Health & WellnessS

Coffee

Coffee may have some health benefits, experts say

Drinking coffee can help ward off type 2 diabetes and may even help prevent certain cancers, according to panelists discussing the benefits -- and risks -- of the beverage at a scientific meeting.

Comment: A coffee a day...


Ambulance

Americans Ate 2.5 Million Chickens Fed Tainted Pet Food

At least 2.5 million broiler chickens from an Indiana producer were fed pet food scraps contaminated with the chemical melamine and subsequently sold for human consumption, federal health officials reported yesterday.

Health

The Shrinking Brains of Gulf War Veterans

Veterans of the first Gulf War who returned with multiple health symptom complaints show significant differences in brain structures from their fellow returnees without high numbers of health symptoms, according to research that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 59th Annual Meeting in Boston, April 28 - May 5, 2007.

Health

The Age of Autism: Ground Zero

This column has long made the controversial case that autism had a beginning, a "big bang" if you will. That moment was 1930 -- no U.S. cases before then fully match the classic description of the disorder.

Comment: Also have a look at these recently posted stories:

Thimerosal Linked To Autism: New Clinical Findings

and

The Age of Autism: The Amish Elephant


Health

World's cities step up pace of life in fast lane

A study of cities across the world shows pedestrians are upping their pace at an alarming rate as they scurry from place to place, determined to cram as much as possible into each day.

Scientists say it is symptomatic of a modern life driven by e-mail, text messages and a need to be available 24 hours a day.

The most dramatic increases were found in Asia among the fast-growing "tiger" economies.

Health

Thimerosal Linked To Autism: New Clinical Findings

The Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A: Current Issues, an authoritative journal featuring original toxicological research, has published, "A Case Series of Children with Apparent Mercury Toxic Encephalopathies Manifesting with Clinical Symptoms of Regressive Autistic Disorders," by Geier and Geier (2007).

Health

'Epidemic' of sleep deprivation spreads among busy Britons

Getting eight hours' sleep a night has long been seen as one of the keys to a healthy and happy life.

But for most of us the figure is little more than an ideal, with the average worker losing two and a half years of sleep over the course of their career, according to a survey.

In fact, the average working adult loses just over ten hours' sleep every week, which adds up to more than one complete night's rest.

That adds up to 520 hours over a year or 23,140 hours (2.5 years) over the average working lifetime.

Magic Wand

Reversing Alzheimer's memory loss may be possible

Mental stimulation and drug treatment may help people with brain ailments such as Alzheimer's disease regain seemingly lost memories, according to research published on Sunday.

Bomb

Rocket Fuel Chemical Found in Food, Water Supply

Perchlorate, a chemical used in rocket fuel, is turning up in the nation's food -- in vegetables like lettuce and spinach -- and water supply.

Bomb

Fluorescent Bulb Break Creates Costly Hassle

On March 13, Brandy Bridges was installing some of the two dozen CFL (compact fluorescent lamp) bulbs she had purchased in an attempt to save money on her energy bill.

One month later, though, Bridges is paying much more than she had ever expected to.