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Colons are crying for spilt milk
LEBANON,
NH — Calcium supplements could be key to
cutting down on polyp risk, according to a study in
the June issue of the Journal of the National Cancer
Institute. Researchers looked at 930 patients with
an average age of 61, divided into two groups -- one
took a 1,200mg calcium supplement, the other placebo.
After four years, those who took the supplement had
18% fewer noncancerous polyps and 35% fewer advanced
polyps than the placebo group.
The apple of my age-related
maculopathy
BOSTON
— An apple or three a day might indeed keep
the doctor away -- well, at least the ophthalmologist.
New research shows that three or more servings a day
of fruit can protect against age-related maculopathy
(ARM). The large study, in June's Archives of Ophthalmology,
looked at close to 120,000 patients. Those who consumed
three or more servings of fruit each day had a 36% lower
risk of developing neovascular ARM. Sadly, vegetables
had no effect.
Supersize me -- and him, and her
BOSTON
— The study design was simple (if somewhat
reminiscent of a current box office smash): feed a group
of teens supersize fast food meals and watch what happens.
The results, in the June issue of JAMA, show
that while most teens tend to overeat when they hit
the food court the leaner ones are more likely to eat
less after a junk meal than their obese peers. The authors
conclude that "fast food consumption serves to maintain
or exacerbate obesity."
Hard facts on soft
drinks
ORLANDO
— Looks like the Pepsi generation might
be in for some bad news. New research links carbonated
beverages to an increased risk of type II diabetes in
women. But the link isn't exactly mysterious: the study,
presented at the American Diabetes Association 64th
Scientific Sessions, shows that women who knocked back
more than one pop per day gained more weight (5kg over
four years) and therefore doubled their diabetes risk.
Looking for FPs in all the wrong
places
OTTAWA
— A new Statistics Canada survey finds a
whopping 3.6 million Canadians don't have a doctor to
call their own. Although only a measly 1.2 million of
the doctor-less actually tried to find themselves a
family physician, many who looked long and hard came
up empty-handed. Health policy experts often trace the
roots of Canada's doctor shortage to 1991's Barer-Stoddart
report which recommended cutting Canada's med school
entry slots by 10%.
Flower shmower
MARSHFIELD,
WS/HACKENSACK, NJ — The efficacy of a common
herbal cold remedy, Echinacea purpurea supplements,
found globally in VW van glove compartments, has been
called into question by two recent studies. One, in
the June 14th issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine,
found no evidence that the herb prevents the common
cold or reduces its symptoms. Another, in the May 15
issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases, focused
on the herb's alleged cold-prevention powers. Echinacea
again failed spectacularly -- over 90% of test subjects
on the herb caught a cold as soon as they were exposed
to the virus.
Connect the clots
VIENNA
— New research shows that once men have
had a venous thromboembolism, they're likely to experience
a clot revisitation. Researchers originally thought
that women would be at higher risk, but after looking
at 826 patients data revealed that men had a threefold
higher incidence of recurrence. The reasons remain a
mystery. The results appear in the June 17 issue of
the New England Journal of Medicine.
That cat must be on the reefer, man
NEW
HAVEN, CT — A new study, in the online edition
of Neuropsychopharmacology, looks at schizophrenia-like
symptoms induced by the juice, ã-9-THC, that
gives marijuana its kick. High-as-kite test subjects
displayed a host of psychotic symptoms like paranoia,
euphoria and high cortisol levels; many also suffered
from acute munchies. All symptoms disappeared within
30 to 60 minutes of taking the drug and participants
showed no side effects in followup visits one to six
months later. The Yale-based researchers hope studying
THC's effects will help shed light on the causes of
psychosis.
Statins help elderly
see the light
BIRMINGHAM,
AL — There may be some light at the end
of the tunnel for people at risk for glaucoma. A new
study reveals that longterm use of statins may reduce
the risk for developing this disease, especially in
patients with hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
The study looked at data from the medical records of
667 men aged 50 or older. The results were published
in the June issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology.
Found some CAD with the MRS
LOS
ANGELES — Magnetic resonance spectroscopy
(MRS) can reliably predict the likelihood of cardiovascular
events in women with chest pains, even if they don't
appear to have coronary artery disease (CAD), says a
report published online June 15 in the rapid access
section of Circulation. Of the 74 women tested,
14 who had abnormal MRS results were significantly more
likely to suffer from angina in the next three years.
The authors of the study conclude that MRS will soon
be an important diagnostic tool for coronary disease.
Cox-2 kicks prostate cancer where
it hurts
CHAPEL
HILL, NC — Cox-2 inhibitor celecoxib appears
to have anti-tumour qualities, according to early findings
from a University of North Carolina study led by urologist
Dr J Eric Derksen presented at the Annual Meeting of
the American Society of Clinical Oncology. The two-year
study looked at men with rising prostate-specific antigen
(PSA). Ninety-two percent of those on the Cox-2 inhibitor
showed improved PSA levels.
Judge for yourself
NEW
YORK — GlaxoSmithKline has spoken out about
a lawsuit which alleges they suppressed negative data
about paroxetine use in pediatric patients. The pharma
company denies the claims, saying they did publicize
results from trials showing that the antidepressant
is generally ineffective in children and adolescents
and could actually increase suicidal behaviour. They've
now made the data from nine different clinical trials
available on their website.
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