News U Can Use

There have been suggestions for some time that women subjected to bright lights at night have higher rates of cancer. The National Institutes of Health found in 2005 that there are higher rates of breast cancer in women shift workers and generally in industrialised countries. The theory was that the use of bright lights at night suppresses our natural cycle of melatonin production, making us more susceptible to cancer.

Now a new study from the Center for Interdisciplinary Chronobiological Research at the University of Haifa has found an additional link between Light At Night (LAN) and cancer. This research joins a series of earlier studies carried out at the University of Haifa that also established the correlation. “High power light bulbs contribute more to ‘environmental light pollution’, which the study has shown is a carcinogenic pollution,” notes Prof. Abraham Haim, who headed the study.

Results from a new study in laboratory mice show that nighttime exposure to artificial light stimulated the growth of human breast tumors by suppressing the levels of a key hormone called melatonin. The study also showed that extended periods of nighttime darkness greatly slowed the growth of these tumors.

The study results might explain why female night shift workers have a higher rate of breast cancer. It also offers a promising new explanation for the epidemic rise in breast cancer incidence in industrialized countries like the United States.

There is a growing body of worldwide research that proves what we eat affects our day-to-day health and well-being, according to a Queensland researcher. 

CQUniversity's Dr Karena Burke believes chemicals in our food could be the key to a number of our common health concerns. 

"From attention, focus and behaviour in children, to migraines, eczema and long-term chronic disease in adulthood, food has been linked to a huge range of medical conditions, sparking concern in Australia and overseas." 

Artificial colours and flavours, preservatives and flavour enhances have for some time been linked to spikes in behaviour and attention problems in children suffering from conditions like ADHD, but recent studies have shown a connection with the food chemicals and a range of health and behavioural issues in children not diagnosed with the disorders. 

"A Western Australian study has also linked western diets of high fat and salt with increases in behavioural and mental concerns in teenagers." 

Although junk food is often the source of food sensitivities, some fresh foods also contain chemicals that produce similar responses in certain people. 

"Chemicals in fresh food such as apples, tomatoes, grapes and broccoli have also been pinpointed as the cause of reactions in some people." 

Want a slimmer, healthier community? Try building more sidewalks, crosswalks and bike paths.

A study authored by Professor David Bassett Jr. from the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation and Sport Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and three other researchers was published in the American Journal of Public Health, concluding that communities with more walkers and cyclists are healthier than those where people must rely on cars to get around.

The researchers analyzed city- and state-level data from the United States and international data from 15 countries to study the relationship between "active travel" -- bicycling or walking rather than driving -- and physical activity, obesity and diabetes.

The results showed that more than half of the differences in obesity rates among countries is linked to walking and cycling rates. In addition, about 30 percent of the difference in obesity rates among states and cities is linked to walking and cycling rates.

Antagonistic people, particularly those who are competitive and aggressive, may be increasing their risk of heart attack or stroke, researchers report. 

Researchers for the U.S. National Institute on Aging (NIA),  studied 5,614 Italians in four villages and found that those who scored high for antagonistic traits on a standard personality test had greater thickening of the neck (carotid) arteries compared to people who were more agreeable. Thickness of neck artery walls is a risk factor for heart attack and stroke.

Three years later, those who scored higher on antagonism or low agreeableness — especially those who were manipulative and quick to express anger — continued to have thickening of their artery walls. These traits also predicted greater progression of arterial thickening.

The emotional pains we suffer in childhood can lead to weakened immune systems later in life, according to a new study.

Based on this new research, the amount of this immune impairment even enhances that caused by the stress of caregiving later in life.

"What happens in childhood really matters when it comes to your immune response in the latter part of your life," explained Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, professor of psychology and psychiatry at Ohio State University. She explained her work at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association in San Diego.

The study showed that for some children who experienced serious abuse or adverse experiences as kids, the long-term effect might be a lifespan shortened by seven to 15 years.

Attitude Factor

An amazing new understanding of aging that you can apply to your life to keep your youthful attitudes. The "use it or lose it" principle applies not only to your body but also to your mental attitudes. Blakeslee teaches you how to recognize critical moments in your life where using self-control for one second can have a profound effect on your future health and happiness.

There's been a lot of debate over time about how much attitude improves healing. Intuitively here at NewsUCanUse we'd like to think you can help yourself with positive thoughts, but not all the research points that way. Adding to the evidence that some attitudes can make things worse, is a new study from the UK.

People suffering from diabetes-related foot ulcers show different rates of healing according to the way they cope and their psychological state of mind, according to new research by a health psychologist at The University of Nottingham.

The large study published in the journal Diabetologia this month has shown that the way patients cope with the condition and their levels of depression, affect how the wound heals or worsens.

Australia has recorded three cases of a new class of superbug, the most resistant to antibiotics yet seen, which is on the rise in the UK, the ABC reports.

Like in Britain, the growing number of patients jetting out for "medical tourism" have been blamed for the increasingly impervious bacteria arriving on Australia's shores.

A simple community program has been shown to be effective in preventing excess weight gain commonly experienced by young mothers. The research, published online  in the British Medical Journal at bmj.com has found that weight gain can be prevented with a program based on simple health messages, small changes to behaviour, and delivered conveniently in a community setting.

Health problems related to obesity are major issues in developed countries. Australia is the fourth biggest nation, with 60% of adults either overweight or obese.The World Health Organization recommends weight management initiatives to include efforts to try to prevent adults from gaining weight, even if they are in an acceptable weight range. Young women in Australia are now gaining weight at a faster rate than women in any other age, increasing their risk for weight-related illnesses.