While the most fungi are beneficial some fungi are devastating plant pathogens while a small number of fungi can cause disease in humans such as ringworm trichosporonosis or aspergillosis.
Humans have recruited also an array of fungi to their cause. Products produced by fungi are used in medicine many antibiotics come from fungi
The work in the Peru Trench used environmental RNA sequencing to guarantee that sequences observed were from environmental samples and not contaminants from human skin.
Folic acid also known as folate when found in foods is A b vitamin that is crucial in helping to prevent birth defects in the baby's brain and spine known as neural tube defects.
For that reason the March of Dimes an organization dedicated to preventing birth defects recommends that women who are trying to have a baby take a daily vitamin supplement containing 400 micrograms of folic acid per day for at least one month before becoming pregnant.
Getting too little iron during pregnancy can lead to anemia a condition resulting in fatigue and an increased risk of infections.
and toxoplasmosis an infection caused by a parasite. The CDC reports that Listeria infection may cause miscarriage stillbirth preterm labor and illness or death in newborns.
To avoid listeriosis the USDA recommends forgoing the following foods during pregnancy: Raw meat: A mother can pass a Toxoplasma infection on to her baby
which can cause problems such as blindness and mental disability later in life reports the CDC.
To avoid toxoplasmosis the USDA recommends avoiding the following foods during pregnancy: Some foods may increase a pregnant woman's risk for other types of food poisoning including illness caused by salmonella and E coli bacteria.
Foodsafety. gov lists these foods to avoid during pregnancy and why they pose a threat.
Morning sickness When a mother-to-be is experiencing morning sickness the biggest mistake she can make is thinking that
if she doesn't eat she'll feel better Krieger said. The exact causes of morning sickness are known not
but it may be caused by hormonal changes or lower blood sugar according to the Mayo Clinic. It can bring on waves of nausea and vomiting in some women especially during the first three months of pregnancy.
And it's definitely not happening only in the morning Krieger said. It's any time of day.
It's better to eat small amounts of foods that don't have an odor since smells can also upset the stomach she suggested.
This is not done to fight bacterial infections but rather to promote the animals'health and speed up their growth.
There is now even a livestock-associated strain of MRSA a bacterial strain that in humans can cause debilitating sometimes deadly infections
When the bacteria do cause an infection it usually isn't life-threatening. Staph infections can become more serious problems
when they involve surgical wounds the bloodstream the lungs or the urinary tract according to Johns hopkins university. Antibiotic-resistant strains of staph such as MRSA can be the most damaging
because they can be very difficult to treat. In the new study which was described in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine this month 22 hog workers swabbed the inside of their noses several times over the course of 14 days.
Previous research has shown that people who persistently carry Staphylococcus aureus have increased an risk of infection in clinical settings.
if there's a link between the workers who carry livestock-related staph in their noses and increased infections.
but how the length of this time period relates to the risk of infection and other health outcomes in workers their families and communities Follow Megan Gannon on Twitter and Google+.
and less saturated fat may not be the best way to reduce the risk of heart disease a new review suggests.
and pork had reduced a risk of heart disease. The researchers concluded their analysis did not yield clearly supportive evidence for current cardiovascular guidelines
However the results did show a link between eating more trans fats which are hydrogenated the partially oils added to foods to keep them fresh longer and an increased risk of heart disease.
He said the data came from recent and well-designed studies that involved people who were initially healthy as well as people who already had heart disease
Reducing risk Chowdhury and colleagues carried out the study to shed light on the role of fat in coronary heart disease.
and sunflower seeds may lower the risk of heart disease. The researchers examined data from population studies of diets
or omega-6 fatty acids could reduce heart disease risk Chowdhury said. But the researchers said that more research is needed especially to determine
if omega-3 supplements may help prevent heart disease in healthy people. (In fact a study out this week in JAMA Internal medicine suggested taking omega-3 supplements doesn't reduce risk of heart disease.
What should people make of these results? We believe that a more'food-focused'approach should be considered
and pathogen avoidance the authors wrote. Follow Megan Gannon on Twitter and Google+.+Follow us@livescience Facebook & Google+.
To kill fecal contamination on chicken flesh factories typically drench bird carcasses in chlorine. It is a practice so unappetizing that the nation's trading partners like Russia
To understand why U s. poultry companies would rather risk export markets than stop dipping birds in chlorine it's helpful to understand how bad the fecal contamination is.
A 2014 Consumer Reports exposã revealed that virtually all 97 percent of chicken breasts in the United states harbor dangerous pathogens like Salmonella
Moreover even after chlorine treatment the meat later can potentially be exposed to pathogens and contaminated.
To make matters worse just in time for grilling season the U s. Department of agriculture (USDA) was proposing rules that could have increased further contamination.
while conscious resulting in more fecal contamination and as the Washington post described more potential for animal suffering and food safety problems at chicken slaughter plants.
The purring beast that seems to rule the roost we call our homes may be causing ill health.
Recent studies have suggested that this parasite may actually contribute to human psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and obsessive compulsive disorder as well as other brain pathologies they added.#
Researchers from the United states and India used strips of cured pork meat to treat uncontrollable nosebleeds in a 4-year-old with Glanzmann thrombasthenia a rare blood disorder that causes easy
bruising and nosebleeds. Cured salted pork crafted as a nasal tampon and packed within the nasal vaults successfully stopped nasal hemorrhage promptly effectively the researchers write in their study
One of the South dakota specimens shows bony healing suggesting trauma to the toe. Anzu wyliei is part of a group called oviraptorosaurs
During adulthood chlorhexidine an antiseptic used in prescription-strength mouthwash to treat gingivitis can cause discolorations.
Likewise the acne-fighting drug minocycline a derivative of tetracycline stains teeth. Even relatively common drugs such as antihistamines and blood pressure medications can sometimes yellow teeth.
and butter contributes to higher cholesterol and an increased risk of heart disease. But an editorial published in Open Heart suggests that saturated fats aren t as bad as we have been led to believe.
and an increased risk of degenerative heart disease was based on selective data from the 1950s that overstated the risk.
The association between fat calories and heart disease risk was made first by Ancel Keys in the 1950s who first suggested a correlation between between cholesterol levels and cardiovascular disease (CVD)
and a subsequent decrease in the incidence of obesity as well as diabetes and the metabolic syndrome#he said.
But turning to carbohydrates such as sugar and corn syrup has led to a parallel increase in diabetes and obesity in the US.
Instead there s a strong argument that the increase in the consumption of refined carbohydrates was the causative dietary factor for diabetes
and the obesity epidemic in the US#he said. The article concludes that while diets low in saturated fat can lower bad#LDL cholesterol switching to carbohydrates may increase another type of LDL cholesterol In a study that compared two low-calorie diets one low-fat and one low
Overall he argued no large observational studies have shown that low fat diets cut heart disease risk.
and heart disease risk while saturated fats (meat cheese) and artificial trans fats such as hydrogenated vegetable oil aren t so good.
and heart disease risk surfaced in 2010 after the authors of a meta-analysis of 21 studies
and nearly 350000 subjects concluded there was no significant evidence#that dietary saturated fat was associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease or cardiovascular disease.
#In it he called for a re-evaluation of how we view saturated fat s role in heart disease.
rocketing obesity and type 2 diabetes. We need people to go back to eating normal food
and chooses endpoints to suit so-called#surrogates like blood test results weight CVD cancer and total mortality.#
#He said the 2010 meta-analysis (supported by the National Dairy Council) also found that evidence from studies was consistent in finding that the risk of coronary heart disease was reduced
#Tom Sanders head of diabetes and nutritional sciences in King s college London s School of medicine said: This article rubbishes the relationship with saturated fat
#oeit is beyond reasonable doubt that elevated LDL cholesterol is a major determinant of risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
and prevent heart disease the researchers said. When olive oil and vegetables are digested together the conditions in the stomach provide an environment for the fatty acids to react with nitrogen compounds in the veggies
whether the compounds inhibited an enzyme that contributes to high blood pressure. The animals in the study had high blood pressure
and were given olive oil omega-6 fatty acids along with sodium nitrite to mimic components of a Mediterranean diet for five days.
and were resistant to the inhibitory effects on the enzyme were found to maintain their high blood pressure
which might increase the risk of heart disease the Mediterranean diet seems to prevent heart disease the researchers said.
#Ancient Parasite Uncovered in Mesopotamian Tomb Some of the earliest evidence of a human parasite infection has been unearthed in an ancient burial site in Syria.
We found the earliest evidence for a parasite that causes Schistosomiasis in humans said study co-author Dr. Piers Mitchell a biological anthropologist at the University of Cambridge in England.
That suggests that advances in farming technologies caused the rise of human infections with the waterborne worm Mitchell told Live Science. 7 Stunning Archaeological Sites in Syria Bloody worms Schistosoma parasites live in freshwater snails
and eventually bladder cancer while in Africa the flatworm typically infects the bowels where it causes bleeding and anemia as well.
and dams are by far the most common reasons why people get Schistosomiasis Mitchell told Live Science.
The findings were published today (June 19) in the journal Lancet Infectious diseases. Follow Tia Ghose on Twitterand Google+.
or wheat allergies said Suzana Lucy Nixdorf a researcher at Universidade Estadual de Londrina in Brazil.
As the demand for coffee increases high temperatures drought and a plant disease known as coffee rust are devastating Arabica coffee trees (Coffee arabica)
The trees also have been suffering from white pine blister rust a disease accidentally introduced via imported seedlings nearly a century ago
which attacks the nervous system of the prey leading to respiratory paralysis if untreated. Humans attacked by these cobras may stop breathing within 30 minutes.
Venom in the eyes can lead to blindness if not washed out well. These 18-footers are the longest of all venomous snakes.
or harm because individuals play too hard with one another. Animals work hard to maintain fair play
and a fever or cold so be sure to take those aspects into consideration. Calendar method The calendar method requires a woman to record her menstrual cycle on a calendar for roughly eight to 12 months.
#7 Things You Need To Know About Cancer This article was published originally at The Conversation.
and progress in cancer care-a collaboration with the UICC (global cancer body) and Globalrt (a group that aims to increase global access to radiotherapy).
and challenges of global cancer care in low and middle-income nations as well as bring attention to the need for further investment in the prevention and treatment of this group of diseases.
I wanted to share some key facts and myths around cancer with you. Debunk some pervasive perennial misunderstandings on cancer globally
#When people think of cancer they usually think of rich people in rich nations. Actually the reality is that 70%of all cancer cases worldwide occur in low and middle-income nations posing an enormous public health and economic burden.
Now of course this is also where a majority of the world s population lives but the reality is still that millions of cases of cancer occur in healthcare systems least prepared to treat them
(and some would argue find them) and in communities and families least able to cope with the health and financial consequences.
A misunderstanding that not only affects local but also global prioritisation and funding for these conditions in development budgets philanthropic responses aid and national health expenditures.
Because although the rates (age standardised per 100000 people) of cancer are still higher in the richest nations the types of cancer are different
For example worldwide the leading cause of cancer deaths in women is breast cancer but in many poorer nations it s cancer of the cervix.
A classic myth when it comes to cancer and particularly bowel cancer is that these are diseases of laziness.
Actually there are a myriad of causes -and many we still don t know or understand. Things like diet tobacco and alcohol;
infections and chronic inflammation; but also environmental pollutants; and genetics. Although I talk a lot about NCDS
-or noncommunicable diseases-some cancers are caused actually by infections. In fact about one-fifth of all cancers worldwide are caused this way-including cervical and liver cancers
which are paricularly common in poorer nations. The good news though is that the two viruses that cause these cancers are largely preventable by vaccine-Hepatitis b
and human pappiloma virus. Plain and simple tobacco is bad. Causing 22%of all cancer deaths worldwide the good fight against tobacco tobacco advertising
and the big corporations that make this carcinogen continues. Some good news many cancers can be prevented. 30%of cancers are preventable through not using tobacco having a healthy diet being physically active limiting alcohol use
and being vaccinated for the most common cancer-causing infections. These are largely the focuses of public health policies for cancer for
which prevention is better than cure#will always be a core mantra. Building on prevention early detection and early access to treatment is of paramount complementary importance-with treatments falling into three broad groups:
surgery chemotherapy and radiotherapy#Breast cervical and colorectal cancers for example can often be cured if found and treated in the early stages of disease
and are far less costly (in terms of health economic and social costs) if identified quickly. These challenges are magnified in a context of weaker health systems
Although a large number of cancers are preventable or curable through appropriate policies lifestyles screening and treatments-many are not.
For this reason it is also crucial that every person has access to pain relief and palliative care when dying of cancer.
But for now take a moment to reflect on the myths-and realities-of cancer globally.
After all it is only through knowledge that we will inspire collective action on cancer a pressing global health challenge.
-This article is based on the World health organization s cancer fact sheet. For more on global health and to connect with Sandro on Twitter click here.
or fractures into the sandstone cubes could yield a diversity of shapes including arches pillars and pedestal rocks.
#The Odd Way Tuberculosis Was brought to America When European explorers landed in The americas they brought tuberculosis (TB) and a wave of other deadly diseases with them.
However some strains of TB may have already been lurking in South america a new study finds.
A new analysis of three ancient Peruvian human skeletons that date to between A d. 1028 and 1280 well before Europeans landed on American shores shows evidence of tuberculosis including skeletal lesions
and curved spines. 8 Grisly Archaeological Discoveries It looked as though tuberculosis was present in the New world before European contact based on these skeletons said Kirsten Bos the study's lead researcher and a postdoctoral fellow
However when the researchers reconstructed the genomes of the tuberculosis samples they found the strains didn't fit into any branches of the disease that are associated commonly with human infection.
The new study also suggests that the common ancestor of the M. tuberculosis complex is just 6000 years old
A popular theory suggests that tuberculosis started in Africa tens of thousands of years ago
Sebastien Gagneux an expert on modern tuberculosis at The swiss Tropical and Public health Institute suggested that the three Peruvians caught the disease from seals that had lived once in Africa
There have been previous speculations among archaeologists that this might have been a source of TB infections in coastal areas of South america where seals were hunted
But with only three human skeletons it's unclear whether the seal strains of tuberculosis infected many people or just an isolated few.
What's more the 6000-year-old birth date of tuberculosis needs further scrutiny researchers said.
Regardless of their age the marine tuberculosis strains appear to have been replaced completely by European strains following contact Bos said.
Drinking can lead to alcoholic liver disease which can progress to fibrosis of the liver which in turn can potentially lead to liver cancer Murray said.
I emphasize'can'it's not even clear to the best scientists what are the triggers that allow that progression to happen he said noting that why some people have a higher risk than others of developing liver disease from drinking is understood not medically or biochemically.
Unlike alcohol Baler said the effects of chronic marijuana use are established not as well. Animal studies have indicated some possible impact on reproduction.
Additionally there is evidence marijuana can worsen psychiatric issues for people who are predisposed to them or bring them on at a younger age.
because the drug is smoked typically it can bring on bronchitis coughing and chronic inflammation of the air passages.
But while early studies showed some evidence linking marijuana to lung cancer subsequent studies have debunked that association.
but there are health benefits observed in moderate drinkers including lower rates of cardiovascular disease and possibly fewer colds Murray said.
and researchers understand their effects on the body then they could be put in clinical trials for use in cancer multiple sclerosis diabetes glaucoma
Public health researchers have said studying rates of injuries accidents mental illness and teen use in the wake of the new laws will lead to a better understanding of marijuana's public health effects.
which has been linked to cancers cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In March 2009 a 10-year National Cancer Institute review of studies that followed half a million Americans found that those who ate 4 ounces of red meat
or more daily increased their overall risk of premature death 30 percent compared with those who consumed less.
and is acknowledged to be a major factor in causing obesity and diabetes both in the UK and worldwide.
It s clear this sugar plays a part in soaring levels of obesity and diabetes.
According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) this will have reduced stroke and heart attack deaths by a minimum of 9000 per year with a saving in health care costs of at least £1. 5bn a year.
If we can persuade the Department of health that this programme is very likely to help considerably with the obesity epidemic
and (very likely) the number of people developing Type 2 diabetes it should have a good chance of success. Graham Macgregor set up
He is also chairs the Blood pressure Association sits on the board for the World Hypertension League
and recently served as President of The british Hypertension Society Sonia Pombo is a member of Consensus Action on Salt & Health (CASH).
'Long Winter Worsens Allergies in Spring This year's long brutal winter may mean the country's headed for pollen eruption
and a harsh allergy season in the spring doctors say. The freezing temperatures of the prolonged winter may have delayed the blooming of trees
and now that it's finally warming up trees are expected to bloom at the same time as grasses causing a dramatic rise in pollen allergy experts said.
People who may have both tree allergies and grass allergies are probably going be impacted doubly because both of those things are going to be said blooming at the same time Dr. Lolita Mcdavid a pediatrician at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital in Cleveland Ohio.
The 5 Most Common Allergies About 8 percent of U s. adults suffer from seasonal allergies according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Symptoms of these allergies typically include stuffy and runny noses watery and itchy eyes sneezing
and wheezing especially on days with high pollen counts. The allergy seasons seem to be getting intense in the last few years.
We are not quite sure why Mcdavid said. We don't know if it's the climate change.
Some doctors also contend that people have more allergies today perhaps because they are exposed less to allergens such as pollen than they used to be said Mcdavid.
The severity of each year's allergy season depends on the temperatures precipitation and amount of flowering grasses in an area that year studies have shown.
which can worsen allergies Mcdavid said. To fight off an intense allergy season Mcdavid suggests people who have allergies change their clothes
when they get home so that they don't walk around the home with the pollen they brought in.
On days with high temperatures and high pollen counts Mcdavid suggested people with allergies close the windows and turn on air conditioning.
which helps prevent allergic reactions for 24 hours. You can take them at night so that you won't be drowsy in the day Mcdavid said.
#5 Miserable Afflictions to Avoid This Spring As joyful and gorgeous it may be spring brings its own share of seasonal maladies
and nothing can kill the buzz of spring like an allergy or a bacterial infection.
With the warmer weather can come a host of pathogens that are less common during winter's frigid conditions.
Lyme disease Deer ticks (also called blacklegged ticks) which carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease are most active during the spring early summer and fall.
They live in shady and humid environments and are often found at ground level clinging to grass.
The risk of Lyme disease is greatest for people living in New england the Mid-atlantic states and the upper Midwest according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
and Lyme disease avoid walking in places where ticks are likely to live. The CDC recommends using insect repellents with DEET on the skin or clothing or permethrin on clothing.
Allergic rhinitis In the spring trees and grass start to produce pollen to which many people are allergic.
The most common symptoms of allergic rhinitis (also called hay fever) are stuffy and runny nose watery and itchy eyes sneezing wheezing and cough.
There's really no good way to cure or prevent allergies but the symptoms can be controlled.
With allergies there are really good treatments and there's no need to suffer said Dr. Andy Nish president of Allergy
and Asthma Care Center in Gainesville Ga. 9 Weirdest Allergies His first recommendation to people with allergies includes avoiding the outdoors on high pollen days changing clothes
when getting home and keeping windows closed Nish said. Then there are medications to ease allergic reactionssuch as nasal steroids
and antihistamines Nish said. For people who have tried to avoid triggering their allergies but haven't seen improvement
and for those who are allergic to a number of allergens some doctors may recommend trying immunotherapy
and allergy shots Nish said. Eye allergies Another type of allergy to pollen affects the eye
and is called allergic conjunctivitis allergy. In this condition the membrane lining the eye and the inside of the eyelid becomes inflamed.
Doctors recommend staying away from pollen lubricating the eye and taking allergy medicine for relief.
Worsening of asthma & other health conditions Spring allergies can worsen an existing asthma or sinus problem Nish said.
Inhaling pollen can trigger asthma attacks and increase inflammation of the airways in people who have asthma.
Similarly people with sensitive sinuses can be irritated by pollens. Some people may develop eustachian tube dysfunction in
which the narrow tube that runs from the middle ear to the back of the nose gets blocked because of inflammation
and extra mucus Nish said. Flu The flu season is not over yet. National data from the first weeks of April show that
although seasonal influenza activity is declining flu viruses continue to circulate and cause illness in parts of the U s. For example in New york state the numbers from the second week of April show influenza is still widespread with more than 2500 lab-confirmed cases.
To avoid getting the flu people should get the flu shot and take everyday preventive actions to stop the virus'spread the CDC says.
These include washing hands limiting contact with sick people and avoiding touching your eyes nose and mouth.
Email Bahar Gholipour or follow her@alterwired. Follow us@Livescience Facebook & Google+.+Original article on Live Science
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