Smoking does not prevent Alzheimer's disease - Study
Melbourne, Feb 09 : Smoking prevents Alzheimer's disease is a myth, claims a new study.

Gene with role in premenstrual disorder identified
Washington, Feb 9 : Scientists at Rockefeller University say they have identified a gene that is a strong candidate for involvement in premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and other problems associated with the natural flux in hormones during the menstrual cycle.

Popular anti-depressant interferes with breast cancer treatment
London, Feb 9 : Taking a popular anti-depressant could slash chances of survival for women battling breast cancer, says a new study.

Erectile dysfunction - a warning of future heart attacks
New York, Feb 9 : Beware! Erectile disorder (ED) could be a grim warning of future heart attacks, stroke, atherosclerosis and congestive heart failure.

Glaucoma meds linked to reduced risk of death
Washington, Feb 9 : A new study has shown that glaucoma patients who take medication for the condition have a reduced likelihood of death.

New approach may help treat breast, prostate cancers
Washington, Feb 9 : Loyola University research team led by an Indian-origin researcher claims to have discovered a novel protein that will help in developing treatments for breast cancer, prostate cancer and enlarged hearts.

Even third-hand smoke can pose cancer risk
Washington, Feb 9 : A new study has shown that the residue from tobacco smoke that clings to virtually all surfaces long after a cigarette has been extinguished could prove to be a potential health hazard.

Alzheimer's drug shows promise for Huntington's disease
Washington, Feb 9 : Dimebon (latrepirdine), a pill being developed for Alzheimer's disease, has been found to improve mental abilities in some patients with Huntington's disease, says a new study.

Gout ups risk of heart attacks among women
Toronto, Feb 8 : Women with gout are at greater risk of a heart attack than men with the disease, says a new study.

Soft drinks may double pancreatic cancer risk
Washington, Feb 8 : Consuming two or more soft drinks per week doubles the risk of developing pancreatic cancer, says a new study.

Oestrogen-only HRT 'raises asthma risk after menopause'
Washington, Feb 8 : A new study has revealed that oestrogen-only hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may put menopausal women at increased asthma risk.

Poor women tend to be edgy after cancer diagnosis
Washington, Feb 8 : Women with medium or low levels of income tend to be edgy after being diagnosed with the pre-cancerous breast condition.

Soft drinks 'can increase pancreatic cancer risk'
Washington, Feb 8 : Consuming sugary soft drinks can dramatically increase the risk of pancreatic cancer, a new research has suggested.

Women with gout more likely to have heart attack than men
Washington, February 8 : Women with gout are more likely to have a heart attack than their male counterparts with the disease, say experts.

International homeopathy meet starts in Agra
Agra, Feb 7: In order to make research in the field of homeopathy more potent, an international research centre in collaboration with six European countries was inaugurated here, with over 50 reputed homeopaths from France, Switzerland, Armenia, Nigeria and England converging for a conference which began Sunday.

Big sports games may increase fans' heart risk
Washington, February 7: Experts have observed an increase in the number of heart attacks during big games.

Human vaccine for chikungunya virus a step closer
London, Feb 7: Scientists in the U.S. say a vaccine that masquerades as chikungunya virus might work against the mosquito-borne disease.

Fibroids in women may raise risk of stillbirth
Washington, Feb 7 : A new study has shown that there is an increased risk of intrauterine fetal death (IUFD), commonly known as stillbirth, in women who have fibroids.

Sweat 'doesn't cleanse body'
Washington, Feb 7 : Hot springs, sweat lodges, and pricey spas around the world are becoming increasingly popular as they offer "sweat wraps" and other techniques claimed to detoxify and purify the body. However, experts have challenged the idea that human body can sweat out toxins.

Severely obese less likely to feel they can lose weight
Sydney, Feb 6: The more severely obese a person is, the less likely they feel they can reduce their weight, says a new study.

New malaria vaccine found safe for children
Washington, Feb 6 : A new vaccine has shown promise in protecting the most vulnerable patients -- young children -- against malaria, says a study.

Saffron in curry helps keep vision sharp
London, Feb 6 : It is one food colouring that you won't mind giving to the family. Research has shown that saffron, which gives chicken korma and paella their yellow colour, helps keep vision sharp.

Sugar plays vital role in cell division
Washington, Feb 6 : A novel study led by Johns Hopkins scientists has revealed that sugar plays a vital role in cell division - a finding that would lead to new treatments for a number of diseases, including cancer.

Jab of sterile water eases birthing pain
Melbourne, Feb 6 : Forget drugs, injections of tiny amounts of water into the lower back can help ease birthing pain.

Swine flu vaccination in India likely from Feb 19
New Delhi, Feb 5 : After months of wait, India is likely to start swine flu vaccination from Feb 19 and tens of thousands of medical practitioners will get the first doses of the imported vaccine to distribute among the people.

Soon, injection or throat spray for kids with obstructive sleep apnea
Washington, Feb 5 : A new study has found that kids with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may one day be able to have an injection or use a throat spray instead of getting their tonsils removed to cure their snoring.

Potential therapeutic target for diabetes identified
Washington, Feb 5 : Scientists have identified a potential target for the treatment of Type 1 diabetes.

Novel discovery may lead to new swine flu treatments
Melbourne, Feb 5 : A young doctor at a Melbourne Hospital has made a breakthrough that could lead to new treatments for those most at swine flu risk.

'Artificial pancreas' for kids with type-1 diabetes
London, Feb 5 : Scientists in Cambridge have made a significant step towards developing a so-called 'artificial pancreas' system for managing type-1 diabetes in children.

Unique programme to fight cancer focussing on early diagnosis
Chennai, Feb 4 : ''Canswers'', a unique public outreach programme to create awareness about early diagnosis of the ''killer disease'' was launched by a private hospital here today, marking the 'World Cancer Day'.

Working group on integrated oncology management to fight cancer
Kolkata, Feb 4 : On the occasion of World Cancer Day, a working group on integrated oncology management comprising doctors of allopathy, homeopathy, ayurved and acupuncture was formed here today to provide palliative care for the patients.

World's first hand-held echocardiography device
Panaji, Feb 4: The world's first hand-held echocardiography device, of the size of a cell phone, would be launched during the 4-day XV Annual International Conference of Indian Academy of Echocardiography, beginning at South Goa's Margao commercial city on February 11.

Retinal function may help predict schizophrenia, bipolar disorder risk
Washington, Feb 5 : Canadian researchers suggest that retinal function could prove to be a useful biomarker for detecting the risk of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Genes linked to preterm birth risk identified
Washington, Feb 5 : Scientists have identified certain genetic variants in mothers and foetuses that appear to play a vital role in premature labour.

Viagra can help in foetal development in humans
Washington, Feb 4 : Viagra, the antidote for erectile dysfunction (ED), enhances blood flow in pregnant ewes (female sheep), helping send vital amino acids and other nutrients needed in foetal development, according to new research.

Diet combined with exercise more effective in lowering BP
Washington, Feb 4 : Combining blood pressure (BP) lowering diet with exercise and weight loss counselling seems to reverse high BP along with other benefits.

Herbal remedies could worsen your asthma
Washington, Feb 4 : Beware of trying herbal remedies to ease your asthma - it could make the symptoms worse, says a new study.

Milk production hormone can help prevent aggressive breast cancer
Washington, Feb 4 : A mechanism by which a hormone responsible for milk production blocks an oncogene that makes breast cancer more aggressive has been discovered by researchers from the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson.

Clearer picture of cholesterol's link to heart disease
Washington, Feb 4 : Researchers now have a clearer, if more complicated, picture of how one class of immune cells goes wrong when loaded with cholesterol.

Mum's exposure to some plastic may increase kid's asthma risk
Washington, Feb 4 : A pregnant or lactating woman's exposure to plastic used in water bottles, sunglasses, eyeglass lenses, DVDs, and CDs may increase the risk of asthma in her children.

Stress hormone may be key to new diabetes treatment
Washington, Feb 4 : Researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in California have found that a hormone responsible for the body's stress response is also linked to the growth of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

Ideal target for malaria therapy found
London, Feb 4 : A new American research has discovered a protein produced by the malaria parasite that is central to its ability to take over human red blood cells.

New biomarker may help predict pancreatic cancer risk in the obese
Washington, Feb 4 : Scientists from Jefferson Pancreatic, Biliary and Related Cancers Centre have identified an inflammatory marker that may help detect pancreatic cancer in obese patients.

Mum's exposure to BPA may increase child asthma risk
Washington, Feb 4 : A mother's exposure to bisphenol A, a chemical used to make everything from plastic water bottles and food packaging to sunglasses and CDs, may increase the odds that her children will develop asthma, says a new study.