Leaving five children dead in Mingli and one in Afti village, Marwah Tehsil in the mountainous, Kishtwar district has been hit by a deadly measles epidemic, affecting dozens of others.

Measles, which also goes by the name of rubella, is a highly contagious though rare respiratory infection caused by a virus.  Causing skin rash all over the body and flu-like symptoms that include fever, cough, and runny nose, it is not always fatal if treated in time.

A study published in the latest edition of the ‘Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry’ reveals that researchers have found that beer, red wine and caffeinated drinks like coffee contain high levels of chemicals, similar to ‘oestrogen’, which is linked to male fertility. It is being believed that gulping down excess of beer, red wine or even coffee could lower the ‘sperm count’, though drinking in moderation may not be all that damaging.

An Italian study carried out on 574-people aged 55-years and older reveals migraine sufferers are at risk of potentially fatal blood clots in the veins, blood clots that can dislodge travelling to the heart and lungs. Of the study participants, 111-were found to be suffering from migraines for the past 5-years.  Along with a review of their medical records, they also underwent high resolution ultrasounds, a scan for atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries.  As compared, of a total of 21 people with migraine, 35-people without had one or more instances of venous thrombosis.  Further, contrary to the current theory, the study revealed migraine sufferers were not more likely to suffer from arteriosclerosis or hardening or narrowing of the arteries, compared to others.

Lahore, Sept 17 : Despite the social dogma associated with sex, people in Pakistan use 130 millions condoms annually, says a new survey.

Among the many available methods to curb unwanted pregnancies, condoms still remain the preferred choice of contraception in Pakistan, reveals a study by Green Social Marketing, an organization working towards improving female healthcare in the country.

“Immediate pregnancies and low time periods between childbirth can cause high blood pressure and excessive bleeding during the next pregnancy, which claims around
30,000 lives each year in Pakistan,” the Daily Times quoted Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Secretary General Dr Samrina Hashmi, as saying.

Washington, Sept 17 : A team of scientists from Yerkes National Primate Research Center and the Emory Vaccine Center has reached a step closer to determining why SIV and HIV infection leads to AIDS in some primate species but not others.

Studying the mangabeys, the natural hosts for the AIDS viruses that remain healthy despite SIV infection, the researchers have found that their immune systems are activated to a significantly lower extent during the infection than are the immune systems of rhesus macaques.

The researchers say that this difference may explain why SIV and HIV infection leads to AIDS in some primate species but not others.

Melbourne, Sept 17 : An increasing number of women in generation Y age group have become a victim of chlamydia, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can cause infertility, according to a sexual health researcher, who describes it as a "little epidemic".

Researcher and lecturer Dr Melissa Kang said the rates of chlamydia infections have significantly increased in the Gen Ys over the past decade.

The cases of chlamydia has quadrupled from 1999 to 2007 and the most affected were young women aged 20 to 24

The cases increased from 335 per 100,000 people in 1999, to 1300 per 100,000 people in 2007.

Women and girls aged between 15 and 19 had the second highest rate and young men aged 20 to 24 the third.