Short-term exposure to low levels of particulate air pollution may increase the risk of stroke or mini-stroke, according to findings that suggest current exposure standards could be insufficient to protect the public.
"The vast majority of the public is exposed to ambient air pollution at the levels observed in this community or greater every day, suggesting a potentially large public health impact," said Lynda Lisabeth, lead author and assistant professor in the University of Michigan School of Public Health.
However, Lisabeth stressed that the association requires further study in other areas with varying climates and alternative study designs. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States.
The study examined particulate air pollution in a southeast Texas community where there is a large petroleum and petrochemical industry presence. Particulate matter is one type of air pollution, defined as tiny particles of solid or liquid that can cause numerous health problems when inhaled. These particles can be man-made or from natural sources.
Health & Wellness
LONDON - A Mediterranean diet rich in fruits and vegetables -- already known to protect against heart disease -- also appears to help ward off diabetes, Spanish researchers said on Friday.
The study published in the British Medical Journal showed that people who stuck closely to the diet were 83 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who did not.
The study published in the British Medical Journal showed that people who stuck closely to the diet were 83 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who did not.
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| ©REUTERS/Mike Blake |
| Organic vegetables are shown at a Whole Foods Market in LaJolla, California May 13, 2008. |
Fruits and vegetables contain essential vitamins, minerals and fiber that are key to good health. Now, a newly released study by Agricultural Research Service (ARS)-funded scientists suggests plant foods also may help preserve muscle mass in older men and women.
The study was led by physician and nutrition specialist Bess Dawson-Hughes at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston, Mass.
The typical American diet is rich in protein, cereal grains and other acid-producing foods. In general, such diets generate tiny amounts of acid each day. With aging, a mild but slowly increasing metabolic "acidosis" develops, according to the researchers.
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| ©Peggy Greb |
| A diet rich in alkaline-producing fruits and vegetables may help preserve muscle mass. |
The study was led by physician and nutrition specialist Bess Dawson-Hughes at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston, Mass.
The typical American diet is rich in protein, cereal grains and other acid-producing foods. In general, such diets generate tiny amounts of acid each day. With aging, a mild but slowly increasing metabolic "acidosis" develops, according to the researchers.
CLAIMS that childhood obesity in Australia has been exaggerated serve to trivialise a real problem, Australian Medical Association (AMA) president Rosanna Capolingua says.
New research shows Australia's childhood obesity epidemic has been exaggerated and the problem is increasing only among lower-income families.
New research shows Australia's childhood obesity epidemic has been exaggerated and the problem is increasing only among lower-income families.
Doctors have come a step closer to understanding what causes cot deaths. In a 10-year study of sudden unexplained infant deaths dealt with at Great Ormond Street hospital in London, the researchers found a link with bacterial infection.
At present, they caution, the link is merely an association. They cannot be sure that infections found during autopsy were what caused the deaths. However, the study does go some way to confirming suspicions among medical professionals that bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli are sometimes the cause.
At present, they caution, the link is merely an association. They cannot be sure that infections found during autopsy were what caused the deaths. However, the study does go some way to confirming suspicions among medical professionals that bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli are sometimes the cause.
If you have a vagina, chances are someone has called you a slut at least once in your life. There's just no getting around it.
I remember the first time I heard the word "slut" -- I was in my fifth-grade science class. A certain little girl (terror) named Eleena had been making my life miserable all year in a way that only mean little girls can. She had turned all my girlfriends against me, spread rumors and the like. She walked up to me at my desk and said, "You called me a slut." I had absolutely no idea what the word meant. I just sat there, silently. She repeated herself: "You called me a slut, but you're the slut." I don't remember how long after that I found out exactly what "slut" meant, but I knew it had to be terrible and I knew I didn't want to be it.
I remember the first time I heard the word "slut" -- I was in my fifth-grade science class. A certain little girl (terror) named Eleena had been making my life miserable all year in a way that only mean little girls can. She had turned all my girlfriends against me, spread rumors and the like. She walked up to me at my desk and said, "You called me a slut." I had absolutely no idea what the word meant. I just sat there, silently. She repeated herself: "You called me a slut, but you're the slut." I don't remember how long after that I found out exactly what "slut" meant, but I knew it had to be terrible and I knew I didn't want to be it.
The H5N1 strain of bird flu that has killed 241 people is not the only one that could trigger a pandemic, according to research in America. A few H7 strains of the flu virus have started to evolve some of the traits they would need to infect people easily, scientists have discovered.
The government has uncovered new plans to ban corporal punishment against children.
"Beating children has to be banned by law. It is unacceptable as a method of bnnging up children," said Labour minister Jolanta Fedak to the TVN24 news channel.
"There is consent for beating children among the general public. This has to stop. We want to change the law on counteracting violence in such a way that corporal punishment will be banned," said Fedak.
Asked whether spanking a child will also be banned, the minister did not answer directly, but said only that the line between scolding and beating is very thin.
"Beating children has to be banned by law. It is unacceptable as a method of bnnging up children," said Labour minister Jolanta Fedak to the TVN24 news channel.
"There is consent for beating children among the general public. This has to stop. We want to change the law on counteracting violence in such a way that corporal punishment will be banned," said Fedak.
Asked whether spanking a child will also be banned, the minister did not answer directly, but said only that the line between scolding and beating is very thin.
A New York organization whose members are raising alarms about the damage from fluoride in America's water supplies says a government study available online suggests the additive can be blamed for a multitude of problems stemming from thyroid imbalances, including cardiac disease, depression, constipation, fuzzy thinking and fluid retention.
Eurobodalla Shire Council has done a backflip on last week's controversial decision over water fluoridation.
Most councillors have now voted to have fluoride added to the shire's public water supply.
Comment: Yes, last week Eurobodalla Shire Council decision was different:
Council votes against water fluoridation
Most councillors have now voted to have fluoride added to the shire's public water supply.
Comment: Yes, last week Eurobodalla Shire Council decision was different:
Council votes against water fluoridation
