Health in the News

Welcome to the Go Ask Alice! Health in the News section!  We hope you will stay awhile...

To help you stay connected to the latest research findings and breakthroughs in the field of health, the health promotion specialists at Alice! will be posting relevent and timely news stories to this section.  Browse the page to stay current on health developments or click the links to find out more.  Alice! will be sure to keep you posted!  And, please, come back often. 

Male Genes May Explain Higher Heart Disease Risk

Date Posted: February 8, 2012

Heart disease is a leading cause of death. However, heart disease affects males at a greater rate and at an earlier age than women. A new study published in the Lancet may provide insight on this difference. The study reports that the Y chromosome, the one chromosome unique to men, plays a key role in the development of heart disease. In the study, British men were found to have one of two variants of genes in their Y chromosome. Men with one variant of the gene have an increased risk of heart disease compared to men with the other variant, regardless of cholesterol, smoking status, and diabetes status. The study raises an interesting hypothesis but the study needs to be replicated.

Nine Out of Ten Adult Americans Eat Too Much Salt

Date Posted: February 7, 2012

In a report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nine out of ten adult Americans eat too much salt each day. The CDC reports that two-thirds of our sodium intake comes from store purchases. Bread and deli lunch meats appears to be the top culprits. To curb salt intake, the CDC suggests eating more fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables.

New Vaccine Recommendations for Boys and Diabetics

Date Posted: February 2, 2012

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which has already been recommended for girls and young women, is now being recommended for boys ages 11 to 12. The new recommendation comes from strong research data supporting the vaccine’s role in preventing genital warts and some cancer in men and women. In addition to the change in HPV immunization recommendations, federal health experts further recommends that people with Type 1 or 2 diabetes be vaccinated against hepatitis B. Diabetics are twice as likely to contract hepatitis B, due to their increased "blood exposure," such as through devices that test blood sugar.

A Blog as Therapy for Teenagers

Date Posted: January 27, 2012

For teenagers with adolescent angst, a new study finds that blogging may have a therapeutic effect. In fact, maintaining a blog open to the online community may be more effective in relieving distress than a private diary.

Caffeine Alters Estrogen Levels in Younger Women

Date Posted: January 27, 2012

Coffee drinkers, here’s some news for you! A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that coffee and other caffeinated beverages can alter levels of estrogen in women ages 18 to 44. The results appear to vary by race; coffee lowered estrogen levels in Caucasian women but increased estrogen levels in Asian women. Before you fret, take note that the effects are minimal and there appears to be no short-term effects on health.

Off-Campus Party Hosts Drank Most in College Survey

Date Posted: January 27, 2012

In an online survey of about 3,800 students over the course of two years, Ohio State University finds that on any weekend, 10 percent of college students at any college could be hosting a party. The study further finds that hosts of off-campus parties drink more and are more likely to report negative alcohol-related behaviors than their guests. The opposite was true for on-campus party hosts.

Too Much Overtime May Raise Depression Risk

Date Posted: January 25, 2012

In a longitudinal study of more than 2,000 British civil servants, researchers found that employees who routinely worked more than 11 hour a day were more than twice as likely to develop major depression compared to employees who worked about eight hours a day. However, it is unclear if similar results persist for private-sector workers.

A Scientific Look at the Dangers of High Heels

Date Posted: January 25, 2012

As fellow ladies may know, high heels can do wonders. However, before you strap on your pair of stilettos, read this. A study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that women who regularly wear high-heeled shoes move with a shorter, more forceful stride compared to the control group, even when the heel wearers went barefoot. This pattern of movement may increase heel wearers’ risk of injury.