http://medicalxpress.com/ en-us Medical Xpress internet news portal provides the latest news on Health and Medicine. The largest genetic search for "obesity genes" in people of African ancestry has led to the discovery of three new regions of the human genome that influence obesity in these populations and others. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-04-genetic-discovery-obesity-people-african.html Genetics Mon, 15 Apr 2013 09:07:09 EST news285235598 (HealthDay)—Certain baseline characteristics better predict successful weight loss with the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) lifestyle intervention, according to a study published in the January issue of Diabetes Care. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-02-baseline-factors-impact-lifestyle-intervention.html Diabetes Thu, 07 Feb 2013 14:00:15 EST news279464934 A team of researchers at Kaiser Permanente and the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) has identified a significant relationship between mortality and the length of telomeres, the stretches of DNA that protect the ends of chromosomes, according to a presentation on Nov. 8 at the American Society of Human Genetics 2012 meeting in San Francisco. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-11-significant-relationship-mortality-telomere-length.html Genetics Thu, 08 Nov 2012 13:30:05 EST news271583215 A study lead by researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) shows an association between increased concentrations of phthalates in the body and an increased risk of diabetes in women. Phthalates are endocrine disrupting chemicals that are commonly found in personal care products such as moisturizers, nail polishes, soaps, hair sprays and perfumes. They are also used in adhesives, electronics, toys and a variety of other products. This finding is published in the July 13, 2012 online edition of Environmental Health Perspectives http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-07-chemicals-personal-products-diabetes-women.html Diabetes Fri, 13 Jul 2012 00:20:02 EST news261316664 Scientists from Australia and Oxford University have carried out a complex analysis in an attempt to determine the "optimal" level of alcohol consumption that is associated with the lowest rates of chronic disease in the UK. They conclude that the intake of about one-half of a typical drink per day would result in the healthiest outcomes, and the authors conclude that the recommended alcohol intake for the UK should be reduced from the current advised level of drinking. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-06-statistical-alcohol-consumption-optimal-health.html Health Wed, 06 Jun 2012 12:51:08 EST news258205848 It is estimated that half of all deaths in the United States are linked to behavioral and social factors such as smoking, diet and physical inactivity. Despite these causal links, of the $2 trillion spent annually on health care in the U.S., only 5 percent of that is devoted to addressing behavioral and social risk factors. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-02-grant-behavioral-social-factors-linked.html Health Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:56:40 EST news249656152 (Medical Xpress) -- Spanish explorer Ponce de León searched for the "Fountain of Youth" in hopes of finding eternal life. And while Peter Martin, director of Iowa State University's gerontology program, hasn't found the mythical fountain, he and his research team have determined behavioral factors that may increase longevity. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-02-factors-longer-life.html Health Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:20:06 EST news247479762