Preventive medicine | Page 4 of 4

Hypertension susceptibility gene STK39 identified

University of Maryland researchers identify common gene variant linked to high blood pressure. STK39 gene produces protein involved in regulating how kidneys process salt. – Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have identified a common gene variant that appears to influence people’s risk of developing high blood pressure, according to the results of a study being published online Dec. 29, 2008 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

Purple, high anthocyanin tomatoes offer protection against certain cancers

High anthocyanins content tomatoes, produced by European researchers, may be able to extend lifespan in cancer-prone mice; the finding by the FLORA European Project published in the journal Nature Biotechnology. – Scientists have expressed genes from snapdragon in tomatoes to grow purple tomatoes high in health-protecting anthocyanins.

Second hand smoke may trigger nicotine dependence symptoms in kids

New study from Canadian researchers published in Addictive Behaviors has warned parents that second-hand smoke may trigger nicotine dependence symptoms in kids. – Parents who smoke cigarettes around their kids in cars and homes beware ? second-hand smoke may trigger symptoms of nicotine dependence in children. The findings are published in the September edition of the journal Addictive Behaviors in a joint study from nine Canadian institutions.

Running slows the aging

Vigorous exercise (running) at middle and older ages is associated with reduced disability in later life and a notable survival advantage. – Regular running slows the effects of aging, according to a new study from Stanford University School of Medicine that has tracked 500 older runners for more than 20 years. Elderly runners have fewer disabilities, a longer span of active life and are half as likely as aging nonrunners to die early deaths, the research found.

Keeping a food diary doubles weight loss

Kaiser Permanente study suggests that the dieters who write down what they eat every day can shed twice as much weight as those who don’t. – Keeping a food diary can double a person’s weight loss according to a study from Kaiser Permanente’s Center for Health Research. The findings, from one of the largest and longest running weight loss maintenance trials ever conducted, will be published in the August issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Difficulty sleeping increases during menopause

Difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep increases as women go through menopause, revealed by researchers. – Sleep difficulties, especially problems staying asleep, are relatively prevalent concerns among women going through the menopausal transition, revealed by researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.

Decline in smoking in Minnesota Adolescent

Adolescents who obtained cigarettes from social sources were less likely to become heavy smokers compared to youth who bought their cigarettes from commercial sources.
– New research in the December issue of Preventive Medicine, published by Elsevier, shows that there was a decline in access to cigarettes from commercial venues from 2000 to 2003. These findings are specific to the Minnesota Adolescent Community Cohort study, a longitudinal telephone survey of youth less than 18 years old.