Mid-life structural jawbone changes may signal women’s subsequent height loss

Dentists likely to spot these on x-ray, and should tell doctors about them, say researchers  Mid-life structural changes to the jawbone may signal subsequent height loss in women, suggests research published in the open access journal BMJ Open. Dentists, who are likely to spot these on mouth x-rays during routine check-ups, should collaborate with patients’ doctors […]

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Bhopal explosion may have heightened risk of disability and cancer among future generations

And it may have curbed educational attainment and prompted fall in proportion of male births Disaster likely affected people across a substantially more extensive area than previously thought  The Bhopal gas explosion in 1984—one of India’s worst industrial disasters—may have heightened the risk of disability and cancer in later life among future generations, curbed their educational […]

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Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons strongly linked to raised rheumatoid arthritis risk

These environmental toxicants seem to mediate most of smoking’s effects on risk The amount of environmental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAH for short, is strongly linked to a person’s risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, suggests research published in the open access journal BMJ Open. These chemicals, formed from the burning of coal, oil, gas, […]

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Doctors more extroverted, but also more neurotic and less open than patients: study

Character trait differences might have clinical implications for doctor–patient relationships Doctors are more extroverted, agreeable, and conscientious, but also more neurotic and less open than their patients, finds an analysis of responses to two nationally representative Australian surveys, published online in the open access journal BMJ Open. These character trait differences might have clinical implications for […]

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Common ear, nose, and throat issues in pre-schoolers may be linked to later autism risk

Early identification and treatment of these conditions may improve their quality of life Young children with common ear, nose, and throat (ENT) issues may be at subsequent risk of autism or high levels of demonstrable autism traits, suggests research published online in the open access journal BMJ Open. Early identification and treatment of ENT conditions may […]

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Menu calorie counts likely linked to lower obesity-related cancer rates and healthcare costs

Thousands of cancers and deaths potentially averted and billions of dollars saved in US Additional food industry product reformulation could substantially boost policy impact Specifying the number of calories for each item on restaurant menus is likely linked to lower rates of cancers associated with obesity and attendant healthcare costs in the US, suggests a […]

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Midlife obesity linked to heightened frailty risk in older age

Frailty often wrongly perceived as purely wasting disorder, say researchers Findings highlight importance of keeping trim throughout adulthood to minimise risk Carrying far too much weight, including a midriff bulge, from mid-life onwards, is linked to a heightened risk of physical frailty in older age, finds research published in the open access journal BMJ Open. Frailty […]

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Probiotic bacteria found in fermented foods might help dispel bad breath

Lactobacillus salivarius and reuteri, Streptococcus salivarius, Weissella cibaria may work Probiotic bacteria usually found in fermented foods, such as yoghurt, sourdough bread, and miso soup, might help dispel the embarrassment of persistent bad breath (halitosis), finds a pooled data analysis of the available evidence, published in the open access journal BMJ Open. Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus reuteri, […]

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Acupuncture can relieve lower back/pelvic pain often experienced during pregnancy

And no observable major side effects for newborns of mums-to-be who opted for therapy Acupuncture can significantly relieve the lower back and/or pelvic pain frequently experienced by women during their pregnancy, suggests a pooled data analysis of the available evidence, published in the open access journal BMJ Open. And there were no observable major side effects […]

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Poor quality sleep may be linked to heightened risk of irreversible sight loss (glaucoma)

Findings underscore need for sleep therapy in those at risk + eye checks in poor sleepers Poor quality sleep, including too much or too little shut eye, daytime sleepiness, and snoring, may be linked to a heightened risk of developing irreversible sight loss (glaucoma), suggests a large UK Biobank study published in the open access […]

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