Health News

Pregnancy hormone offers protection against breast cancer

Pregnancy hormone offers protection against breast cancerWashington, Apr 21: Researchers from Fox Chase Cancer Centre have found that pregnancy hormone hCG protects against breast cancer even in short-term treatments.

Lead researcher Dr Johana Vanegas showed that presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone produced by the placenta to maintain the early stages of pregnancy offers protection against breast cancer.

She said that even a much shorter exposure to hCG could prevent breast cancer in rats.

Presence of healthy food can lead to unhealthy choices

Presence of healthy food can lead to unhealthy choicesPresence of healthy food can lead to unhealthy choicesWashington, Apr 21: A new study has shown that even in the presence of healthy food people are likely to opt for unhealthy choices.

Genetic cure hopes ''unfounded'', says UK scientist

Genetic changes outside nuclear DNA may trigger half of all cancersLondon, Apr 21 : A leading British scientist has cast doubts on claims that genetic research could provide a cure for a host of common illnesses, insisting they are "plainly wrong".

Prof Steve Jones, head of the biology department at University College London, claims that the hope has proved a "false dawn".

He has called for a complete rethink of what he calls the "scattergun" approach to genetic research, which has millions of pounds investments.

Gene linked to muscular dystrophy-related vision problems identified

Gene linked to muscular dystrophy-related vision problems identifiedWashington, Apr 21 : University of Illinois scientists have identified a new gene linked to vision loss in common form of muscular dystrophy.

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, or FSHD, is the world''s third most common type of muscular dystrophy. It is characterized by progressive skeletal muscle weakening in the face, shoulders, and upper arms.

Over half of FSHD patients also have abnormal blood vessels in the back of the eye, which can cause vision problems.

Abstinence key to survive alcohol-related liver disease

Abstinence key to survive alcohol-related liver diseaseWashington, Apr 21 : Researchers have confirmed what many people already knew: abstinence is the only way to survive severe alcohol-related cirrhosis of the liver.

Alcohol-related cirrhosis develops silently but usually presents with an episode of internal bleeding or jaundice - which is often fatal.

News coverage of trans fat makes shoppers stay away from certain products

News coverage of trans fat makes shoppers stay away from certain productsWashington, Apr 21 : News coverage detailing harmful effects of trans fat, along with labelling information, could prompt shoppers to stay away from short-term purchases of foods high in trans fat, according to a new study.

However, such coverage does not suffice to influence consumers to avoid these potentially artery-clogging purchases over the long term.

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