IBTimes.com : Health

Californian Granny, 80, Survives Terrifying Skydiving Death Plunge [VIDEO]

Fri, 25 May 2012 12:06:29 EDT

Reluctant pensioner Laverne hangs by her harness after a tandem dive goes wrong.

MIT Researchers Develop Needle-Less, Painless Way To Inject Drugs (At The Speed Of Sound, No Less)

Fri, 25 May 2012 11:00:08 EDT

MIT researchers unveiled a prototype device this week that uses a new way to administer drugs, replacing the common needle with a tiny, highly-controllable jet injector, which sends a high-pressured stream directly into the skin.

US Senate Passes Bipartisan FDA Funding Bill

Fri, 25 May 2012 08:54:05 EDT

The U.S. Senate on Thursday showed near-unanimous support for a bill that helps fund the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a regulatory powerhouse with sweeping influence over the foods Americans eat and the medicines they take. The bill, which passed by a vote of 96 to 1, aims to speed approval of new drugs and devices and ensure food safety.

Tafamidis: US Panel Split On Pfizer Rare Disease Drug

Fri, 25 May 2012 08:49:18 EDT

A U.S. health advisory panel on Thursday issued a split vote on data for Pfizer Inc's drug to treat a rare neurodegenerative disease. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration panel voted 13 to 4 that the drug did not show that it met the main goal in a study in treating the fatal condition.

Overweight Welsh Teenager Georgia Davis Cut from Home in Medical Emergency

Fri, 25 May 2012 06:03:34 EDT

Welsh teenager Georgia Davis, who weighs 63st, had to be cut free from family home by emergency services to receive urgent medical treatment.

Fatkinis: Sexy Snaps of Fat Women in Skimpy Swimwear is Online Hit

Fri, 25 May 2012 05:33:03 EDT

Real woman post in their 'Fatkinis' in protest against society's obsession with super-slim summer bodies

Battle On International Family Planning Looms As Senate Panel Repeals 'Global Gag Rule'

Thu, 24 May 2012 16:20:08 EDT

The gag rule, which bans funding for non-profits that provide information about abortion services, has had a shaky history since it was enacted by the Reagan administration in 1984.

Baby in Washing Machine: Toddler’s Mom Wants Babysitter in Jail

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:19:55 EDT

The mother of a toddler who was videotaped being put inside a washing machine, has spoken out against her baby sitter, saying she should be "punished and put in jail"

Polio Remains Endemic in Nigeria, Pakistan And Afghanistan: Health Officials

Thu, 24 May 2012 12:04:01 EDT

GPEI warned that failure to eradicate polio could lead to as many as 200,000 paralyzed children a year across the globe.

Ben Fogle Admits Fear before 3,000 Mile Atlantic Swim

Thu, 24 May 2012 10:59:54 EDT

TV presenter Ben Fogle has admitted being scared of solitude and loneliness as he begins his training for a 3,000 mile swim from the US to Cornwall next year.

Tasers Can Kill, Says American Heart Association [STUDY]

Thu, 24 May 2012 10:48:33 EDT

Roughly 16,000 police agencies around the world use Tasers, the electroshock weapons that send electrical currents to disrupt voluntary control over one's muscles, but law enforcement officers only prefer Tasers because they can subdue unruly people in a non-lethal, non-violent way.

Why Are Men Attracted To ‘Dumb’ Women? 88 Common Traits Rated As Attractive By Men [STUDY]

Thu, 24 May 2012 10:32:35 EDT

It turns out that men aren’t looking for beauty with brains when it comes to finding a woman. A new study says that traits such as stupidity, drunkenness, and sleepiness have been rated as attractive.

Child Addicts At Heart Of Indonesia Anti-Smoking Lawsuit

Thu, 24 May 2012 09:43:48 EDT

Anti-tobacco advocates in Indonesia plan to file a class action lawsuit this month using cases of child addicts in the hope of forcing tougher regulations on a society where one in three people smokes.

Stevia: Miracle Sweetener May Have A Sour Note

Thu, 24 May 2012 09:29:19 EDT

The meteoric rise of a natural, healthy alternative to sugar - a holy grail for the food industry - might just be a little too good to be true. In two years stevia, a plant used for centuries by Paraguay's Guarani Indians, has shot to prominence in products by Coca-Cola, Danone and Merisant.

Epic Parenting Fail at a Laundromat: YouTube Video goes Viral

Thu, 24 May 2012 05:12:14 EDT

A video which shows a babysitter and her boyfriend placing a toddler in a tumble-dryer and panicking as it automatically begins a cycle.

Australia Vows to Defeat WTO Challenges on its Anti-Smoking Policy

Wed, 23 May 2012 23:45:08 EDT

The Australian government vowed to repeal efforts by giant tobacco firms to frustrate its aim of further limiting the flow of cigarette products in the country.

The Rising Tide of Autism

Wed, 23 May 2012 22:12:57 EDT

Autism was once thought to be a psychological disorder because of the lack of eye contact that is hallmark in the child with autism.

Everyday Tasks can Encourage Creativity in Advanced Dementia Patients

Wed, 23 May 2012 22:06:03 EDT

The simple art of folding a bed sheet could encourage the creativity of people living with advanced dementia, researchers have found.

Levels of Dementia Underestimated in Developing Countries

Wed, 23 May 2012 22:03:22 EDT

Conventional estimates of dementia incidence in middle-income countries have been too optimistic, suggests one of the largest studies of dementia incidence to date, led by researchers at King's College London's Institute of Psychiatry and published online in The Lancet today.

Rio Environmental Summit To Focus On Global Food Security Issues

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:12:47 EDT

As soils, freshwater, oceans, forests and biodiversity are being rapidly degraded and climate change puts more pressure on the resources, it is time to rethink how we grow, share and consume our food.

Many 'Pro-Life' Americans Support Legal Abortion Rights, As 'Pro-Choice' Group Reaches Record Low

Wed, 23 May 2012 13:56:09 EDT

A record-low 41 percent of Americans identify themselves as "pro-choice" when it comes to abortion rights, according to Gallup.

Scientists Turn Skin Cells Into Beating Heart Muscle

Wed, 23 May 2012 09:41:51 EDT

Scientists have for the first time succeeded in taking skin cells from patients with heart failure and transforming them into healthy, beating heart tissue that could one day be used to treat the condition.

Parents Beware: Your Smoking Habit Brings Harm to Your Children

Wed, 23 May 2012 02:37:30 EDT

Passive smoking has been blamed by medical experts for the deaths of more than half-a-million around the world and soon enough a big number of the fatalities could include individuals who were inadvertently exposed to second-hand smoke their parents when they were young.

FDA Researchers's Discovery Throws Light to Reasons of Drug-Related Autoimmune Reactions

Wed, 23 May 2012 01:30:36 EDT

FDA researchers inching towards identifying the reasons of drug-related autoimmune reactions.

Airlines See Profits in Shipping Animals in Cargo Holds

Tue, 22 May 2012 19:38:03 EDT

From pandas to thoroughbreds, flying animals and wildlife is big business. But there is a dark side.

New Musical Pacifier Plays Lullaby While Babies Suck

Tue, 22 May 2012 19:25:42 EDT

The device could help premature babies learn how to feed.

House Republicans In GOP Women's Caucus Consistently Vote Against Women's Equality, Health

Tue, 22 May 2012 17:39:25 EDT

The Republicans in the recently formed Women's Policy Alliance don't actually support legislation intended to aid women.

Sick Americans Extremely Concerned About Cost, Quality of Health Care: Poll

Tue, 22 May 2012 14:50:40 EDT

In addition to sick Americans, more than 80 percent of the general public said health-care costs are exorbitant.

Monsanto Maize: EU Blocks France Ban On MON 810 "Yieldgard"

Tue, 22 May 2012 11:15:12 EDT

Days after France attempted to ban a genetically-modified strain of maize created by the controversial agricultural company Monsanto, based in St. Louis, Mo., the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) rejected France's grounds for banning the maize, even though France believes the corn is harmful to the environment.

Olympics 2012: Ramadan Sets Muslim Athletes Extra Test At London Games

Tue, 22 May 2012 09:46:00 EDT

When Malaysian cyclist Azizulhasni Awang opted to postpone his Ramadan fast until after the London Games, the decision was all about going for Olympic gold. Anything that might jeopardize the chance of a medal for the 24-year-old at his second Olympics had to be dealt with sensibly, he says.

'Pre-Diabetes" Diabetes Rising Among US Teens [STUDY]

Tue, 22 May 2012 09:38:15 EDT

The percentage of U.S. teenagers with "pre-diabetes" or full-blown type 2 diabetes has more than doubled in recent years -- though obesity and other heart risk factors have held steady, government researchers reported Monday.

Third of Malaria Drugs Fake or Sub-Standard in Asia and Africa

Tue, 22 May 2012 05:04:41 EDT

Study suggests battle against malaria undermined by fake and poor quality drugs across Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

Blasting Music Tied To Drinking And Drugs [STUDY]

Mon, 21 May 2012 09:07:25 EDT

Doctors know that drinking, drugs and risky sex go together in young people -- and a new study suggests loud music should be added to that list.

Aimee Copeland: Georgia Woman With Flesh Eating Bacteria Disease In "Critical" Condition

Mon, 21 May 2012 09:00:30 EDT

Aimee Copeland, a Georgia woman fighting a flesh-eating bacterial infection was in critical condition at Augusta Hospital on Saturday, a hospital spokeswoman said. She may need to amputate her hands and foot, after surgeons already amputated the 24-year-old's left leg at the hip.

Gluten Sensitivity in Mothers Linked to Mental Health Issues for the Child

Mon, 21 May 2012 02:08:40 EDT

Children born to women with gluten sensitivity may be at a higher risk of developing schizophrenia or other psychiatric diseases later in life, according to a study conducted by researchers from the Karolinska Institute and Johns Hopkins Children's Center and published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

Added Sugar is the Number One Culprit in the American Health Crisis

Sun, 20 May 2012 23:47:37 EDT

Cancer. Heart disease. High blood pressure. Obesity. Diabetes. Premature aging. What we take for granted as hallmarks of life in the most affluent country on Earth have been popularly linked to everything from genetics to fast food.

Oxytocin Improves Brain Function in Children with Autism

Sun, 20 May 2012 20:21:39 EDT

Preliminary results from an ongoing, large-scale study by Yale School of Medicine researchers shows that oxytocin — a naturally occurring substance produced in the brain and throughout the body— increased brain function in regions that are known to process social information in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Which Fruits and Vegetables are Naturally the Most Detoxifying?

Thu, 17 May 2012 20:37:50 EDT

Detoxing in our incredibly polluted environment is not an occasional endeavor. In order to maintain a healthy immune system with a slightly alkaline pH, we need to consider constant slow detoxing to counter the "slow kill" from the myriad toxins pervading every element of our environment.

Mysterious Illness Strikes Hundreds of Flight Attendants, Causes Rashes and Hair Loss - are 'Toxic Uniforms' Really to Blame or is it Fukushima?

Thu, 17 May 2012 20:33:19 EDT

Hundreds of Alaska Airlines flight attendants have filed a formal complaint about uniforms they suspect might be causing their skin to rash and develop lesions, and their hair to fall out.

Hope For Alzheimer’s Cure, But Researchers Still Have ‘Many Rivers To Cross’

Thu, 17 May 2012 17:28:44 EDT

A new $100 million drug trial aimed at preventing early-onset Alzheimer's is at the forefront of efforts to treat and cure this disease, which is expected to weigh heavily on the U.S. as Baby Boomers grow older.

Arby's Employee Finger Found in Sandwich: 3 Other Fingers Discovered in Fast Food

Thu, 17 May 2012 16:07:07 EDT

A Michigan teen found his usual Arby's roast beef sandwich a little chewier than usual, only to discover it contained an extra ingredient: an employee's finger.

Marijuana Tops Cocaine As Most Commonly Used Drug Among Arrestees In 10 U.S. Cities

Thu, 17 May 2012 15:32:32 EDT

Marijuana is the most commonly used drug among men arrested in 10 cities in the United States, while cocaine use among arrestees is on the decline, a federal report revealed Wednesday.

Agilent Shares Gain After Dako Acquisition

Thu, 17 May 2012 10:00:42 EDT

Shares of Agilent Technologies (NYSE: A), the No. 1 U.S. instrument maker, surged on Thursday after the company announced it’s biggest acquisition, the $2.2 billion takeover of Denmark’s Dako.

Zytiga: Johnson & Johnson Drug Shows Promise In High-Risk Prostate Cancer

Thu, 17 May 2012 09:42:44 EDT

Adding Johnson & Johnson's advanced prostate cancer drug, Zytiga, to hormone therapy before surgery has been shown for the first time to eradicate tumors in some men with high-risk forms of the disease.

Obama Administration Sets Deadline For Proposals On State Healthcare Exchanges

Thu, 17 May 2012 09:40:43 EDT

The Obama administration forged ahead with healthcare reforms on Wednesday, announcing a November 16 deadline for state governments to submit proposals showing how they intend to operate health insurance exchanges in 2014.

Cloud Applications: IBM Sets New Products, Services For Enterprises

Thu, 17 May 2012 08:05:53 EDT

International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM) announced a series of initiatives for cloud, or Internet-based computing, to lower costs as well as lure more customers.

Hairless, Malnourished Washington Toddler was Treated by Chinese Herbalist

Thu, 17 May 2012 05:25:55 EDT

Washington toddler on life support after being so malnourished he was found weighing just 10lbs, less than half the healthy weight for a boy his age.

New Drug Combination To Treat Lung Cancer

Thu, 17 May 2012 01:13:23 EDT

Cancer Research UK's Drug Development Office researchers develop new drug combination - vandetanib and selumetinib.

Australia Confronts Tobacco Firms: Selling Cheap Cigarettes is a Desperate Act

Thu, 17 May 2012 00:52:14 EDT

The Australian government said on Thursday that issuing much affordable cigarette brands in the market was an act of desperation coming from the British American Tobacco Australia (BATA), which recently unleashed a new brand that sells for only $11.50.

Myth busted: Vaccinations are not Immunizations

Wed, 16 May 2012 22:02:28 EDT

There is only one kind of immunity and that is natural immunity which is achieved by battling the infectious diseases itself. Vaccination is merely the artificial triggering of temporary responses to manmade pathogens. Vaccines are both harmful and dangerous and are leading to generations of humans with no natural defenses to disease.