A fat chance of developing asthma
Harvard researchers say a study of thousands of nurses has provided the first strong evidence that obesity greatly increases the risk of developing asthma. Even a little bit of fat increases the risk, and obese people, those who are roughly 35 percent overweight, are at least three times more likely …
- After polio, doctors now target 'HIB'
With the once-dreaded polio on its way out following a sustained immunisation programme, Indian medicos have now set their eyes on eliminaiton of haemophilus influenza type B (HIB), a major cause of severe bacterial infection including meningitis in infants and young children.
- IMA chiefs propose health-care scheme for citizens
Heads of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), the network of practising doctors, have proposed a three-pronged scheme to the Union government to ensure affordable access to health care for all citizens, without the state having to spend more money.
- Impotency
Growing malaise : A silent, embarrassing affliction sweeps Indian bedrooms, with men from all age groups and social classes desperately touring to doctors for cures.
Chemical in plastic tableware becomes focus of health fears
Makers of plastic tableware are on the defensive as concern arises over the health threat posed by them. The reason for the safety concerns is that the plastic tableware is made with polycarbonate, which can cause a chemical compound called bisphenol A to get into food. Bisphenol A, widely used …
Gene therapy shows promise in treating type of diabetes
A promising new strategy of gene therapy for the treatment of diabetes has been developed by a trans-Pacific research team including scientists from Yokohama City University, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in the U.S. and a Yokohama based clinical test company.
Asbestos indicment
A federal grand jury indictment was unsealed in Madison, charging three men with conspiring to illegally remove dangerous asbestos from an aging Wisconsin manufacturing plant. The three men, charged in a 16-count indictment, employed untrained homeless men to do the work.
Tk 80 cr ADB grant for medical purchase likely to be cancelled
When the medical colleges and hospitals in Bangladesh were in dire need of medical equipment, a foreign grant of more than Taka 80 crore to purchase the emergency medical equipment is likely to be cancelled because the donor agency has become disappointed at the slow process of implementation of the …
60 pc children under-6 suffer from malnutrition
Nutritionists and health experts said that the rate of malnutrition among child-bearing women and under-six population in Bangladesh was top in the world nutritional status. This was stated by experts in a seminar on "better nutrition-healthy nation : role of journalists and mass media" in Dhaka.
- 50% children malnourished in Assam
In Assam 50.4% per cent of the children are malnourished with 17 per cent suffering from severe malnutrition, UNICEF state representative, Dorothy Rozga said, while launching of UNICEF's 'The State of the World's Children,1998.'
Total health programme for school students
An Australian organisation has prepared a total health programme for schools in Tamil Nadu, that claims to help students gain knowledge and develop living skills to overcome health and nutritional problems.
Experts disagree over drug-resistant leprosy
A major controversy appears to be brewing between scientists and clinicians over the issue of the emerging drug-resistant leprosy. The Bombay Leprosy Project, a non-government organisation, maintained that recent press reports warning of drug resistance in leprosy had scared patients and confused doctors. Scientists at the Foundation for Medical Research …
A rat's first steps in weightlessness
Baby steps can be awkward enough, even with gravity around to help out.So scientists are anxious to see how baby rats orient themselves when they take their first steps in weightlessness aboard the space shuttle Columbia.
- Indigenous HIV test kit developed
The National Institute of Immunology (NII) has developed an ELISA test kit for HIV-1 and HIV-2 detection. Designed by the Gamete antigen (Reproductive Immunology) Department of NII, the results shown by the test-have been found to be on a par with the imported kits.
Corpn. to use biocide again to control mosquito menace
The Chennai Corporation for the second time in a year will experiment with biocide to control the mosquito menace prevalent in many parts of the city. The earlier initiative to use the bio-larvicide was in April 1997 where it was sprayed in all the 11 waterways and in inland areas …
- No more guinea pigs for W contraceptives
Indian women will not be allowed to become testing fields for western contraceptives. They will no longer be used as mere "bodies" to try out untested and unapproved methods. The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Mr Ezhilmalai, said that strict action would be taken to ensure that all …
UNFPA assistance to Bangladesh okayed
The country programmes of assistance to Bangladesh by UN Population Fund (UNFPA) was approved unanimously by the UNDP/UNFPA Executive Board's second regular session of 1998 at the UN headquaters. The five-year programme which starts this year will go upto the year 2002 and will receive 35 million US dollars. The …
- Govt launches drive against thalassemia
The Delhi government has launched a programme to creat awareness about thalassemia and screen children and pregnant women as a preventive measure against the fatal disease.
Nationalise us, says US tobacco chief
The head of the second biggest US cigarette company Steven Goldstone, chairman, RJR Nabisco stepped up the battle against looming anti-tobacco legislation by inviting the federal government to nationalise the US tobacco industry.
