Fiber, antispasmodics and peppermint oil to treat IBS

Soluble fibre, antispasmodics, and peppermint oil are more effective in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. – Fibre, antispasmodics and peppermint oil are all effective therapies for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and should become first-line treatments, according to a study on bmj.com.

Bone marrow transplant can cure sickle cell disease

Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC Study Demonstrates Unique Form of Bone Marrow Transplant Can Cure Sickle Cell Disease – A unique approach to bone marrow transplantation pioneered in part by a Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC physician has proven to be the only safe and effective cure for sickle cell disease, according to a new study.

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.

21st century could be the age of paranoia

21st century could be the “age of paranoia”, according to a leading psychiatrist. Dr Daniel Freeman. – Paranoia is on the increase and could go unchecked unless we take urgent action, claims a leading scientist. Dr Daniel Freeman, a Wellcome Trust fellow, warns that changes in how we live and work could mean that we are entering an “age of paranoia.”

Health Canada reaffirms safety of BPA use

Health Canada Reaffirms Safety of BPA for Use in Metal Food Packaging. North American Metal Packaging Alliance (NAMPA) Working with Canadian Government and Infant Formula Manufacturers to Develop Industry Code of Practice for Infant Formula. – Announcement by Health Canada regarding completion of its assessment of bisphenol A (BPA) offers reassurance to Canadians that the use of this chemical in the production of epoxy resins in metal food and beverage packaging presents no risk to consumers.

Updated labeling for psoriasis drug Raptiva approved

US FDA Approves Updated Labeling for Psoriasis Drug Raptiva by Genentech; Safety concerns drove labeling changes. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced labeling changes, including a Boxed Warning, to highlight the risks of life-threatening infections, including progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), with the use of Raptiva (efalizumab).

DNA could reveal your surname and family links

DNA could reveal your surname; Research by University of Leicester has implications for forensics as well as genealogy. – Scientists at the world-leading Department of Genetics at the University of Leicester ? where the revolutionary technique of genetic fingerprinting was invented by Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys – are developing techniques which may one day allow police to work out someone’s surname from the DNA alone.

Effects of a first miscarriage on future pregnancies

New research to be published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology examines the effects of a miscarriage on subsequent pregnancies. – Miscarriage (or spontaneous pregnancy loss) is defined as pregnancy loss before 24 completed weeks of gestation. There is a 20% (one in five) risk of pregnancies ending in a miscarriage in the first three months and one in 100 women have recurrent miscarriages (three or more successive miscarriages).

Label updates of oral OTC children’s cough and cold medicines

Statement from CHPA on the Voluntary Label Updates to Oral OTC Children?s Cough and Cold Medicines – The following statement was issued by Linda Suydam, president of Consumer Healthcare Products Association, USA, on the Voluntary Label Updates to Oral OTC Children’s Cough and Cold Medicines.

A new research on climate change and public health – WHO

WHO agreed on a research agenda on climate change and public health – World Health Organization. – A meeting of experts convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Madrid agreed to a research agenda to develop an evidence-based framework for action on the human health implications of climate change.

Health Newstrack