HEALTH & WELLBEING

Dr. Michel Desjardins from the University of Montreal and Dr. Heidi McBride from the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (MNI) at McGill University led a team of scientists who discovered two genes associated with Parkinson’s disease. The genes are key regulators of the immune system.

Scientists from Queen Mary University of London have made a breakthrough in understanding how cancer cells spread around the body and form tumours. The study says that a cancer cell’s ability to survive as it spreads may well be the weapon to fight the disease. As per the scientists, cancerous cells depend on an unusual survival mechanism to spread around the body. Thus, how cancer spreads and survives could well be the key to curing it.

Researchers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) applied NASA technology in a breast cancer study on microbes. This has set the stage to further analyse the role of microbes in causing or preventing breast cancer. Researchers from Western University in Ontario also found a link between breast cancer and “bad” bacteria.

A new study has predicted that climate change will put New Yorkers at the risk of overheating. The study has predicted thousands of heat deaths by 2080. If no steps are taken to reduce emissions and adapt to warming, as many as 3,331 people may die every year in New York alone by 2080. By that time, the number of hot days is going to triple, and that would cause heat deaths due to respiratory conditions, heart problems, dehydration and heat exhaustion.

A team of scientists that included researchers from The University of Western Australia (UWA) have developed a blood test that can identify women at risk of having premature births, but not displaying symptoms as early as 18 weeks into their pregnancy. The breakthrough blood test builds on previous work by scientists who developed a similar test for women hospitalised with early contractions.

A recent study, led by scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London, has provided the most detailed picture yet of the genetics of bowel cancer. The scientists uncovered five new potential genes that when mutated cause bowel cancer in a small proportion of cases.

“Two and a Half Men” actor Charlie Sheen has admitted that he did not disclose his HIV condition to all his partners before having sex with them. This comes after reports allege that there are secret tapes of the controversial actor where he is being yelled at by an ex-partner for not disclosing his HIV status.

The ACCC has alleged that an infant food, manufactured by Heinz Australia, which claims to be almost entirely vegetables and fruits, is actually mostly sugar. ACCC is taking Heinz Australia to court over its Little Kids Shredz products for making false and misleading representations.

An Australian breast cancer breakthrough has offered new hope to women with the faulty gene that causes aggressive breast cancer. The research has offered an alternative treatment to mastectomy.

The director of the National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre at UNSW, professor Jan Copeland, revealed that a recent online market survey of 4,500 Australians showed more than half of those smoking cannabis struggle to control their use. Still people continue to believe that they can never become dependent on marijuana.

Scientists may have discovered the birthplace of the deadly Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and this may help determine experts to end the disease for good. The rise of the HIV infection can be tracked back almost 100 years.

Health expert Dr. Miriam Stoppard has revealed that there are now drugs that can stop deadly skin cancer melanoma cells from dividing. Treatments such as immunotherapy and targeted therapy can help thousands of people diagnosed with skin cancer.

A new study has claimed that e-cigarettes are acting as a roadblock to tobacco. They are playing an important role in mitigating smoking likelihood in youngsters.

The list of the negative effects of eating bacon regularly, on top of colon cancer and male infertility, has just expanded. A new study claims daily ingestion of the favourite breakfast fare of two strips increases chances of non-cardia stomach cancer by 18 percent.

A study has revealed that exercising four hours after studying boosts one’s chances of remembering what he/she has studied. As per the experts involved in the study, a single session of delayed physical activity boosted recall up by nine percent compared to those who exercised immediately after studying or did not exercise at all.

Microsoft has entered into a path-breaking partnership with a Los Angeles-based legalised cannabis sales tracking company, Kind Financial, for helping marijuana businesses to perform secure and safe transactions well within the law. Analysts have hailed this partnership stating that this could be an important step as cannabis becomes a well-accepted legal drug in the US.

Nuts such as walnuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, cashews and almonds may significantly reduce prostate cancer mortality in men, a study has revealed. Prostate cancer is the second most lethal cancer and most commonly diagnosed cancer in men.

World Health Organisation’s (WHO) cancer agency, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), has revealed that there is no conclusive evidence that drinking coffee causes cancer. This is kind of a reversal of the agency’s previous warning, which rated coffee as “possibly carcinogenic.”

Gluten-free diets are a fad these days and they have taken hold of health fanatics worldwide. According to the reports, gluten-free diet has surpassed all other searches on Google in the US, beating Palaeolithic diets, Atkins and South Beach.

A mushroom that can prove to be fatal if consumed has been found growing in Western Australia for the first time. People have been warned of its poisonous nature and have been advised not to consume it.

A deadly superbug, ancomycin resistant enterococcus faecium (VRE), resistant to even the last line of antibiotics, has made its way to Australia. Australia has the highest rate of the deadly superbug in the world surpassing England, Canada, Sweden, Denmark and Norway.

Recent research has shown that women with advanced ovarian cancer may benefit a lot from immunotherapy right after chemotherapy sessions. Chemotherapy given to women with advanced ovarian cancer boosts ability of tumour cells to protect themselves from the immune system.

Charlie Sheen has been chosen the brand ambassador for LELO HEX condoms. Recently he opened up on how he is dealing with his HIV and how he is hell-bent in finding an HIV cure.

An American man literally lived without heart for more than one and a half years. Stan Larkin, 25, has finally been transplanted a real human heart, 555 days after living without one and just carrying an artificial organ in his backpack.

Smoking marijuana on a regular basis may disrupt the brain’s natural reward process. Researchers have revealed that daily cannabis use could affect a smoker’s ability to maintain relationships and also make decisions as his/her perspectives on rewards and risks get altered.

In October 2012, Myriam Ducré-Lemay died after kissing her new boyfriend. It was found out that the girl was severely allergic to peanuts but did not find time to let her new boyfriend know about her medical condition.

Australian hospitals may be contributing to the creation of antibiotic-resistant superbugs. Results of a survey have revealed some grave figures as hospitals continue to inappropriately prescribe antibiotics to patients. The drug is being wrongly prescribed in up to 20 percent of cases, the survey revealed.

A large study of hospital data has suggested that marriage can improve chances of heart attack survival and even save money by reducing hospital stay. The study found that married people were 14 percent less likely to die after a heart attack than single people.

British feminine hygiene brand Bodyform recently released an ad, named “Blood,” taking a jibe at the stigmas surrounding women’s periods. The ad shows how women are not afraid to bleed, and no blood, not even menstrual blood, should hold them back.