From the monthly archives:

September 2010

Dogs May Not Be’ Man’s Best Friend’ During Hay Fever Season

September 29, 2010 Asthma Research

Ragweed allergy season can be even more miserable for those with dog, cat or dust mite allergies, according to new research. These year-round allergies appear to “pre-prime” the immune system so symptoms hit harder, according to a study recently published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).

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Pet Allergies Worsen Hay Fever Symptoms, Study Finds

September 29, 2010 Asthma Research

Being allergic to dogs or cats may worsen your ragweed allergies, according to a study from Queen’s University. Researchers found that people with pet allergies often develop ragweed allergy symptoms more quickly than others. But the study also suggests that once allergy season is in full swing, those symptom differences subside.

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New Key To Tissue Regeneration: Drug Treatment Triggers Sodium Ions To Regrow Nerves And Muscle

September 29, 2010 Muscles

Sodium gets a bad rap for contributing to hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Now biologists at Tufts University’s School of Arts and Sciences have discovered that sodium also plays a key role in initiating a regenerative response after severe injury. The Tufts scientists have found a way to regenerate injured spinal cord and muscle by using small molecule drugs to trigger an influx of sodium ions into injured cells.

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Celiac Disease Rate Is Growing, Particularly Among Elderly, Study Reveals

September 29, 2010 Arthritis Research

Working to solve the puzzle of when people develop celiac disease has led researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine Center for Celiac Research to some surprising findings. They have found that the autoimmune disorder is on the rise with evidence of increasing cases in the elderly. An epidemiological study published September 27 in the Annals of Medicine supports both trends — with interesting implications for possible treatment and prevention.

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Report Predicts Huge Increase In Osteoporotic Fractures Due To Aging Populations

September 29, 2010 News & Research

Preliminary findings from an upcoming new report by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) show alarming projections and reveal the poor state of post-fracture care in the Russian Federation and many other countries in the region. The findings were announced at a press conference in St. Petersburg at the IOF Summit of Eastern European and Central Asian Osteoporosis Patient Societies.

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Light Workout: Scientists Use Optogenetics To Effectively Stimulate Muscle Movement In Mice

September 29, 2010 Muscles

Researchers at Stanford University were able to use light to induce normal patterns of muscle contraction, in a study involving bio-engineered mice whose nerve-cell surfaces are coated with special light-sensitive proteins.

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Doctors Often Overprescribe Antibiotics For Respiratory Infections, Pennsylvania Study Finds

September 23, 2010 Immune System

Doctors frequently misuse antibiotics when treating patients hospitalized with respiratory tract infections (RTIs), according to a study to be published in the November issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.

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Landmark Report Reveals Massive Global Cost Of Alzheimer’s: One Percent of Global GDP — And Growing

September 23, 2010 Cognitive Function

A landmark report on the Global Economic Impact of Dementia finds that Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are exacting a massive toll on the global economy, with the problem set to accelerate in coming years.

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Exercise Counters Negative Effects of Weight Regain, Researchers Find

September 23, 2010 News & Research

With the obesity rate rising for American adults and children, health concerns such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease are a frequent reality. Although obesity itself is a major risk factor for disease, most of the threat may be associated with a cluster of risk factors called the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Losing weight can improve health and reduce these risk factors, but many people have difficulty keeping the weight off.

Tagged as: Obesity

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Putting On The Pounds After Weight Loss? Hit The Gym To Maintain Health Gains

September 23, 2010 News & Research

Although obesity is a major risk factor for disease, much of the threat may be associated with the metabolic (or cardiometabolic) syndrome, a cluster of risk factors related to diabetes and heart disease. Losing weight can improve health and reduce many of these risk factors. However, many people struggle to keep the weight off long-term. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri have found that people who perform resistance training while regaining weight can help maintain strides in reducing their risks for chronic disease.

Tagged as: Obesity

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Gum Disease Found To Be Significant Public Health Concern

September 23, 2010 Gum Disease

The prevalence of periodontal disease in the United States may be significantly higher than originally estimated. Research published in the Journal of Dental Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) suggests that the prevalence of periodontal disease may have been underestimated by as much as 50 percent. The implication is that more American adults may suffer from moderate to severe gum disease than previously thought.

Tagged as: Gums

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Seasonal Flu Vaccine Lowers Risk Of First Heart Attack, Study Finds

September 22, 2010 Cardiovascular Research

The seasonal flu vaccine is associated with a 19% reduction in the rate of first heart attack and early vaccination in the fall further increases the benefits, found a study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

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