Public health Archives

Obama has modest lead over McCain – US Election

Four in ten US voters don’t see either Obama’s or McCain’s health care plan as better for them. Among those who do, Obama has only modest lead over McCain. – As part of the ongoing poll series, Debating Health: Election 2008, the Harvard Public Opinion Research Program at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and Harris Interactive conducted a new survey focused on how voters think the presidential candidates’ health care reform plans would affect them personally – rather than how they think the plans would affect the nation as a whole.

US FDA assessed melamine and melamine compounds in food

US FDA issues Interim Safety and Risk Assessment of Melamine and Melamine-related Compounds in Food. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued the results of its interim safety and risk assessment of melamine and melamine-related compounds in food, including infant formula.

Brain pathway responsible for obesity discovered

University of Wisconsin-Madison Research team discovers brain pathway responsible for obesity. – University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers, for the first time, have found a messaging system in the brain that directly affects food intake and body weight.

Childhood wheezing with rhinovirus can increase asthma risk

Childhood wheezing with rhinovirus can increase asthma risk later during childhood. – Infants who experience viral respiratory illnesses with wheezing are known to be at increased risk for developing asthma later during childhood. It is not known, however, whether every type of respiratory virus that produces wheezing presents similar risk.

New genes linked to gout

Three genes are associated with increased risk of higher levels of uric acid in the blood, which can lead to gout. – Researchers have identified two new genes ? and confirmed the role of a third gene ? associated with increased risk of higher levels of uric acid in the blood, which can lead to gout, a common, painful form of arthritis.

Second hand smoke may trigger nicotine dependence symptoms in kids

New study from Canadian researchers published in Addictive Behaviors has warned parents that second-hand smoke may trigger nicotine dependence symptoms in kids. – Parents who smoke cigarettes around their kids in cars and homes beware ? second-hand smoke may trigger symptoms of nicotine dependence in children. The findings are published in the September edition of the journal Addictive Behaviors in a joint study from nine Canadian institutions.

Birth size is a marker of breast cancer susceptibility

Birth length i.e. bigger and taller baby girls have greater susceptibility to breast cancer in adulthood. – Birth size, and in particular birth length, correlates with subsequent risk of breast cancer in adulthood, according to a new study published in PLoS Medicine by researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

CT colonography a viable colorectal cancer screening option

Colonoscopy still the definitive test for colorectal cancer screening and prevention. – Death from colorectal cancer is highly preventable with effective screening and early detection. Many screening options are available, each with advantages and disadvantages, but half of eligible patients still do not participate in colorectal cancer screening.

Lung cancer among lifelong nonsmokers

10-15% of lung cancer cases are caused by factors other than tobacco smoking, revealed by researchers. The study analyzed data on lung cancer occurrence among lifelong nonsmokers in North America, Europe, and Asia. – A new American Cancer Society study sheds light on the ten to fifteen percent of lung cancers that are caused by factors other than tobacco smoking. The study analyzed data on lung cancer occurrence among lifelong nonsmokers in North America, Europe, and Asia and found that lung cancer death rates among never-smokers are highest among men, African Americans, and Asians residing in Asia.

Arthroscopy may not help osteoarthritis patients

A landmark study conducted in London, Canada at The University of Western Ontario and Lawson Health Research Institute shows that a routinely practiced knee surgery is ineffective at reducing joint pain or improving joint function for sufferers of osteoarthritis. – Arthroscopic surgery for osteoarthritis of the knee provides no additional benefit to optimized physical and medical therapy, revealed by researchers in a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) issue of Sept. 11, 2008.

Avoid grapefruit juices when taking certain drugs

Drinking grapefruit juice, orange and apple juices with certain drugs could lower their effectiveness by decreasing the absorption of drugs, potentially wiping out their beneficial effects. – Grapefruit and other common fruit juices, including orange and apple, decrease the absorption of drugs, potentially wiping out their beneficial effects.

Arsenic exposure could increase diabetes risk

In a study involving a representative sample of U.S. adults, higher levels of arsenic in the urine appear to be associated with increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes, according to a report in the August 20 issue of JAMA. – Inorganic arsenic, commonly found in ground water in certain areas, may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.