Health Problems

Tiger mosquitoes are capable of transmitting yellow fever

Since December 2016, Brazil has been grappling with its worst yellow fever outbreak in several decades. To date, there have been 2,043 human cases including 676 fatalities, mainly occurring in ten Brazilian states including Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. These two states, the most heavily populated in Brazil, had been free of yellow fever […]

Health News

‘Fitcations’ Are a Great Way to Shape Up

FRIDAY, Sept. 21, 2018 — From a three-day bike race to raise awareness of a charitable cause, to adventure travel abroad, you can take exercise to a brand new level on a fitness trip. With no shortage of “fitcation” options available any time of year, start with some research, either by destination or by the […]

Health News

Survey finds 2M US teens are vaping marijuana

A school-based survey shows nearly 1 in 11 U.S. students have used marijuana in electronic cigarettes, heightening concern about the new popularity of vaping among teens. E-cigarettes typically contain nicotine, but results published Monday mean 2.1 million middle and high school students have used them to get high. The devices are generally considered a less […]

Personal Health

Researchers find answers as to why some people are at risk of gout

University of Otago researchers have helped characterise a genetic variant that enables new understanding of why some people are at risk of gout, a painful and debilitating arthritic disease. Gout is caused by persistently elevated levels of urate in the blood, which causes severe joint pain and swelling, especially in peoples’ toes, knees, elbows, wrists […]

Health News

Even ‘good’ levels of air pollution are bad for smokers

(HealthDay)—Even low levels of air pollution can pose a threat to the lungs of cigarette smokers, researchers say. They tested 29 nonsmokers, 71 smokers without lung disease, and 58 smokers with the lung condition chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study found that the lungs of both groups of smokers could be harmed by levels […]