Health & Food

One may never realize that the culprits of the frequent complaints of neck and back pain can be your deceptively simple bags and purses. According to a piece published in Philadelphia Media Network philly.com by Surena Namdari, who is an associate professor of orthopaedic surgery at Thomas Jefferson University, “carrying item”, which includes briefcases, purses and other bags, which we usually...

A new low-cost method for detecting bacteria in food or water samples has come closer to the reality. Developed by scientists from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the rapid and low-cost method could be useful to the chefs using fresh fruits and vegetables. Researcher Lili He said, “Most people around the world cook their vegetables before eating, but here in the U.S. more and more people...

People who eat too much fast food may be exposed to potentially harmful hormone-disrupting chemicals called phthalates, according to a study. Phthalates, a group of chemicals used in food packaging and processing materials, are known to disrupt hormones in humans and are linked to a long list of health problems. The study is the first to compare phthalate exposures in people who reported dining...

London, Mar 23: Women in rural India delay seeking treatment for breast cancer mostly due to high costs of care, according to a study which found that many of them have not even heard of the deadly disease. The study by Nitin Gangane, a doctoral student at Umea University in Sweden, also found that most Indian women do not know how to do breast self-exams. "Early detection may be crucial for...

Melbourne, Mar 23: Stopping exercise suddenly can result in increased depressive symptoms, according to a study. Julie Morgan, a PhD student at the University of Adelaide in Australia, reviewed the results of earlier studies that examined the effects of stopping exercise in regularly active adults. "Adequate physical activity and exercise are important for both physical and mental health," said...

New Delhi, Mar 23: India is likely to generate about 775.5 tonnes of medical waste per day by 2022 from the current level of 550.9 tonnes daily, a study conducted jointly by industry body ASSOCHAM and Velocity has said. The study, which was released yesterday, said medical waste is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 7 percent. Titled 'Unearthing the Growth Curve...

Jerusalem, Mar 21: High consumption of red and processed meat may increase the risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and insulin resistance, a study has found. "Unhealthy Western lifestyle plays a major role in the development and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), namely, lack of physical activity and high consumption of fructose and saturated fat," said...

A small, daily dose of popular erectile dysfunction drug Viagra may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, according to a study conducted in mice. Viagra cut in half the formation of polyps, an abnormal and often asymptomatic clump of cells on the lining of the intestines that may become cancer, said Darren D Browning, researcher at Augusta University in the US. Next steps should include a clinical...

A new analysis by a group of scientists has found that more than 90% of the world’s most popular bottled water brands contained tiny pieces of plastic. The shocking revelation has prompted the World Health Organisation (WHO) to announce a review into the potential risks of plastic in drinking water. Analysis of 259 bottles from 19 locations in nine countries including India across 11 different...

Mindfulness meditation can help reduce major depression and alleviate its symptoms, a study has found. Researchers from University of Hong Kong and Chinese University of Hong Kong found that for patients with subthreshold depression who have not had a major depressive episode in the past six months, mindfulness training is a feasible method of preventing major depression. In the study, 116 adults...