Saturday health news roundup
posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 :: 5:48 AM
Cancer researchers have
been given a million-dollar grant to investigate the therapeutic value of the
folk medicine propolis and the food spice turmeric. In a related story, omega-3
fatty acids, found naturally in oily fish such as salmon or tuna, may fight
breast cancer. As these two stories seem to indicate, alternative medicines are
beginning to find their way into curriculums at traditional medical schools (it
is about time!).
In this month’s
Scientific American, a growing number of dissenting researchers have accused
government and medical authorities--as well as the media--of misleading the
public about the health consequences of rising body weights. But then we are
told obesity and smoking leads to faster aging. Speaking of packing on the
pounds, over at Science Blog the discussion is about soda and sweet drinks
being the main source of calories in the American diet, displacing white bread
from the top spot. But there is hope: children aged 2-12 snack on fresh fruit
more than junk food such as potato chips or cookies.
American researchers
have found a method of growing batches, or lines, of fully mature brain cells,
a breakthrough touted as the end of such neurological diseases as Parkinson’s
and Alzheimer’s. And in related news, researchers have found that shed baby
teeth are a valuable source of stem cells, joining umbilical cords as a
life-respecting source.
Last week I noted that a 12-year-old girl with cancer
was taken from the custody of her parents when they refused radiation
treatments for her. This week a judge has ruled that the girl will remain in
state custody while she completes her radiation treatments. The Orwellian
nightmare continues.
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