Prenatal exposure to paracetamol may increase autism spectrum and hyperactivity symptoms in children
A new study has found that paracetamol, which is used extensively during pregnancy, has a strong association with autism spectrum symptoms in boys and for both genders in relation to attention-related and hyperactivity symptoms.The findings were published this week in the International Journal of Epidemiology….
Many elderly are prescribed antihypertensive medication despite already having low blood pressure
According to a new study in the journal Age and Ageing, a significant proportion of patients over 70 remain on antihypertensive medication despite having low blood pressure. This, the study argues, has a significant effect on increased mortality rates and admissions to hospital.After analysing results…
Pill organisers could cause adverse effects among elderly
New research from the University of East Anglia shows that switching to use a pill organiser could cause adverse effects among the elderly. The research team say that patients should consult their GP or pharmacist before switching to a pill organiser.Older people who switch to…
Bariatric Surgery Significantly Improves Lipid Profile in Obese Patients
In-depth, multi-study analysis characterizes role of contemporary bariatric surgery procedures in benefiting serum lipids, reports The American Journal of MedicineFifty years after the first reported partial-ileal bypass, metabolic surgery has an established role in achieving weight loss and reducing cardiovascular death in obese patients. Scientists…
Understanding the resistance to treatments against breast cancer
Estrogens are responsible for the survival and proliferation of tumor cells in 70% of all breast cancer cases. The most frequently used treatment to fight this variety of tumors relies on anti-estrogens such as tamoxifen. However, nearly a third of the patients develop a resistance…
Overweight Adolescent Men More Likely to Develop Severe Liver Disease Later in Life
Body mass index in late adolescence predicts development of subsequent severe liver disease, according to 40-year study of nearly 45,000 Swedish men, reports the Journal of HepatologyThe first study that shows that overweight in late adolescence in men is a significant risk factor for developing…
Thumb-Sucking and Nail-Biting Have a Positive Side
Study finds these children less likely to develop allergies Children who are thumb-suckers or nail-biters are less likely to develop allergic sensitivities, new research has found.And, if they have both ‘bad habits’, they are even less likely to be allergic to such things as house…
Carrots and sticks fail to change behaviour in cocaine addiction
People who are addicted to cocaine are particularly prone to developing habits that render their behaviour resistant to change, regardless of the potentially devastating consequences, suggests new research from the University of Cambridge. The findings may have important implications for the treatment of cocaine addiction…
Endocrine Society Experts Urge EU to Protect Public from Chemical Exposure
Science-based regulation needed to address danger of endocrine-disrupting chemicalsTo protect human health, Endocrine Society members called on the European Commission to adopt science-based policies for regulating endocrine-disrupting chemicals in an opinion piece published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.The publication comes two days before the…
Consistent Links Between Capacity to Delay Gratification and ADHD, Obesity
Immediate reward orientation is robustly elevated in both ADHD and obesity Hamilton researchers find consistent links between capacity to delay gratification and ADHD, obesity Two new studies led by researchers at McMaster University and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton have found that individuals diagnosed with ADHD…
Liraglutide Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Complications, Kidney Disease
For the first time, a large clinical trial showed across-the-board cardiovascular benefit of a diabetes drug – liraglutide – a much-needed outcome for people with type 2 diabetes. Researchers have shown that the glucose-lowering drug liraglutide safely and effectively decreases the overall risk of heart…
Low-Tech System Overcomes Barriers Preventing Doctor-Patient Chat about Drinking Habits
Primary care doctors are reluctant to talk to patients about their drinking habits, for fear of being perceived as judgmental. But a simple, intervention that encourages discussion could resolve this issue, according to a recent study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.About 25 to…