Thursday, June 23, 2005

Health Headlines - June 23

Abstinence makes the sperm grow stronger

For men with low sperm counts, sexual abstinence -- but only for a day -- increases semen quality. More prolonged sexual abstinence may actually reduce sperm numbers, a new study indicates.

Cardiac arrest response slow for hospital visitors

You might think that, if it's going to happen, the best time for your heart to stop might be while you're in a hospital, visiting. That isn't necessarily so, according to a new study.

US docs' group wants package fixes for herbal meds

The American Medical Association says packaging of some herbal remedies is confusing and gives the impression that the supplements are pharmaceutical products. The group wants it stopped.

AIDS funding must triple to $22 bln in 2008 - U.N.

Global funding for AIDS needs to triple to $22 billion in 2008 to reverse the spread of the killer disease in the developing world, the United Nations said Wednesday.

Cancer fear high among women having hysterectomy

Many women who have their uterus removed for benign conditions may mistakenly believe that, unless they have the surgery, they're likely to develop cancer, a new study suggests.

Caffeine's blood pressure effect persists in some

Though some coffee drinkers develop a tolerance for caffeine, those who don't may be sending up their blood pressure with each cup, new research suggests.

HIV positive African clergy fight AIDS stigma

A group of African clergy infected with HIV is urging the faithful to test for the virus and admit their status to help fight stigma hampering efforts to stem AIDS in the worst-affected continent.

Plant chemical may harm male fertility - study

A plant chemical found in soya, tofu and legumes could potentially damage sperm and affect male fertility, a British researcher said on Wednesday.

Caffeine cuts nighttime diabetes problem

People with type 1 diabetes may have a new reason to appreciate a cup of coffee. Caffeine intake, in normal amounts, is associated with a significant reduction in nighttime episodes of excessively low blood sugar levels -- or hypoglycemia.

Study Claims Caffeine Can Help Athletes

Caffeine can help athletes by boosting the body's absorption of carbohydrates, scientists at the University of Birmingham said Wednesday.

Most Doctors Surveyed Believe in God

A survey examining religion in medicine found that most U.S. doctors believe in God and an afterlife — a surprising degree of spirituality in a science-based field, researchers say.

Probable Case of West Nile Virus Reported

This year's first probable case of West Nile virus was reported in Kansas where a 51-year-old resident is believed to have had the illness, health officials said.

Bronchitis Sufferers Can Skip Antibiotics

A study found that bronchitis sufferers who are otherwise healthy do not get better any faster by taking antibiotics. "Antibiotics for the vast majority of people don't seem to make much difference," said Dr. Paul Little.

WHO: Number of 2005 Polio Cases Jumps

The number of confirmed polio cases has reached 243 in Yemen, a country that was once believed to have been free of the disease, the chief of the World Health Organization said.

Study: Genetic Profile Helps Pregnancy

New research raises the possibility a genetic test may be able to tell young women whether they can afford to delay motherhood while they get their careers on track.

AMA Refuses to Back a Ban on Drug Ads

The American Medical Association on Tuesday adopted a policy opposing any legislation that presumes patients would want life-sustaining treatment unless they have clearly stated otherwise.

Donated Eggs Bring Higher Miscarriage Risk

New research indicates that women who become pregnant with donated eggs are more likely to suffer miscarriages and dangerous high blood pressure than those who undergo fertility treatments with their own eggs.

Children Need an Hour of Exercise Per Day

Children should get an hour of exercise over the course of each day, a panel of national obesity experts has concluded, seeking to end confusion on the matter.

Study: Extra Folic Acid May Help Memory

High-dose folic acid pills — providing as much of the nutrient as 2.5 pounds of strawberries — might help slow the cognitive decline of aging. So says a Dutch study that's the first to show a vitamin could really improve memory.

Health Tip: Defeating Drowsy Driving

Each year, drowsy drivers cause at least 100,000 accidents, according to Salem Hospital in Oregon.

Health Tip: Turn Down the Volume

Loud rock concerts may get your groove going, but over time they can also lead to hearing impairment, according to the Johns Hopkins University Health After 50 medical letter.

Expanding Current Vaccine Programs Proposed

Last year's flu vaccine shortage has spurred concerns about the nation's vaccine supply, and various groups have proposed different solutions to this mounting problem.

Way to Predict Stroke after 'Mini-Stroke' Found

A mini-stroke can signal the impending possibility of a full-blown stroke, but many are missed or not taken seriously by doctors and patients alike.

Keyhole Surgery Works with Colon Cancer

Keyhole, or laparoscopic, surgery is a safe option for the removal of tumors from the colon, claims a study published online Tuesday by The Lancet Oncology.

Brain's Marijuana-like Chemicals Postpone Pain

Experts have long known that the brain has the ability to suspend the pain response in times of injury and great stress, even after traumatic incidents such as gunshot wounds.

Radiation Frequency Questioned for Male Breast Cancer

Though rare, breast cancer in men can be deadly.

Antibiotics No Good for Pinkeye

The common childhood infection known as pinkeye does not respond to antibiotics, a new British study finds.

AIDS fight will cost 22 billion dollars by 2008, UN says

Around 22 billion dollars (18 billion euros) a year will be needed by 2008 to fight HIV/AIDS in developing countries, the United Nations said.

Serious consequences if China doesn't stop misuse of flu drug: FAO

The United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned there could be serious consequences for China and Asia if the government does not stamp out misuse of a bird flu drug.

China reports new foot-and-mouth disease outbreak

China has reported another outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease which infected 40 head of cattle, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) told AFP.

Asian nations call for broader focus to boost health of world's poor

Development officials from Asia-Pacific nations and international organizations said that a broader view looking at all sectors was needed to help poorer countries improve public health.

Microsoft founder Gates boosts sleeping sickness vaccine research

Microsoft founder Bill Gates has given a 1.2 million dollar grant to researchers developing a vaccine against sleeping sickness, which kills tens of thousands in sub-Saharan Africa each year, it was announced.

Pakistan sex workers in India to learn about HIV prevention programme

Pakistani sex workers have toured the brothel district of the eastern Indian city of Kolkata for tips on how to organize and to protect themselves against HIV/AIDS, a spokeswoman for a local sex workers' union said.

AIDS: Risk behaviour rising among French gays

French health watchdogs sounded the alarm after research found that unprotected sexual intercourse is rising fast among French homosexuals.

Food crises in west Africa "forgotten emergencies": WFP

Food crises in Mali and Niger are "forgotten emergencies," senior officials of the World Food Program warned, renewing an appeal for assistance that has gone largely ignored by the international community.

Misshapen tomatoes and wizened millet on the menu in hungry Mauritania

Jemal Dine sifted through a small pile of misshapen tomatoes at his stall in the main market in Nouakchott with a look of disgust.

Japan court throws out tobacco suit, sees no definite link with cancer

A high court dismissed a suit by sick ex-smokers seeking damages from monopoly Japan Tobacco and the state, saying no link has been "fully" established between smoking and cancer.

Food Fact:
Buy local produce.


It's not only a matter of hometown pride -- it's a way to maximize nutritional benefit. When produce in the grocery store has traveled a great distance, nutrients break down due to exposure to light, time, etc. Your next best bet is frozen fruit and vegetables; freezing preserves the nutrients.

Fitness Tip of the day:
9-to-5 fitness.


Learn 3 secrets for burning more calories during office hours. 1) Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator. 2) Park a greater distance from your building and walk to office door. 3) Don't e-mail or call your co-workers. Walk to their desks instead.

FAQ of the day:
Is cheese a good source of protein?


Cheese is a good source of protein, but so what? Most Americans get more than enough protein. A much larger problem is that we get too much saturated fat, which raises blood cholesterol and contributes to heart disease, the nation's No. 1 killer. A grilled cheese sandwich made with 1 1/2 oz. of cheddar cheese provides 10 grams of protein (about 20% of a 150-lb. person's daily needs) but also 9 grams of saturated fat (about 40% of the upper limit for a person who consumes 2,000 calories a day). Low-fat and fat-free dairy is a better bet.

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