Health News on 01 Oct 2007

  • Cat Allergy Linked To Asthma
    More than half of asthma cases in the U.S. are linked to allergies, with sensitivity to cats responsible for 29% of allergy-related asthmas, according to new research from the National Institutes of Health.
  • FDA Approves New Adjustable Gastric Band For Morbid Obesity
    Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. has announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for marketing the REALIZE Adjustable Gastric Band, a surgical implant for weight reduction and improvement in obesity-related health conditions, such as type-2 diabetes, in individuals suffering from morbid obesity.
  • Heat-Related Deaths Likely To Increase Due To Climate Change
    While some uncertainty does exist in climate projections and future health vulnerability, overall increases in heat-related premature mortality are likely by the 2050s, according to a recent study by Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health.
  • Ozone Shuts Down Early Immune Response In Lungs And Body
    As policy makers debate what levels of ozone in the air are safe for humans to breathe, studies in mice are revealing that the inhaled pollutant impairs the body’s first line of defense, making it more susceptible to subsequent foreign invaders, such as bacteria.
  • Chocolate ‘Aids Fatigue Syndrome’
    A daily dose of dark chocolate may help reduce the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, say UK researchers.