TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2013 HEALTH & SCIENCE

Outdoor exercisers can reap unexpected benefits by moving indoors NEW YORK: Road runners and cyclists chance to supplement their workout vary your workout every single day: to Gregory Chertok, a New Jersey-based cles are surprised and effectiveness is may dread moving their exercise rou- with cross-training, group fitness classes focus on speed, or to add intervals, or sport and exercise psychology consult- enhanced. “Physiologically the body tines indoors as winter approaches but or even workout DVDs. hills.” ant for the American College of Sports responds,” he said. fitness experts say it could be an oppor- “Runners and cyclists often spend lit- And your route is not limited to your Medicine, suggests a gradual approach. In the social setting of a gym, he tunity to fine-tune a familiar routine or a tle time on strength training,” Matthews neighborhood. Suzanne Bowen, a “They may want to dedicate one or added the lone outdoor runner can lim- chance to discover new skills. Jessica explained. “But we know it is a critical Panama City Beach, Florida-based fit- two of their workouts per week to ber up his social skills. “There are great Matthews, a California-based yoga component to enhance what you do ness expert, has always trained indoors. indoors, in order to slowly adjust,” he benefits to solitary exercise: it’s medita- instructor and exercise physiologist with and do it safely.” “Whether dealing with heat or cold, you said. “It takes some of the trauma away.” tive. It’s a chance to ruminate and an the American Council on Exercise, said Outdoor runners who shun indoor have to find something you like to do He said perspective management, or the opportunity for alone time,” he said. “But road cyclists, racers and runners trickle training, she added, could be missing an indoors, something you’re comfortable ability to view events as neither good there are also benefits of working out in into yoga classes. opportunity to fine-tune their regimen with,” said Bowen, the creator of online nor bad but neutral, is among the most a social setting.” Chertok said adopting a “The cold weather might have forced on a treadmill. “Many hear the word streaming fitness classes and the powerful tools in both general and flexible lifestyle in sports or exercise can them indoors but they discovered treadmill and say, ‘No,’” she said. “But “Tighten Tone and Stretch” fitness DVD. sports psychotherapy. lead to benefits in other areas. “The skill something,” said Matthews, adding that with a treadmill you have at your finger- For exercisers married to their out- When we’re forced to engage in new of emotional flexibility is very transfer- a change in the weather can offer be a tips the ability to tailor, customize and door routines who feel forced inside, workouts, Chertok explained, the mus- able,” he added.—Reuters Childhood cancer survivors face heart risks soon after treatment DALLAS: Children who survive cancer treat- completion of their patients’ cancer therapy,” hood obesity. It may be that damage caused by ment face increased heart health risk and said Dengel, a professor at the University of chemotherapy cannot be reversed, Dengel should take measures soon after life-saving Minnesota. said. “I really don’t think it’s the cancer per se, therapy to reduce the risk of serious problems Researchers used measures of the brachial it’s the treatment” that is causing the problems, later in life, according to research presented at and carotid arteries to test artery stiffness, Dengel added. A pilot study has begun in a major medical meeting. The five-year survival thickness and function of 319 Americans ages 9 which childhood cancer survivors will be given rate from childhood cancer has soared from 58 to 18 who had survived leukemia or other can- cholesterol lowering statins after puberty to percent in 1975 to 1977, to 83 percent in the cers, and compared the findings to 208 siblings see if that can reduce the risk of future heart period from 2003 to 2009. not diagnosed with cancer. Signs of premature problems. “It may serve them better to be more While earlier research had shown that child- heart disease, demonstrated by a decline in aggressive,” Dengel said. hood cancer survivors face heart disease and artery function, was more prevalent among The study did have limitations, researchers other potentially serious health problems those children and teenagers who had survived noted. Because of differences in cancer treat- decades after treatment, a new study found cancer, researchers found. ments, they were unable to attribute changes that chemotherapy takes a toll on artery health Childhood leukemia survivors had a 9 per- in arterial health to any particular chemothera- while survivors are still children, leaving them cent decrease in arterial health after complet- py. In addition, most of the children in the vulnerable to premature atherosclerosis and ing chemotherapy compared with the non-can- study were white, so the findings were not nec- heart disease. cer group. “Given the increased risk, children essarily applicable to other racial or ethnic “We may need to start the clock earlier mon- who survive cancer should make lifestyle groups. itoring these children,” said Donald Dengel, changes to lower their cardiovascular risk,” Children in the study, which was funded by lead author of the study presented on Sunday Dengel said. Such changes would include a the National Institutes of Health and other at the American Heart Association scientific heart-healthy diet and regular exercise. research groups, had survived at least five years meeting in Dallas. “Healthcare providers who However, more studies would be needed to since their initial cancer diagnosis, researchers FRANCE: European grey wolves are pictured in the†animal†park of Sainte-Croix, in are managing chemotherapy-treated child- assess whether blood vessel health can be said. They said it was the first such study to look this December 12, 2012, file photo in Rhodes.—AFP hood cancer survivors need to monitor cardio- improved by lifestyle changes in these sur- at heart health of childhood cancer survivors vascular risk factors immediately following vivors as has been shown in studies of child- while they were still children.—Reuters Modern dogs descended from European wolves Largest study widens , WASHINGTON: If your dog could talk, he China. “If you are looking for the origins might have a European accent. A new of dogs and you only have samples from arsenic link in study out Thursday comparing DNA from Europe, then of course it must be modern canines to ancient fossils sug- Europe,” he told AFP. Savolainen said that gests that today’s pets descended from much like the “Out of Africa” theory that PARIS: An unprecedented probe into high levels say watchdogs. The toxic element occurs in could also have implications for other parts of now-extinct populations of wolves in says humans originated in Africa and of arsenic in Bangladesh’s groundwater water naturally-the problem is that tens of mil- the world where there can be relatively high lev- Europe. Man’s earliest best friends likely migrated elsewhere, dog history follows strengthens suspicions that eating rice boosts lions of rural dwellers are exposed to it through els of arsenic in rice, said the authors. Parts of scavenged bones from scrap piles left an “Out of south China” scheme. “You see exposure to the poison, scientists said yesterday. shallow wells drilled in Cambodia, China, and Vietnam fall into this Samples provided by 18,470 volunteers living in the 1970s in “access-to-water” programs. category. Haris’s team previously found a link behind by hunter-gatherers, said the several branches that are unique among report by international researchers in the an arsenic-contaminated district showed that Most investigations have focused on the risk between arsenic and rice consumption among a dogs in south China and you don’t see those who ate large amounts of rice had higher from drinking water, but there is now widening small number of Bangladeshis who lived in journal Science. The bolder the wolf, the them anywhere else,” he said. Asked more he would be able to eat and the levels of arsenic in their urine than those who interest in whether the poison can also be Britain. The new paper takes the exploration far- about the criticism from China theorists, ate little rice, they said. In addition, the big rice- passed on in rice, through irrigated fields. ther, as it draws on a much wider sample of peo- more loyal to humans he would become. Thalmann countered that his team used eaters also had more symptoms of arsenic toxici- The study was conducted in the district of ple living in Bangladesh itself. Scientists now believe this process of more complete DNA sequencing and ty, such as skin lesions. Araihazar, Dhaka state. Arsenic levels in the local Research carried out among 417 villagers in domestication likely began as many as older samples that show Europe was The paper, published in the peer-reviewed rice were not determined in the study, although India’s West Bengal, published last July, found 19,000 to 32,000 years ago. indeed the place where it all began. journal PLOS One, is the biggest-ever probe into contamination of the area’s water is well known. signatures of genetic damage in urinary-tract “All modern dogs have a very close Still, the matter is far from settled, whether arsenic-tainted groundwater in There are nearly 6,000 wells in an area of just 25 cells. The signatures, called micronuclei, are tiny relationship to ancient dogs or wolves Thalmann told AFP. More research in the Bangladesh poses a risk for people who con- square kilometres (9.6 square miles). “We recom- pieces of DNA that are left over from when a cell from Europe,” lead author Olaf Thalmann, years to come may reveal more on the sume rice, the staple food. The study demon- mend people in Araihazar and other parts of replicates and fails to copy its genetic code a researcher at the University of Turku in topic, perhaps through the discovery of strates “arsenic in water and the food chain is a Bangladesh, who consume as much as 1.6 kilos properly. The more frequently these mistakes Finland, told AFP. The team analyzed the more fossils, or a more complete look at serious problem”, said Parvez Haris, a specialist in (3.5 pounds) of cooked rice daily, to reduce their occur, the higher the risk of cancer. In the vil- mitochondrial DNA of 18 prehistoric the genetic data. In the meantime, most environmental biomedicine at De Montfort dependence on rice as their main source of calo- lagers, micronuclei frequency rose with increas- canines-eight dogs and 10 wolves-and experts agree that early dogs became a University in the central English city of . rie intake, to diversify their diet by for example ing arsenic levels in rice, a trend that held for compared them to 77 mitochondrial part of human life long before the devel- “(It) also shows that exposure to arsenic from increasing their intake of wheat and consuming men and women, and also for tobacco and non- genomes, showcasing traits inherited rice can have harmful effects on human health, rice varieties that are low in arsenic,” said Haris. tobacco users. Even small amounts of arsenic, opment of agriculture and farming soci- from the mother, from dogs from all over as it correlated with increased prevalence and “We have previously shown that rice from over a long time, can cause cancer of the blad- eties. Little is known about the people the world. The ancient samples came incidence of skin lesions.” Arsenic in groundwa- (the) Sylhet region of Bangladesh has lower der, kidney, lung or skin, previous research has who domesticated them, or how they from Russia, Ukraine, Central Europe, the ter in parts of Bangladesh is a growing concern, arsenic content as does aromatic rice.” The work found.—AFP did it. But Savolainen believes that United States and Argentina, Thalmann wolves took the lead when it came to said. Some were more than 30,000 years old. befriending humans, at least initially. The modern DNA from dogs and “They approached human camps and Be cautious with antibiotics for kids wolves spanned the globe, from Israel to ate from the scrap heaps and those who China, Sweden to Mexico. “The oldest dared come closer would get most of the NEW YORK: Pediatricians should bacteria each year and 23,000 die domesticated dog material came from food and they would have an evolution- carefully evaluate kids with ear as a result. Any antibiotic use - Europe,” said co-author Robert Wayne, a ary advantage,” he told AFP. “So with infections, runny noses and sore appropriate or not - contributes to professor in the department of ecology each generation they would sort of tame throats before giving them antibi- the risk of resistance. otics, doctors said yesterday. Antibiotics can also come with and evolutionary biology at the themselves to get accustomed to Antibiotics will only help shorten side effects like diarrhea and rash- University of California Los Angeles. “It humans. That is everybody’s favorite the- ory, and I think it is a nice theory as well.” kids’ sickness if their symptoms are es, which account for more than was an inescapable conclusion.” caused by bacteria and not by a 150,000 doctor visits among kids However, other researchers say the mat- As some wolves relied less on killing prey and more on eating scraps, their snouts virus, the American Academy of each year. And they occasionally ter of who tamed dogs first and where it Pediatrics (AAP) Committee on cause severe allergic reactions. gradually grew shorter. They likely fol- happened is far from settled. A separate Infectious Diseases noted. Still, Symptoms of bacterial and viral team of researchers published a study in lowed human groups whenever they studies show many children and respiratory infections can overlap, Science in 2002, saying that modern picked up and moved camps. adults are given the drugs for the committee said. So pediatri- dogs came from southern China. Then, about 10,000 to 15,000 years coughs and colds caused by virus- cians should use strict criteria to “Our data points to origins in China ago, the closer friendship truly began. “At es. That increases the risk of antibi- decide when antibiotics are war- and I am still pretty sure that is the place,” some point, people and wolves really otic resistance, without doing ranted. said Peter Savolainen, an associate pro- started interacting and humans took over patients any good. For ear infections, toddlers who fessor at the Royal Institute of the rest of the domestication process,” “People tend to not recognize have severe pain and infections in Technology in Sweden. Savolainen said said Savolainen. Thalmann said his team’s how big of a problem this is,” Dr both ears are most likely to benefit the study by Thalmann and colleagues evidence suggests dogs likely accompa- Theoklis Zaoutis said. He is a mem- from the drugs, the AAP said. But in ting worse. When kids have a sore DisperMox, among other names) lacks samples from important parts of nied European explorers to the New ber of the AAP committee and an most cases, symptoms will go away throat, pediatricians should test or amoxicillin together with clavu- the world-namely the Middle East and World.—AFP infectious diseases specialist at the on their own - so a wait-and-see only those who have certain symp- lanate (Augmentin) to kids with ear Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia approach is an option for older toms - such as swollen lymph infections and sinusitis. in Pennsylvania. kids who are not in a lot of pain. nodes or tonsils and a fever - for The combination, in particular, According to the Centers for Antibiotics for runny noses and strep throat. When antibiotics are causes diarrhea or other stomach Long use of birth control pill Disease Control and Prevention, at coughs should be used when justified, the committee recom- problems among one-quarter to least 2 million Americans get symptoms are severe, have been mended doctors prescribe amoxi- half of patients, Dr Jeffrey Linder could boost glaucoma risk infected with antibiotic-resistant around for a long time or are get- cillin (marketed as Moxatag or said. —Reuters WASHINGTON: Women who have taken ophthalmology at the University of birth control pills for three years or more California San Francisco. face twice the risk of developing the eye “At this point, women who have taken disease glaucoma, a top cause of blind- oral contraceptives for three or more Princeton University can import ness, researchers said yesterday. The years should be screened for glaucoma study was based on survey answers by and followed closely by an ophthalmolo- vaccine to combat meningitis outbreak 3,406 women over age 40 in the United gist, especially if they have any other States, and was presented at the annual existing risk factors.” While this study NEW YORK: A meningitis vaccine approved for not the first of its kind in the United States, remains hospitalized, according to the New meeting of the American Academy of stopped short of establishing a causal use in Europe and Australia but not in the United Reynolds said. Jersey Department of Health. Five other stu- Ophthalmology in New Orleans. Women link between the pill and glaucoma, pre- States can be imported to try to stop an outbreak “What’s a little different now is this is the first dents have recovered, and the visitor’s case is who said they had used oral contracep- vious research has shown that estrogen of the disease at Princeton University in New time we’ve had an outbreak and also have had being followed by another state health depart- tives for more than three years were 2.05 may have a significant role in the devel- Jersey, federal health officials said. The Food and the possibility of using a vaccine that could pro- ment. The first case was reported in March. times as likely to report a diagnosis of opment of glaucoma. Drug Administration agreed this week to the tect against it,” she said. The university’s trustees Meningitis is a serious disease that is spread glaucoma as women who had not taken Known risk factors for the eye disease importation of the vaccine, Bexsero, for potential are meeting this weekend to discuss the out- through coughing and exchanges of saliva, and the pill. It did not matter which kind of include African American-ethnicity, fami- use on the Ivy League campus, Barbara Reynolds, break. Mbugua would not talk about the nature people living in dormitories or other crowded a spokeswoman for the Centers for Disease of those discussions or what day they would be living quarters are especially at risk. There is a oral contraceptives the women used, ly history of glaucoma, history of Control and Prevention, said on Saturday. The held. “I will not pre-empt the trustees’ discussion vaccine available in the United States for other researchers said. Glaucoma is a disease increased eye pressure and existing school, which has about 7,900 students, reported by talking about it beforehand,” he said. strains of the disease, Reynolds said. The CDC that affects the optic nerve. If untreated, vision problems. There is no cure for its seventh case of the year this week, said uni- Reynolds said she did not have a timetable for recommends the vaccine for children and stu- it can cause people to lose their periph- glaucoma but with early intervention it versity spokesman Martin Mbugua. how quickly the vaccine could be available. Its dents before they head off to college. Bacterial eral vision over time and eventually their can often be controlled through medica- Bexsero, a new vaccine made by Swiss drug- use would be optional for students at Princeton, meningitis can cause the membranes covering straight-ahead vision, too. “This study tion and/or surgery. The research team maker Novartis, is designed to protect against a she said. the brain and spinal cord to swell. The most should be an impetus for future research also included experts from Duke strain of the disease, serogroup B, that is not as The most recent case at the school was diag- severe cases can result in death, hearing loss, to prove the cause and effect of oral con- University School of Medicine and Third common in the United States as it is in other nosed last Sunday, Mbugua said. Six of those brain damage, kidney disease or require the traceptives and glaucoma,” said Shan Lin, Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang parts of the world, Reynolds said. The outbreak of affected are students, and one was a visitor, he amputation of limbs. Symptoms include fever, lead researcher and professor of clinical University, Nanchang, China.—AFP serogroup B meningitis at Princeton is rare but said. The student who most recently became ill headaches and stiff neck.—Reuters