Washington, Sept 29 : A study by Canadian researchers has shown that a lack of family support and problems in one’s neighbourhood are associated with greater asthma symptoms in children and adolescents.

Dr. Edith Chen and her colleagues at the University of British Columbia enrolled 78 children who had asthma without other chronic illnesses, and assessed the extent to which they perceived support from family, support from peers and problems in their neighbourhood, such as crime and violence.

Washington, Sept 29 : A three-year study has revealed that the adding ultrasound to mammography can help find more cancers than mammography alone. However, the procedure also substantially increases the number of false positives.

The study, which was presented on September 28 at the American College of Radiology’s fall meeting in Washington, D.C., was conducted by Wendie A. Berg, M.D., Ph.D., of American Radiology Services.

Washington, Sept 29 : Go right ahead and reach for that slice of white bread, for a researcher from the University of Virginia insists that the theory that eating so-called “bad” carbohydrates will make you fat is all hogwash.

Professor Glenn Gaesser insists that the latest common wisdom on carbohydrates is “just nonsense”.

Gaesser came to his conclusion after analysing peer-reviewed, scientific research on carbohydrate consumption, glycemic index and body weight.

Washington, September 29 : Scientists researching male contraceptives have devised various new techniques that may provide men with an alternative to vasectomy in about half a decade.

The researchers presented their findings from experiments on mice and men at the second ‘Future of Male Contraception’ conference, held from 27 to 28 September in Seattle, Washington.

Los Angeles: The Food and Drug Administration had sanctioned a new version of a ringworm drug to treat tinea capitis, a scalp fungus for children aged 4 years and older.

Tinea capitis is an unrelenting and infectious fungal infection, which generally does not respond to topical treatment. It can result in severe itchiness, dandruff and bald patches.

A recent study has discovered that thimerosal, a mercury-containing chemical compound that is used in vaccines and immune globulin formulations, does not have an effect on neuropsychological functioning in kids aged between 7 to 10.