A discovery about the nature of the swine flu, H1N1, could help researchers develop vaccines that protect against all varieties of the flu. Researchers have found that the swine flu triggers the generation of a different kind of antibody in the body that recognizes all kinds of flu, rather than just a particular seasonal strain…. [Continue Reading]
Fructose Consumption in Obese Patients Linked to Fatty Liver Disease
May 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Researchers have shed light on how consuming fructose can be particularly dangerous for those affected by obesity. New work has found that increasing intake of fructose is linked to fatty liver disease, changing the way the liver is able to properly metabolize sugar. Obese people who consume increased amounts of fructose, a type of sugar… [Continue Reading]
Anti-HIV Stem Cells Tested as Treatment in Mouse Models
May 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment
In a new approach to the treatment of HIV, researchers have tested transplants of stem cells that fight the virus in mice. The transformed cells effectively integrate into the immune system, and develop into a population of immune cells that are not susceptible to the virus. UC Davis Health System researchers are a step closer… [Continue Reading]
Too Much Beta-Carotene Harmful for Health
May 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment
A sufficient level of vitamin A is essential for many aspects of health, but too much can cause significant damage. Beta-carotene was thought to be a safer form of the vitamin. However, new research shows that taking too much beta-carotene carries significant risks. New research suggests that there could be health hazards associated with consuming… [Continue Reading]
Sports Drinks Cause Damage to Tooth Enamel in Teens
May 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Teens who drink sports or energy drinks are unknowingly putting their dental health at risk, experts say. The drinks, which are strongly acidic, cause permanent damage to the enamel. A recent study published in the May/June 2012 issue of General Dentistry, the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry, found that an alarming… [Continue Reading]
Fast-Food Advertising Linked to Obesity Risk
May 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Children who are exposed to fast food advertising are more likely to become overweight, a new research report indicates. Familiarity with the ads was associated with unhealthy body weights, although frequency of eating at the advertised restaurants was not. The work suggests that exposure to the advertising has complex effects on eating behavior. There is… [Continue Reading]
Stress During Pregnancy Can Lead to Iron Deficiency in Infants
May 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Mothers who experience stress during their pregnancies have babies at risk of having low iron levels, a new study shows. The work suggests stressed women should pay particular attention to their nutrition during pregnancy, to avoid harmful effects on their children. Newborns whose mothers are under stress during the first trimester of pregnancy may be… [Continue Reading]
Breastfed Babies Show Different Flora in the Gut, Immunity
April 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The natural flora occurring in the gut are essential for proper digestion and immunity. New research has found that the development of the flora differs between breastfed and formula-fed babies, suggesting food intake is critical to the process. Early colonization of the gut by microbes in infants is critical for development of their intestinal tract… [Continue Reading]
Using Your Brain In Later Years Slows Cognitive Aging
April 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Keeping your brain working throughout your golden years can help ward off age-related memory loss, experts say. Engaging your brain regularly, rather than education or one’s activities during their youth, is a key predictor of cognitive function in old age. Aging may seem unavoidable, but that’s not necessarily so when it comes to the brain…. [Continue Reading]
HIV Not Treated Effectively in the Homeless
April 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Progress in the treatment of HIV has flourished in the last few decades, with medications now established to prevent symptoms and transmission. A new study has found, however, that these medical advances aren’t helping those in poverty, where access to treatment is difficult, and the spread of the disease and incidence of symptoms are high…. [Continue Reading]