Health & Food

Washington, Dec 26: Scientists have genetically modified a common houseplant to remove cancer-causing pollutants from our homes. While a variety of air filters in our homes can keep allergens and dust particles at bay, some hazardous compounds are too small to be trapped in these filters. Small molecules like chloroform, which is present in small amounts in chlorinated water, or benzene, which is...

Washington D.C, Dec 23: Ever wondered if heroes and villains can have an impact on what you buy at the grocery store? The findings of a recent study have just proved that. Professor Tamara Masters of Brigham Young University predicted that vice, or indulgent, foods with hero labels would be more compelling than the same foods shown with villain labels, while healthy, or virtue, foods would be more...

Washington Dec 19: Inculcating severe food restrictions can lead to binge-eating disorder and obesity, a new study has found. It is important to examine potential links between binge-eating disorder and food insecurity, as binge-eating is associated with more severe mental and physical health problems than overeating or obesity alone. To investigate, researchers surveyed 1,250 adults in the United...

Washington, Dec 19: Contrary to popular belief, aggressive behaviour brings emotional pain to sadists, a recent study has observed. People with sadistic personality traits tend to be aggressive, but only enjoy their aggressive acts if it harms their victims. However, according to a series of studies conducted on 2000 people, these actions ultimately leave sadists feeling worse than they felt...

New Delhi, Dec 18: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday said its stay on sale of drugs and prescription medicines by online pharmacies will continue till rules are framed to regulate such entities. A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao said that "once the rules come into play, you (online pharmacies) can start selling it (medicines). Problem is that today there are no rules...

London, Dec 15: Being bullied can change the physical structure of the adolescent brain, increasing the risk of mental illness, a study has found. Researchers from King's College London in the UK suggest that the effects of constantly being bullied are more than just psychological. The study, published in Molecular Psychiatry, is the first to suggest that chronic peer victimisation during...

Washington. Dec 8: Turns out, sleeping more than six to eight hours a night is associated with an increased risk of death and cardiovascular diseases. According to a recent study at the McMaster and Peking Union Medical College, people sleeping more than the recommended upper limit of eight hours increased their risk of major cardiovascular events, like stroke or heart failure, as well as death by...

Washington, Dec 7: A genetic switch that causes HIV hidden inside the cells to replicate can be manipulated to completely eradicate the virus from the human body, a study has found. Cells harbouring latent HIV are "invisible" to the natural defences of the immune system, said researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago in the US. During infection, the DNA of HIV makes its way into the...

Melbourne, Dec 6: Scientists, including one of Indian origin, have developed a quick test that can detect all types of cancer from blood or biopsy tissues within minutes. The test, developed by researchers from the University of Queensland in Australia, who have discovered a unique DNA nanostructure that appears to be common to all cancers. Cancer is an extremely complicated and variable disease...

New Delhi, Dec 4: About 68 per cent people in India are protein deficient, while 71 per cent have poor muscle health, a recent survey has pointed out. Citing reports, experts on Monday said 84 per cent of Indian vegetarian and 65 per cent of non-vegetarian diets are protein deficient. "According to our latest survey with IPSOS, a leading global market and opinion research firm, around 68 per cent...