The US District Court judge ruled today that NIH is allowed to fund research on cell lines derived from human embryos as long as it does not fund the creation of the lines. This means that federal funding can be used for research using the existing embryonic cell lines.
To read the summary of the decision, click here.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Are taller women at higher risk for cancer?
The average height of men in the US is 5 ft 9 1/5 inches. Women in the US, on average, are a commanding 5 ft 4 inches, according to the National Health Statistics published by the CDC (Oct 2008). Being tall may have its advantages like reaching the upper cabinets or having an advantage in catching a rebound, but a recent study in Lancet Oncology revealed a downside to tallness.
According to the study by Dr. Jane Green, et. al., tall women are at higher risk for developing cancer. Analysis of data from the Million Women Study, a study of women’s health conducted in middle age women from the UK between 1996 and 2001, revealed that the risk of developing any cancer type increased along with height in women. When they looked at individual cancers, tall women had increased risk for developing colon, rectal, melanoma, breast, endometrial, ovarian, kidney, CNS, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and leukemia cancers. This link appears to be independent of other potentially influencing factors including smoking or socioeconomic status.
According to the study by Dr. Jane Green, et. al., tall women are at higher risk for developing cancer. Analysis of data from the Million Women Study, a study of women’s health conducted in middle age women from the UK between 1996 and 2001, revealed that the risk of developing any cancer type increased along with height in women. When they looked at individual cancers, tall women had increased risk for developing colon, rectal, melanoma, breast, endometrial, ovarian, kidney, CNS, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and leukemia cancers. This link appears to be independent of other potentially influencing factors including smoking or socioeconomic status.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Improving body image may help with weight loss
Want to lose weight? Incorporating sessions to improve body image may improve the amount lost, according to a study published today in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Their results demonstrated a significant improvement in overall weight loss amounts when body image was addressed (-7.3% vs -1.7%).
BioMed Central: www.biomedcentral.com
Intl Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity: http://www.ukdistribute.com/links/1310722818976-Body%20image%20change%20and%20improved%20eating%20self_regulation.pdf
Obesity is a growing public health problem in the US and around the world. Current estimates indicate 25-33% of the US population is obese (defined as a body mass index > 25). With increasing lack of physical activity, these numbers are predicted to rise over the coming years. Obesity is linked to many diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular and cancer. Health care costs rise with increased obesity rates. It is not easy to lose weight, but the health and financial benefit of doing, on a personal and societal level, so far exceeds the potential risks.
Over the years, many approaches to weight loss have been published. Some are healthy options that can lead to sustained weight management. Others are fad diets that are both ineffective and unhealthy. This study addressed whether body image could be a significant factor in determining overall outcome of weight management programs. By comparing a program that incorporated sessions on body image with the same program that included general sessions about health, Carraca et. al. demonstrated a significant increase in overall weight loss when body image sessions were included (-7.3% with sessions vs -1.7% without). Body image improved and the preoccupation with societal influence on body image decreased.
There is no magic pill or fad diet that will work. It comes down to effort, desire, and commitment to increased physical activity and a healthy lifestyle. Including methods to improve body image seem to be a key component to add to the mix that may lead to successful and maintained weight loss.
BioMed Central: www.biomedcentral.com
Intl Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity: http://www.ukdistribute.com/links/1310722818976-Body%20image%20change%20and%20improved%20eating%20self_regulation.pdf
Obesity is a growing public health problem in the US and around the world. Current estimates indicate 25-33% of the US population is obese (defined as a body mass index > 25). With increasing lack of physical activity, these numbers are predicted to rise over the coming years. Obesity is linked to many diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular and cancer. Health care costs rise with increased obesity rates. It is not easy to lose weight, but the health and financial benefit of doing, on a personal and societal level, so far exceeds the potential risks.
Over the years, many approaches to weight loss have been published. Some are healthy options that can lead to sustained weight management. Others are fad diets that are both ineffective and unhealthy. This study addressed whether body image could be a significant factor in determining overall outcome of weight management programs. By comparing a program that incorporated sessions on body image with the same program that included general sessions about health, Carraca et. al. demonstrated a significant increase in overall weight loss when body image sessions were included (-7.3% with sessions vs -1.7% without). Body image improved and the preoccupation with societal influence on body image decreased.
There is no magic pill or fad diet that will work. It comes down to effort, desire, and commitment to increased physical activity and a healthy lifestyle. Including methods to improve body image seem to be a key component to add to the mix that may lead to successful and maintained weight loss.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Potential new biomarker for neurofibromatosis identified
Published today in BMC Medicine, scientists have found a new biomarker, MIA, for neurofibromatosis, a disease that affects 1 in 3000. Although many cases are benign cafe au lait spots, some cases can result in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Identification of a marker in the blood will help diagnosis.
This study, published by (Kolanczyk et. al.), has found that expression of a protein, called melanoma-inhibitory activity/cd-rap or MIA, can be readily detected in the blood. MIA expression is correlated with tumor burden, so the more tumors present, the higher the MIA content in the serum. This could result in a non-invasive test to detect NF1 tumors, especially for those with subcutaneous and internal tumors that are difficult to otherwise detect.
Kolanczyk et. al. BMC Medicine
http://www.biomedcentral.com/
Interested in science? Click here to read more updates at bitsofscience.org
This study, published by (Kolanczyk et. al.), has found that expression of a protein, called melanoma-inhibitory activity/cd-rap or MIA, can be readily detected in the blood. MIA expression is correlated with tumor burden, so the more tumors present, the higher the MIA content in the serum. This could result in a non-invasive test to detect NF1 tumors, especially for those with subcutaneous and internal tumors that are difficult to otherwise detect.
Kolanczyk et. al. BMC Medicine
http://www.biomedcentral.com/
Interested in science? Click here to read more updates at bitsofscience.org
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