Heart Disease

Breast Cancer :: Hip size of mothers linked to breast cancer in daughters

In a study of the maternity records of more than 6,000 women, David J.P. Barker, M.D., Ph.D., and Kent Thornburg, Ph.D., of Oregon Health & Science University discovered a strong correlation between the size and shape of a woman’s hips and her daughter’s risk of breast cancer. Wide, round hips, the researchers postulated, represent markers of high sex hormone concentrations in the mother, which increase her daughter’s vulnerability to breast cancer.

Exercise :: Moderate activity is more beneficial than vigorous exercise

British adults now believe that moderate activity is more beneficial than vigorous exercise, according to new research by the University of Exeter and Brunel University. Although most large studies show that the greatest health benefits are derived from regular participation in vigorous activities, such as jogging and competitive sports, 56% of men and 71% of women now believe moderate activities, like walking, are most beneficial.

Heart Disease :: Negative aspects of close relationships may be associated with heart disease risk

Individuals whose close relationships have negative aspects, such as conflict and adverse exchanges, appear to have an increased risk of heart disease than those with more positive close relationships, according to a report in the Oct. 8 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Cholesterol :: Corazonas Foods & Brandeis University partner to create cholesterol reducing snacks

Corazonas Foods, Inc., creators of great-tasting, heart-healthy snack foods, has announced an exclusive licensing agreement with Brandeis University to utilize its technology in creating several new categories of heart-healthy snacks. Brandeis’s innovative technology allows high levels of plant sterols to be incorporated into snack foods while retaining the product’s outstanding flavor.

Kidney :: Double cardiovascular benefit for people with chronic kidney disease

New research, published today in the Journal of American Society of Nephrology by the George Institute for International Health in Sydney, has found that lowering blood pressure protects stroke victims with chronic kidney disease from further strokes or heart attacks. Given the high risk of cardiovascular complications in people with chronic kidney disease, these results have significant implications for millions of people across the world.

Child Health :: U of M chosen as local lead for largest-ever National Children’s Health Study, US

The University of Minnesota has been awarded nearly $14 million dollars over five years to be a lead study center in the National Children’s Study to assess the effects of environmental and genetic factors on child and human health in the United States. The study center will manage local participant recruitment and data collection in the largest and most comprehensive study of child and human health ever conducted in the United States.