Archive for September 2008

India is home to the world’s third largest population of HIV/AIDS patients. However, finding a partner is not an easy task for an HIV-positive person in India for various reasons, including stigmatization of the disease and the logistics of communication-millions of people do not have access to the internet and may be unable to use a computer. Anil Kumar Valiv, founder of Positivesaathi.com was inspired by his HIV-positive friend’s desire for a normal life when creating the site. He states that that the website may even decrease the spread of HIV. “Often parents give in to social pressure and knowingly marry off sons with HIV infection to healthy women who in turn get infected. Exclusive marriage portals for HIV positive people will at least give these people the freedom to choose their own life partners and save many innocent lives,” he said. Read more and Share your perspective.

Cadbury, the world’s largest confectionery manufacturer, is recalling 11 products that are produced in China due to contamination with melamine, an industrial chemical which has sickened thousands of Chinese children and was previously responsible for the world-wide pet food scare. The recalled chocolates are only being sold in Asia and does not affect other parts of the world. The countries affected include Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Nauru and Christmas Island. For a complete list of the candies see the full story and Share your opinion.

Scientists testified yesterday to the US House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform regarding the dangers of cell phone electromagnetic radiation. The warning is that we must not ignore the potential dangers of cell phones in causing cancer. They cited studies showing an increased risk of acoustic (hearing) nerve and salivary gland tumors on the side of the head to which a cell phone is most often set against. Very importantly, a new British study has found that children less than 20 years old were 5 times more likely to develop brain cancer at the age of 29 than those who didn’t use a cell phone. This is because electromagnetic radiation is able to penetrate deeper into the brains of a child, compared to an adult. Funding for cell phone studies in the US have been scant, and much larger trials are needed. Despite this, leading scientists say there is enough potential danger that we cannot afford to delay warnings, comparing the public health risks to smoking and lung cancer. Read more. Share your opinion.

Flu season is fast approaching. Each year from October through February, and even later, millions of Americans will catch an influenza virus. The CDC advises anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu to get the vaccine, and for the first time this year, children aged 5 to 18 years should also get flu shots. This is why almost 146 million doses of the vaccine are expected to be available this season. Influenza can cause fever, chills, muscle and joint aches, in addition to cold symptoms. Full story, Discuss this story.

A study of the antidepressant Paxil by researchers at Cornell Medical Center show that the drug increases the number of sperm with damaged DNA. Sperm with DNA damage are found in any sperm sample. However, in men who took Paxil for 4 weeks, it was found that almost one-third of their sperm had damage to the DNA. However, the question is whether this has any affect on overall fertility, and whether the remaining healthy sperm would be enough to produce a viable embryo. Since this is a small study, larger studies are needed to answer these questions. Researchers say that individuals who are taking this drug should consult with their doctors if they are concerned about infertility. Full story.

Indoor tanning before the age of 35 is associated with significant increases in the risk of melanoma, a dangerous type of skin cancer that can easily spread to other parts of the body. However, studies show that each day more than one million Americans still use tanning salons. According to the American Academy of Dermatology 70% of indoor tanners are women between the ages of 16 to 29. An alternative to UV tanning is sunless tanning with products containing DHA, a plant derived compound. The tan achieved from DHA is not a dye, stain or paint, but a chemical reaction between the DHA and the amino acids in the dead layer on the skin surface. Even if you have a sunless tan, keep in mind that sun screen is still a must when going outside. Read more.

Results of a 12-year-long study provide strong evidence that shorter radiation schedules can provide the same outcomes as current treatment times for early stages of breast cancer. Some centers in the US already offer shorter courses of treatment, but they are more widely available in Canada and parts of Europe. Shorter treatment regimens would allow more women with breast cancer to be treated due to increased availability of machines and resources. Full story.

A new study from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health reports that low weight and weight loss in middle-aged men could increase the risk of osteoporosis later in life. The researchers hypothesize that weight change can affect the skeleton, as well as the way in which hormones regulate bone metabolism. Although weight increase and elevated weight are beneficial for the skeleton (this is why weight-bearing exercises can strengthen bone and decrease osteoporosis risk), a stable, healthy weight is still recommended as a means for overall good health. Full story.

New research concurrently published by Montreal’s major medical centers in the International Journal of Obesity show that kids who are surrounded by peers and family who are overweight are more likely to misperceive their own weight. “When children’s parents and schoolmates are overweight or obese, their own overweight status may seem normal by comparison. The higher the BMI of their friends and family, the more kids are likely to underestimate their weight – a trend consistent for both sexes, regardless of the socioeconomic levels of their school or family,” said lead author Katerina Maximova. This is an important issue because “Accurately perceiving oneself as overweight or obese is an important cue to take action,” says Jennifer J. McGrath, director of the Pediatric Public Health Psychology Lab at Concordia University. Full story.

The World Health Organization and the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation unveiled the results of the most comprehensive survey of multiple sclerosis (MS) undertaken to date that involved more than 100 countries. Results of the survey are available to the public in the form of the Atlas of MS. The exact cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown, nor is there a cure. The results of the study show that more than 1.3 million worldwide are affected with the neurological disorder, and at least twice as many women than men have it. There is also a higher risk of MS the further North or South of the equator you live. Read more.