Researchers working in Vietnam have identified a genetic variant that predisposes people to developing a lethal form of tuberculosis (TB), tuberculous meningitis, if they are infected with a strain of TB known as the Beijing strain. The work, described in a study published March 28th in the open-access journal PLoS Pathogens, underlines the importance of studying both sides of the complex host-pathogen interaction and its role in susceptibility to disease.

Workas a hairdresser or barber has been confirmed as a potentialcarcinogenic influcence, according to a Working Group report of theInternational Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), as published in theApril2008 issue of The Lancet Oncology. Hair dyes are presently classified as permanent, semipermanent, ortemporary dyes. The permanent (also called oxidative) dyes representapproximately 80% of the available products.

Long known for its role in preventing anemia in expectant mothers and spinal birth defects in newborns, the B vitamin folate, found in leafy green vegetables, beans and nuts has now been shown to blunt the damaging effects of heart attack when given in short-term, high doses to test animals.

More than half of American adults considered to have normal body weight in America have high body fat percentages — greater than 20 percent for men and 30 percent for women — as well as heart and metabolic disturbances, new Mayo Clinic research shows.

Screening for cardiovascular problems in elite-level football players should begin in high school and continue throughout the lives of college and professional players. Mayo Clinic physicians based that conclusion on the results of their new study of the cardiovascular health of 233 retired National Football League (NFL) players.

The following highlights recent state news about women’s health-related legislation. Alaska: The House on Tuesday voted 21-15 to approve a measure (HB 301) that would ban so-called “partial-birth” abortion in the state, the

The Miami Herald on Friday examined how Planned Parenthood of South Palm Beach and Broward Counties’ five clinics have reduced their services during a Planned Parenthood Federation of America review of the clinics.

Recognizing the valor, service and sacrifice of America’s 1.7 million women veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has created a comprehensive array of benefits and programs. “Women who served this country in uniform — whether veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, the current Global War on Terror or peacetime service — have earned our respect and thanks,” said Dr. James B. Peake, Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

In most subpopulations of patients with overactive bladder (OAB), the percentage of patients who respond positively to treatment is significantly higher in those who receive fesoterodine 4 or 8 mg or tolterodine extended release (ER) versus those treated with placebo, investigators announced here at the 23rd Annual Meeting of the European Association of Urology (EAU).

The rate of premature births in the U.S. is a “discouraging number,” especially in light of a recent study that found “unanticipated consequences” of being born prematurely, Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Mike King writes in an opinion piece (King, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 3/27).