Health Update

‘Vitamin A’ Kills A Kid In Assam

Kid Dies After Taking ‘Vitamin A’ In Assam

Smoking during pregnancy linked to cleft palate or lip birth defect in the children

Smoking during pregnancy linked to cleft palate or lip birth defect in the childrenChildren of mothers who smoke during pregnancy can have cardiovascular or urogenital abnormalities along with birth defects. Earlier researches have shown that smoking during pregnancy increases her child’s risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, also known as SIDS or cot death.

Recent study showed one more adverse effect of smoking during pregnancy. The study was conducted by Gary M Shaw's California group along with colleagues from Norway, The Netherlands, and Texas.

Three-pronged approach to osteoporosis can reduce hip fractures

Three-pronged approach to osteoporosis can reduce hip fracturesRecent research showed that aggressive osteoporosis screening and treatment can reduce the rate of hip fractures. Richard Dell, M. D., of Kaiser Permanente Bellflower and colleagues claim that their strategy could cut U. S. hip fractures by 25% or more.

Gene linked to autism connected to language disorder

Gene linked to autism connected to language disorderRecent research showed a link between a gene linked to autism and a language disorder known as specific language impairment.

Research team led by Sonja C. Vernes, of the University of Oxford in Oxford, United Kingdom, and colleagues studied children from 184 families with specific language impairment by testing for the association between language deficits and single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the CNTNAP2 gene. Screening for regions bound by the FOXP2 gene revealed this gene as a strong candidate for involvement in language problems.

Apelin hormone injections can lower blood sugar

Apelin hormone injections can lower blood sugarRecent research showed that Apelin, a hormone produced by fat and other tissues, might serve as a promising target for managing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Researchers led by Philippe Valet found that our cells are equipped with a second pathway for the assimilation of glucose, which involves "apelin".

Probiotics as effective as antiseptic in treating Hospital Pneumonia

Probiotics as effective as antiseptic in treating Hospital PneumoniaRecent research showed the "friendly" probiotic bacterium, Lactobacillus plantarum 299 (Lp299) can prevent the most common cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) as effectively as an antiseptic called chlorhexidine (CHX).

The bacterium is found in saliva and also common in fermented foods like pickles and sauerkraut. VAP occurs when pathogenic bacteria from the mouth, throat or breathing tube are inhaled into the lungs. The study was led by Dr Bengt Klarin from the University Hospital in Lund, Sweden.

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