The scientists from Onergon have discovered reusable grocery bags as the notorious culprits for norovirus outbreak that affected the Beaverton’s girls’ soccer team in the year 2010.

The girls’ team had 13 players and 4 chaperones travelling to Seatle for a soccer tournament.

One of the girls fell ill with norovirus and was immediately isolated. Probably the girl was pre-infected by the norovirus infection.

After some time nine girls became infected with same infection and depicted the symptoms of stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea.

The Investigation:

After discussing with the team members it was found that they had taken some cookies from a reusable grocery bag.

The bags used by them were placed in the bathroom. The sick girl touched the bag. The experts believed that the infection-causing pathogens got accumulated on the bag from her bathroom.

Even after two weeks, the reusable bags tested positive.

Dr. Kimberly K. Repp of the Oregon Health and Science University and Dr. William E. Keene of the Oregon Public Health Division reported in the journal of Infectious Diseases, “While we certainly recommend not storing food in bathrooms. It is more important to recommend that areas where aerosol exposures may have occurred should be thoroughly disinfected; this includes not only exposed surfaces, but objects in the environment.”

About Norovirus:

Norovirus causes acute gastroenteritis and the common symptoms are nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In some cases the disease is characterized by the loss of taste. The infected person often complaints of following symptoms: headaches, muscular pain and generalized weakness.

The mode of spread is direct contact with the infected person.

The above soccer incident however revealed that the infection can spread without the direct contact with the infected person.

Aron Hall, an epidemiologist with the Division of Viral Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated, “What this report does is, it helps raise awareness of the complex and indirect way that norovirus can spread.”

It is through hand-washing and cleaning the infected surfaces with bleach solution, that safety against the virus can be attained.

Eating fish can protect you from developing colorectal cancer, reveals a recent study.  Tal Cancer

The study showed that people who consume fish are protected against cancer of rectal and colon.

The Study:

The scientists from University of Medicine and Dentistry at the New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School pooled data from 41 past studies published between 1990 and 2011.  Fish intake was evaluated and continuous tracking of the cancer prognosis was done.

It was found that those who ate fish regularly stayed protected against rectal and colon cancer. The rate of developing rectal cancer was 21 percent less than non-fish eaters while 4 percent less risk was reported for colon cancer.

The experts said that the overall fish intake was related to 12 percent reduction of the cancer threat.

Dr. Michael Gochfeld, professor of environmental and occupational medicine at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, mentioned, “People who rarely eat fish may experience health benefits in a variety of areas — heart disease, reproductive and now colon cancer — by increasing their fish consumption somewhat.”

The researchers believed that omega-3 fatty acids present in some fishes like sardines and salmon are responsible for the cancer protective properties.

Dr. Gochfeld commented, “If you eat fish very frequently, it’s not clear whether your benefit continues to go up (by eating even more).”

The study was published in the Journal of American Medicine.

Old diseases often come back to haunt your days again.  This time ten attack is more sever and fierce.

Tuberculosis is one such notorious disease that comes back with vengeance stronger than the previous attack.

 TDR or XDR TB

It is an obstinate ailment. Nearly two decades ago, TB was regarded as untreatable. People could save their lives after hard efforts.

Some are of the opinion, “The evidence of its stubbornness is that now medical experts are going to name it either (TDR) totally drug resistant or (XDR) extensively drug resistant.”

Side Effects of Medication

The drug for TB has several adverse effects. Nausea, vomiting and generalized weakness are the common side-effects.  Teh patients are vulnerable to develop them while they are on medication.

In India, it is generally seen that hygiene is not given its due importance. People do not pay heed to personal hygiene leave aside general and social hygiene.

If we wish to harness TB then we ought to be careful about our hygiene and keep environment healthy and clean.

Be careful about spitting at public places as it spreads mass infection. A general awareness should be created and people should be encouraged to shun such unhygienic practices.

Be careful about present to save your future.

A new study highlights the role of tocopherol or vitamin E in repairing the damaged plasma membrane.

Due to regular day-to-day activities and normal activities such as walking etc. significant amount of plasma membrane gets damaged. If left unrepaired it can result in severe muscular dystrophy.

Muscular dystrophy hampers your locomotion and even causes respiratory problem.

Repair Mechanism:

Several studies have revealed that deficiency of vitamin E can result in muscular ailments.

Paul McNeil, Georgia’s cell biologist and study co-author, said that vitamin E is helpful in repairing cell membrane.

It is important to repair the old damaged cell membrane as it is vulnerable to free radicals’ attack in the body.

Owing to the antioxidant properties, vitamin E help in removing harmful byproducts that interfere the repairing process in the body.

Being fat soluble, vitamin E prevents the attack of free radicals by attaching to the cell membrane.

Paul McNeil further stated, “Without any special effort we consume vitamin E every day and we don’t even know what it does in our bodies.”

This study was published in the  journal ‘Nature Communications.’

People across the world take diet supplements with the hope of getting health benefits. Diet supplements are not always health-yielding. Be careful before taking dietary supplements.

These so called healthy diet supplements are a source of potential fatal disease- claims a study.

The study revealed that high doses of diet supplements can be harmful to general well being. It also increases the threat of cancer.

Dr. Maria Elena Martinez , the lead researcher at the University of California at San Diego said, “Undoubtedly, use is driven by a common belief that supplements can improve health and protect against disease, and that at worst, they are harmless.

“However, the assumption that any dietary supplement is safe under all circumstances and in all quantities is no longer empirically reasonable.”

The Study:

The study regarding the health benefits of diet supplements was carried by a panel of five researchers.

The supplements were not given a green signal and were considered unhealthy for consumption.

 
Experts stressed that the intake of dietary supplements like calcium, vitamin D and folic acid did not endanger the life with fatal ailments like cancer.

According to the study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, it is recommended that the individuals should stay away from antioxidants capsules such as vitamin C&E.

Study Implications:

The diet supplement industry draws exorbitant 675 million annually. Data reveals that about one-third of average English adult pops in a supplement pill every day.

Yinka Ebo, senior Health Information Officer of England’s Cancer Resaerch said, “This scientific evidence should give people good reason to think twice about relying on supplements.”

The scientists suggested that the intake of healthy and balanced diet containing adequate quantities of vegetables, fresh fruits  is essential for keeping you fit and healthy.

Dr Carrie Ruxton of the Health Supplements Information Service confirmed that health supplements cannot be used for curing or preventing any kind of illness.

Gynecologists recommend all the women to get vaccinated before planning to conceive without fail.

The experts said that the rubella vaccination should be done three months before pregnancy in order to safeguard the fetus from any congenital abnormalities such as deafness, heart diseases, mental retardation and blindness.

 Rubella:

German measles or rubella is a viral infection and its attack often remains unnoticed.

If an expectant mother gets infected with rubella infection during first 20 weeks of pregnancy, the child to be born may suffer from congenital rubella syndrome. This can result in a series of ailments comprising cerebral, ophthalmic, cardiac and auditory defects.

Rubella infection can lead to first trimester miscarriages or stillbirths.  In 20 percent cases it can causes spontaneous abortions.

The damage caused is less if rubella infection is contracted in the later months of pregnancy.

At present there is no specific treatment of rubella. Inoculation is the only preventive protection. The rubella vaccine is contraindicated during pregnancy. Ideally it should be given three months prior to conception.

Experts’ Recommendation:

“A few people get the vaccination done at their level. There is lack of awareness about the vaccine and few avoid on economical reasons too. However, the vaccine is not costly and is also safe to use,” said Dr. Neeraj Pauranik, senior gynecologist and H.O.D., Bombay Hospital

He added that the rubella vaccine has no major adverse effects except mild skin rashes in about 5 percent women.

Dr. Seema Vijayvargiya, secretary of Indore Obs- Gynae society mentioned, “Vaccination should be given to the girls in the age group 12 to 26 years to avoid congenital malformations. Only one dose of Rs 30 can save a newborn child from infection.”

WHO recommends two doses of measles vaccine to be routinely administered in all countries of the world.  WHO also recommends the inclusion of rubella vaccine in the immunization program.

Food companies often advertize wrong information simply to attract consumers. The Centre for Sciences and Environment (CSE), an NGO based at New Delhi has said that food companies such as Nestle, Mc Donald’s, KFC, PepsiCo, etc. publicize wrong information regarding their products and improper labeling.

A study done by the CSE has discovered that food articles sold by these companies commercially contain excessive salt, sugar and bad fat.

This recent study has initiated a new discussion on the food supplied by theses MNCs and the domestic contenders in this area.

It was CSE that was responsible for highlighting the use of pesticides in cola. This led to the creation of general awareness regarding the health hazards posed by carbonated drinks.

Excessive Trans fats:

The study showed that theses junk foods contained excessive salt, trans fat etc. Their intake may result to raised blood pressure and blockage in blood vessels.

Sunita Narain, the Director of CSE stated, “Most junk foods contain very high levels of trans fats, salt and sugar, leading to diseases such as obesity and diabetes. We need stronger regulations that will reduce fats, sugar and salt in junk foods, and force companies to provide information to the public mandatorily.”

According to the World Health Organization’s prescribed recommendations an average adult should take less than 2.6 grams of trans fats daily while an average adult female should not consume more than 2.1 grams of trans fats.

Reaction of the Industry:

As a response to the CSE study, Rajni Maini, general manager of McDonald’s India (North& East) considered the study findings to be “most unusual”.

He said that the eating hubs used refined deodorized and bleached palm oil containing minimal trans fats.

He further said, “We will certainly be examining them closely to see how these unexpected results have been arrived at, what testing methods were used, and comparing them with our own in-house testing.”

Good news for patients suffering from high blood pressure! A recent study claims that vitamin C might help you in harnessing your soaring blood pressure.

The experts from the John Hopkins University wre of the opinion that consuming sufficient amount of nutrient can bring about a moderate reduction in your blood pressure.

The Study:

For study purpose the experts reviewed the records of 29 already published clinical trials.  More than 1,400 individuals were involved in these trials.

The systolic and diastolic values were compared with either vitamin C or placebo nutrient intake.

The scientists discovered that those who took an average 500 milligrams of vitamin C on daily basis for about eight weeks continuously showed a drop of 3.84 millimeters of mercury in their blood pressure values.

The researchers said that for known hypertensive, the drop was about 5 millimeters of mercury.

Vitamin C not only enhances immunity, it also protects your body against harmful sodium and facilitates its removal from the body. It maintains body’s natural level of nitric oxide.

Word of Caution:

Though the study findings are quite encouraging yet the experts urge not to overload your body with nutrients.

Edgar ”Pete” R Miller III, the lead experts mentioned, “Our research suggests a modest blood pressure lowering effect with vitamin C supplementation, but before we can recommend supplements as a treatment for high blood pressure, we really need more research to understand the implications of taking them.”

The study findings were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Here is some great news for men! The age old shaving technique is revolutionized with the advent of new gel that could prevent the unwanted hair growth.

Recent researches have claimed to produce a fantastic gel with unmatched properties.

Scientist from the University of Pennsylvania claimed to have produced a gel containing a compound ‘cidofovir’.

This can make men free of stubble. Cidofovir is used in the treatment of AIDS.  This drug, if injected can lead to lack of hair growth or alopecia.

Regarding the Study:

For study purposes two separate gels with 1 percent and 3 percent drug concentration were developed and their effects were observed.

16 men were selected for the study and they were given either of the two drug injections and were observed for some days.

The gel was applied on one cheek and a similar dummy gel on the other cheek.

Study Findings:

The conclusion drawn was that the drug applications showed visible reduction in the growth of the beard.

The gel with 3 percent concentration showed great results while gel with 1 percent concentration produced no results.

The study findings were published in “Archieves of Dermatology” journal.

Besides men, women too can get rid of their unwanted hair from the legs.

The application of the gel would enable the women in getting rid of their unwanted hair in a painless and easy way. It will also save the expensive salon treatments.

Phthalate a chemical substance present I fake tanning lotions and make-up can increase the threat of obesity and diabetes claims a recent research.

The scientist from Sweden have said that phthalate is a chemical that is found in make-up and cosmetic items such as fake tanning lotions  is largely responsible for fat deposition and subsequent weight gain in the body.

According to the experts popular lotion like Towie’s Lauren Goodger are under tight scrutiny.

Increased Risk:

The Swedish scientists profess that exposure to moderate levels of phthalate can double the risk of obesity and diabetes.

About 1000 participants were enrolled aged above 70 years .There were 119 diabetic individuals a88 had past history.

The experts took into account the various risk factors such as smoking, high cholesterol levels, obesity, etc. in such patients.

In addition they discovered that the high blood phthalate levels resulted in increased resistance to insulin.

This research has significantly helped the experts to find out the way in which phthalate affects the human metabolism and induces prompt weight gain.

The scientists are more worried because it also causes the insulin resistance.

Health Related Worries:

Currently about a billion tons of phthalate is produced worldwide and is employed in cosmetic industry.

Monica Lind, Monica Lind, of Sweden’s Uppsala University, stated: “Those pollutants containing phthalates are making people obese and now we find they could get diabetes. These products need to be tested. Many are used in body products, like face creams, fake tan, make up and perfumes. ”

She further added, “Not only does the packaging contain them, but they are absorbed into the body and bloodstream through the skin. In perfume, we inhale the phthalates that are used to delay the scent and increase the lifetime of the perfume.”

Today's Joke

Why hairs are white

 

KID: - Why some of your hair are

white dad?

 

DAD: – Every time a son make his dad

unhappy,

One of his father’s hair turns white…..

 

… … KID: - Now  I understand why

Grandpa’s hairs are all white..