Flu

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an infectious disease of birds and mammals caused by an RNA virus of the family Orthomyxoviridae, the influenza viruses. In people, common symptoms of influenza are fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, and weakness and fatigue.

Selective reporting of antidepressant trials may have adverse consequences

Evidence-based medicine is valuable to the extent that the evidence base is complete and unbiased. Selective publication of clinical trials ? and the outcomes within those trials ? can lead to unrealistic estimates of drug effectiveness and alter the apparent risk?benefit ratio. – Selective publication in reporting results of antidepressant trials exaggerates the effectiveness of the drugs, and may have adverse consequences for researchers, study participants, health care professionals, and patients, revealed in a new study.

Bird flu alert in West Bengal, India

Health officials in India are concerned there may be a possible major bird-flu outbreak after nearly 20000 chickens died in the past week. – Death of poultry birds has been reported from parts of Birbhum and South Dinajpur districts of West Bengal, India.

Protein may trigger insulin production in diabetic patients

University of Florida researchers have coaxed liver and pancreatic cells within diabetic mice into churning out insulin by injecting the animals with a naturally occurring protein called Pdx1, opening up a new research avenue that someday could lead to safer treatments for type 1 diabetes. Pdx1 activates the genes controlling the development of the pancreas cells that make and release insulin to maintain safe levels of glucose in the body. – If the human body were a stage, then proteins would rank among the lead actors in the play we call “Life.” These large biological molecules hold many starring roles, and their lines are dictated by information encoded in our genes. They are production powerhouses, regulating the basic processes of living and controlling countless functions. Many are enzymes that produce or use energy. Others regulate genes.

New test to detect and identify 12 respiratory viruses

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared for marketing a test – xTAG Respiratory Viral Panel, manufactured by Luminex Molecular Diagnostics, that simultaneously detects and identifies 12 specific respiratory viruses. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new diagnostic test that detects 12 respiratory viruses, including strains of flu that have triggered epidemics.

American physicians prescribe placebos on occasion

American physicians’ use of placebos in clinical practice in the 21st Century, 45 percent of Chicago internists report they have used a placebo at some time during their clinical practice. – In the first study examining American physicians’ use of placebos in clinical practice in the 21st Century, 45 percent of Chicago internists report they have used a placebo at some time during their clinical practice researchers report in the January issue of Journal of General Internal Medicine.

Thyroid treatment no quick fix for weight loss in children

Most experts agree thyroid function tests are generally unnecessary in an overweight child if he/she has normal linear growth and no other symptoms of hypothyroidism. The results of this study support this. – Children treated for hypothyroidism aren’t likely to drop pounds with treatment for the condition says a new study in the Journal of Pediatrics. The study is the first to examine the link between hypothyroidism treatment and weight loss in pediatric patients.

Obese pregnant women give birth to heavier babies

New study suggests that maternal body composition at or near conception has important implications for offspring?s obesity, and obesity during conception phase may set the stage for offspring?s obesity risk. – The number of overweight and obese Americans continues to grow rapidly. Today, 50 percent of adults are overweight and up to 20 percent are obese. While the number of overweight/obese children is at an all time high, the steady increase of overweight infants ? individuals under 11 months old ? is alarming.

Impact of Gastroesophageal reflux disease on survival

In this population-based study, reflux symptoms were not associated with worse survival. The vast majority of heartburn sufferers can be reassured of the benign nature of their condition. – Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), often known as acid reflux, is a common problem that has been associated with cancers, asthma, recurrent aspiration and pulmonary fibrosis. A new study published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology examines whether GERD sufferers may have shorter lifespans than those without the disease.

Children’s sleep duration can influence their weight, behavior

Children?s sleep duration differs according to the time of day, week, and year, and can influence their weight, behavior, revealed in a study published in the January 1 issue of the journal SLEEP. – The duration of a child’s sleep can vary, depending on the time of day, week and year. Further, children who don’t get enough nightly sleep are more likely to be overweight and have behavioral problems.

Happily married women are less stressful

Happily married women are less stressful

Here’s a novel idea for unwinding after a stressful day at the office: Find a happy marriage. That’s the suggestion from a new UCLA study that tracked levels of cortisol, a key stress hormone, among 30 Los Angeles married couples. – Happily married women are less stressful with better mental health, revealed by UCLA researchers. They tracked levels of cortisol, a key stress hormone, among 30 Los Angeles married couples.