Health headlines

Soft drink link to asthma/COPD
A STUDY of 16 907 people in South Australia has found a positive association between soft drink consumption and asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The research, published in Respirology, found that the odds ratio for asthma was 1.26 and for COPD was 1.79 for those who drank more than half a litre of soft drinks a day, compared with those who did not consume soft drinks. Overall, 13.3% of participants with asthma and 15.6% of those with COPD reported consuming more than half a litre of soft drink per day. The research was reported by The Guardian.

Heart disease inheritance
THE Y chromosome is associated with the risk of coronary artery disease in men of European ancestry, according to new research in The Lancet. The study, which included Australian researchers, found that of nine haplogroups (ancient lineages)) identified, two accounted for about 90% of the Y chromosome variants among British men. Carriers of haplogroup I had about a 50% higher age-adjusted risk of coronary artery disease than did men with other Y chromosome lineages. The research was reported by BBC News.

Some bread with your salt?
BREAD is the biggest source of sodium in the American diet, according to new research by the Centers for Disease Control. The research, involving 7227 people aged 2 years and older, found that average daily sodium consumption was 3266 mg, excluding salt added at the table, which is much higher than the maximum daily amount of 2300 mg recommended in the US. The report said clinicians could counsel most patients to check food labels and select foods lower in sodium. The research was reported by Sky News.

Cannabis increases crash risk
DRIVING under the influence of cannabis is associated with a significantly increased risk of a car crash (odds ratio 1.92), according to a meta-analysis in the BMJ. The researchers said their findings could inform campaigns against drug-impaired driving. The study was reported by ABC Science.

Stimulating memory
DEEP brain stimulation of the entorhinal region has been shown to enhance memory when applied during spatial learning. The research, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, involved seven patients who had intracranial depth electrodes attached to identify seizure-onset zones for subsequent epilepsy surgery. The researchers said the study could have implications for people with memory impairments. The study was reported by Time.

Posted 13 February 2012