug 11 - Researchers in the US have found that eating one serving of whole grains every day might protect you from high blood pressure.

Where's the beef? Not enough of it is on elders' plates, muscle-metabolism study suggests

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

GALVESTON, Texas Scientists at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston have good news for people who want to stay strong in their old age: older bodies are just as good as young ones at turning protein-rich food into muscle.

Parents' depression can weigh on children

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- A parents struggle with stress or depression can lower a childs quality of life -- and it could hinder an overweight youngsters attempts to lose weight, too, University of Florida researchers say.

Study reveals gaps in vaccine financing for underinsured children

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

A national survey of state immunization program managers reveals gaps in coverage for the current vaccine financing system, suggesting that many underinsured children may not receive recommended vaccinations, such as for pneumonia and meningitis, according to a report in the August 8 issue of JAMA.

Study suggests nonpharmaceutical interventions may be helpful in severe influenza outbreaks

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

An analysis of non-pharmaceutical interventions used in the U.S. during the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic, such as closing schools and banning public gatherings, found an association between these interventions and reduced death rates, suggesting that non-pharmaceutical interventions may play a role in planning for future influenza pandemics, according to a study in the August 8 issue of JAMA.

Tipping points

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Growing food and fiber entails the use of fertilizer and irrigation systems and results in land clearing. These side effects of agriculture can lead to regime shiftsor tipping points which include desertification, salinisation, water degradation, and changes in climate due to altered water flows from land to atmosphere. As human populations shift to more meat-heavy diets, trade of agricultural products increases, and demand for biofuels grows, the pressure on agricultural systems is mounting. The challenge is to figure out how to meet these demands and keep the ecosystem functions that underpin productivity working. So say researchers who will participate in a symposium, Tipping points in the biosphere: Agriculture, water, and resilience during the Ecological Society of Americas Annual Meeting.

Why nectar-feeding bats need a 'power drink' to fly

Sun, 05 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Nectar-feeding bats burn sugar faster than any other mammal on Earth and three times faster than even top-class athletes ecologists have discovered. The findings, published online in the British Ecological Society's journal Functional Ecology, illustrate that because they live life on an energetic knife edge, these bats are very vulnerable to any changes in their environment that interrupt their fuel supply for even a short period.

Immune mechanism could help explain transient immune suppression often seen in acute infections

Thu, 02 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Scientists have discovered that at the same time the immune system is vigorously attacking invading viruses or bacteria, it is unexpectedly reducing its production of a particular type of factor that directs the movement of immune cells. The new finding, which could help explain the transient immune suppression often seen during acute infections, shows that the immune system is even more complex than previously believed.

Some printers may be harmful for health

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 12:01:57 PST

Melbourne, Aug 1 - Scientists in Australia have said that some of the printers that are used in offices every day could be harmful to health because they emit pollutants.

Scientists find why red beans and rice can be nauseating

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

People cry foul when fowl is undercooked, but what about red beans and rice

Phase II study of therapeutic vaccine shows efficacy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

PHILADELPHIA A therapeutic cancer vaccine has shown effectiveness when given alongside chemotherapy to patients with metastatic colorectal cancer in a phase II trial, according to researchers at Oxford BioMedica (UK) Ltd. The study found that six of the 17 metastatic colorectal cancer patients in the study showed tumor shrinkage, classified as complete or partial responses following independent expert review.

Fluctuating weight during pregnancy could affect babies

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 13:59:35 PST

London, July 30 - Scientists have warned that fluctuating weight of women during pregnancy could affect their unborn babies.

New target for HIV/AIDS drugs and vaccine discovered

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Researchers from Rome, Italy, describe a finding in the August 2007 print issue of The FASEB Journal that could lead to new drugs to fight the HIV/AIDS virus, as well as new vaccines to prevent infection. It has been known that HIV proteins disable the antibody-forming part of the immune system (the homeland defense or acquired immune system). In this report, researchers demonstrate for the first time how the HIV-1 Nef viral protein delivers a one-two punch to the bodys innate immune system (our early warning system composed of dendritic and natural killer cells). First, Nef hijacks dendritic cells (DCs) to upset the function of natural killer (NK) cells. Second, after blocking this first line of defense against the immune system, Nef uses DCs and NK cells to create a microenvironment that actually makes it easier for HIV/AIDS to replicate.

Nutritional supplement cuts anemia in poor children by half

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

A nutritional supplement known as Sprinkles, which can be added to children's food, reduces anemia by more than half, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition.

Monell researchers find metabolic defect in liver that can lead to obesity

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Philadelphia (July 24, 2007) -- Researchers at the Monell Chemical Senses Center have identified a genetically-transmitted metabolic defect that can lead to obesity in some individuals. The defect involves decreased production of liver enzymes needed to burn fat and may help to explain why some people become obese while others remain thin.