Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Salt reduction may offer cardioprotective effects beyond blood pressure reduction

A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that reducing salt intake can have cardioprotective effects beyond lowering blood pressure. The research found benefits for people with normal blood pressure and those who are overweight or obese, starting as early as a few weeks after sodium reduction.

SourceAmerican Society for Nutrition - 2017·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateJan 16, 2009

Meta-analysis confirms value of risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy for women with BRCA mutations

A meta-analysis of 10 studies confirms that risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy significantly reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancers in women with BRCA mutations. The procedure is associated with a 51% relative reduction in breast cancer risk and an 79% relative reduction in ovarian cancer risk.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJan 13, 2009

Study suggests attending religious services sharply cuts risk of death

A recent study published in Psychology and Health suggests that attending religious services regularly can reduce the risk of death among post-menopausal women by approximately 20 percent. The researchers found that even after controlling for other factors such as social support and lifestyle choices, the improvements in mortality rate...

SourceAlbert Einstein College of Medicine·JournalPsychology and Health·DateNov 19, 2008

Long-term secondary prevention program may help reduce cardiovascular risks after heart attack

A long-term secondary prevention program lasting up to three years has been shown to reduce the risk of a second non-fatal heart attack and other cardiovascular events. The program, which includes individualized risk factor and lifestyle management, resulted in a significant decrease in cardiovascular death and non-fatal heart attacks.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateNov 10, 2008

Data revelations

A recent study reveals that a significant proportion of used hard disks still contain sensitive information, highlighting the need for improved data security measures. The research suggests that public awareness campaigns and better education are essential to reduce the risk of harm from data entering the black market.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Liability and Scientific Enquiry·DateNov 5, 2008

Clock-shifts affect risk of heart attack

A new Swedish study found that adjusting clocks to summer time increases the risk of myocardial infarction in the following week by about five percent. The readjustment back to winter time on the last Sunday in October reduces the risk, albeit to a lesser extent, due to the extra hour's sleep.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 30, 2008

The BEAUTIFUL study

The BEAUTIFUL study shows ivabradine significantly reduces hospitalization for fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarction by 36% and coronary revascularisation by 30% in high-heart-rate patients. Ivabradine is safe and well-tolerated, even when used with other cardiovascular drugs.

Flu shot does not reduce risk of death

Researchers analyzed data from over 700 elderly patients and found no significant reduction in all-cause mortality among those vaccinated against flu. Despite initial reports of a large mortality benefit, the study controlled for various variables and concluded that any potential benefit was small and statistically non-significant.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateAug 29, 2008

Towards zero training for brain-computer interfacing

A novel data analysis method has been developed that extracts representative spatial filters for each individual subject, reducing the need for calibration before every session. This approach may pave the way for practical daily use of brain-computer interfacing technology for both patients and healthy users.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 12, 2008

'Green' potato health risk can be eliminated by cutting away affected area

Potatoes with 'green' patches contain a toxic substance called Glycoalkaloids (GA), posing health risks. Cutting away the affected area can eliminate most of the toxin, reducing public health risks. Effective pre-harvest and post-harvest practices, such as proper soil coverage and harvesting timing, can also control GA levels in potatoes.

SourceSociety of Chemical Industry·JournalJournal of the Science of Food and Agriculture·DateJul 25, 2008

Leading worldwide cause of cardiovascular disease may be modified by diet

A new study suggests that increasing dietary intake of minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium may lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. Potassium, in particular, has been shown to have a positive effect on cardiovascular health, particularly in populations with low sodium consumption.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Clinical Hypertension·DateJul 8, 2008

Being an MRSA carrier increases risk of infection and death

A new study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that patients harboring MRSA for long periods are at increased risk of developing infections, including pneumonia and bloodstream events. The study showed that nearly a quarter of MRSA-colonized patients developed infections within a year or more after colonization was confirmed.

SourceInfectious Diseases Society of America·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateJul 2, 2008

Certain vitamin supplements may increase lung cancer risk, especially in smokers

A study published by the American Thoracic Society found that certain vitamin supplements, including multivitits, vitamin C, and folate, did not protect against lung cancer and may even increase the risk. The risk was highest among current smokers, with a seven percent rise in risk for every 100mg/day of supplemental vitamin E.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateFeb 29, 2008

UMass Medical School study finds patients diagnosed with coronary heart disease continue poor diets

A recent UMass Medical School study found that over 80% of patients diagnosed with coronary heart disease do not improve their diet one year after diagnosis. The study used the Alternative Health Eating Index to assess dietary quality and found that only a small percentage of patients met recommended daily intake levels for fruits, veg...

SourceUMass Chan Medical School·JournalJournal of the American Dietetic Association·DateJan 30, 2008