Red wine may help prevent stroke damage

A couple glasses a day could protect the brain, mouse studies suggest...

"Red wine might work to protect the brain from damage after a stroke and drinking a couple of glasses a day might provide that protection ahead of time, U.S. researchers reported on Sunday.

In an effort to better understand how red wine works, the scientists from Johns Hopkins University fed mice a moderate dose of a compound found in red grape skins and seeds before inducing stroke-like damage.

They discovered that the animals suffered less brain damage than similarly damaged mice who were not treated with the compound, which is called resveratrol."

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California Time Bomb - Newsweek

This place (Santa Susana Pass) is in between San Fernando Valley and Simi Valley. I lived in San Fernando Valley for almost 5 years...

A new study says a 1959 meltdown at a rocket-testing facility may have caused as many as 1,800 cancer cases.

"Now, results of a new independent study released last week on the impact of the Rocketdyne event lend credence to Johnson’s suspicions and underscore the potentially dramatic effects that a single environmental mishap can have even decades later.

Among the findings of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory Advisory Panel Study, which was funded by both the U.S. Department of Energy and the California Environmental Protection Agency: that from 260 to as many as 1,800 cancers in the area—many more than had previously been thought—could potentially be attributed to the radioactive material. What’s more, the study found, chemical and radioactive waste from the plant have polluted soil and groundwater in the vicinity. I

n a statement, Boeing, which now owns Rocketdyne but didn’t at the time of the 1959 accident, said an initial review of the five-year, federally funded research effort found it to have “significant flaws” and called the claims about the impact of the radioactive material “baseless, without scientific merit, and a great disservice to our employees and the community.” Johnson says that with the latest study in hand, she and other neighbors are now meeting with lawyers and may file suit against Boeing."

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Let 'em play...

Harried parents urged to let their kids just play - Pediatricians offer prescription for old-fashioned fun...

"Here’s some soothing medicine for stressed-out parents and overscheduled kids: The American Academy of Pediatrics says what children really need for healthy development is more good, old-fashioned playtime.

Many parents load their children’s schedules with get-smart videos, enrichment activities and lots of classes in a drive to help them excel. The efforts often begin as early as infancy.

Spontaneous, free play — whether it’s chasing butterflies, playing with “true toys” like blocks and dolls, or just romping on the floor with mom and dad — often is sacrificed in the shuffle, a new academy report says."

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Viral Infection outbreak in India...

At present, India is facing sort of epidemic because of two viral diseases that is spreading very fast...

In the north, Dengue fever has proved to be fatal killing upto 20 people in and around Delhi...

"Dengue fever (IPA: ['deŋgeɪ]) and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) are acute febrile diseases, found in the tropics, with a geographical spread similar to malaria. Caused by one of four closely related virus serotypes of the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae, each serotype is sufficiently different that there is no cross-protection and epidemics caused by multiple serotypes (hyperendemicity) can occur. Dengue is transmitted to humans by the mosquito Aedes aegypti (rarely Aedes albopictus)."

Here is the news about Dengue fever...

In the south, it is Chikungunya. Although not fatal, many people have been affected because of this viral fever. Even my grandma is one of them. She is suffering from severe arthiritis pain because of this. The doctors have told her that she will be having this joint pain for weeks if not for months :(

"Chikungunya is a relatively rare form of viral fever caused by an alphavirus that is spread by mosquito bites from the Aedes aegypti mosquito, though recent research by the Pasteur Institute in Paris claims the virus has suffered a mutation that enables it to be transmitted by Aedes albopictus (Tiger mosquito). This was the cause of the actual plague in the Indian Ocean and a threat to the Mediterranean coast at present, requiring urgent meetings of health officials in France, Italy, and Spain."

Here is Indian Government's notification...

"As confirmed cases of both dengue and chikungunya continued to rise, the Union Government on Saturday said the country would remain vulnerable to both till November — when temperatures are expected to dip — and sought citizens' help in containing the "public health situation.""

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Benefits of beans include lower cancer risk

"Could eating more beans be your next step toward a healthful diet? Two new studies suggest that eating beans could lower your risk of developing a colon adenoma, a non-cancerous tumor that can progress into colon cancer. Previous studies link greater consumption of legumes (dried beans and peas) with lower risk of heart disease."

"How they help
These health benefits of legumes may come from this food’s unique phytochemicals. Saponins, lignans and phytosterols are under study for potential benefits in fighting cancer and heart disease. Legumes are also a major source of several nutrients most often lacking in Americans’ diets: magnesium, potassium, folate and fiber."

"But what about ...
Some people hesitate to eat beans because they can produce too much intestinal gas. Gas develops as indigestible carbohydrates in beans pass into the large intestine, where bacteria break down the carbohydrates and produce gas. A product called Beano taken with or just before eating provides a protein that breaks down these carbohydrates, preventing or reducing gas formation.

Cultures that traditionally use beans abundantly tend to use herbs and spices said to fight flatulence. These include turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cumin, anise, fennel seeds, caraway seeds, rosemary, lemongrass, garlic and basil.

Little research “proves” their effectiveness, but you lose nothing by flavoring bean dishes with them to see if they work for you. Italian, Greek, Indian, Caribbean, Mexican, Middle Eastern and Asian cookbooks can provide inspiration, since all these cuisines use legumes frequently."

Full story...

Bottled carrot juice may have paralyzed woman

Here is a shocking story about a woman becoming paralyzed after drinking bottled carrot juice...

I have also heard another story in India where a person died immediately after drinking fresh sugar cane juice (from a street vendor). What had happened, apparently, was the sugar cane that was used was bitten by a poisonous snake and the poison got retained in the sugar cane.

In any case, be safe folks...

Clinton wins crackdown on school junk food

Clinton, my favorite recent American President, continues to play the role of a responsible former President and a senior statesman. Be it fighting AIDS in Africa or helping victims of natural disasters like Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina, he gets to the forefront and plays an important role.

Here is one such initiative that deserves Kudos!

"In some schools — ever on the watch for unhealthy junk food — students may have to do some extra walking to find their favorite candy bar thanks to the latest nutrition deal struck by former President Clinton."

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