Page 166 - Health Medical Pharma

Lower obesity rates linked with public transportation use, study shows

A new study now shows that public transportation systems not only provide numerous economic benefits for a community, but may also be instrumental in lowering obesity rates.The study, by researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Georgia Tech, compared and analysed data from 2001 and 2009. The results of the study were published in the journal Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice.The study found that a single percentage-point increase in mass transit ridership is associated with a 0.473 percentage-point lower obesity rate in counties across the United States.Speaking about the study, co-author Sheldon H. Jacobson said, "Opting for mass transit over driving creates opportunities for exercise that may otherwise not exist."According to the researcher, instead of just stepping out of the house and getting into a car, public transportation prompts people to walk from their home to a bus stop and from there to the destination.The study details a ...

Focus: Undeterred by Sanofi's stumble, Takeda takes similar path with dengue shot

CHICAGO (Reuters) - A new vaccine for the dengue virus is taking a potentially risky road to prevent the mosquito-borne disease that infects nearly 400 million people each year.

New system translates brain signals into speech

In a first, scientists have created a system that translates thoughts into intelligible, recognisable speech, an advance that may help people who cannot speak regain their ability to communicate with the outside world. By monitoring someone's brain activity, the technology developed by researchers from Columbia University in the US can reconstruct the words a person hears with unprecedented clarity. The breakthrough, which harnesses the power of speech synthesisers and artificial intelligence, could lead to new ways for computers to communicate directly with the brain. It also lays the groundwork for helping people who cannot speak, such as those living with as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or recovering from stroke, regain their ability to communicate with the outside world, researchers said. "Our voices help connect us to our friends, family and the world around us, which is why losing the power of one's voice due to injury or disease is so devastating," said Nima Mesgarani, ..

Here's how sleep, mood affect older adults

A new research now finds another reason why sleep, mood and stress are important. According to researchers, they affect the extent to which older adults feel they have control over their lives.Researchers say the findings can help efforts to improve an individual's sense of control, which has ramifications for physical, mental and emotional health.The paper, 'Predicting Control Beliefs in Older Adults: A Micro-longitudinal Study,' was published in the Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences on Tuesday.Speaking about the study, Shevaun Neupert, co-author of the study said, "We found that sleep, mood and stress are all important factors in determining a sense of control and in whether older adults feel they can do the things they want to do.""This finding is important because when older adults begin to lose their sense of autonomy, it can lead to changes in behaviour that adversely affect their health and well-being," Neupert added.Researchers evaluated data on 205 people between

Ex-Himachal CM Virbhadra suffers swine flu, discharged

Congress leader and six-time former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who was diagnosed positive for swine flu, has been discharged, doctors said on Tuesday.

Women more prone to depression after stroke: Study

Women, please take note. Women are twice more likely to suffer from severe depression after a stroke than men, as researchers have found that 20 per cent of women suffered from severe depression compared to 10 per cent of men.

Oversized meals a factor in obesity: Study

Restaurants across the world serve oversized meals, reported a study conducted by an international team of researchers and supported by FAPESP - São Paulo Research Foundation.The study, published in the British Medical Journal, weighed and measured energy content of meals being served by eateries in Ribeirão Preto (Brazil), Beijing (China), Kuopio (Finland), Accra (Ghana) and Bangalore (India) and found that 94 per cent of the most popular main dishes served in sit-down restaurants and 72 per cent of those purchased over the counter from fast food outlets contained more than 600 kilocalories (kcal).Notably, this is the benchmark recently recommended by the United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS) to help reduce the global obesity epidemic.The experts found a significant correlation between meal weight and energy content. They concluded that some popular meals were both far larger and more caloric than necessary.Speaking about it, co-author of the study, Vivian Suen said, ...

Here's why men should train harder, for less time

A new study, published in Experimental Physiology by researchers from the University of Glasgow, has highlighted several of the positive health effects of short duration, high-intensity resistance exercise training programme in overweight men.According to the study, a six-week programme consisting of three 15 minute sessions per week dramatically improves insulin sensitivity, as well as muscle size and strength in men.The authors hope that these results can be shown to apply to individuals with Type II diabetes, of whom 90 per cent are overweight or obese.According to the study, short-duration bouts of exercise to exhaustion are just as effective in improving insulin sensitivity (how sensitive the body is to the effects of the hormone, insulin) as longer duration (45 minutes) resistance exercise sessions. Such short sessions might be more appealing and attainable in a world where time is a frequently cited barrier to physical activity.Notably, when insulin sensitivity decreases (as in

Nepal's former crown prince Paras Shah's health critical

Nepal's former crown prince Paras Shah, who suffered a third heart attack on Monday, is still in critical condition, doctors involved in his treatment informed.Paras underwent stenting, a procedure where a metal or plastic tube is inserted into the lumen of an anatomic vessel to keep the passageway open.It was his third stent and the condition of his heart has gone weaker, Dr Yadavdev Bhatta informed. Paras underwent the same procedure in 2008 at Norvic Hospital, Kathmandu and 2016 while he was in Bangkok."It is the continuation of his genetic heart attack and this sort of heart attacks is much more dangerous so he isn't out of danger for the next 72 hours. His blood pressure is normal but high cholesterol has become another problem that we have to deal with. He is still in observation and a team of 15 doctors are looking after him," said Bhatta. Paras is admitted at the CCU of the Norvic International Hospital, where members of the royal family are making visits to check on him.Son ..

U.S. senator asks J&J for documents on talc, baby powder safety

(Reuters) - U.S. Democratic Senator Patty Murray sent a letter to Johnson & Johnson on Tuesday seeking information related to allegations in a Reuters Special Report that the healthcare company knew about the presence of asbestos in its talc-based baby powder.

Way forward to eliminate hepatitis C by 2030

Improvements in screening, prevention and treatment particularly in high-burden countries, such as India, China and Pakistan, can avert 15.1 million new hepatitis C infections and 1.5 million cirrhosis and liver cancer deaths globally by 2030.

Heavy drinking can change your DNA: Study

Are you a heavy drinker? Take note. Besides alcohol taking a toll on your health in many ways, it may also trigger a long-lasting genetic change resulting in an even greater craving for alcohol, researchers including one of Indian-origin have warned.

Cycling, treadmill workstations 'healthier' than standing options

Cycling and treadmill workstations may be 'healthier' than standing versions, as they promote positive physiological changes in the body, a study has found. However, the treadmill versions can interfere with computer work, according to the study published in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Long periods spent sitting down, including at work, are associated with certain health risks, and it is thought that the global cost of sedentary lifestyles is more than USD 65 billion a year. A growing body of research suggests that active workstations may help to counter some of these risks and even boost productivity. However, the pros and cons of each type are not entirely clear. To try and shed some light on their potential impact on health and productivity, the researchers from University of Montreal in Canada trawled databases looking for relevant studies comparing at least two out of treadmill, cycling, and standing workstations. Twelve studies (out of 274 initially ...

Thailand suspends patent applications for medical marijuana

Thailand's military government on Monday suspended the licensing of commercial marijuana-based products for medical use amid concern that foreign pharmaceutical companies might try to monopolise the market. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha's decree orders the director of the Department of Intellectual Property to invalidate all patent applications for medical marijuana products, declaring that for the time being commercial products from marijuana or having the same molecular structure as the plant are not supported under intellectual property laws. The decree says it will remain in effect until legislation on medical marijuana comes into force. Parliament last month legalized the regulated use of medical marijuana but the legislation must be signed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn to become law. At that point, new applications are expected to be allowed that meet conditions specified under the law. The order was issued under special powers the military government that seized power in 2014 .

Experts deliberate multi-dimensional aspects of healthcare

Experts in the field of modern healthcare have pitched for the development of integrated artificial intelligence (AI) devices in hospitals to make medical services more affordable for people. The role of AI and the multi-dimensional aspects of the present health care system in the country was discussed at at a symposium, 'Hospital Planning and Beyond', organised by IIT-Kharagpur here on Monday. Dipendra K Mitra, Head - Department of Transplant and Immunology, AIIMS, New Delhi, said in today's age of technological advancement, doctors and engineers need to work together for developing integrated AI devices, and installing them in government hospitals and rural clinics. "This would enable medical professionals to cater to more patients, making healthcare accessible and affordable to the under-served population and avoid overcrowding of specialised hospitals," Mitra said. Carving community spaces and promoting walkways, cycle lanes and battery-operated vehicles in cities is

Cycling, treadmill workstations promote health and cut stress

Want to improve health, reduce stress and boost productivity of your employees? Try active workstations like cycling and treadmill as they also boost physiological changes in the body than sitting or standing workstations, researchers suggests.

Persistent sore throat could indicate laryngeal cancer

A persistent sore throat combined with shortness of breath, problems in swallowing or an ear ache is an indication of laryngeal cancer rather than hoarseness alone, a new study warns.

NCDRC directs doctor to pay Rs 3 lakh to patient for negligent treatment and wrong billing

The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) has directed a doctor to pay a compensation of Rs 3 lakh to a patient for being negligent in treating him, wrongly billing him for the treatment and causing him "mental agony" and "pain". A bench of the apex consumer commission comprising President R K Agrawal and member M Shreesha asked the doctor, Geeta Jindal, to pay the compensation for the medical expenses incurred by the patient and the inflated billing. The New India Insurance Company Limited would be liable to pay the amount as the doctor was covered by an indemnity policy, the bench noted. The tribunal said the doctor was not only "negligent" in treating the patient but had also wrongly billed the victim for the "treatment that was never rendered" and therefore, it amounted to an unfair trade practice. The tribunal allowed the revision petition of Haryana resident Dinesh Joshi, seeking a review of the state consumer disputes redressal commission's order dated May 10,

Controlling blood pressure reduces cognitive impairment risk

Intensive control of blood pressure in older people significantly reduced the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a precursor of early dementia, finds a new study.

How our diet may reduce Alzheimer's risk

Higher levels of a satiety hormone -- which induces the feeling of being full -- may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to a study which suggests that our diet may affect memory. Researchers from Iowa State University in the US looked at the satiety hormone, Cholecystokinin (CCK), in 287 people. CCK is found in both the small intestines and the brain. In the small intestines, CCK allows for the absorption of fats and proteins. In the brain, CCK is located in the hippocampus, which is the memory-forming region of the brain, said Auriel Willette, assistant professor at Iowa State. For individuals who have higher CCK levels, their chance of having mild cognitive impairment, a precursor state to Alzheimer's disease, or Alzheimer's disease decreased by 65 per cent. "It will hopefully help to shed further light on how satiety hormones in the blood and brain affect brain function," Willette said. Alexandra Plagman, lead author of the study published in the journal ..