Health News

Toxic substance found in five foreign hair-dye brands in China

Toxic substance found in five foreign hair-dye brands in ChinaBeijing, Mar. 17: The potentially cancerous toxic chemical, Lentine, has been found in five brands of hair dye in China.

According to a China Daily report, local consumer authorities said in Guangzhou yesterday that while the link between hair dye and cancer is still unproved, the five well-known international brands found with the toxic substance included Revlon Color Silk, Ecosystem No 1 Hair Colorant, Sewame Eshine Colorants, Kangchen 3in1 and Ouwaiya hair dye (natural black).

Mushrooms cut breast cancer risk

Mushrooms cut breast cancer riskLondon, Mar 17 : Eating a daily portion of mushrooms could slash the risk of breast cancer by two thirds, new research has found.

The study, carried out in China, also showed that women who combined a mushroom diet with regular consumption of green tea saw an even greater benefit. The risk among women in this group was reduced by almost 90 per cent.

Scientists found that women consuming at least a third of an ounce of fresh mushrooms every day were 64 per cent less likely to develop a tumour.

Dried mushrooms had a slightly less protective effect, reducing the risk by around half.

Infection control strategies for antibiotic-resistant organisms in hospitals

 Infection control strategies for antibiotic-resistant organisms in hospitalsWashington, Mar 16 : Hand-washing, a clean environment, appropriate infection barriers, and early identification of patients at high risk of colonization with a transmissible microorganism are some of the infection control strategies adopted by hospitals for antibiotic-resistant organisms.

A review of the control strategies has revealed the above measures after looking at the most effective methods, and the supporting evidence to control hospital infection.

Low-risk prostate cancer patients may have good clinical outcomes by avoiding immediate treatment

Washington, March 16 : A new study suggests that opting not to receive immediate treatment may be safe for men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer, and who are at minimal risk of cancer progression, if they are closely monitored.

Dr. Scott Eggener, assistant professor of surgery at the University of Chicago Medical Center, says that the study addresses an important question as to when to actively treat versus when to observe and closely monitor.

Radiation therapy and surgery are effective treatments, but they can be associated with serious long-term side effects like incontinence and erectile dysfunction.

West Bengal reports fresh bird flu outbreak

Panigatha (West Bengal), Mar 16: A month after authorities claimed that it was contained, bird flu has resurfaced in West Bengal''s Darjeeling district.

Culling operations in West Bengal to contain the third outbreak had ended barely a month ago.

The epicentre has been detected as Bora Changa in the same region.

West Bengal officials said they had begun culling about 11,000 poultry after the fourth outbreak was confirmed on Sunday near Siliguri town.

Scientists identify genetic abnormality that can increase blood disorders risk

Scientists identify genetic abnormality that can increase blood disorders riskLondon, Mar 16: For the first time, scientists have identified a common genetic sequence abnormality that can increase the risk of certain blood disorders.

Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) have shown that the genetic abnormality can enhance the likelihood of acquiring a mutation in a gene linked to certain blood diseases.

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