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Tubal sterilization poses no greater risk of menstrual abnormalities, study finds

A comprehensive study found that women who underwent tubal sterilization have no greater risk of menstrual abnormalities than those who did not. However, the study also reported a secondary finding of reduced menstrual pain and bleeding among sterilized women, which may be due to chance or unknown factors.

Parent education program helps prevent AIDS

A Cornell University parent-education program has shown that it can triple the likelihood of parents discussing HIV risk reduction with their children. The program also significantly increases the likelihood that parents will make personal risk behavior changes and obtain HIV testing. The study, which involved 375 parents in New York C...

Vacations may improve your health

A nine-year study of over 12,000 men at high risk for coronary heart disease found that those with regular annual vacations had a lower risk of death. Vacations were more protective against death from coronary heart disease than diseases like cancer, possibly due to stress reduction and engagement in restorative behaviors.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalPsychosomatic Medicine·DateSep 21, 2000

Middle-aged women who consume many fruits and vegetables are at much lower risk of cardiovascular disease

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found a strong inverse association between fruit and vegetable intake and the risk of cardiovascular disease. Consuming 10 or more servings per day reduced the risk by 32%, while smokers still experienced a significant risk reduction.

SourceAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateSep 19, 2000

Beyond the French paradox

A recent study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that moderate alcohol consumption may inhibit the development of atherosclerotic lesions and halt their progression. This suggests that alcohol may have protective properties against heart disease, contradicting the traditional view known as the French paradox.

My heart couldn't take it

A study surveyed over 300 women aged 70+ about fitness activities, finding they generally recognize health benefits but experience strong, anxiety-driven fears of risks. The researcher recommends specialty programs addressing specific needs, improving perceptions of exercise as a viable disease risk reduction strategy.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalJournal of Gerontology·DateSep 8, 2000

Elderly smokers also benefit from quitting

A recent study review suggests that elderly smokers who quit can significantly reduce their risk of lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and coronary artery disease. Additionally, quitting at an older age can still lead to improved life expectancy and a lower risk of smoking-induced mortality.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Health Promotion·DateAug 29, 2000

Low-dose oral contraceptives are as protective against ovarian cancer as are older, high-dose pills, find University of Pittsburgh researchers

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center found that low-dose oral contraceptives offer a 40% reduced risk of ovarian cancer, similar to high-dose pills. The protection begins soon after use and continues for at least 30 years after stopping.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Medical Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateJul 23, 2000

Depression linked to stroke

A two-decade study found that people with high levels of depression are at a 73% increased risk of developing stroke, while those with moderate levels have a 25% increased risk. The association varied by race and gender, with higher risks observed in African Americans.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalPsychosomatic Medicine·DateJul 20, 2000

Smoking associated with other risky behaviors

A survey of over 15,000 adolescent patients found that smoking was associated with higher rates of substance abuse, poor physical activity, and academic struggles. Orthodontists are uniquely positioned to promote healthy lifestyle messages to adolescents, who tend to visit them more frequently than other healthcare providers.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·DateJun 24, 2000

USGS information available on recent MTBE risk findings

A new study from the USGS and Oregon Graduate Institute reveals that up to 9,000 community water wells in 31 states may be contaminated with MTBE due to proximity to leaking underground storage tanks. The EPA has announced plans to phase out MTBE use in gasoline, but it will persist in the environment for at least a decade.

SourceU.S. Geological Survey·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMar 20, 2000

Stress reduction through the Transcendental Meditation program may reduce atherosclerosis and risk of heart attack and stroke

The Transcendental Meditation (TM) program was shown to decrease atherosclerosis and risk of heart attack and stroke in hypertensive African Americans. The study found that TM practitioners had a significant reduction in carotid intima-media thickness, comparable to lipid-lowering medications and intensive lifestyle modification programs.

Scientists report marker of increased cancer risk in women with benign breast disease

Researchers found a link between reduced TGFb receptor expression and increased breast cancer risk in women with benign breast disease. The study identified 54 women who developed invasive breast cancer after initial hyperplasia diagnosis, highlighting the importance of molecular markers in predicting breast cancer risk.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateDec 14, 1999

Depression's role in sudden cardiac death downrated

New research suggests that depression may not play a significant role in increasing the risk of sudden cardiac death after an acute heart attack. The study found that increased social contact with family and friends during the time of the heart attack may actually heighten the risk, while participation in pleasurable activities lowers it.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalPsychosomatic Medicine·DateNov 22, 1999

A diet enriched with folate and B-vitamins may provide protection from heart disease

A diet rich in folate, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12 may significantly lower homocysteine concentrations in individuals with high cardiovascular risk. This study found that a prescribed diet fortified with these nutrients was effective in reducing homocysteine levels, while self-selected diets showed no change.

SourceAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateOct 23, 1999

Photodynamic therapy reduces risk of vision loss in some macular degeneration patients

A Johns Hopkins-led study of over 600 patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) found that photodynamic therapy reduced vision loss risk by 67%, compared to 39% for those receiving a placebo. The treatment targets abnormal blood vessels and scar tissue, offering hope for slowing disease progression in selected patients.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalArchives of Ophthalmology·DateOct 15, 1999