saturday health news roundup

Cancer researchers have been given a million-dollar grant to investigate the therapeutic value (Broken link, active June 18, 2005) of the folk medicine propolis and the food spice turmeric. In a related story, omega-3 fatty acids, found naturally in oily fish such as salmon or tuna, may fight breast cancer (Broken link, active June 18, 2005). As these two stories seem to indicate, alternative medicines are beginning to find their way into curriculums at traditional medical schools (it is about time!).

In this month’s Scientific American, a growing number of dissenting researchers have accused government and medical authorities–as well as the media–of misleading the public about the health consequences of rising body weights. But then we are told obesity and smoking leads to faster aging. Speaking of packing on the pounds, over at Science Blog the discussion is about soda and sweet drinks being the main source of calories in the American diet, displacing white bread from the top spot. But there is hope: children aged 2-12 snack on fresh fruit more than junk food (Broken link, active June 18, 2005) such as potato chips or cookies.

American researchers have found a method of growing batches, or lines, of fully mature brain cells, a breakthrough touted as the end of such neurological diseases as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. And in related news, researchers have found that shed baby teeth are a valuable source of stem cells (Broken link, active June 18, 2005), joining umbilical cords as a life-respecting source.

Last week I noted that a 12-year-old girl with cancer was taken from the custody of her parents when they refused radiation treatments for her. This week a judge has ruled that the girl will remain in state custody (Broken link, active June 18, 2005) while she completes her radiation treatments. The Orwellian nightmare continues.