Vaani

Global Health Weekly News Round-Up

March 19, 2012 by Vaani, posted in News

Politics and Policies:

The Obama administration has released rules for health exchanges. The regulations have outlined minimum standards that the states must meet to set up and run these health insurance marketplaces by a deadline of January 1^st 2014 (Source: http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/daily-reports/2012/march/13/health-exchange-rule.aspx , http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/12/obama-health-care-law-blu_n_1339286.html ).
China has launched US $125 billion program of health-care reform to ensure universal health coverage. Majority of funding will go to public health and primary health care. Low income people will be subsidized to enroll in social health insurance programs (Source: http://www.verticalnews.com/articles/6704766.html ).
The lower house of the legislature of Wisconsin has passed a bill that would force school staff on classroom sex education indicates a preference for abstinence for abstinence, not contraception (Source: http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/11721074-wisconsin-will-teach-sexual-abstinence-in-schools- ).

Programs

South Africa is on its way to launch mobile health (mhealth) services in May in Johannesburg (Source: http://www.pr.com/press-release/397775 ).
The government of Ghana has increased the number of health training schools in the Upper West Region to help address the healthcare needs of people (Source: http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/health/artikel.php?ID=233058 ).

Research

Researchers in Australia have developed a new technique that identifies and tracks the location of diseased proteins inside cells which can help to treat diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s (Source: http://www.news.com.au/technology/sci-tech/australian-researchers-develop-new-protein-tracking-technique-which-could-help-treat-brain-disease/story-fn5fsgyc-1226303483944 ).
The researchers at Georgetown university discovered the “Greedy” gene that makes you eat more even when you are full (Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2116792/Georgetown-University-Medical-Centre-Scientists-discover-greedy-gene-makes-eat-full.html ).
The study done by Israel’s Institute of Technology shows that the antioxidants found in the tea called polyphenols destroy a number of compounds in the mouth that can lead to bad breath , tooth decay and even oral cancer (Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/Green-tea-can-beat-bad-breath-cancer/articleshow/12323727.cms ).
The researchers at the West Virginia University School of Medicine have discovered that those people who sleep for less than seven hours at night have a risk of developing heart disease and those sleeping less than five hours have a double risk for this disease (Source: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Sleep/health-problems-linked-lack-sleep/story?id=15930879 ).
The researchers with the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and the Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases at the U of C’s Faculty of Medicine have discovered the cause and cure of Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis. They found that the damage or death of neurons within a patients gut is aided by proteins known as “pannexins”. They have also discovered the drugs which can be used to block them to prevent the cell death in gastrointestinal tract (Source: http://www.montrealgazette.com/health/University+Calgary+scientists+make+breakthrough+Inflammatory+Bowel/6321398/story.html ).
A study done by in 2008 by the World Health Organization reveals that the maximum number of deaths due to cancer among the women in India are due to cervical cancer (Source: http://www.deccanherald.com/content/235082/screening-cancer-not-womens-priority.html ).
According to a recent study, eating white rice might be linked to the development of type 2 diabetes (Source: http://vitals.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/16/10721069-white-rice-may-increase-your-risk-of-diabetes ).
A study done in Rice University in Houston indicate that the immigrants who are bilingual are healthier than those who speak just one language (Source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/the-hot-button/two-languages-are-better-than-one-for-immigrants-health-study-finds/article2371383/?utm_medium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm_source=Life&utm_content=2371383 ).
The researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have generated a mutant version of a protein whose modifies shape renders it more potent than the natural protein while reducing its toxicity. This protein, known as interleukin-2 or IL-2 is a master regulator of the immune system (Source: http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-03-scientists-boost-potency-side-effects.html ).
Scientists at UCLA Johnson’s Center has uncovered a new mechanism for drug resistance (vemurafenib resistance) in melanoma patients (Source: http://www.esmo.org/no_cache/view-news.html?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=1401&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=585 ).
The scientists at the University of California, San Francisco (USCF) have suggest that mild dilation of blood vessels in retina may signal cognitive decline in women (Source: http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/03/19/eye-disease-may-signal-cognitive-decline/36191.html ).
The researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Magee-Women’s Research Institute have found that gene mutations contribute to fibroid development (Source: http://www.upmc.com/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/2012/Pages/Gene-Mutations-Fibroid-Development.aspx ).
Researchers at Yale University School of Public Health have created a map which pinpoints areas of eastern United States where people have highest risk of contracting Lyme disease (Source: http://newtownbee.com/News/2012-03-16__12-09-35/New+Map+Pinpoints+Lyme+Disease+Risk+Areas ).

Diseases & Disasters

Breast cancer on rise among the African women (Source: http://www.voanews.com/english/news/health/Breast-Cancer-on-the-Rise-among-African-women-Say-Experts–142962875.html ).
Nigeria is one of three polio-endemic countries in the world. The resistance to polio vaccine has been mostly responsible of this deadly disease out breaks in this country. President Goodluck Jonathan has created a new task force to eradicate this disease by 2015 (Source: http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/Polio-Still-a-Problem-in-Parts-of-Nigeria-142660566.html ).

Global Health Weekly News Round-Up

March 11, 2012 by Vaani, posted in News

Politics and Policies:

The Obama administration is about to issue standards for health insurance exchanges in the new healthcare law, where consumers and small businesses will be able to buy coverage from competing private plans (Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/10/health/policy/obama-administration-to-set-health-care-exchange-rules.html).
Lawmakers of Idaho, concerned with its high rate of skin cancer are considering legislation that would restrict tanning salon use among minors (Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/07/us/melanoma-leads-idaho-to-consider-limit-on-tanning-salons.html ).
A Cleveland Democrat has introduced Senate Bill 307 for the regulating men’s reproductive health (Source: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/middletown-news/bill-introduced-to-regulate-mens-reproductive-health-1341547.html ).

Programs

National and international representatives to collaborate on improving language and patient safety on April 30, 2012 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at 6^th Annual National Medical Interpreter Certification Open Forum . It is an effort to make every stakeholder to understand the importance of error-free communication to avoid negative health outcomes to vulnerable populations (Source: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-leaders-to-address-language-access-at-the-6th-annual-national-medical-interpreter-certification-open-forum-in-tulsa-oklahoma-142041633.html ).
MSD announced the launch of their diabetes education for healthcare professionals in Saudi Arabia. The British Medical Journal (BMJ) in collaboration with Leicester University with healthcare professionals will receive a five day training course from the panel of local and international members (Source: http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?StoryId=1093491497 ).
Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) awards $2.3 million in funds to organizations that make a direct impact on children’s health and well-being (Source: http://rmhc.org/epk/media-materials/latest-news-stories/ ).
Novartis launches a new drug in Ghana for the treatment of type 2 Diabetes and hypertension (Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201203071059.html ).
Nigeria’s health minister has announced that country would immediately buy fifty five pounds of morphine for the nation’s hospitals and would form an alliance with a new nonprofit organization (Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/06/health/policy/nigeria-to-import-morphine-in-pain-relief-initiative.html ).

Research

A study published in the journal, Cell Reports, reveals how a clot-busting enzyme is switched on, which removes the disease-causing clots and clears up the damaged tissue (Source: http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news/20121103-23200.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencealert-latestnews+(ScienceAlert-Latest+Stories) ).
According to a study, females infected with sexually transmitted disease caused by Mycoplasma genitilium, are more likely to acquire HIV infection (Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/common-bacterial-std-more-than-doubles-hiv-risk-in-women/922420/ ).
According to a study, one in two children in Australia is bullied (Source: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/120310/bully-bullying-cyberbullying-australia-shools-children-r-rated-films ).
According to a study, elevated levels of C-reactive protein associated with inflammation and heart disease is also linked with a condition called pre-diabetes (Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120311/jsp/nation/story_15235883.jsp ).
A research study shows BCG vaccine is effective in children in preventing tuberculosis irrespective of the sources/ manufactures of the vaccine (Source: http://www.biotechmashup.com/beta/Medicine/Comparative_Tuberculosis_TB_Prevention_Effectiveness_in_Children_of_Bacillus_Calmette_Gu_rin_BCG_Vaccines_from_Different_Sources_Kazakhstan ).
According to a study computerized patient records may not cut health costs and may actually encourage doctors to order expensive tests more often (Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/06/business/digital-records-may-not-cut-health-costs-study-cautions.html ).
The researchers at Norwich Medical School, United Kingdom, show a relationship between main subclasses of flavonoids to determine the risk of ischemic, hemorrhagic and total stroke (Source: http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/03/the-incredible-power-of-citrus-fruits-to-reduce-risk-of-stroke/254031/ ).
A study published in the journal Health Affairs show that if the people are given option, they will go for the expensive healthcare (Source: http://www.nationaljournal.com/healthcare/people-like-expensive-health-care-study-finds-20120305 ).

Diseases & Disasters

Deaths are reported in Northern Bangladesh due to the infection caused by Nipah virus (Source: http://www.thepigsite.com/swinenews/29154/zoonotic-disease-causes-concern-in-bangladesh ).
Death of eighteen infants in a hospital in the Southern part of Sri Lanka has provoked public protests in the country (Source: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v6/newsworld.php?id=651198 ).
Dr. Osafo, President of the Ghana Kidney Foundation has indicated that over 3,000 Ghanaian’s develop chronic kidney disease every year, with majority between 20-50 years of age (Source: http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/health/artikel.php?ID=231862 ).
Temporary toilets in Haiti are probable health threats. The human excreta in the unlined pits are likely carrying pathogens http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=106977 .
The people of Otuzco province of the La Libertad region of Peru have contracted cutaneous anthrax (a bacterial infection) (Source: http://www.examiner.com/infectious-disease-in-national/anthrax-outbreak-peru ).
First Hantavirus case of 2012 reported by Montana health officials (Source: http://www.examiner.com/infectious-disease-in-national/montana-health-officials-report-first-hantavirus-case-of-2012 ).

Global Health Weekly News Round-Up

March 5, 2012 by Vaani, posted in News

Politics and Policies:

The Japanese government has provided 6.8 million dollar grant to the government of Ghana- US $4.3 million for the multi-donor budget support (MDBS) and US $2.5 million for the health sector budget support- for the year 2012 (Source: http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201202/82266.php ).
A settlement that BP is hammering out with victims of the massive Gulf oil spill finally provides a system for monitoring health concerns and compensating people whose illnesses are found linked to disaster (Source: http://articles.boston.com/2012-03-04/news/31122122_1_massive-gulf-oil-spill-medical-claims-bp-settlement ).
A federal judge on Wednesday declared that a Food and Drug administration requirement – that tobacco companies should display predominantly graphic warning labels on cigarette packages- unconstitutional (Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/01/business/us-judge-rejects-gruesome-cigarette-labels.html?_r=1&ref=policy ).
The Virginia Senate adopted a revised bill that still requires doctors to perform an ultrasound on women before they have an abortion, but also says that women cannot be forced to have an invasive vagina ultrasound (Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/29/us/virginia-senate-passes-revised-ultrasound-bill.html?ref=policy ).
Federal health officials have issued safety alerts for statins (cholesterol reducing medicines) as they can be linked to the rare risks of memory loss, diabetes and muscle pain besides cognitive problems like forgetfulness and confusion (Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/29/health/fda-warns-of-cholesterol-drugs-side-effects.html?ref=policy ).
The Senate upheld President Obama’s birth control policy, voting to kill a Republican effort to let employers and health insurance company deny coverage for contraceptives and other items they object to on religious or moral grounds (Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/02/us/politics/senate-kills-gop-bill-opposing-contraception-policy.html?ref=policy ).

Programs:

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has pledged to continuously support Ghana in the areas of maternal and child health, women rights and commodities security and domestic violence (towards reducing maternal mortality and making family planning services accessible) (Source: http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201203/82468.php ).
The Health Impact Project, a collaboration of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Pew Charitable Trusts, have announced the awardees of 15 new grants to do health impact assessments- to look at potential health impacts of policies and projects in the other sectors (Source: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/03/04/4311287/grants-awarded-to-help-build-health.html ).
The Emirate’s first guidelines on the use of PET/CT imaging in breast cancer management have been issued by the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) (Source: http://www.ameinfo.com/292333.html ).
India’s Barefoot College, located in Rajasthan is involved in teaching the illiterate village women- treated as second class citizens- public health, dentistry, solar engineering and mechanics (Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hdt-pgr5qDXpzlWwxJO9SV532IUw?docId=CNG.4eab7fccfa232de095290e5fb370f3a9.491 ).

Research:

Dr. Peter Hotez of the National School of Medicine in his study reveals that the years of conflict and political struggle have caused massive human and animal migrants in the Middle East and North America leading to spread or re-emergence of a variety of tropical diseases- cutaneous leishmaniasis, dengue, rift valley fever, Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever- some of which were previously eliminated or controlled (Source: http://www.voanews.com/english/news/health/Tropical-Infections-Rising-Amid-Turmoil-in-Mideast-North-Africa-141038033.html ).
Metal-on-metal hip replacement joints linked to cancer, poisoning and pain (Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9121861/Metal-hip-replacements-linked-to-cancer.html ).
According to the study published in the journal of the National Cancer Institute, low levels of diesel exhaust might have an increased risk of development of lung cancer (Source: http://news.yahoo.com/study-links-exposure-diesel-exhaust-increased-risk-lung-171900438.html ).
Company Metabolomx has developed a machine that sniffs cancer. The machine analyses the breath and its volatile organic compounds, among other things (Source: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/03/05/BUIO1NFAK7.DTL&type=tech ).
Human trials of Kala Azar (a lethal disease transmitted by the bite of a sand fly) vaccine has been jointly started by India and the United States (Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-03/india/31119358_1_kala-azar-visceral-leishmaniasis-candidate-vaccine ).
According to a study published in the journal The Lancet, “the wonder drug” for breast cancer in India- Exemestane, sold under the brand name, Aromasin, is found to decrease bone density (Source: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/cancer-wonder-drug-affects-bone-density-report/234979-17.html ).
Japanese scientists suggest that Vitamin E may interfere with the process that keeps bone healthy (Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17237569 ).

Diseases and Disasters:

Tornado storms roar across Midwest and South United States (Source: http://www.usatoday.com/weather/storms/tornadoes/story/2012-03-02/severe-storms-tornadoes-south/53332072/1 ).
Deadly storms strike Mozambique. Heavy rains and high winds killed eight people over the weekend (Source: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/deadly-storms-strike-mozambique-dead-15847386 ).
Suicides among young females an epidemic in Kashmir, India (Source: http://www.globalissues.org/news/2012/03/02/12894 ).
According to the director of the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, “examination of the data for pancreatic cancer patients diagnosed in 2010 shows a doubling survival, a real breakthrough for this disease” (Source: http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/interactive/news/survival-rates-for-leukaemia-and-pancreatic-cancer-improve-in-ni-id801309225-t116.html ).

Global Health Weekly News Round-Up

February 25, 2012 by Vaani, posted in News

Politics and Policies

Texas has passed regulations on barring Planned Parenthood clinics and other “affiliates of abortion providers from participating in the state’s Medicaid program starting March 14 (Source: http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/state-issues/212301-texas-defies-obama-administration-bars-abortion-providers-from-state-medicaid-program ).
A program created to help insurance-seekers in Texas cut through the complexities of federal health care reforms is shutting down in April (Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/24/us/texas-to-shut-consumer-health-assistance-program.html?_r=1&ref=policy ).
Medicare covers Yoga for heart disease (Source: http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/25/health/medicare-covers-yoga-heart-disease/ ).

Programs

A national immunization campaign to eradicate polio was launched on 23^rd February in the Central African Republic (CAR) to reach all children in the country (including those who have limited access to health services) (Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201202241273.html ).
The Department of Health (DH) of Hong Kong has issued a warning on the slimming product (name Sheng Yuan Fang) with undeclared and banned drug ingredients (Source: http://www.moviemazaa.com/node/1068362 ).
The Philadelphia city Health Department will begin offering free, confidential testing for human immunodeficiency syndrome virus (HIV). The free testing site will be in Tuscarawas County (Source: http://www.timesreporter.com/communities/x1618024551/Phila-to-offer-free-HIV-testing ).

Research

A study published in Australian Journal of Law and Medicine has cited numerous flaws in the Kenya, South Africa and Uganda studies which claimed that male circumcision provides protection against HIV transmission (Source: http://www.newzimbabwe.com/news-7273-Circumcision%20HIV%20impact%20doubted/news.aspx ).
A study reveals that Zelboraf, a drug to treat advanced cases of deadly shin cancer melanoma, nearly doubles length of patient’s lives (Source: http://vitals.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/22/10480484-advanced-melanoma-drug-nearly-doubles-survival-time ).
According to a study pregnant females who get vaccinated for influenza vaccine have less likely babies with low birth weight (Source: http://www.voanews.com/english/news/health/Moms-Flu-Vaccination-Boosts-Baby-Birth-Weight-140341143.html ).
Research demonstrates the use of antibiotics in food production can lead to the development of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Strain (Source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-201202221120usnewsusnwr201202210221staphfeb22,0,635726.story ).
According to a research study, colonoscopy reduces the chances of colon cancer death risk (Source: http://articles.boston.com/2012-02-23/lifestyle/31087870_1_colon-cancer-colonoscopy-growths ).
A study reveals that a chemical found in the Chilean fruit Avocado has the property to combat multi-resistant bacterial strains (Source: http://zeenews.india.com/ayurveda/avocado-can-help-combat-multi-resistant-bacterial-strains_1063.html ).
A study published in journal Stroke has provided evidence that consuming more citrus fruits as a part of the daily fruit and vegetable intake reduces the risk of ischemic (blood clot related) stroke (Source: http://health.einnews.com/picture/9053 ).
According to a recent study Hepatitis C kills more Americans than by the HIV/AIDS infection. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Infection (the CDC) data, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, in 2007 more than 15,000 people died of Hepatitis C infection as compared to 12,734 deaths due to HIV-related causes (Source: http://health.einnews.com/picture/9056 ).

Diseases and Disasters

E.coli outbreaks in Michigan linked to consumption of raw sprouts (Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/25/e-coli-outbreak-linked-to_n_1300994.html ).
About forty people died across Nigeria from the outbreak of Lassa fever in last four weeks (Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201202220127.html ).
The health authorities in the Republic of Congo have warned the spread of Cholera in the northern district of Likouala (Source: http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/congo-cholera-continues-spreading ).
A 16^th case of the measles has been confirmed in central Indiana. According to health officials, visitors to a popular Carmel county club may have been exposed to the highly contagious virus. The outbreak has been traced to a family who was infected during a trip overseas (Source: http://www.theindychannel.com/news/30537578/detail.html ).
According to Shaoguan city government (China), about 64 children have been diagnosed with elevated blood lead levels (Source: http://english.cri.cn/6909/2012/02/24/2724s683087.htm ).
Four babies were identified as carrying Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) in the neonatal ward of Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) of Hong Kong (Source: http://7thspace.com/headlines/406545/queen_elizabeth_hospital_mrsa_cases_and_update_on_vre.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%207thspace%20%287thSpace%20Interactive%29 ).
A Haiti aid group warns on cholera surge during the rainy season (Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/americas/haiti-aid-group-warns-of-cholera-surge-on-eve-of-rainy-season/2012/02/24/gIQAg7bvXR_story.html ).

Global Health Weekly News Round-Up

February 19, 2012 by Vaani, posted in News

Politics and Policies

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised consumers not to purchase or use “Japan Weight Loss Blue”, for weight loss as it contains sibutramine which increases blood pressure and pulse in some patients. It may interact in life threatening ways with other medications (Source: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/MedicationHealthFraud/ucm292591.htm ).
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized that exposure to dioxins does not produce a significant health risk (Source: http://www.power-eng.com/articles/2012/02/epa-finalizes-dioxin-emissions-assessment.html ).
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials plan to investigate whether inhalable caffeine sold in lipstick-sized canisters is safe for consumers and if its manufacturer was right to brand it as dietary supplement (Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/AP773d0f156fa74d008ded67c088784eb2.html ).
India’s second free healthcare center for students inaugurated in the state of Tripura (Source: http://twocircles.net/2012feb19/tripura_gets_indias_second_free_healthcare_center_students.html )
An international panel of health and flu experts assembled by the United Nations health agency have agreed for the full public press release of research showing how to create lethal mutant flu virus (Source: http://chronicle.com/article/UN-Panel-Pushes-for/130870/ ).
Russia has blocked a U.S. plan designated to help stem the flow of drugs from Afghanistan through Central Asia in a sign of Moscow’s continued wariness about Washington’s intentions in a region often thought of as “Russia’s background” (Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/russia_reportedly_blocks_us_plan_central_asia_opium_drugs_narcotics_afghanistan/24488075.html ).

Programs

In an effort to treat cancer patients throughout Africa and World on February 24^th, 2012, Nigeria will mark the launch of the first bone marrow registry (Source: http://ncdaction.org/profiles/blogs/nigeria-to-launch-its-first-bone-marrow-registry?xg_source=activity ).
S.Korea to build $3.2 billion cancer center in Astana, Kazakhstan (Source: http://www.inform.kz/eng/article/2441204 ).

Research

A study done by San Francisco VA Medical Center shows that tenofovir (anti HIV drug) used as a single pill combined with other drugs increases the risk of kidney infection in patients suffering from this deadly HIV infection (Source: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2012/02/18/MNAS1N8SHA.DTL ).
An ongoing study by University of Montreal, on the HIV-resistant sex workers in Africa could pave the way for effective AIDS vaccine (Source: http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Study+resistant+workers+could+lead+better+AIDS+vaccine/6146767/story.html ).
A new animal study suggests genetic mutation might make it easier to gain pounds on high-fat diets (Source; http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2012/02/19/gene-might-boost-risk-for-obesity ). According to a study published in the Journal Nature, defects in a protein that functions as a dietary fat sensor may be a cause of obesity and liver disease (Source: http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-02-faulty-fat-sensor-implicated-obesity.html ).
Scientists at Kings College London and the National Diabetes Center (Sri Lanka) have found evidence of a high number of risk factors for type 2 diabetes among the young urban population of Sri Lanka. It has provided with evidence that the region is rapidly becoming a hotspot in the growing international diabetes epidemic (Source: http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-02-diabetes-factors-young-sri-lankans.html ).
In a study, records of Medicare patients with prostate cancer show that those treated with a more precise form of radiation known as proton therapy had more bowel complications, than those who underwent the conventional technique (Source: http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Study-questions-prostate-cancer-therapy-3340528.php ).

Diseases and Disasters

According to the report released by Save the Children Tanzania, Tackling Child Malnutrition, four out of ten children under the age of five years have stunted growth. About 17 % are severely stunted and nearly 130 children die in this country every day from malnutrition (Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201202170198.html ).
Bat disease expected this winter at most Western Pennsylvania sites (Source: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_782368.html ).
Poison alert on chemical (pesticide called Lasso) used in South America (Source: http://www.peherald.com/news/article/4878 ).
Vietnam is grappling with a new strain of bird flu virus that has outsmarted vaccines that was used to protect poultry flocks. Recent human deaths in Asia and Egypt indicate that the H5N1 virus is still alive (Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/17/bird-flu-asia_n_1284038.html ).
Rota virus outbreaks in North Malaysia have resulted in death of two children. About 3,000 children have been reported by the Health officials of Malaysia being ill due to this virus outbreak since late January (Source: http://bikyamasr.com/57181/malaysia-battling-rotavirus-in-north-two-children-dead/ ).
Brazilian Health Minister has warned that Rio de Janeiro could face the worst dengue epidemics in its history this year. He said the virus strain is prevalent but not fatal (Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gTVdQE35p6eaB5Z6PXVHhlA5HgLg?docId=CNG.8b32ad461489ab05113fc900b5f26049.9e1 ).
Mystery epidemic devastates Central American region (Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46352358/ns/world_news-americas/t/mystery-epidemic-devastates-central-american-region/ ).

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