A research team led by Nigel Leigh, director of the motor neurone disease care centre at King's College London will conduct a study to assess the impact of the anti-depressant drug lithium as a treatment for motor neurone disease.

Motor neurone disease destroys nerves in the brain that control movement, leaving patients locked in a failing body. There is currently no cure and half die within 14 months of being diagnosed. A small study by Italian researchers suggested that lithium could slow the progression of the disease.

Recent survey by the Health and Safety Executive showed 387 asbestos-related deaths in Sunderland since 1981.

The HSE has launched Asbestos: the Hidden Killer campaign in the region which is running up until the end of November on posters and on radio. This survey also showed that 20 tradesmen a week dye from asbestos-related diseases and that number is likely to rise.

Jill Morrell, head of public affairs at the British Lung Foundation, said: “The HSE campaign is vital because research shows that only one in ten tradesmen know that exposure to asbestos can prove fatal. The asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma is a cruel disease which as yet has no cure. We must do all we can to prevent more people dying from this preventable disease."

Chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh visited the JN hospital complex in Porompat. He was accompanied by MLA Kh Loken, chairman of the PDA and other officials and engineers of the state PWD.

He made an assessment of the progress of the construction works for the proposed institute of medical sciences at the existing hospital site at Porompat. He also inspected the ongoing construction of the new OPD block and the existing conditions of both the new and old operation theatres as well as the gynaecology ward.

A report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that an estimated 25,000 cases of cancers associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) occurred in 38 states and Washington D.C. annually between 1998 and 2003.This analysis was the first and most comprehensive assessment of cancer linked to HPV in the U.S. said the CDC.  

Mona Saraiya, MD, a medical officer in the CDC's Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, in a news release said, "These estimates of HPV-associated cancers were collected prior to the development of the HPV vaccine. This gives us baseline data to measure the impact of HPV vaccine and cervical cancer screening programs in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer and other HPV-associated cancers and pre-cancers.”

First death anniversary of Veenadhari was celebrated in Kasargod district on Saturday November 1.

Veenadhari was a HIV patient. She devoted her life to create awareness among the HIV/AIDS patients. She wanted to build a strong movement against apathy towards HIV patients.

This programme was inaugurated by Justice Sukumaran K, retired Chief Justice of Maharashtra High Court. He said that there are many HIV/AIDS centers around the country.

But there are no people like Veenadhari to fight against this disease. No one can replace her easily. The programme was organized by NGOs KAVAL, PEACE, JACK India, and the people of Vorkady.

According to a new study, a person needs at least 8 hours sleep in a day to keep himself healthy & to avoid all health problems specially related to the heart.

The study led by researchers in Sweden found that the risk of a heart attack dropped during the first week after the clocks were set back and people have an extra hour of sleeping.
 
The research, based on heart attacks in Sweden, shows that sleep deprivation has adverse effects on one’s cardiovascular health.