Men's Health: Health Briefs
Oct. 26 -- Talk about irony: The virus that causes oral herpes may someday be used as a treatment for prostate cancer.
Researchers at the New York University school of medicine have developed a genetically modified variation of the herpes virus that can be used successfully to treat tumors.
"In a 34-day animal study, the new virus reduced the growth of tumors by eight times more than older treatment options did," says Ian Mohr, the study author.
More impressive: After just one round of treatment, tumors completely disappeared in 40 percent of cases tested.
Fat vs. Fat
Surprise! The saturated fat in a strip of steak appears to be better for your cholesterol level than the trans fatty acid in a serving of fries.
Researchers in the Netherlands put 29 healthy adults on a two-month-long diet in which 10 percent of calories came from either trans fats or saturated fats.
Compared with the saturated-fat regimen, the trans fat diet led to a 29 percent greater loss of blood-vessel function and a 20 percent greater decrease in levels of HDL cholesterol (the good stuff), says Nicole M. de Roos, the study author.
Brain Freeze
Your job may not be the source of your headaches.
According to research by the New England Center for Headache, more than 50 percent of migraines are caused by changes in the weather.
In the study, 77 men and women recorded the dates and severity of their migraines. Researchers then tracked weather conditions and average temperatures and compared both sets of data.
"We found that 25 percent of migraines occur during periods of low temperatures or low humidity levels," says Dr. Alan Rapoport, the study supervisor.
Frequent migraine sufferers should monitor the weather and take preventive medications at the onset of weather changes.
Fertility Update
A new form of male birth control is currently in development in the United Kingdom.
The implantable rods, which are inserted under the skin of the arm and remain effective for up to three years, contain a hormone that blocks sperm production — without altering the intensity of orgasms.
