Health Update

Smoking causes acne in women

London, Sep 18: Smoking has been linked to a number of health problems ranging from lung diseases to cancer, but a new study has found another undesirable side effect of smoking cigarettes, particularly in women – acne.

Italian researchers from the San Gallicano Dermatological Institute in Rome have found that smoking causes acne in humans, and effects women the most.

Researchers were able to discover a particular type of acne known as NIA (non-inflammatory acne) as common amongst smokers.

Early death risk not enough to make Brits exercise: Survey

London, Sept 17: A survey has revealed that even the threat of an early death due to lack of physical activity is not enough to make Brit adults exercise.

The survey conducted by YouGov revealed that only 38 percent of people questioned were willing to exercise more if their life is depended on it.

Experts also said that people with a healthy weight should also workout in order to avoid health problems later in life.

Drug that kills cancer cells developed

London, Sept 17: A drug, called STA-4783, has been developed to kill cancer cells. Unlike current treatments, the drug has very few side-effects, and those who have started taking the drug have already doubled their life expectancy, with researchers believing that survival rates could be even higher.

“This is the most exciting cancer treatment I’ve seen in 10 years,” Daily Express quoted cancer specialist Dr Tony Williams of Synta Pharmaceuticals, who is developing the drug, as saying.

Blood test may help assess fat around organs

London, September 17: A team of US and German researchers has found that measuring levels of a specific protein in the blood may help assess accurately how much fat coats the body’s organs.

Researchers from Harvard University and the University of Leipzig analysed 196 people, and found that genes that produce the protein RBP4 were up to 60 times more active in obese people with high levels of visceral fat than in lean people.

Chemoradiation therapy with Paclitaxel shows promise to treat neck, head cancers

Washington, September 17: A new study has shown that chemoradiation therapy for cancers of head and neck leaves patients with fewer side effects if the process involves the use of generic drug Paclitaxel in conjunction with radiotherapy, rather than the use of other anticancer drugs.

Advanced cancer in the head and neck is traditionally treated with surgery followed by radiotherapy.

Peptide, DNA combo may help fight autoimmune disease

London, Sept 17: A new research has revealed that a human peptide called LL37, when coupled with body’s own DNA, works as a natural antibiotic against invading microbes.

The research team, led by scientists at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, reported their finding in an early online publication of Nature.

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