http://medicalxpress.com/ en-us Medical Xpress provides the latest news from Taylor & Francis Ten years after the Iraq war of 2003 a team of scientists based in Mosul, northern Iraq, have detected high levels of uranium contamination in soil samples at three sites in the province of Nineveh which, coupled with dramatically increasing rates of childhood cancers and birth defects at local hospitals, highlight the ongoing legacy of modern warfare to civilians in conflict zones. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-cancer-birth-defects-iraq-nuclear.html Health Tue, 21 May 2013 08:10:02 EST news288341596 Many studies have linked the meals served at fast-food outlets to obesity, but is there a relationship between the number of restaurants in a country and the girth of its population? http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-super-sized-citizens-relationship-country-fast-food.html Overweight and Obesity Fri, 10 May 2013 07:00:05 EST news287386467 Preventing alcohol abuse, especially among young people, has long been a focus of public-health campaigns. But despite the well-publicised social and medical consequences of drinking too much it's clear that for many, heavy drinking has become a normal part of life. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-youth-cultures-social-networking-alcohol.html Health Fri, 10 May 2013 06:50:01 EST news287386444 Health care facilities play a vital role in the UK's terrorism contingency plans, but a new study by researchers at the Adam Smith Business School, Glasgow University, provides a timely warning to managers, regulatory bodies and government that crucial services such as hospitals are also potential targets for malevolent actions. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-hospitals-terrorist-threats.html Health Fri, 03 May 2013 07:49:44 EST news286786178 The use of harsh discipline of unwanted behaviour in children has long been controversial. Whether verbal (insults, disparaging remarks, threats) or physical (slapping/spanking), harsh discipline at all stages of childhood carries a large risk of manifesting antisocial 'externalising behaviours' in the child, including aggression, delinquency or hyperactivity. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-04-harsh-discipline-softened-mother.html Psychology & Psychiatry Thu, 18 Apr 2013 08:50:01 EST news285492556 Romantic-comedy films are not a major source for developing unrealistic expectations about relationships among young adults, finds a new study to be published online this week in the National Communication Association's journal Communication Monographs. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-04-romantic-comedies-affect-beliefs-relationships.html Psychology & Psychiatry Fri, 12 Apr 2013 08:40:02 EST news284973921 Sure, many young adults are ecstatic at that first taste of freedom that comes with "going away to college." But for some, the intense transition can also trigger intense homesickness. In new research published in the Journal of American College Health, authors Christopher A. Thurber, PhD and Edward A. Walton, MD explore this topic in "Homesickness and Adjustment in University Students." http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-04-homesickness-adjustment-university-students.html Psychology & Psychiatry Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:42:16 EST news284809321 Cancer is a disease that invokes fear, so it is not surprising that the public is eager to identify ways to decrease the risk. The media often features information on "Miracle Foods" and publicizes whether these foods can actually decrease the risk of cancer. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-04-miracle-foods-decrease-cancer.html Cancer Mon, 01 Apr 2013 12:36:36 EST news284038579 Recent finds in two articles in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A indicate correlations between autism and vaccinations. With the rapid rise of autism in the United States that began in the 1990s, these articles titled "A Positive Association found between Autism Prevalence and Childhood Vaccination uptake across the U.S. Population" and "Hepatitis B Vaccination of Male Neonates and Autism Diagnosis" in Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A may answer some questions as to why there is an increase in cases of this disorder. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-03-articles-corrleations-autism-vaccinations.html Autism spectrum disorders Tue, 26 Mar 2013 08:26:55 EST news283505112 House paint containing dangerous concentrations of lead is being sold in Cameroon by an American company – and the company is refusing to remove the paint from store shelves. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-03-company-africa.html Health Tue, 19 Mar 2013 16:03:17 EST news282927791 With heart disease one of the world's very biggest killers, new approaches to prevention and treatment are always welcome. In fact, most heart disease can be prevented by changes in people's behaviour and attitudes. The same holds true for the effective treatment of those who have already developed the disease. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-02-self-aware-uk-biggest-killer.html Psychology & Psychiatry Tue, 26 Feb 2013 07:30:01 EST news281085539 How far would you go to get the attention of the one you love? http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-02-men-biggest-takers.html Psychology & Psychiatry Mon, 11 Feb 2013 09:10:01 EST news279794832 Obesity might be a very modern problem, but a team of scientists from Taiwan and China is turning to the age-old principles of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to help fight it.  Breaking research published in the Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics indicates a possible new direction for the treatment of metabolic syndrome. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-01-traditional-chinese-medicine-obesity-problem.html Medical research Thu, 31 Jan 2013 07:13:51 EST news278838824 We all know how casual flirtation can lift one's mood, which can be important at this time of year when the winter blues are at their peak. But if you are more serious about your flirting and hope to get that all important phone number, you're better off waiting until it's sunny, according to new French research published in the journal Social Influence. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-01-flirty-sun.html Psychology & Psychiatry Mon, 28 Jan 2013 11:14:36 EST news278594062 Almost everyone teaches their children that lying is always wrong. But the vast majority of parents lie to their children in order to get them to behave, according to new research published in the International Journal of Psychology.  http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-01-tooth-fairy-real-parents-china.html Psychology & Psychiatry Tue, 22 Jan 2013 05:58:34 EST news278056709