Health Update

Intelligence affects sperm quality

Intelligence affects sperm qualityRecent research has shown that intelligent men produce better quality sperm. The research was carried out to asses the idea that intelligence is favored by natural selection.

Research team at King's College London analysed data from 4,462 former US soldiers who had served during the Vietnam War. The soldiers took several intelligence tests and underwent a detailed medical examination. Semen samples were also provided by 425 soldiers. Data analysis showed small but statistically significant correlation between intelligence and three measures of sperm quality.

74% drop in measles deaths worldwide

74% drop in measles deaths worldwideThe World Health Organisation said that the number of deaths caused by measles dropped 74% in the past seven years worldwide, thanks to dramatic progress in Africa and nations including Afghanistan and Pakistan, The number of deaths dropped by half a million between 2000 and 2007, from an estimated 750,000 to 197,000.

There has been 89% drop in measles deaths in Africa which is two-thirds of the global reduction. There was 90% decrease in deaths caused by measles in the eastern Mediterranean region, which includes Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia and Sudan from 96,000 to 10,000.

Lung disease increase risk of heart attack

Lung disease increase risk of heart attackRecent study revealed that deadly lung disease idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) makes patients three times more prone to severe cardiac events such as a heart attack.

Research team analysed data from the computerised records of the Britain's Health Improvement Network for 920 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and
3,593 control subjects without IPF for diagnoses of coronary events and disease incidence.

Bird Flu Spreads To Barpeta, Nalbari In Assam

Bird Flu Spreads To Barpeta, Nalbari In AssamBird Flu virus has spread to two more regions including Barpeta and Nalbari in lower Assam.

The fresh outbreak prompted the State Veterinary department to start the culling of thousands of chickens in these regions.

The samples, which were sent to laboratories in Bhopal, have tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza.

The State Government has ordered culling operations and Rapid Response Teams (RRT)s have already begun going from house-to-house asking the habitants to give away their poultry birds to them.

U.N. Funds To Help Nepalese ‘Fight Critical Malnutrition Levels’

U.N. Funds To Help Nepalese ‘Fight Critical Malnutrition Levels’ The United Nations help the rural communities in western and southern Nepal suffering from serious food insecurity caused by increasing food and fuel prices, the effects of long-term conflict and the destruction of food stocks and crops by the recent floods. Around 1.5 million populations in the remote areas also require urgent help, the U.N. said in a statement late on Wednesday. The United Nations Central Emergency Response fund (CERF) has allocated NPR 247 million (US $3 million) to help them.

A New 'Time-Bending Drug' To Ease Jet Lag

A New 'Time-Bending Drug' To Ease Jet Lag Researchers have found a new drug, which could ease jet lag and reset the body's natural sleep rhythms. According to Shantha Rajaratnam from Monash University's School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, the drug testimelteon works on melatonin receptor in the brain and helped troubled sleepers nod off quicker and stay asleep for longer.  

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