Children with older fathers have a significantly increased risk of having autism, a study has concluded.

The UK and US researchers examined data on 132,271 children and said __those born to men over 40 were six times more at risk than those born to men under 30__.

[Read](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5313874.stm “Read the Story”) (BBC)

Drinking fruit and vegetable juices frequently may significantly cut the risk of developing Alzheimers disease, a study suggests.

US researchers followed almost 2,000 people for up to 10 years. They found the risk was 76% lower for those who drank juice more than three times a week, compared with those who drank it less than once a week.

[Read](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5298404.stm “Read the Story”) (BBC)

The memory of mice suffering from Alzheimers disease has been
restored, a study shows. Scientists increased the activity of an
enzyme called Uch-L1 which is involved in memory function. They
then tested the mice and found that they had regained the
ability to form new memories.

Read
(BBC)

The first phase of clinical trials, which tests the safety of the vaccine, indicates that China’s first AIDS vaccine is safe and possibly effective, government officials announced at a press conference after a two-month-odd assessment.

“Forty-nine healthy people who received the injection showed no severe adverse reactions after 180 days, proving the vaccine was safe,” said Zhang Wei, head of the pharmaceutical registration department of the SFDA.

“The recipients appeared immune to the HIV-1 virus 15 days after the injection, indicating the vaccine worked well in stimulating the body’s immunity,” he told the press conference.

[Read](http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-08/18/content_4980121.htm) (China View)

Everyone knows hot dogs aren’t exactly healthy for you, but in a new study chemists find they may contain DNA-mutating compounds that might boost one’s risk for cancer.  Scientists note there is an up to 240-fold variation in levels of these chemicals across different brands of hot dogs.

Read (MSNBC)

In July, my doctor felt that because of my medical history I should get a nuclear stress test.  I took the stress test and completed it without any physical problems, but my Dr. called after she got the results and said there was a problem.  She said the stress test indicated I had a minor blockage in one of my coronary arteries and I should see a cardiologist ASAP.

I saw the cardiologist 2 weeks ago.  Her diagnosis was angina, and she gave me a prescription for Nitroglycerin, which I still haven’t filled.  She insisted that I needed a cardiac catheterization to determine the extent of the blockage and if necessary, clear the blockage and install a stent.  She also said I might have to start taking a Beta blocker.

The cardiac catheterization was performed yesterday, and the conclusion was everything looked good.  The blockage was so minor that no further action was necessary.  I didn’t need a stent, and I don’t need to take a Beta blocker.  I just need to continue taking an aspirin, blood pressure and cholesterol medications each day, eat a Heart-healthy diet, and get some exercise.

An extra can of soda a day can pile on 15 pounds in a single year,
and the “weight of evidence” strongly suggests that this sort of
increased consumption is a key reason that more people have gained
weight, researchers say. Soft drink trends have marched lock-step with
the growing obesity epidemic, but industry groups have long fought
efforts to say one directly caused the other.

Read (AP via WTOP)

Officials notified parents of nearly 1,000 Girl Scouts that their
daughters may have been exposed to rabies at a Virginia camp. There is
only a small chance that any of the girls were infected by bats that
were found in some of the sleeping shelters at Camp Potomac Woods in Loudoun County, VA.

Read (AP via MSNBC)

I’m glad my daughter’s not one of those. Can you imagine having
to put your child through the 7-9 shots that are required? At least the
girl scouts are paying for the shots.

Walk-in clinics are springing up in retail chains nationwide,
offering shorter wait times, lower prices, and a challenge for doctors.

More than 100 walk-in clinics, with names like RediClinic,
MinuteClinic, and Take Care Health, are already operating in major
retail stores like Wal-Mart, CVS and Rite-Aid, and there are plans to
open several hundred more locations within the next couple of years.
The clinics are usually staffed by a nurse practitioner instead of a
physician, and they are open evenings and weekends. They offer basic
services for patients 18 months and older, ranging from vaccinations to
diagnostic screenings to prescriptions and treatment for minor problems
like sore throats, skin infections and sprained ankles. Though most now
accept insurance, even the out-of-pocket prices are generally
relatively low, from about $40 to $100, depending on the service.

Read (Newsweek)

How many M&MS are enough? It depends on how big the candy scoop
is. At least that’s a key factor, says a study that offers new evidence
that people take cues from their surroundings in deciding how much to
eat.

It explains why, for example, people who used to be satisfied by a
12-ounce can of soda may now feel that a 20-ounce bottle is just right.

Read (AP via USA Today)

As the number of HIV-positive Americans over 50 grows, a study shows
that this group is likely to have high rates of depression, and many of
them have numerous age-related medical conditions that are complicated
by their already compromised health.

Read (USA Today)

Increasing numbers of Americans are becoming too fat to fit into X-ray machines.

The nation’s rising obesity problems mean many citizens are not only too large for scanners but they have too much fat for the rays to penetrate.

Read (BBC)

HIV is able to survive drug attack by hiding out in the gut lining, US scientists have discovered.

Even when blood tests suggested antiretroviral treatment was
working, the virus continued to replicate in the gut, suppressing
immune function.

Read (BBC)

A diet that scores low on the “glycaemic index” helps overweight
people lose body fat while also reducing levels of “bad” cholesterol
that contributes to the risk of heart attack and stroke, a study shows.

The glycemic index (GI)
measures the impact of carbohydrates on blood sugar levels. Food with a
high GI score, like a biscuit, causes sharper peaks in sugar levels
than a low GI food, such as pasta. Earlier research has shown that low
GI foods make people feel fuller for longer and may promote the
breakdown of fat. These foods also tend to contain more soluble fibre,
which reduces total and low density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad”
cholesterol.

Read (New Scientist)