Posts Tagged ‘china’

Using global figures from 2004, researchers estimate that 1 in 25 deaths worldwide is related to alcohol consumption. This includes deaths from injuries, accidents and diseases like liver cirrhosis, cancer and cardiovascular disease. The highest percentage of deaths linked to alcohol were found in countries of the former Soviet Union where 1 in 7 die of an alcohol related cause. One of the countries with the lowest alcohol related mortality is India where about 95% of women and 80% of men abstain from drinking. Much of the focus of this research is to shed light on the parallels between alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking-they both cause high disease and economic burdens, especially on developing countries. The researchers are calling for an international effort in alcohol control, especially in emerging economies like China and Thailand where increasing industrialization and westernization is correlating with increasing alcohol consumption.

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Tai Chi is a form of exercise that has been practiced in parts of Asia, especially China, for hundreds of years. It’s a form of martial arts that aims to cultivate the mind and body. Many practice Tai Chi because they experience improved physical function and mood. And now Australian researchers have determined that Tai Chi does in fact improve pain and disability in patients suffering from arthritis. However, I’m sure that practitioners of the art don’t need convincing, but modern medicine demands research trials be done. The researchers state, “The fact that Tai Chi is inexpensive, convenient, and enjoyable and conveys other psychological and social benefits supports the use this type of intervention for pain conditions such as arthritis.” The study is published in the June issue of Arthritis Care & Research.

Have you tried Tai Chi?  Share your comments here.

After receiving reports that a Mexican national who was infected with influenza H1N1 traveled through Shanghai en route to Hong Kong this week, Chinese officials decided to quarantine 43 Mexican citizens who were either visiting or living in China in an effort to prevent any possibility of disease spread. The incident has caused a row in among the international community, especially in Mexico, because none of those quarantined apparently tested positive for the H1N1 virus. China is assuring the public that the Mexican nationals are treated well. According to the Beijing municipal health bureau, they were given the best rooms in the hotels they were held in, and sent fruit and flowers daily. The Mexican govenment has sent a chartered plane to China to bring its citizens home.  Read more and share your comment here.

H1N1 Flu Updates:

• Latest Developments from Kosmix
• World Health Organization Updates
• Mexico Swine Flu Blog from Medical News Today

Turmeric powder has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine for its various medicinal properties, including as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic. Because of these purported effects, scientists have been studying the active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin. Reporting in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, University of Michigan researchers have discovered that molecules of curcumin can actually insert themselves into the membranes of our cells, thus making the membranes more stable. This may have effects on the way our cells respond to inflammation and infections. For now, the mechanism of action of curcumin, in its entirety, remains a mystery but we are one step closer because of this discovery.

Link to research article and share your opinion.

Almost 7,000 people died from HIV/AIDS in China during the first nine months of 2008, making HIV the leading cause of death from infection. Tuberculosis and rabies have fallen to second and third places. Just three years ago, less than 8,000 Chinese in total had died from HIV/AIDS. However, with the tremendous movement of populations from the countryside to cities, and the gradual shift towards a less conservative society, the spread of HIV has gained momentum. Initially, HIV primarily affected injection drug workers. Now, the main cause of transmission is thought to be unsafe sex.

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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.