There may be another reason for pregnant and nursing women to eat a nutritious diet that includes generous amounts of cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage – it could help protect their children from cancer, both as infants and later in life. A new study by scientists from the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, done with laboratory mice, found that supplements of a key phytochemical found in certain vegetables provided a very high ... [full story]

University of Oregon researchers have identified protein interactions that regulate the response of cells to steroid hormones. The discovery, they say, could lead to new ways to boost the effectiveness and reduce undesired side effects of steroid-hormone treatments and cancer drugs. The study, published online this week ahead of regular publication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, also uncorks an almost 15-year bottleneck in research caused by difficulties in deciphering the actions ... [full story]

Toddlers hold the key to back pain relief. They may have to rely on grown-ups to teach them how to tie a shoe and use the potty, but when it comes to knowing how to sit, stand, bend and walk with ease, we can take our cues from these little ones.  Moreover, toddlers, in spite of their tender age, hold the secret of good posture.  All healthy babies teach themselves how to stand and walk ... [full story]

The younger a boy is when he starts drinking alcohol, the more likely he will be a risky drinker as an adult, says the results of a four-year survey of male Marine Corps recruits that raises concerns for society at large. The survey in the December issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine identifies several other factors for drinking problems. They are tobacco use, coming from a small or rural hometown and growing up ... [full story]

New Private, Membership-Based Medical Office Coming To Bend in January Everyday, consumers make spending choices based on the level of personalized service and attention they want to receive.  Flying first class versus coach, selecting a private health club membership versus using the community fitness center, choosing private school versus public education, lodging at a motel versus a five-star hotel, joining a country club versus using public golf courses…the list goes on. A new trend in ... [full story]

Pledges to Push for Further Expansion to Private Employers… Governor Kulongoski announced that Thursday was the first day that any Oregonian without prescription drug coverage was eligible to enroll in the Oregon Prescription Drug Program (OPDP), which is the state’s bulk-purchasing pool for prescription medications and offers savings up to 60% for uninsured citizens.  Measure 44 was enacted by the voters last month, removing previous age and income eligibility restrictions for OPDP.   Enrollmen assistance information is available ... [full story]

Following criticism by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt that allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices would create government run health care and fail to lower prices, U.S. Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) on Tuesday urged Leavitt to reconsider his position in the wake of building momentum to take this step to bring lower drug prices for seniors. “We believe sound management of the [Medicare] program would ... [full story]

Research suggests eating spicy foods can increase metabolism and may actually help you eat less. A Canadian study this year showed that men, who had hot sauce with an appetizer, ate on average 200 fewer calories than men who did not.Foods that give your metabolism an extra boost – including chili peppers -- are called thermogenic foods. Thermogenic foods help you burn fat better and give you more energy, so anybody can shed those extra ... [full story]

A recent study found that many Americans are in danger when it comes to taking prescription medicine because they cannot comprehend how much and how often the medication should be taken. Misunderstanding was particularly high among those with an eighth-grade literacy level or below and those who took many prescription drugs. The study, "To Err is Truly Human: Literacy and Misunderstanding of Prescription Drug Labels," was released Nov. 29 at www.annals.org and will be printed ... [full story]

Starting December 1, the new human papillomavirus vaccine will be added to the list of immunizations covered in Oregon under the federal Vaccines for Children program. The cancer-preventing immunization, more commonly referred to as HPV vaccine, has been on the market since June at a cost of $120 per dose. Three doses are required for full protection. Currently some private insurance plans cover the vaccine but not all do, according to Lorraine Duncan, immunization manager ... [full story]

Oregon's first confirmed influenza case of the season has been reported to the Oregon Department of Human Services Public Health Division, state officials announced today. The case of influenza A occurred in a 34-year old Washington County adult male, and was reported by Kaiser Permanente Northwest laboratory, said Mel Kohn, MD, MPH, state epidemiologist in DHS. Kohn added that the man was not hospitalized and is recovering at home. "This tells us that flu has ... [full story]

Apparently an abundance of rich foods during the holiday season poses problems for more than just our waistlines. Overindulgence could turn the yuletide into heartburn season for many Americans. Making merry is often synonymous with overindulging - whether from holiday feasts or rich desserts or alcoholic beverages. Heartburn is often marked by a characteristic burning sensation that sufferers describe as rolling up into their chest. "Most of the time heartburn is a nuisance, not a ... [full story]

Every day, 8- to 18-year-olds spend, on average, nearly four hours watching TV or videos, more than an hour on the computer and 50 minutes playing video games. That amounts to nearly six hours a day in front of a screen. But health experts warn that too much screen time throws off a person's energy balance, making it hard to maintain a healthy weight. Energy balance is the balance between the amount of calories you ... [full story]