2009 February

AIDS Increasing In U.S.

Posted by administrator in Health (Saturday February 28, 2009 at 7:39 pm)

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is a fatal disease of the immune system caused by Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV).

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is a fatal disease of the immune system caused by Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV). Once an individual gets infected by HIV virus its ability to fight against disease and microorganisms decreases. One tends to develop many â€œopportunistic diseasesâ€ and severe infections which may lead to death. Globally 33 million people have got infected with this deadly virus out of which 25 million have died with severe complications. As indicated by U.S. Centers for Disease control and prevention that recently HIV infections have increased significantly in United States.

Further data from the board signals that majority of cases are found in U.S. cities; around 71 percent of cases are from only 10 major states of United States. As compared to 82 percent in 2007, the occurrence of infections in U.S. large metropolitan areas have increased to 85 percent â€“ which is alarming. As per Centers for disease control, AIDS was identified in 1980s and till then 1,051,875 people have got infected with HIV infections, out of which 37,041 were new cases found in 2007 alone. Reports suggest that in 2006, United States had 56,300 new cases diagnosed with HIV infection. This infection usually spreads through infected blood, semen or breast milk. Many papers suggest that cluster of cases in cities may be related to lifestyle and living.

As such there is no treatment available to cure this infection; drugs are given to the patients to avoid the spread of infection and to improve the quality of life. Immune booster drugs and Anti Retroviral drugs are considered as the options to control the infection and keep the patients healthy. U.S. Federal is taking active steps to treat people and stop the spread of infection. In 2008, U.S. Federal had funded $ 23.3 billion for HIV infected people and their treatments. Out of which Fifty percent of fund was assigned towards the care and treatment of patients, 12 percent was given to boost research for AIDS, 10 percent was allocated for cash and housing assistance for infected people, 4 percent of fund was apportioned to avoid spread of infection and 25 percent for help and support in other countries.

Non- government organizations like â€œClinton Global Initiativeâ€ and Gates foundation â€œThe Global fight against HIV/AIDSâ€ are also taking active roles to fund the treatment and spread the awareness. They are making efforts to make small clinics across cities where the disease can be diagnosed. Aim is also to discuss with pharmaceutical companies to make treatment as affordable as possible.

It is essential to spread the information and make people aware about this infection. As lack of knowledge about HIV transmission and having unprotected sex makes it more vulnerable.

baldness med to reduce risk of prostate cancer

Posted by administrator in Health (Friday February 27, 2009 at 5:29 pm)

Toronto – Side affects of prescription drugs are all over the place, they usually seem bad, but how about these drugs that somehow cure or prevent diseases that are in no way connected to their intended uses.

On Tuesday, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the American Urological Association (AUA) released a recommendation that men over 55 who are at a risk for prostate cancer, speak to their doctor about a drug used in the hair loss Propecia.

The drug finasteride in Propecia has been shown in studies to help prevent prostate cancer by an average of 8%. Doctors recommend that men at risk for prostate cancer us the drug along with regular screening used at the same time is a good way to escape the risk of prostate cancer.

The price of the drug is around $90 for a months worth, which is quite expensive, and some doctors fear that the finasteride will actually harm more than it helps.

They fear that if one were to get cancer on the drug then it would be much more biologically agressive and hurt more than it helped in the long run.

Count cals to lose weight

Posted by administrator in Health (Friday February 27, 2009 at 5:27 pm)

Researchers found that no matter which nutrient dieters focused on, they lost weight as long as they reduced overall calorie intake.

Toronto – One of the largest weight loss studies ever conducted has proven that there is one sure-fire way to lose weight: Eat less.

Diets are a billion dollar industry, so obviously this is something that that industry does not want people to know. Losing weight is a basic science consisting of this fact: You will lose weight if the amount of calories burned in a day is greater than the amount of calories consumed. In the end, researchers found, that it doesn’t matter how much protein, carbs or fat you intake on a daily basis because weight loss has nothing to do with those factors. The only thing that matters is how many calories you consume.

So, what’s the bottom line for people who want to lose weight? More than ever it’s looking like people who want to lose weight must make drastic lifestyle changes and put down the fork before they will enjoy weight loss. This is something that the diet industry has hoped people would forget about after a while, but research proves this is all that needs to happen.

One effective pointer for eating less is using a smaller plate. This will cut down on calories consumed at meal times.

Recap: American Idol Top 36 – Three more singers join the Top 12

Posted by administrator in Entertainment (Friday February 27, 2009 at 5:25 pm)

The next three singers have been chosen to join the Top 12 on American Idol, Season 8.<br />

The next three singers have been chosen to join the Top 12 on American Idol, Season 8.

The biggest surprise of the evening was that Brooke White showed up to perform her newly released single. Other than that, the people who performed well and chose the right song were America’s choice, too.

Allison Iraheta, Kris Allen and Adam Lambert are all through to the next round because of their sensational performances the night before. Allison Iraheta is, by far, the front runner of the three, a close comparison to the first Idol winner, Kelly Clarkson.

Sadly, Norman Gentle did not receive enough votes to make it through, so no more comic relief for viewers. One has to wonder if he has a place in the wild-card round, but we’ll have to wait and see. Simon’s prayers certainly paid off.

Surprisingly, Megan Joy Corkrey did not make it through, despite being a wonderful character and original performer. Again, hopefully some of these singers will have another chance in the wild-card round.

So, we are one step closer to the Top 12. Next week the final batch of Idol-hopefuls will battle it out. Overall, the talent this season is fabulous and the contestants have been a pleasure to watch.

Wedding bells ringing for Gisele and Tom

Posted by administrator in Entertainment (Friday February 27, 2009 at 5:21 pm)

Wedding bells have been ringing for Brazalian supermodel Gisele Bundchen (28) and NFL star Tom Brady (31)

Toronto – Wedding bells have been ringing for Brazalian supermodel Gisele Bundchen (28) and NFL star Tom Brady (31). The most celebrated couple in fashion industry and sports have tied the knots on Thursday, February 26 at Santa Monica in California. Wedding ceremony was attended by less than dozen of close people. Later couple celebrated their wedding party on Thursday evening in Brentwood, California with close friends and family members.

Sources say that Budchen and Brady tied the knots in St. Monica Catholic Church, where Brady was present with his 18 month old son, from his former girlfriend and actress model – Bridget Moynahan and Budchen was present with her three dogs. Bride was dressed in form-fitting ivory lace strapless gown with a trumpet skirt by Dolce and Gabbana and her three dogs matched with D & G floral lace colors.

This couple was dating for almost three years (since 2006) and had got engaged last month in January. Sources also inform that couple had bought home worth $ 11.7 mn in Bentwood, they also have their homes in Costa Rica, Brazil, North Carolina and New York.

Everybody is looking forward to wish the couple in person and celebrate their wedding reception.

New Study Links Alcohol to Cancer in Women

Posted by administrator in Health (Friday February 27, 2009 at 5:19 pm)

Seattle – Women who were once told to drink a glass of red wine a day to keep their heart healthy are now being told that same glass of wine can put them at risk for cancer. And itâ€™s not just the wine, but any alcoholic beverage they consume may increase their risk of cancer.

In a new study released by researchers from the University of Oxford in Great Britain of 1.28 million women over the age of 50 it was found that consuming any amount of alcohol could raise their risk of developing cancer. Of the women studied, 68,775 developed cancer over a seven year period. Researchers believe that alcohol accounts for 13% of breast, liver, rectum and digestive tract cancer in women.

The study also found that low to moderate consumption of alcohol can attribute to 5% of all cancers found in women each year in the United States. Breast cancer tops the list with 11% of cases attributed to drinking alcohol.

Researchers believe alcohol consumption increases estrogen levels which are a major factor in developing breast cancer. Alcohol is also a known carcinogen, a substance that helps accelerate cancer in cells. Their study found that there is no safe alcohol consumption level for women, especially those who are already at risk of developing cancer.

American Idol Recap

Posted by administrator in Entertainment (Thursday February 26, 2009 at 4:36 pm)

The theme was Billboard hot 100 hits. Three more contestants would be chosen to move on to the top 12. The mantra of the night was wrong song selection.

New York -Â The theme was Billboard hot 100 hits. Three more contestants would be chosen to move on to the top 12. The mantra of the night was wrong song selection.

Jasmine Murray, Matt Giraud and Jeanine Vailes, the first three contestants, did not impress anyone with their song selections. The back up singers did not help.

Quirky performer Nick Mitchell, aka Norman Gentle, sparkled the audience with his attire, but not with “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going.” from Dreamgirls.

Tearing up the crowd was 16-year old Allison Irheta belting out Heart’s “Alone.” The judges, even Simon, were electrified by her no-holes-barred singing and amazed at the teenâ€™s mature singing style.

Kris Allenâ€˜s vocals added no dimension, but Simon admired his poise. The judges thought Megan Corkrey voiceâ€™s was cool and jazzy, but appeared to be more impressed by her good looks.

From the beauty of Utah to the welder from Oklahoma , Matt Breitzke sang something (what was the name of that song, again?) and Jesse Langseth, did not stretch her range with “Bette Davis Eyes. Digging up an oldie, Kai Kalama safely performed â€œWhat Becomes of the Broken Hearted.â€

Mishavonna Hensonâ€™s technical aptitude was applauded but her boring stage persona left the judges unimpressed.

Finally, Adam Lambert, Hollywoodâ€™s own, aced it with The Rolling Stonesâ€™ â€œSatisfaction.â€œ He added his own twist to the song and had the judges swinging. His energetic interpretation was the most lauded performance of the night.

Study Suggests Low Cal Diets Work Best

Posted by administrator in Health (Wednesday February 25, 2009 at 5:18 pm)

According to a new study, the real secret to weight loss is more in how many calories you consume than the type of diet you choose.
Researchers asked roughly 800 volunteers to try four types of diets differing in protein, fats and carbohydrates.

Study participates — mainly women — were asked to follow one of the four diets.

Results showed people lost about the same amount of weight, 13 pounds, no matter which they tried.Â All groups saw their weight creep back up after a year, with an average of 9poiunds lost by the second year.

The study also found dieters who got regular counseling saw better results.

The study appears in this week’s New England Journal of Medicine.

In 2004, approximately 6.8 million Canadian adults ages 20 to 64 were overweight, and an additional 4.5 million were obese, according to Stats Canada.

Megan Fox Calls Off Wedding

Posted by administrator in Entertainment (Tuesday February 24, 2009 at 9:55 pm)

Brian Austin Green and Megan Fox's engagement has come to end, according to media reports Tuesday.

Brian Austin Green and Megan Fox’s engagement has come to end, according to media reports Tuesday.

Breakup rumors began rumbling late last year, when Megan and Brian were spotted having arguments in public, Megan stopped wearing her engagement ring and also attended a handful of events with no date.

â€œThe relationship had run its course,â€ an insider tells Us exclusively. â€œItâ€™s completely amicable, and they are remaining friends.â€

Fox, 22, and Green, 35, met in 2004.

Fox will reprise her role as Mikaela in this Juneâ€™s sequel Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

Green is currently staring in FOX’s, Terminator: The Sarah Connors Chronicles.

Drug May Reduce Risk Of Prostate Cancer

Posted by administrator in Health (Tuesday February 24, 2009 at 9:50 pm)

A drug used to treat urinary problems and enlarged prostates, could help men ward off prostate cancer, according to a new study. finasteride

A drug used to treat urinary problems and enlarged prostates, could help men ward off prostate cancer, according to a new study.

The drug finasteride — sold generically as proscar — is a synthetic antiandrogen which acts by inhibiting type II 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It is used as a treatment in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in low doses, and prostate cancer in higher doses.

Finasteride can cut the odds of being diagnosed with prostate cancer by about 25%, reports Fox News.

Both the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Urological Association are encouraging men to talk with their doctors to see if the drug is right for them.

â€œThese men may represent an ideal target group for discontinuation of PSA testing, which could dramatically reduce the costs associated with screening as well as the potential morbidity of additional evaluations and/or treatment in a population unlikely to experience benefit,â€ the researchers wrote.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian men.Â In 2008, an estimated 24,700 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 4,300 will die of it.

EON

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