Washington, November 7 : Nerves damaged by brain or spinal cord injury may be regenerated by silencing natural growth inhibitors, according to a new study.

Researchers at Children''s Hospital Boston conducted an experiment on mice by temporarily silencing genes that prevent mature neurons from regenerating, and causing them to recover and re-grow vigorously after damage.

Dr. Zhigang He, Associate Professor of Neurology who is also the senior author of the paper, highlights the fact that currently there is no treatment for spinal cord or brain injury because injured neurons cannot regenerate.

Washington, Nov 7 : Regular exercise and a calcium-rich diet can effectively reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome, which is linked to heart disease and type 2 diabetes, say researchers.

The researchers found that adults who reported little or no daily exercise were twice as likely to develop the condition.

While those who failed to consume calcium-rich foods regularly were 1.5 times more likely to develop metabolic syndrome, than those who ate calcium-rich diets.

The researchers surveyed nearly 5,077 Illinois adults asking about their chronic health conditions, exercise habits and their intake of fruit, vegetables and other sources of calcium.

Washington, Nov 7: Scientists have found evidence that Beta-alanine (BA), a dietary supplement widely used by athletes and body builders, can boost fitness levels in older adults.

BA is an amino acid that, together with histidine, forms the dipeptide carnosine.

Carnosine is found in muscle tissue and makes an important contribution to the maintenance of intracellular pH, which is vital for normal muscle function during intense exercise. An increased intake of BA significantly raises muscle carnosine levels.

Washington, Nov 7: Staying active, acting early and learning the warning signs of lymphedema – an adverse effect of breast cancer treatment caused by damage to the lymph system – can help women fighting the deadly disease avoid developing chronic lymphedema.

That’s what the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) has suggested that women can learn more about how to protect themselves from this common and distressing adverse effect of treatment.

Melbourne, Nov 7 : Exercising pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) can enhance arousal and sensation during sex, according to an expert.

The pelvic floor is a layer of muscles spanning the bottom of the pelvis that gives control over the bladder and bowel.

"Voluntary contraction of these muscles helps with sensation and arousal during sexual intercourse (and) involuntary contractions of the muscles occur during orgasm,'''' the Daily Telegraph quoted Royal Brisbane Women''s Hospital physiotherapist Rowan Hill, as saying.

Washington, Nov 7 : Children born to mothers with pregnancy-related diabetes are twice as likely to have language development problems, says a new study.

The research team from Universite Laval''s School of Psychology suggests that gestational diabetes can adversely affect brain development of babies leading to language delay in children.