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Heart :: Handful of almonds keep your heart healthy

An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but when it comes to looking after your heart, it seems that nothing does a better job than a handful of almonds. New research on almonds has found that the dry fruits are especially good for the heart, for not only do they happen to be high in several types of antioxidants, but may also improve blood sugar levels as well as play an important role in a cholesterol lowering eating plan, researchers at Tufts University have found.

Aging :: No proof that growth hormone therapy makes you live longer

Surveyors of anti-aging elixirs tout human growth hormone as a remedy for all things sagging-from skin to libidos — and claim it can even prevent or reverse aging. But researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine say there’s no evidence to suggest that this purported fountain of youth has any more effect than a trickle of tap water when it comes to fending off Father Time.

Smoking :: Association between tobacco smoking and increased risk of tuberculosis

Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) found consistent evidence that smoking is associated with an increased risk of TB. They also found that passive smoking (secondhand smoke) and the burning of biomass fuels was associated with an increased TB risk.

Melanoma :: One-time melanoma screening of older adults appears to be cost-effective

One-time melanoma screening of adults age 50 or older appears to be as cost-effective as other nationally recommended cancer screening programs, according to an article in the January issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Health :: Rural individuals most likely to have recurrent trauma center admissions

About 3.4 percent of patients treated in rural trauma centers appear to be recidivists, meaning that they have visited the facility more than once for separate injuries, according to a report in the January issue of Archives of Surgery, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Substance abuse appears to be the common feature among urban and rural recurrent trauma patients.

Skin Cancer :: Learning with a partner improves skin cancer self-examination practices

Individuals who received instruction on skin self-examination with their partners may be more likely to engage in this cancer prevention behavior, according to a report in the January issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Fracture :: Hip fractures not caused by benzodiazepine use

Benzodiazepine use was not shown to be associated with hip fractures after all, according to a new study from the Department of Ambulatory Care and Prevention (of Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care). Previous epidemiological studies suggesting an association have been used to support legislation and policy decisions that limit access to these drugs among the elderly. These policies may need to be reexamined based on these new findings, which are being published in the Jan. 16 Annals of Internal Medicine.

Smoking :: Tuberculosis with smoking and indoor air pollution

Smokers have an increased risk of tuberculosis (TB) infection, TB disease and of dying from TB compared to people who do not smoke.

Stroke :: Fewer patients undergoing stroke prevention surgery for wrong reasons

A new study has found a drop in the number of patients undergoing the most commonly used stroke prevention surgery, carotid endarterectomy, for inappropriate reasons. Researchers are crediting the drop to highly publicized randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that clarified the appropriate use of the surgery. The researchers’ findings are published in the January 16, 2007, issue of Neurology?, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

Breast Cancer :: Selective marker found to indicate aggressive form of breast cancer

Researchers have linked a structural protein called nestin to a particularly deadly form of breast cancer, identifying a new biomarker that could lead to earlier detection and better treatment.