Health headlines

Red meat mortality risk
DAILY consumption of red meat has been linked to an increase in the risk of all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality, according to a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine that tracked more than 120 000 people for more than 20 years. The researchers found that eating one additional serving of unprocessed red meat daily was associated with a 13% increase in total mortality, while an extra serve of processed red meat per day conferred a 20% increase. They also found that substitution of other healthy protein sources for red meat was associated with a 7% to 19% lower mortality risk. This research was reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.

Circumcision protects prostate
MEN who are circumcised before they have sex for the first time may be less likely than uncircumcised men to develop prostate cancer, according to a study published in Cancer. Using data from 1754 men with prostate cancer and 1645 controls, the researchers found that men who were circumcised before their first sexual intercourse were 15% less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer later in life. They said their findings were consistent with research supporting the infectious/inflammatory pathway in prostate carcinogenesis. This research was reported in The West Australian.

Second caesarean safer
FOR women who have had one prior caesarean, a planned elective repeat caesarean (ERC) was associated with a lower risk of fetal and infant death or serious infant outcome compared with planned vaginal birth, according to Australian research published in PLoS Medicine. The researchers also found that of 2345 women with one prior caesarean, fewer women in the planned ERC group had a major haemorrhage compared with women in the planned vaginal birth group. This research was reported by ABC Science.

Space affects the brain
SPENDING more than a month in space is associated with optical abnormalities similar to those that can occur in intracranial hypertension of unknown cause, according to research published in the journal Radiology. The researchers performed magnetic resonance imaging on 27 astronauts who had spent an average of 108 days in space. The scans revealed various combinations of abnormalities following both short- and long-term cumulative exposure to microgravity also seen with idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Excess cerebrospinal fluid was found around the optic nerve in 33% of the astronauts studied, and 22% showed a flattening of the back of the eyeball. The research was reported by The Age.

Mobile phones affect mice
RESEARCHERS have found that mice exposed to mobile phone radiation in utero tend to be more hyperactive and have reduced memory capacity as adults, according to a study, published in Nature. The researchers said further studies were needed to determine if there were risks for humans. The research was reported in the Herald Sun.

Posted 19 March 2012