Page 191 - Health Medical Pharma
This 'superfood' can relax your arteries, lower blood pressure
Suffering from hypertension? Take heart, Italian researchers have identified Spirulina, a "superfood" made from algae, that could help to reduce blood pressure.
Morning women more likely to become pregnant than 'night owls': Study
Planning motherhood? Becoming a morning person could make it easier to conceive than for night owls, says a study.
Researchers reveal new mechanism to 'activate' immune system against cancer
A recent study now says that a new mechanism for activating the immune system against cancer cells allows immune cells to detect and destroy cancer cells better than before.The study, published in the journal Nature, was led by Professor Nick Haining, of Harvard Medical School, and was co-authored by Prof. Erez Levanon, doctoral student Ilana Buchumansky, of the Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences at Bar-Ilan University, and an international team.The study focused on a mechanism that routinely serves the cell by marking human virus-like-genes in order to avoid identifying them as viruses.Now, Prof. Levanon, together with the Harvard team, has discovered that when inhibiting this mechanism, the immune system can be harnessed to fight cancer cells in a particularly efficient manner, and most effectively in lung cancer and melanoma.Speaking about it, Levanon added, "We found that if the mechanism is blocked, the immune system is much more sensitive. When the mechanism is ...
Beet sugar vs cane sugar: Here's which one is healthier
While both beet sugar and cane sugar are found in a variety of food, the question remains as to what is the difference between the two and which one is healthier.Notably, beet sugar is derived from the sugar beet plant and along with the sugarcane, it is the most common pant used in the production of white sugar. Sugar beets are also used to produce other types of refined sugar, such as molasses and brown sugar.However, since the source of the sugar is not disclosed on food products, it can be difficult to determine which sugar they contain.According to a story published in healthline, one of the biggest differences between beet and cane sugar is their processing and production method. While beet sugar is made using a process that involves thinly slicing sugar beets to extract its natural juices, cane sugar is produced using a similar method but sometimes processed using bone char, an ingredient made by charring the bones of animals. Bone char helps bleach and filter white ...
'Bionic face' may help treat facial paralysis
An implantable device may help restore natural facial movement in patients with one-sided facial paralysis, scientists say. According to a study published in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, experiments in animals show promising results with a "bionic face" approach to facial reanimation -- using electrical signals from the uninjured side of the face to trigger muscle movement on the paralysed side. Such an approach would represent a paradigm shift in management of hemifacial palsy, according Nate Jowett of Harvard Medical School in the US, who led the research. Hemifacial palsy is a "devastating clinical condition" leading to functional, aesthetic, and communication problems. While reconstructive surgery approaches such as nerve and muscle transfers can restore some facial movement, these techniques have important shortcomings. For example, while patients may regain some ability to smile, it requires a conscious effort to do so. The development and "proof of ...
Insomnia can impact migraine prevalence
According to a recent study, sleep disorders, especially insomnia, can impact the pervasiveness of migraine.According to a study published in The American Journal of Managed Care, in addition to genetic factors, daily behaviour can affect the prevalence of migraine.As part the study, a report of the National Health Insurance Service found that the prevalence of migraine has gradually increased from 488,733 in 2010 to 535,305 in 2016. And as a result, its financial burden has increased from $23 million to $37 million."It is expected that various health problems will increase with these trends, and that proper management and methods to prevent migraines are needed," the researchers asserted.As part of the study, the researchers, using the NHIS National Sample Cohort 2002-2015, pulled data on 1,000,000 individuals randomly selected from the South Korean population in 2006.The researchers concluded that 11.72 per cent of patients were diagnosed with migraine during the study period and ...
Recurrent miscarriage might be linked to faulty sperm: Study
According to a recent study, recurrent miscarriage may be linked to the poor quality of a man's sperm.As part of the study, the researchers investigated the sperm quality of 50 men whose partners had suffered three or more consecutive miscarriages.Recurrent miscarriage affects around one in 50 couples in the UK and is defined as the consecutive loss of three or more pregnancies before 20 weeks gestation.Until recently recurrent miscarriage was thought to be caused by health issues with the mother, such as infection or immune problems.However, doctors are now realising that sperm health may also play a role in this complication. Channa Jayasena, lead author of the research said, "Traditionally doctors have focused attention on women when looking for the causes of recurrent miscarriage. The men's health - and the health of their sperm wasn't analysed.""However, this research adds to a growing body of evidence that suggests sperm health dictates the health of a pregnancy. For instance, ..
Novel device to make blood testing pain-free for diabetics
A novel microneedle patch to reliably monitor blood-sugar levels may soon offer diabetics a pain-free alternative to pricking their fingers several times a day to take a blood test, scientists say. The prototype, designed by researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden, was successfully tested on a human subject, and completion of the system for clinical tests is now underway. Continuous monitoring is a way to safely and reliably lower blood glucose -- giving the user a full picture of their glucose levels throughout the day and helping them avoid severe hypoglycemia. However, the continuous glucose monitoring systems (known as CGMS) in use are uncomfortable, since they require a minimum 7mm needle inserted into the skin. Due to their size, they take measurements in the fat tissue -- not the most ideal location. The newly developed microneedle patch that is 50 times smaller than the needles used in today's CGM systems, researchers said. The combination of the patch and .
Doctors counter govt statement that they work for 40 hrs a week
Doctors have countered a government statement that they work for a maximum of 40 hours a week, claiming that their work hours often add up to as much as 100 hours a week. Minister of State for Health Ashwini Kumar Choubey recently informed the Lok Sabha that the working hours for doctors and other medical practitioners employed at three Centre-run hospitals -- Ram Manohar Lohia, Safdarjung and Lady Hardinge Medical College -- and the associated hospitals in Delhi normally did not exceed 40 hours a week. Responding to a question, the minister, however, added that the duty timing and working hours of doctors and medical professionals were governed by the exigencies of their work and depended on whether they were on emergency duty. Choubey's claim has drawn the ire of doctors, especially the resident doctors, who claimed that they put in more than double the hours, contrary to what Parliament has been informed. The minister, in his reply, also stated that "there has been no reported case
New device to make glucose monitoring 'painless' for diabetics
Researchers have designed a microneedle patch for people with diabetes to enable them to monitor their glucose levels throughout the day in a "painless" manner.
8000 patients treated by Lifeline Express in remote Tripura
Biswajit Chanda, a 30-year-old labourer, was worried that it might take him years to pull together money for his son's cleft lip surgery, but a train that chugged into Tripura's Churaibari station last month brought smile back on his two-year-old boy's face. Chanda happens to be just one among 8,000 cases attended over the past 20 days by Lifeline Express - a hospital train that travels to inaccessible rural areas where medical services are limited. Set up by NGO Impact India Foundation and Indian Railways and Ministry of Health in 1991, the express train has conducted 199 heath camps in different parts of the country since its inauguration. "Lifeline Express arranged for my accommodation and food for a week and performed the surgery on my son without any cost," said the 30-year-old daily wage labourer, who hails from Nandigram village in neighbouring Assam. Anil Premsagar, the joint director of the hospital train, said 1200 patients have undergone cataract operation in
Scoreboard of Australia's second innings at tea on day four of the fourth Test against ...
Scoreboard of Australia's second innings at tea on day four of the fourth Test against India here on Sunday. India first innings: 622/7 decl Australia first innings: 300 all out in 104.5 overs Australia 2nd Innings: Usman Khawaja batting 4 Marcus Harris batting 2 Extras 0 Total 6 (0 wickets, 4 overs) Bowlers: Mohammed Shami 2-1-4-0, Jasprit Bumrah 2-1-2-0.
Following-on, Australia 6/0 at tea
Australia were six for no loss in their second innings at tea on day four of the fourth and final Test against India here on Sunday. An early tea was taken due to bad light after the morning session was washed out. Australia were all out for 300 in their first innings. Brief scores: India 622/7 decl. Australia 300 all out in 104.5 overs (Harris 79; Kuldeep 5/99) and 6/0 in four overs.
Here's how influenza infection weakens one's body
An individual with influenza infection faces severe weakness owing to an increase in the expression of muscle-degrading genes and a decrease in expression of muscle-building genes in skeletal muscles, a study has concluded.It is well-known that muscle aches and weakness are prominent symptoms of influenza infection. However, the cause of weakness in the body is primarily created by these muscle-degrading genes.Researchers at the University of Connecticut noted that every year, 5 to 20 per cent of the people in the United States are infected with influenza virus. An average of 20,000 of these people require hospitalisation, while up to 50,000 die.Furthermore, researchers observed that people over the age of 65 are especially susceptible to influenza infection since the immune system weakens with age. In addition, they are more susceptible to long-term disability following influenza infection, especially if they are hospitalised.Interestingly, many of the body's defences that attack the
Respect may potentially save lives of elderly
Respecting elders has always been held as a benchmark for good behaviour. And now, there is scientific evidence that respect can potentially save lives among the elderly and keep them both physically and mentally healthy.A report published in CNN cites an analysis, conducted by the global journalism network Orb Media which found that countries with high levels of respect for the elderly recorded better health among older populations and lower poverty levels for over-60s.Speaking about the findings, Becca Levy, professor of public health and psychology at Yale School of Public Health, said negative attitudes are due to "the growing medicalisation of older adults" and "the growing anti-aging industry that promotes and actually profits from a fear of aging."She further added that negative stereotypes can be dangerous to older people in a number of ways, including shortening their lives.The study found Levy analysing interviews with 660 people from Oxford, Ohio, that were conducted over ..
Bodies may cure themselves of diabetes in future
Diabetes is caused by the insulin cells' inability to produce insulin; a hormone that is necessary is regulating blood sugar levels. Diabetics usually have to take insulin supplements to regulate these levels in their body.Now, a study, headed by researchers at the University of Bergen, in collaboration with other international researchers, have discovered that glucagon producing cells in the pancreas, can change identity and adapt so that they do the job for their neighbouring damaged or missing insulin cells.Speaking about the study, researcher Luiza Ghila at the Raeder Research Lab, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen (UiB) said that they are possibly facing the start of a totally new form of treatment for diabetes, where the body can produce its own insulin, with some start-up help.According to the researchers, only about 2 per cent the neighbouring cells in the pancreas could change identity. However, even with that miniscule amount, researchers are optimistic ...
Dire need to improve medical infra in country: ICJ India member
Stating that India's medical field is the most "neglected" area in public life, Indian member of the International Court of Justice Dalveer Bhandari said there was a "dire need" to make healthcare affordable for all and improve infrastructure. Speaking on 'Common Man's Perception of Medical Profession' at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences here, Bhandari said there was a pressing to need to strengthen the Indian Medical Association and Medical Council of India. He said Indians hardly have access to quality healthcare. "Competent, ethical and respected medical professionals should man these associations. MCI should take serious action against non-doctors who are practising medicine," he said. Noting that there are one million doctors in India to treat 1.3 billion people, Bhandari said the problem of non-availability of doctors can be solved by hiring retired competent doctors known for their integrity until young doctors take their place. He flagged the issue of ...
Five new medical colleges gets 675 posts of nursing staff in JK
The Jammu and Kashmir governor's administration has created 675 posts of nursing staff for five newly created government medical colleges in the state. The State Administrative Council (SAC), which met here under the chairmanship of Governor Satya Pal Malik, accorded sanction to the creation of 675 posts of nursing staff for the newly created government medical colleges at Anantnag, Baramulla, Doda, Kathua and Rajouri, an officials spokesman said Saturday. As per the Medical Council of India (MCI) norms, nursing staff strength of 175 is required during first year of establishment of a new medical college. The existing strength was not sufficient to meet the MCI requirement and a need was felt to create 675 posts. Once the requirements of the MCI are fulfilled, the Health and Medical Education Department would approach it for final inspection of the five medical colleges and issuance of Letter of Permission (LoP) to start their first batches, the spokesman said. After these medical ...
Make separate OPD, ICU for swine flu patients: Rajasthan health minister to officials
Rajasthan government on Saturday directed health department officials to make arrangements like isolation wards, separate OPD and ICUs for swine flu patients in hospitals in the wake of spurt in H1N1 influenza cases in the state. Swine flu has claimed three lives and 120 positive cases were found in the state in last four days. Health Minister Raghu Sharma has also directed chief medical and health officers to set up rapid action force for door-to-door screening in the flu affected areas, a spokesperson of the department said. "The minister gave necessary directions to the official for making arrangements like separate OPDs, isolation wards for swine flu patients. Arrangement for swine flu testing has been made at all major hospitals in the state," the spokesperson said. The stock of medicines is adequate to deal with the situation, he said. Last Saturday, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has also directed health department officials to check the spread of swine flu in the state .