The Korea Herald

IVI appoints new chairman, sets new vision

Jan 24, 2013

The International Vaccine Institute, a Seoul-based multinational organization on vaccine development, has appointed Dr. Adel A. F. Mahmoud as its new chairman and Dr. Viveka Persson as vice chairman. Mahmoud will replace professor Ragnar Norrby of the Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control, who has held the post since 2006, the IVI said in a statement Thursday.It has also set a new vision to “discover, develop and deliver safe, effective and affordable vaccines for the world’s developi
Chung-Ang Univ. Hospital hosts forum on heart disease

Jan 24, 2013

Chung-Ang University Hospital will hold an international symposium in collaboration with the U.S.-based Mayo Clinic on Feb. 1-2 in Seoul to share information on the latest technology in cardiovascular care. Leading cardiologists and cardiac surgeons from Korea and overseas will give lectures on treating patients with different types of heart disease, the hospital said.Doctors will discuss eight topics, including “clinical debates on the timing of surgery,” “catheter-based therapy” and “cases of
How to have a healthy heart

Jan 24, 2013

With a Westernized lifestyle and diet, and an aging society, we live in a time of increasing cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The classic symptoms of heart disease include chest pain, palpitations, and shortness of breath. Many people with heart disease are unaware of any symptoms, so some people can suddenly develop symptoms having previously thought they were healthy. Therefore, if you have any symptoms related to the heart, it is highly recommended that a cardiologist examine you. Even if
Women have caught up to men on lung cancer risk

Jan 24, 2013

Smoke like a man, die like a man.U.S. women who smoke today have a much greater risk of dying from lung cancer than they did decades ago, partly because they are starting younger and smoking more ― that is, they are lighting up like men, new research shows.Women also have caught up with men in their risk of dying from smoking-related illnesses. Lung cancer risk leveled off in the 1980s for men but is still rising for women.“It’s a massive failure in prevention,” said one study leader, Dr. Michae
New implant technique reduces pain, improves results

Jan 24, 2013

A 53-year-old patient was once again on the operating table last month to get another dental implant for his upper right tooth. He found himself trembling with fear when thinking of the past surgeries that caused excruciating pain. But this time, it was different. After only two hours of surgery at S-Plant Dental Hospital in Seoul, the patient felt less pain, bleeding and swelling. He was even able to have dinner on the day of the surgery. All this was possible because Kim received a dental impl
Couples who sleep well are less selfish: study

Jan 23, 2013

Couples who sleep well are likely to appreciate their spouse, a study suggested.The study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley asked 60 couples aged 18 to 56 to keep track of how many hours they slept each night and how much they appreciated their spouse. Research results showed couples who slept well had better problem-solving skills when asked to work together and showed gratitude to their spouses. Although health benefits of a good night’s sleep are well known, l
Vitamin D may be a breast cancer therapy

Jan 23, 2013

Vitamin D may be involved in a possible new breast cancer therapy, U.S. and Spanish researchers say.Susana Gonzalo, an assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at Saint Louis University, and her team identified one pathway activated in breast cancers with the poorest prognosis, such as those classified as triple-negative. These cancers often strike younger women and are harder to treat than any other type of breast cancer. Women who are born with BRCA1 gene mutations are at inc
Hugging brings health benefits: study

Jan 23, 2013

Hugging family members or loved ones can bring several positive effects such as lowered blood pressure and higher memory retention, according to the research from University of Vienna. The researchers claimed that when people hug or hold a person they like, the horomone oxytocin is released into the blood stream. Oxytocin plays a role in lowering blood pressure, reducing stress and anxiety, and even improving one’s memory. It is also found that hugging improves one’s ability to empathize and lea
Overweight drivers at higher risk of death in accidents: study

Jan 22, 2013

Overweight people are more likely to die in a car accident than those who of normal weight, according to a study by researchers at University of California, Berkeley.The study was conducted on a total of 3,403 traffic accidents which involved 6,806 drivers, mostly men. The team divided the overweight people into three groups, “most obese with a BMI of 40, severely obese with a BMI index of 35 to 39.9 and obese with an index of 30 to 34.9.” Those with a BMI of 18 to 25 are considered healthy. The
Loneliness corrodes health

Jan 22, 2013

Loneliness boosts inflammation, which is linked to coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, arthritis and Alzheimer‘s disease, U.S. researchers suggest. Lead author Lisa Jaremka, a postdoctoral fellow at the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research at Ohio State University, and colleagues found people who were more lonely showed signs of elevated latent herpes virus reactivation and produced more inflammation-related proteins in response to acute stress than people who felt more socially conne
Orange juice worst for teeth: report

Jan 21, 2013

Orange juice, lemonade and other acidic fruit juices increase the risk for tooth decay the most among mass-produced drinks, a study showed Monday.A research team at Seoul National University Hospital’s School of Dentistry studied the relationship between the level of acid and the possibility of tooth erosion with eight types of drinks, such as lemonade, soda, sports, drinks and kids’ beverages, for eight days.Orange juice had the worst effect of teeth erosion and decreased enamel hardness, the s
'Engaged’ workers healthier, productive

Jan 21, 2013

U.S. workers who are engaged in their work and workplace are more likely than those who are not engaged to have a healthier lifestyle, a survey indicates.The Gallup Daily tracking interviews conducted January-December 2012 found engaged employees ate healthier, exercised more frequently and consumed more fruits and vegetables.The employee engagement index was based on research on actionable workplace elements with proven linkages to performance outcomes, including productivity, customer service,
NYC sorbet said effective flu treatment

Jan 20, 2013

A New York ice cream company unveiled a new treat it says is specially formulated for flu sufferers.The Influenza Sorbet is a combination of lemon, spicy cayenne pepper and a healthy dose of Maker's Mark bourbon whiskey that will clear the sinuses and soothe scratchy throats.Jeni Britton Bauer, owner of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, told the New York Post her sorbet, derived from an old family remedy, has been getting rave reviews."People tell me it's the only thing that makes them feel better,"
Norovirus spreading fast: KCDC

Jan 17, 2013

The number of cases of food poisoning caused by the norovirus sharply surged last year, health authorities said on Thursday.The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said a total of 49 cases of norovirus infection were reported last year, an 88.5 percent increase from 26 cases in 2011.The virus spreads quickly, particularly during the winter time. People must wash their hands as frequently as possible until March this year to prevent further infection, the agency said. Noroviruses are
Cancer center for women holds symposium

Jan 17, 2013

Ewha Womans University Hospital Cancer Center for Women will hold a symposium on the latest medical progress on cancer treatment on Jan. 25 at its hospital in Mok-dong, western Seoul.Speakers for the event are renowned medical doctors and researchers on women’s cancers, including Seoul National University Hospital professor Park Ung-yang, Korea University Hospital professor Kim Yeol-hong and Dr. Yoo Byeong-cheol of the National Cancer Center.They will talk about the challenge of developing cance