Aging improves parent, child relationships

Most parents and children are fortunate to share several decades of the life course when both parties are healthy adults. When parents reach the transition to old age, however, they typically experience health declines, and both parties must adjust to changes in the relationship.
– The majority of relationships between parents and their adult children improve as parents transition to old age, a Purdue University researcher has found. Karen Fingerman, an associate professor of developmental and family studies in the College of Consumer and Family Sciences, examined relationships adults 70 and older have with at least one of their adult offspring.

Predicting hip fracture risk in postmenopausal women

A team of UC Davis researchers has developed a method that assesses nearly a dozen factors to predict the five-year risk of hip fractures in postmenopausal women.
– To help doctors predict the five-year risk of hip fractures in their postmenopausal patients, a team of UC Davis researchers has developed a method that assesses nearly a dozen factors, including age, ethnicity and level of physical activity.

Folic acid reduces alcohol-related damage in alcoholics

A new study with groundbreaking public health implications for treating alcoholism and preventing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome has shown that a byproduct of methanol, a contaminant found in many alcoholic beverages, causes neurotoxicity that can be mitigated by folic acid.
– Folic acid found helpful for treating alcoholism and preventing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, revealed by researchers in a recent study.

Obesity may be bad for bone health

Obesity and being over-weight may be bad for bone health, and childhood obesity could have a significant, long lasting negative impact on the skeleton. – Obesity may be bad for bone health, revealed by researchers at the University of Georgia. Being overweight is a known risk factor for heart disease, diabetes and a host of other health conditions. Now, obesity and over-weight may also be bad for bone health.

Study of environmental chemicals in pregnant women and their babies

Canada is investing more than $4 million in a largest study of environmental chemicals in pregnant women and their babies. – The Government of Canada announced a $3.9 million investment in Canada’s largest study of environmental chemicals in pregnant women and their babies. To mark National Child Day and the one-year anniversary of the Chemicals Management Plan on December 8, the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, Canada announced this important step.

Health Newstrack