Public health Archives

Smoking may increase risk of prostate cancer recurrence

Smoking may increase risk of prostate cancer recurrence, death – Researchers found that men with prostate cancer who were current smokers had a 61% increased risk of dying from prostate cancer, and a 61% higher risk of recurrence compared with men who never smoked. This new study from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and University of California, San Francisco, researchers suggests that men with prostate cancer who smoke increase their risk of prostate cancer recurrence and of dying from the disease.

Obese children vomit to lose weight

Children as young as 10 vomit to lose weight, with highest rates in boys — Study of nearly 16,000 schoolchildren showed that 10 percent of girls and 16 percent of boys made themselves vomit – Children as young as ten are making themselves vomit in order to lose weight and the problem is more common in boys than girls, according to a study of nearly 16,000 school pupils published by the Journal of Clinical Nursing. Self-induced vomiting is an early sign that children could develop eating disorders and serious psychological problems, such as binge eating and anorexia.

HAART found effective for treating HIV infected children

HAART effective for treating HIV-infected children living in DRC – This observational cohort study, by Andrew Edmonds and colleagues, reports that treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) markedly improves the survival of HIV-infected children in Kinshasa, DRC, a resource-deprived setting. The findings presented suggest that HAART is as effective for improving the survival of HIV-infected children in a severely resource-deprived country (still recovering from civil war) as in more resource-privileged settings.

Early exposure to pets cats and dogs may prevent allergies in children

Early exposure to pets does not increase children’s risk of allergies — Evidence suggests it may actually reduce likelihood – Exposure to cats and dogs in the first year of life are associated with health status later in life, and that early life pet exposure does not put most children at risk of being sensitized to these animals later in life, revealed by researchers.

New strain of MRSA discovered, found in both humans and dairy cows

New strain of MRSA discovered — Antibiotic resistant bacteria found in both humans and dairy cows – Scientists have identified a new strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) which occurs both in human and dairy cow populations. The study, led by Dr Mark Holmes at the University of Cambridge, identified the new strain in milk from dairy cows while researching mastitis (a bacterial infection which occurs in the cows’ udders).

Pfizer drug reduces breast cancer in high risk women

UB played major role in study on drug that reduces breast cancer in high-risk women — Buffalo enrolled more women than any other study site – The drug exemestane significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer in high-risk, postmenopausal women is the result of an international, randomized double-blind phase III clinical trial in which University at Buffalo researchers and hundreds of Western New York women played a critical role, revealed at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting.

Surgical removal of tonsils and appendix may lead to heart attack

Surgical removal of the tonsils and appendix associated with risk of early heart attack — But because of the young age of participants, the absolute risk differences were small – The surgical removal of the appendix and tonsils before the age of 20 was associated with an increased risk of premature heart attack in a large population study performed in Sweden. Tonsillectomy increased the risk by 44% (hazard ratio 1.44) and appendectomy by 33% (HR 1.33).

Stress may not increase multiple sclerosis risk

Can stress increase the risk of multiple sclerosis? – Contrary to earlier reports, a new study finds that stress does not appear to increase a person’s risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS). The research is published in the May_31, 2011, print issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

Parkinson’s disease risk for people exposed to pesticides near workplace

High risk of Parkinson’s disease for people exposed to pesticides near workplace — Study first to implicate pesticide ziram as possible cause for disease – In April 2009, researchers at UCLA announced they had discovered a link between Parkinson’s disease and two chemicals commonly sprayed on crops to fight pests. That epidemiological study didn’t examine farmers who constantly work with pesticides but people who simply lived near where farm fields were sprayed with the fungicide maneb and the herbicide paraquat.

Children who sleep less are more likely to be overweight

Children who sleep less are more likely to be overweight — Longitudinal analysis of sleep in relation to BMI and body fat in children: the FLAME study – Young children who do not get enough sleep are at increased risk of becoming overweight, even after taking account of lifestyle factors, finds a study published on bmj. Sleep is an important determinant of future body composition in young children. Researchers recommend that appropriate sleep habits should be encouraged in all children as a public health measure, and call for more studies to determine whether more sleep or better sleeping patterns impact favourably on body weight and other health outcomes.

Increasing daily calcium will not reduce fracture risk in later life

Increasing daily calcium will not reduce the risk of fractures in later life — Dietary calcium intake and risk of fracture and osteoporosis: prospective longitudinal cohort study – While moderate amounts of calcium (around 700 mg a day) are vital for maintaining healthy bones, there is no need to start increasing calcium intake in order to reduce the risk of fractures or osteoporosis in later life, finds a paper published in bmj.

Developing possibility of a preventive vaccine against HIV AIDS

A study opens the possibility of developing a preventive vaccine against HIV/AIDS – The HIV epidemic is the largest in the world and represents one of the most serious public health problems, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO). Only 30% of the more than 10 million patients in need have the access to the antiretroviral treatment.