Each pound at birth lowers risk of developing TB — Just one more pound may help a newborn avoid tuberculosis later in life. – Researchers at the University of Michigan looked at how much protection additional birth weight added against developing the disease years later. They found that every 1.1 pounds of birth weight decreases the risk of developing tuberculosis later by 46 percent among identical twins.
Circumcision associated with significant changes in bacteria — Changes in bacteria within the penis microbiome documented for the first time. – Circumcision, which substantially lowers HIV risk in men, also dramatically changes the bacterial communities of the penis, according to a study led by scientists at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and Johns Hopkins University and published Jan. 6 in the scientific journal PLoS ONE.
UC Davis researchers identify autism clusters in California — Clusters are associated with areas of greater parental education – Researchers at UC Davis have identified 10 locations in California where the incidence of autism is higher than surrounding areas in the same region. Most of the areas, or clusters, are in locations where parents have higher-than-average levels of educational attainment.
Severity of H1N1 influenza linked to presence of Streptococcus pneumoniae – The presence of the Streptococcus pneumoniae in samples that can be easily obtained in clinics and emergency rooms may predict risk of severe disease in H1N1 pandemic influenza.
Study links restless leg syndrome with erectile dysfunction in older men – Erectile dysfunction was more common in older men with restless leg syndrome (RLS) than in those without RLS, and the magnitude of this association increased with a higher frequency of RLS symptoms, revealed by researchers.
Assessing lead time of selected ovarian cancer biomarkers – Concentrations of the biomarkers CA125, human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), and mesothelin began to rise 3 years before clinical diagnosis of ovarian cancer, according to a new study published online December 30 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
H1N1 Vaccination Clinics Open to All at Oklahoma City-County Health Department – The Oklahoma City-County Health Department (OCCHD) is offering extended hours and days for both H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccinations at the main building at 921 NE 23rd Street in Oklahoma City.
Leprosy susceptibility genes reported in New England Journal of Medicine paper — Largest genome-wide association study of an infectious disease – In the first genome-wide association study (GWAS) of leprosy and the largest GWAS on an infectious disease, scientists at the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) and 26 institutes in China identified seven genes that increase an individual’s susceptibility to leprosy.
Researchers find high leptin levels may protect against Alzheimer’s disease and dementia – Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have found that higher leptin (a protein that controls weight and appetite) levels were associated with a lower incidence of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and dementia.
Obesity epidemic taking root in Africa – The urban poor in sub-Saharan Africa are the latest victims of the obesity epidemic, revealed by researchers in the journal BMC Public Health. Overweight and obesity are on the increase among this group.
State Public Health Director Announces Expansion of H1N1 Flu Vaccine Availability to all Illinoisans — High-risk individuals encouraged to be vaccinated before expansion next week. – Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Damon T. Arnold announced that beginning Tuesday, December_15, 2009, all Illinoisans will be eligible to receive an H1N1 flu vaccination.
Americans born in the South may have a higher risk of dying from stroke as adults – US people born in the Southern stroke belt have a higher risk of dying from stroke as adults, even if they later move away, compared to people who were born in other parts of the country.
