http://bodyhealthsoul.com/ Latest Health News|Health Ebooks and Weblogs en foa0911@hotmail.com Copyright 2008 2008-07-18T18:14:00-08:00 http://bodyhealthsoul.com/?/site/epa_says_global_warming_poses_major_health_threat/ http://bodyhealthsoul.com/?/site/epa_says_global_warming_poses_major_health_threat/#When:18:14:00Z EPA Says Global Warming Poses Major Health Threat New details have emerged indicating that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency warns in a new report that an increase in heat waves, more powerful hurricanes, disease, and depletion of drinking water are likely in the coming decades as a result of global climate change. As was stated in the report issued Thursday, "It is very likely" that more people will die from weather conditions such as heat waves, said the report, issued Thursday. The elderly, economically disadvantaged, and inner-city dwellers are most at risk. It is noteworthy of mention that the newspaper said on an ironic note, the EPA decided last week not to immediately assume authority over carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act. Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.), who chairs the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, elaborated: "Today typifies the climate-change schizophrenia in the Bush Administration. On one hand, government scientists are saying that global warming poses grave threats to our health and our welfare, and, on the other hand, there are White House political hacks following the oil industry's bidding to do nothing." On a concluding note, the newspaper quoted White House spokesman Tony Fratto as saying that EPA administrator Stephen Johnson made the decision about greenhouse gasses on his own. For The Latest Health News Keep it Locked Here at BodyHealthsoul.com 2008-07-18T18:14:00-08:00 http://bodyhealthsoul.com/?/site/ovulation_governing_gene_said_to_have_been_identified/ http://bodyhealthsoul.com/?/site/ovulation_governing_gene_said_to_have_been_identified/#When:18:14:00Z Ovulation Governing Gene Said To Have Been Identified New details have emerged that the gene that governs ovulation -- the release of a mature egg from a female's ovary -- has been identified by researchers in Canada and France. Very tellingly, this is the case as to what has been reported by the Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper. It is noteworthy of mention that the newspaper says, the finding means that a drug affecting the gene could be developed to treat infertility caused by a female's inability to ovulate. On the other hand, the newspaper also stated that genetically based contraceptive could stimulate the gene to prevent ovulation. The Globe and Mail reported that researchers at the University of Montreal and at the Université Louis Pasteur deleted the gene, called Lrh1, from mice. This stopped ovulation, affected hormone cycles, seemed to prevent eggs from maturing, and stopped them from leaving the ovaries. At this stage, the next step, according to the scientists say, is to collect ovarian cells from fertility clinics to see if these cells contain a defective Lrh1 gene. For interested persons, the research is published in the current issue of the journal Genes and Development. For The Latest Health News Keep it Locked Here at BodyHealthsoul.com 2008-07-18T18:14:00-08:00 http://bodyhealthsoul.com/?/site/birth_record_said_to_have_been_set_last_year_by_united_states/ http://bodyhealthsoul.com/?/site/birth_record_said_to_have_been_set_last_year_by_united_states/#When:18:13:00Z Birth Record Said To Have Been Set Last Year By United States The Associated Press has reported that according to a National Center for Health Statistics report cited by the wire service, there were more births in the United States last year than at any time in the nation's history. As agency demographer Stephanie Ventura said, Some 4,315,000 babies were born in 2007. It is noteworthy of mention that while that amounts to roughly 15,000 more births than during the peak baby-boom year of 1957, Ventura discounted the notion of a new baby boom. She went on to note that that there were far fewer women of childbearing age 50 years ago. "What this really reflects is that the population has grown so much in the United States, so you naturally expect more births," she said. "It's hard to call this a baby boom at this point." For The Latest Health News Keep it Locked Here at BodyHealthsoul.com 2008-07-18T18:13:00-08:00 http://bodyhealthsoul.com/?/site/study_says_bullies_are_at_greater_health_risk_than_victims/ http://bodyhealthsoul.com/?/site/study_says_bullies_are_at_greater_health_risk_than_victims/#When:18:12:00Z Study Says Bullies Are At Greater Health Risk Than Victims New details have emerged indicating that according to researchers at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C, bullies are more likely than their victims to become substance abusers and develop accidental or self-injuries that require hospitalization. It was also state by the study that people who bully also are more likely than their victims to hurt other people or animals, use weapons, avoid school, and get poor grades. "We see that the [obvious] victims are not the only victims," lead author Jorge Srabstein said in a statement cited by United Press International. "The bullies are also victims of their own emotional problems." To close this report, the research was published in the International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health. For The Latest Health News Keep it Locked Here at BodyHealthsoul.com 2008-07-18T18:12:00-08:00 http://bodyhealthsoul.com/?/site/possible_volunteer_risk_over_hiv_vaccine_trial_canceled/ http://bodyhealthsoul.com/?/site/possible_volunteer_risk_over_hiv_vaccine_trial_canceled/#When:18:11:00Z Possible Volunteer Risk Over HIV Vaccine Trial Canceled The New York Times has reported that the sponsors of a planned human trial for an AIDS vaccine canceled the project Thursday. Reportedly, they stated that they doubted the vaccine's effectiveness and noted that the trial could actually put volunteers at risk of acquiring HIV. Very pointedly stated, the trial, called PAVE (Partnership for AIDS Vaccine Evaluation), was to be conducted by a consortium of U.S. agencies and private organizations. It is noteworthy of mention that it was to have begun enlisting 8,500 volunteers last October to evaluate a vaccine developed by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Background investigation into this report goes on to suggest that according to the Times, the trial was shelved, however, after a similar vaccine developed by Merck & Co. failed to prevent the infection and lower blood levels of HIV among people who had already acquired the AIDS-causing virus. Furthermore, data from the Merck vaccine trial also suggested that the shot might have increased some users' risk of acquiring an HIV infection. Scientists went on to tell the newspaper that attempts to create an effective HIV/AIDS vaccine have been in the making for more than 25 years, and developing one still appears years away. For The Latest Health News Keep it Locked Here at BodyHealthsoul.com 2008-07-18T18:11:00-08:00 http://bodyhealthsoul.com/?/site/risk_of_pregnancy_complication_could_be_cut_by_dietary_fiber/ http://bodyhealthsoul.com/?/site/risk_of_pregnancy_complication_could_be_cut_by_dietary_fiber/#When:00:42:00Z Risk of Pregnancy Complication Could Be Cut By Dietary Fiber New details have emerged indicating that according to a related expert, eating more fiber during the first trimester of pregnancy seems to reduce the risk of developing preeclampsia. This in itself is a potentially fatal condition characterized by elevated blood pressure. One expert said the finding appears to be another good reason for pregnant women to maintain good fiber intake. As was noted by Jennifer Wu, an obstetrician/gynecologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City: "There's not really a downside to taking more fiber. Many women suffer from constipation in pregnancy, and it can only help that. If you can increase your fiber anyway for constipation, it may also decrease preeclampsia." It is noteworthy that according to related expert, there are other benefits to increasing fiber intake, including lowering blood pressure. In addition, according to the Preeclampsia Foundation, some 5 percent to 8 percent of women experience the dangerous condition during pregnancy. Risk factors for the condition include obesity, a family history of type 2 diabetes and/or hypertension, depression, anxiety, diets low in fruits and vegetables, and low levels of physical activity. For this study, more than 1,500 pregnant women in Washington State filled out a 121-item questionnaire listing the types of food they ate, both before they conceived and during the early weeks of their pregnancy. On a concluding note, the authors, from the Swedish Medical Center and the University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine in Seattle, noted that adding an extra 5 grams of fiber a day was associated with a 14 percent reduction in the risk of developing preeclampsia. For The Latest Health News Keep it Locked Here at BodyHealthsoul.com 2008-07-18T00:42:00-08:00 http://bodyhealthsoul.com/?/site/ban_on_visitors_with_hiv_would_be_relaxed_by_senate_bill/ http://bodyhealthsoul.com/?/site/ban_on_visitors_with_hiv_would_be_relaxed_by_senate_bill/#When:18:13:00Z Ban on Visitors With HIV Would Be Relaxed by Senate Bill The Associated Press has reported on Wednesday, that an amendment to a global AIDS bill working its way through the U.S. Senate would ease a two-decade-old ban on people with HIV/AIDS entering the country. It is noteworthy that Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) have attached the repeal to a measure that combats AIDS and other diseases in impoverished areas including Africa. The AP stated that the United States is among about a dozen nations that don’t allow entry by visitors and immigrants with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. In addition they mentioned that others include Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Libya, and Russia, the AP said. Kerry was quoted as saying Tuesday at a policy speech that: “There is no excuse for a law that stigmatizes a particular disease.” China is among nations that recently relaxed its entry policy for people with HIV/AIDS, he said. The AP said in attempting to relax the ban that has been in place since 1987, the Kerry-Smith proposal would equate HIV with other infectious diseases. Background investigation into this report adds in addition that former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton sought to change the policy, but Congress balked. On a concluding note, the wire service said that current opposition includes Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), who says ending the ban could cost the government more than $80 million over the next decade. For The Latest Health News Keep it Locked Here at BodyHealthsoul.com 2008-07-17T18:13:00-08:00 http://bodyhealthsoul.com/?/site/some_toddlers_may_be_fine_with_low_fat_milk/ http://bodyhealthsoul.com/?/site/some_toddlers_may_be_fine_with_low_fat_milk/#When:18:12:00Z Some Toddlers May Be Fine With Low Fat Milk Based on recently updated guidelines, it has been suggested that contrary to the previous belief that babies ready to graduate from breast milk or formula to cow's milk and the previous suggestion that they receive whole milk, instead of reduced-fat or fat-free milk, parents have now been advised that toddlers who are overweight or obese, or those who have a family history of obesity, high cholesterol or cardiovascular disease, should switch to reduced-fat milk between 1 and 2 years of age. It is noteworthy of mention that based on background investigation into this report, the new guidelines -- from the clinical report Lipid Screening and Cardiovascular Health in Childhood in the July issue of Pediatrics -- are part of a long list of new recommendations aimed at keeping children's cholesterol levels down to protect their long-term heart health. Nutritionist , Ann Condon-Meyers, of the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh stated that: "If you read the guidelines, the AAP has definitely changed their idea on this. They're saying if you're between 12 months and 12 years, and you have certain risk factors, the use of reduced-fat milk would be appropriate." It should be noted though that this is a departure from previous thinking that held that whole milk, and the fat it contained, was essential to the proper development of a baby's brain, especially since milk is such a major component of the toddler diet. To this effect, a further analysis of this story depicts that Condon-Meyers said past recommendations weren't based on evidence from studies, but developed more from experience and common sense. Condon-Meyers said she would want to carefully evaluate the diet of a child who's a vegetarian because cow's milk may be his or her best source of saturated fat, and children need a small amount of saturated fat to develop properly. "Our research on children and cholesterol is definitely in its childhood phase. It's really a work in progress," she added. To bring our report to a close, Condon Meyers stated that after age 2, parents should start giving toddlers whatever milk the rest of the family drinks, and at that time, even skim (fat-free) milk is fine: "Provided it's not the mainstay of a child's diet, children can make the transition to low-fat or skim milk, regardless of other risk factors.” For The Latest Health News Keep it Locked Here at BodyHealthsoul.com 2008-07-17T18:12:00-08:00 http://bodyhealthsoul.com/?/site/recovery_said_to_be_sped_up_by_kidney_donation_through_the_navel_speeds_rec/ http://bodyhealthsoul.com/?/site/recovery_said_to_be_sped_up_by_kidney_donation_through_the_navel_speeds_rec/#When:18:12:00Z Recovery said to be sped up by Kidney Donation Through the Navel Speeds Recovery The Associated Press has reported that a new procedure for people who donate a kidney involves removing the organ through the belly button. Very tellingly, it is stated that according to the doctor at the Cleveland Clinic, the operation requires a single incision that's smaller than an inch -- instead of as many as six "keyhole" incisions for more traditional surgery -- and it makes for a faster recovery. It is noteworthy of mention that they have performed the procedure 10 times and have scheduled the 11th for Thursday. The wire service has stated that preliminary data from the first nine patients showed they recovered in about a month, versus about three months for donors who had a typical laparoscopic procedure. In addition, people who had the new procedure were on pain medication for an average of about four days, compared with 26 days for laparoscopic patients. To add to this bit of information, it should be stressed that according to the related experts, the belly button procedure isn't recommended for people who have had major abdominal surgery, or for the obese. On a concluding note, the wire service stated that the list of people awaiting kidney transplants in the United States exceeds 80,000. However, only about 13,300 donors were available last year. For The Latest Health News Keep it Locked Here at BodyHealthsoul.com 2008-07-17T18:12:00-08:00 http://bodyhealthsoul.com/?/site/aids_risk_in_blacks_may_be_boosted_by_genetic_trait1/ http://bodyhealthsoul.com/?/site/aids_risk_in_blacks_may_be_boosted_by_genetic_trait1/#When:22:29:00Z Aids Risk In Blacks May Be Boosted By Genetic Trait New details have emerged indicating that people of African descent are much more likely to have a genetic trait that makes them more susceptible to infection with the HIV virus. According to the report, it was estimated by related scientists that the trait -- which also provides protection against a form of malaria -- might account for 11 percent of the HIV cases in Africa, which based on statistics is the continent hardest hit by the AIDS epidemic. At this stage, on an overall observation, study co-author Matthew J. Dolan, of the Wilford Hall United States Air Force Medical Center and San Antonio Military Medical Center stated that it has been demonstrated that the finding shows how the past history of evolution and disease still affects people today. "The benefit that the Africans got from a mutation that gave them some resistance to malaria has, statistically at least, rendered them some increased susceptibility to HIV.” For interested persons, the findings were published in the July 17 issue of Cell Host & Microbe. For The Latest Health News Keep it Locked Here at BodyHealthsoul.com 2008-07-16T22:29:00-08:00