Culture and depression

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The expectation that East-Asian people emphasize physical symptoms of depression (e.g. headaches, poor appetite or aches/pains in the body) is widely acknowledged, yet the few available empirical studies report mixed data on this issue. A new study from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) debunks this cultural myth, and offers clinicians valuable insight to into cultural context when assessing a patient, leading to more accurate diagnosis.

Tumor-inhibiting protein could be effective in treating leukemia

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Angiocidin, a tumor-inhibiting novel protein discovered by Temple University researchers, may also have a role as a new therapeutic application in treating leukemia, according to a study by the researchers.

Low-sodium advice for asthmatics should be taken with a pinch of salt

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Following a low-sodium diet does not appear to have any appreciable impact on asthma control, according to new research.

Contrary to past studies — which have suggested a link between low-sodium diets and improved asthma control — a new study by researchers at The University of Nottingham found no evidence that cutting back on salt helps patients with their symptoms.

Touch can trump taste, says Rutgers retail scholar

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CAMDEN -- For some consumers, the way a cup of mineral water tastes has more to do with the container than the contents. Especially for consumers who are less likely to enjoy touching items or products before deciding to buy them.

According to new research conducted by Maureen Morrin, an associate professor of marketing at the Rutgers School of Business—Camden, manufacturers and marketers need to consider how their product packaging feels if they want consumers to make the purchase.

Potential to prevent loss of insulin in type 2 diabetes

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There are two completely different diseases known as diabetes. Type 1 is an autoimmune condition that often starts in childhood or adolescence. Type 2 is a metabolic disorder sometimes associated with lifestyle. In both cases, the insulin-secreting beta cells in the pancreas die, albeit at different rates.

Until now, it was thought that the processes leading to beta cell death were similar in both diseases. Scientists at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney have now shown that the causes of cell death are quite different.

Allergy to road traffic

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Under the direction of the Helmholtz Zentrum München, a German research group studied in a longitudinal study, over six years, whether associations are identifiable between the onset of atopic diseases and exposure to air pollutants originating from traffic. The scientists based their analysis, on the one hand, on the corresponding distance of the parental home to streets busy with traffic, and on the other hand, modeled values, for the respective residencial addresses of the children, of air pollution with fine dust, diesel soot and nitrogen dioxide.

Young adults with prehypertension are more likely to have atherosclerosis later in life

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PHILADELPHIA, July 15, 2008 – Prehypertension during young adulthood is common and is associated with subsequent coronary atherosclerosis, according to a study published in today's issue of Annals of Internal Medicine.

Indoor residential air quality has significant impact on health

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Indoor air quality has a greater impact on health than outdoor air quality, as North American adults spend almost 90% of their time indoors. Exposure to chemical and biological contaminants and possible cancer-causing agents is possible, and can contribute to the risk of developing respiratory and neurologic symptoms, allergies, asthma and lung cancer.

Hospital mortality: When failure is not a good measure of success

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Current measures of hospital mortality, especially when derived from administrative data, are limited as a performance measure. Researchers from the Ottawa Health Research Institute and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto suggest other ways to measure performance in this analysis of the hospital standardized mortality ratio. More comprehensive measures based on detailed clinical data and other measures are necessary, although this will require additional resources.

Patient reports can add to efforts to identify, reduce adverse events in hospitals

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