Does Sex Trigger Pre-Term Labor?

New research indicates that having sex does not start labor in a pre-term woman according to a new study in the medical journal Obstetrics and Gynecology. Women with a prior preterm birth are known to be at increased risk for having a recurrence and, therefore, could be prime targets for the advice to avoid sex during the pregnancy. You can read the complete article here.

New Developments In Artifical Cervical Disks

An artificial cervical disk by Medtronic Sofamor Danek of Memphis helps to maintain normal neck motion after herniated disk surgery. The PRESTIGE ST artificial cervical disc underwent a Food and Drug Administration-approved multi-center clinical trial in the United States, concluding in 2005.

Results from a multi-center randomized controlled trial from the last two years were presented by Dr. Praveen V. Mummaneni during the 74th meeting of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons in San Francisco.

Fifty-four patients received the standard treatment of cervical discectomy -- removal of disk -- and fusion. Sixty-six patients received cervical discectomy followed by implantation of the PRESTIGE ST artificial cervical disc.

Preliminary results show that the patients who received the PRESTIGE ST artificial cervical disc and those who received a fusion fared equally in their outcomes, yet patients with the artificial cervical disc had greater maintenance of their neck motion than did the patients with a fusion -- in most instances, the differences were statistically significant, according to the researchers.

Forearm Pads Help Computer Workers

California researchers find providing forearm support during computer work is an effective tool to prevent musculoskeletal disorders.

"Based on this study, it is in the best interest of the company and the employees to provide forearm supports and training," said lead author Dr. David Rempel, director of the ergonomics program at San Francisco General Hospital and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.

Musculoskeletal disorders of the neck, shoulders and arms are a common occupational health problem for individuals involved in computer-based work, according to Rempel. One of the most common injuries is to the wrist, with either tendinitis or carpal-tunnel syndrome.

A one-year study evaluated the effects of two workstation interventions on the musculoskeletal health of call center employees -- using a padded forearm support -- commonly called an arm board that attaches to the top front edge of the work surface -- and a trackball.

The study, published in The British Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, found the arm boards reduced the risk of incidence of neck and shoulder disorders by nearly half, but the trackball intervention had no effect on right upper extremity disorders.

The researchers calculated a company could get a full return for costs within 11 months of purchase, which leads to better retention of company employees.

Early Asthma Protection

Exposing children early in life to dust and other microbial agents (small particles that are living agents) could protect them from asthma, according to Dutch and New Zealand researchers.

Jeroen Dowes, of Utrecht University, in the Netherlands, and Massey University, of Wellington, New Zealand, initially assessed children's' exposure to microbials at 3 months of age and then followed the children, all who live in the Netherlands, to age 4. (OK, now moms do not have an excuse to freak out on having clean children.)

The researchers monitored the children and measured dust on living room floors and infants' mattresses over the length of the study.

The study, published in Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, found when microbial levels in mattresses were low and not associated with allergy, doctor-diagnosed asthma or wheeze, the study showed levels of dust and other microbials on the floor correlated to a lower level of asthma development by age 4.

The highest exposure group had a lower level of asthma and wheeze, even when researchers made adjustments for the presence of animals in the home, antibiotic use, dampness, etc.

Interesting Description Of English People

The recent edition of the Rough Guide to England, which is a travel guide describes England as a nation of "overweight, alcopop-swilling, sex-and-celebrity obsessed television addicts", which is sure to make many English people annoyed with the characterization.

Enjoy England, a tourism organization whose role is to attract visitors, attacked the book for that description and others including saying that talking to strangers, especially in London, "can be seen as tantamount to physical assault". The book is not entirely critical, and has positive comments describing England as a place "where individuality and creativity flourish, fuelling a thriving pop culture and producing one of the most dynamic fashion, music and arts scenes to be found anywhere".

I wonder what they would say about us Yanks after watching the movie Super Size Me?

FDA Shoots Down Medical Marijuana

The United States Food and Drug Administration announced Thursday that they will not support the use of marijuana smoke for medical purposes. The department stated Thursday that they stand by their long-held position that marijuana meets the three criteria for placement on Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. These criteria are a "high potential for abuse", no "currently accepted medical use", and a "lack of accepted safety for use" with a doctor's supervision.

It kind of sounds more political than factual. It seems hard to believe with the medical marijuana controversy in places like Oregon or California that there are no reports indicating positive affects of marijuana for relieving pain. But, the statement cited evaluations by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and National Institute for Drug Abuse, which concluded that no sound studies supported use of marijuana for medical treatment in the US, and no "animal or human data supported the safety or efficacy of marijuana for general medical use."

The FDA said measures in a growing number of states to legalize medical marijuana are "inconsistent with efforts to ensure that medications undergo the rigorous scientific scrutiny of the FDA approval process," and are proven safe and effective. It almost sounds like the FDA would be frightened if someone dropped a big load of cash on them to perform an actual study.

Better Shoe Choices For Healthy Feet

The latest U.S. shoe trends including round-toe shoes, low heels, flat shoes and wedge heels are better for women's feet compared to previous styles. (Quick, run out to Macy's and buy some shoes!)

Dr. James Brodsky, orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon on the medical staff at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas and president of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, says low-heeled shoes, with a wide or open toebox, reduce the pressure on the front of the foot.

Higher-heeled shoes such as stilettos can cause the foot to slip forward resulting in discomfort, blisters and possible toe injuries, but if choosing high heels, choose shoes with cushioning under the toes and ball of the foot, advises Brodsky.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a "break-in" period for shoes, according to Brodsky. "If the shoe doesn't fit, don't wear it," he says. The same would apply for men's shoes also, where the narrow pointed shoes are losing favor to rounder models that can be unobtrusive in a corporate casual environment, like a Sketcher's type shoe.

Hormone Drives Binge Eating

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (UPI) -- Stressed individuals might be prone to binge eating or drug addiction because of high levels of a hormone in their brain, says a U.S. study.

University of Michigan and Georgetown University researchers shows that rats with levels of corticotropin-releasing factor, or CRF, in their brain similar to the levels experienced by humans when they are stressed show an exaggerated craving for a reward -- some sugar -- whenever presented with a cue that had previously been associated with that reward.

"There are lots of reasons why stressed people might over eat or gamble or chase after hedonic rewards. Unfortunately this new result reveals another one," said psychology professor Kent Berridge of the University of Michigan. "People who feel bad during stress cope in part by overeating or pursuing other incentives."

The findings are published in the journal BMC Biology.

Copyright 2006 by United Press International

Children Need Mouth Guards For Sports

Kids who play all kinds of sports need to wear mouth guards to protect their teeth according to the American Association of Endodontists.

Mouth guards prevent an estimated 20,000 oral injuries in the U.S. each year, according to the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association.

Most assume that collision sports such as football and ice hockey pose the highest risks for student dental trauma, but data from the Journal of Pediatric Care show that soccer players have the greatest risk of orofacial injuries, at three times the rate of football players, while basketball players have double the risk of football and ice hockey players.

Millions Have Chronic Pain

Chronic pain, defined as any physical discomfort lasting for at least six months, affects up to 50 million U.S. adults, says a study. Common forms of chronic pain include headaches, backaches, arthritis, respiratory conditions and ailments caused by sports injuries or traumas relating from car accidents.

Wayne Hochwarter, of the Florida State University's College of Business in Tallahassee, Fla., has conducted several studies to examine the role of chronic pain on work factors such as job stress, employee performance and organizational profitability.

In one study, Hochwarter asked more than 2,000 employees to report the number of hours per week that pain caused them to be ineffective, and he found chronic pain accounts for over five hours per week of lost productivity. Most employees try to keep their pain a secret because they are afraid of the consequences if employers find out. The employees may work through the problem because they have no sick time, and can't afford to miss the work.

Feds Approve New Alcholism Treatment

A once-a-month injection to treat alcoholism won federal approval Thursday, expanding availability of a drug previously sold only in daily pill form. The Food and Drug Administration approved Vivitrol. Cambridge, Mass.-based Alkermes Inc. will make the injectable form of the drug, also known as naltrexone. Cephalon Inc., of Frazer, Pa., will sell it and handle distribution and marketing.

The drug works by blocking neurotransmitters in the brain believed to be associated with dependence, diminishing the craving for alcohol. The companies hope injections of the drug, to be administered at a doctor's office, will prove an easier for alcoholics to follow than the daily pill. The drug is to be used in conjunction with counseling or group therapy, the companies said

Americans Feel Pressure To Work When Sick

Thirty-five percent of U.S. workers say they feel pressure to go to work when they have the flu, even though it annoys 47 percent of their co-workers in a study by Caravan Opinion Research.

Fifty-eight percent of respondents said they have had co-workers come to work sick this winter and 30 percent said they have contracted the flu virus from a co-worker. (So what actually goes on during work breaks, hmmm?) Sixty-four percent said they feel their company encourages employees to stay home if they are sick -- compared to 75 percent in a similar survey in December 2004.

The survey, conducted on behalf of National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, found 60 percent of those who go to work sick are concerned about their work not getting done. Forty-eight percent said they feel guilty for missing work, 25 percent said they do not get paid for sick days and 24 percent said they get minimal or no sick time off.

7 Risky Foods To Eat

This list comes from Web MD. The report notes that Americans are eating less of these foods, and not getting as sick due to the reduced risk.

Here is the list:

Pink hamburgers
Pink ground beef
Raw fresh fish
Raw oysters
Raw/unpasteurized milk
Runny eggs
Alfalfa sprouts

Mumps Outbreak Hits Iowa

Iowa has been hit with the largest Mumps outbreak in 20 years. Mumps is rare in the US, as most children are vaccinated with the MMR shot during their childhood. The total of known or suspected cases is 365, and the disease seemed to be spreading to nearby states. Illinois and Kansas have reported spikes in mumps infections. The outbreak appears to have started in college-age adults, the latest information shows that mumps is now striking people ages 2 to 80.

The odd thing with the Iowa outbreak is that the victims have received their shots, with approximately 2/3rds of the people having received their shots. Click here for the full article from Time magazine.

Chemotherapy Delivered In A New Way

A new method for delivering chemotherapy being developed in Britain may result in cancer patients not experiencing hair loss and vomiting. (Don't let the medical marijuana people get wind of this!) Researchers at the University of Bath, England, are using tiny fibers and beads soaked in the chemotherapy drug, which are then implanted into the cancerous area in the patient's body.

The fibres are bio-degradable and compatible with body tissue, which means they should not be rejected by the patient's body. They gradually turn from solid to liquid, releasing a regular flow of the chemotherapy chemical into the cancer site and a much lower dose to the rest of the body.

The drug's delivery vehicle, known as Fibrasorb, could also cut the numbers of patients who die from the effects of chemotherapy because they need such high doses to tackle their cancer.

Sleep and Blood Pressure Relationship

According to a recent Columbia University study, people who do not get enough sleep faced an increased risk of blood pressure. The findings by the Mailman School of Public Health and the College of Physicians and Surgeons. The results of the study are reported in Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association.

"Sleep allows the heart to slow down and blood pressure to drop for a significant part of the day," said the study's lead author Dr. James E. Gangwisch. "However, people who sleep for only short durations raise their average 24-hour blood pressure and heart rate. This may set up the cardiovascular system to operate at an elevated pressure."

According to the author, 24 percent of people in the age range of 32 to 59 who slept for five hours or less each night developed hypertension. By comparison, only 12 percent of those studied who got seven or eight hours of sleep developed high blood pressure.

Subjects who slept five or fewer hours per night continued to be significantly more likely to be diagnosed with hypertension. Other factors like diabetes, obesity, exercise, salt, drinking alcohol, smoking, depression, age, education, gender and ethnicity were factored to make sure the study reflected strictly the amount of sleep.

New Fat Gene Discovered

Source: UPI

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (UPI) -- Scientists at Rutgers University say they have identified a gene that may help understand obesity and its treatment.

The research also helped discover the molecular function of the gene's protein product.

The researches said the human protein known as lipin is a key fat-regulating enzyme.

"Lipin activity may be an important pharmaceutical target for the control of body fat in humans, treating conditions that range from obesity to the loss of fat beneath the skin, as seen in HIV patients," said Prof. George M. Carman.

The findings are published online by the Journal of Biological Chemistry. Previous studies with mice have shown that a lack of lipin causes a loss of body fat, whereas an excess of lipin promotes extra body fat.

Copyright 2006 by United Press International

Vegetarians Weigh Less

I can't help but think "duh" when I read this story, but the information is a good reminder as to why a high fiber diet is important in controlling your weight. A vegetarian diet is linked to lower rates of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and other life-threatening conditions according to study authors Susan E. Berkow and Dr. Neal D. Barnard of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.

The researchers found that a low-fat vegan diet leads to weight loss of about 1 pound per week, even without additional exercise or limits on portion sizes, calories or carbohydrates. They also found that the body weight of both male and female vegetarians ranged 3 percent to 20 percent lower than that of meat eaters.

Obesity Crisis Slowing?

MSNBC seems to think so anyway. Men and children are still overweight, with over 30% of children being overweight. The percentage of women who are overweight seems to be slowing, which poses the question if we are starting to turn the corner on obseity.

The study did not bring any answers as to why women seem to be better at starting to control their weight. One doctor speculates that women are more aware of their health in general, and take quicker action compared to men, who have a tendency to avoid going to the doctor.

One item not speculated is with today's culture, children are not as active. Sports programs are being cut in schools, and video games are replacing outdoor fun. West Virginia put Dance, Dance Revolution in all of their middle schools to make PE more enjoyable for people who do not like sports.

All the data comes from the CDC's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which collects data on a sample of about 5,000 people each year. The researchers clustered years together, presenting calculations for 1999-2000, 2001-2002 and 2003-2004.

The survey is considered the gold standard for obesity data, since the data is collected with in-person examinations that include actual height and weight measurements. This is a good read on obesity.

Sick Building Syndrome Or Management Issue?

Workers claiming "sick building syndrome" may actually be the victims of poor management skills at work rather than poor environment, a British study says.

The sickness reports similar to colds and flu have been blamed for the past 20 years on the quality of buildings and their facilities, including air conditioning, in causing symptoms from headaches and coughs to unexplained tiredness.

An ongoing Whitehall Study involving more than 4,000 workers between ages 42 and 62, gave no evidence the workplace was responsible according to the Times of London said. Researchers largely blamed a working environment characterized by stressful conditions.

"Psychological factors of work, stress brought on by lack of control, long hours and unsupportive managers, were far more important," said Mai Stafford, the lead author on the study and a senior research fellow at University College London.

Dead Star In Drug Treatment Ad

From the creepy files, the late Chris Farley is being used on billboards in the Los Angeles area to promote drug treatment centers for Hythiam, Inc. Farley's estate was paid $25,000 and there are talks to use other stars on billboards for the recovery centers.

Video Game To Fight Dementia

A video game designed by a Tokyo neuroscientist is aimed for people over age 45 to sharpen their minds and delay the onset of dementia.

Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training -- believed to be the first video game targeting the middle-aged -- includes timed mathematical, language, memory and IQ-style puzzles. It is designed for Nintendo's DS handheld games console. The game is already a hit among Japanese retirees and provides a nice potential new market for video games.

"There are big lines between those who play video games and those who do not," said Shigeru Miyamoto, the head of Nintendo's entertainment division. "For those who don't, video games are irrelevant. They think all video games must be too difficult. We want to remove that barrier. It's very simple. There are dozens of different questions. It's a very unusual experience."