IN BRIEF (Page 19)

'Better' breast cancer scanning

MRI scans may offer a new way to detect breast cancer at its earliest stages and perhaps even prevent cancer among high-risk women, European researchers said recently. Details of a German study show that magnetic resonance imaging was better than standard mammograms, a type of X-ray, at detecting a nonmalignant tumor called ductal carcinoma in-situ, or DCIS.

Anxiety linked to IBS

People who experience high levels of stress and anxiety appear to be more likely to develop irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) following a severe gastric infection, UK and New Zealand researchers report. A variety of studies have suggested that the cause of IBS has psychological and behavioral components, Dr Rona Moss-Morris of the University of Southampton and Dr Meagan J. Spence of the University of Auckland point out in the medical journal Gut.

Cashews worse than peanuts

Peanuts may be more notorious, but cashews seem to trigger more severe allergic reactions in children. In a study of 141 children with allergies to cashews or peanuts, British researchers found that cashew reactions were generally more serious.

For the study, led by Dr Andrew T. Clark of Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge, 47 children with cashew allergy were matched up one-to-two with 94 children with peanut allergy. Children with cashew reactions were eight times more likely to suffer wheezing, and nearly 14 times more likely to have potentially severe cardiovascular symptoms, like heartbeat disturbances or a drop in blood pressure.

Early treatment for toenail fungus

Toenail fungus should be treated as quickly as possible to avoid the nail becoming brittle and falling off, the German professional association for dermatologists said.

Toenail fungus will not go away on its own, the association said. In worst cases, the body of the toenail can become detached, which can lead to pain when walking. The earlier a toenail fungus is recognized, the easier it is to treat effectively and gently.

If less than half the outer part of the toenail is affected, the fungus can be treated with an external anti-fungal agent such as a medicated nail lacquer, said Professor Isaak Effendy, head doctor at the dermatology clinic in Bielefeld.

In advanced cases the patient must take a fungicide, which can interact with other medications, causing problems for older patients who often are taking medicine for other problems.

Drink coffee, eyelids won't twitch

Say goodbye to uncontrolled contractions of the eyelids. Drinking coffee can prevent this phenomenon called blepharospasm which in actual fact is a dystonia caused by involuntary muscle movements.

Researchers at the University of Bari led by Giovanni Defazio found that Italians' favorite wake-up drink can help to avoid the annoyance, despite popular opinion that coffee might actually be the main cause of the problem.

While one little cup does not solve the problem, researchers said, it could offer some natural protection.

Defazio studied the effects of smoking and coffee on 166 patients, after previous research had shown the positive effect of cigarettes, according to the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry.

The substance responsible for this protective effect is the caffeine, which stimulates the receptors that control the movements in the ganglio-basal area of the brain.

Agencies

(China Daily 08/15/2007 page19)