Improving sanitation and building more toilets could save millions of lives around the world and would remove an important source of inequality, the UN said Friday ahead of World Toilet Day. Eliminating inequalities can start…
Browsing Category Health
Global pact adopted to curb illicit tobacco trade
More than 170 countries Monday adopted what World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Margaret Chan called a “game-changing” global pact to combat the illegal tobacco trade. The treaty envisages an international tracking system which aims to…
Brain protein mutation linked to autism: research
Researchers said Thursday they had discovered a genetic mutation in people with autism that cuts communication between brain cells to about one-tenth of normal levels. The study found a protein which helps brain cells transfer…
Regular exercise raises life expectancy: study
Regular moderate exercise can raise life expectancy — even among people who are overweight, a study said. The analysis, published in PLOS Medicine, pooled self-reported data on physical activities and body mass indexes (BMIs) —…
Alzheimer’s may be detectable earlier than thought: science
Researchers said Tuesday they had seen the earliest-ever warning signs of Alzheimer’s Disease — among a high-risk group of 20-somethings — in the ongoing quest for early detection and prevention. A major problem in the…
Wanted: Dutch poo for scientific study
Three top Dutch medical schools are asking thousands of travellers to tropical countries to donate stool samples on return for a study into the rise in antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. The combined study, launched this week…
Breast cancer screening saves lives, says study
The benefits of preemptive breast cancer screening outweigh the risks, a study said Tuesday, insisting the practice saves thousands of lives. The new research adds to the debate about the dangers of overdiagnosis, which sees…
Women smokers who quit before 40 gain nine years in lifespan
Women can add nine years to their lives by quitting smoking before the age of 40 but still face a 20-percent higher death rate than those who never smoked, a study said Saturday. Published in…
Aspirin helps fight some colorectal cancers: US study
Aspirin can help prolong the life of patients suffering from colorectal cancer tumours with a specific genetic mutation, according to a new study released Thursday. The study of 900 patients carried out by the Dana-Farber…
Organic food not necessarily better for children: experts
Feed your children plenty of fruits and vegetables but don’t fret over whether they’re organic or not if you’re on a budget, US experts said Monday. While organic foods have lower pesticide levels, they also…