Washington, Dec 9 : Women who use bust-enhancing dietary supplements containing a naturally occurring toxin could be increasing their risk of breast cancer, health experts have warned.

Mycoestrogen zearalenone (ZEN) is a naturally occurring toxin that widely contaminates agricultural products.

Melbourne, Dec 8 : A new study has claimed that majority of Australian couples may turn to sex to help cope with the stress during Christmas, which is one of the most nerve-wracking times of the year.

According to the national Bupa Stress Survey 2011, 77 percent of Aussies believe sex is a great way to help manage stress, and unsurprisingly, 81 percent of men are the greatest advocates, compared to 73 percent of women.

Washington, Dec 8 : A new study has found that people with major depressive disorder (MDD) have abnormal connectivity between several key regions of the brain responsible for emotional behaviour, learning, memory and decision-making.

MDD is a severely debilitating illness characterized by sadness and an inability to cope.

London, Dec 8 : Two Australian doctors have suggested that Catholic nuns be given contraceptive pills.

Dr Kara Britt and Professor Roger Short said that the Pill would protect nuns from the ‘accursed pest’ of cancer, which has been recognised for 300 years, reports the Independent.

Like other women who do not have children, nuns are at an increased risk of dying from breast, ovarian or uterine cancers.

Washington, Dec 8 : Young women who take up binge drinking during early college years may be at a relatively high risk of sexual assault, a new study has suggested.

The study led by a University at Buffalo also revealed that even kids who don’t drink in high school are at risk of heavy drinking once they head off to college.

New York, Dec 8 : Scientists have found two new medicines that could keep breast cancer in check.

The drugs significantly delay the time until women with very advanced cases get worse.

In a large international study, an experimental drug from Genentech called pertuzumab held cancer at bay for a median of 18 months when given with standard treatment, versus 12 months for others given only the usual treatment.

Melbourne, Dec 8 : Radiations emitted from cell phones may protect against and even reverse Alzheimer's disease, a new study has revealed.

Researchers at the University of South Florida conducted a study that exposed 96 mice, most of whom had been genetically altered to develop the Alzheimer's disease as they aged, to electromagnetic waves generated by mobile phones.

London, Dec 8 : Indulging in extreme exercises for long hours, like training for a marathon may make you more susceptible to heart disease risk, a new study including Indian origin researcher has revealed.

MRI scans on 40 athletes training for challenging sporting events like triathlons or alpine cycle races indicated that most of them had stretched heart muscles.

London, Dec 8 : Using bone-strengthening drugs may increase the longevity of joint replacements and cut the failure rate by half, a new study has suggested.

Researchers analysed data from patients who were taking bisphosphonates, which are used to prevent the loss of bone material.

Melbourne, Dec 8 : A daily dose of aspirin can sharply reduce the risk of death from a wide range of cancers, a new study has suggested.

Previous work by the same team of scientists revealed that the century-old remedy for aches and pains, long a staple of family pharmacies, can help defend against colon cancer.

London, Dec 7 : A few simple lifestyle changes would help most people avoid cancer, a study claims.

The most comprehensive review of cancer and lifestyle ever carried out reveals the shocking toll unhealthy habits have on our well-being, the Daily Express reported Wednesday.

London, Dec 7 : Many people tend to lose their sleep because of their other half's consistent snoring but simple changes in the lifestyle can potentially help them get rid of this quandary, a new study has suggested.

There are several risks linked to the snorer's health, too, like high blood pressure, diabetes and even stroke.

London, Dec 7 : The way we perceive art is not ‘rational’ when it comes to judging between the fake and real thing, mainly because of a variety of influences and changes in brain pattern, a new study has suggested.

According to the researchers, there are more than one areas of the brain involved with judgements about art.

London, Dec 7 : Beauty experts have warned that bags under the eyes are the price women pay for the dismal days of winter, making them look up to five years older.

The eyes of 5,000 women aged between 27 and 60 were studied throughout the seasons by scientists, who found winter aged women’s looks by an average four years and eight months.

Melbourne, Dec 7 : Babies with depressed fathers are three times more likely to develop emotional and behavioural problems than their peers with happier dads, a new study has warned.

The study of more than 2600 families found that children whose fathers experienced depression when they were born are at heightened risk to have behaviour problems when they were between four and five.

London, Dec 6 : Some people may be genetically inclined to need longer hours of sleep, a new study has found.

Experts found those with the gene ABCC9 need around 30 minutes more sleep per night than those without it.

Over 10,000 people from different parts of Europe took part in the study, each reporting how long they slept and providing a blood sample for DNA analysis.

Washington, Dec 6 : Ecstasy drug users may be causing chronic long-lasting damage to their brain, a new study has warned.

According to the study, the illegal ‘rave’ drug that produces feelings of euphoria and emotional warmth is responsible for long-term serotonin neurotoxicity in humans.

Washington, Dec 6 : Children who are abused or are exposed to domestic violence show the same pattern of brain activity as soldiers exposed to combat, a new study has revealed.

The study is the first to apply functional brain imaging to explore the impact of physical abuse or domestic violence on the emotional development of children, according to the researchers.

Southampton (UK), Dec. 6 : New research released by Breast Cancer Care and the University of Southampton reveals that more than a third (34 per cent) of women with secondary breast cancer are unnecessarily living with uncontrolled pain.

Washington, Dec 6 : Low level of Vitamin D, which is more rampant in obese children, may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance in kids, a new study has suggested.

High rates of vitamin D deficiency have been found in obese populations and past studies have linked low vitamin D levels to cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Washington, Dec 6 : Premature infants, born with very low birth weight are more prone to suffering from memory and attention problems when they become adults than babies born at a low to normal weight, a study has suggested.

Washington, Dec 5 : A tiny genetic variation predicts chances of survival and response to treatment for patients with ovarian cancer, a new study has shown.

The findings provide new insights into the biology of a new class of cancer marker and suggest a genetic test may help guide the treatment of women with ovarian cancer.

London, Dec 5 : US researchers analysing genetic influences in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have found alterations in specific genes involved in important brain signalling pathways.

According to paediatric researchers at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the new study raises the possibility that drugs acting on those pathways might offer a new treatment option for patients with ADHD who have those gene variants.

Washington, Dec 5 : US scientists have uncovered a gap in the molecular armor of Ras, the most commonly occurring oncogene, which when mutated has the potential of causing cancer in humans.

London, Dec 5 : Scientists have discovered a new defensive weapon, a cytoskeletal protein called septin, which is deployed by humans cells to cage the invading Shigella bacteria that causes potentially fatal human diarrhea.