Health scan

Surgeons at New York Presbyterian/ Weill Cornell are carrying out research for people with recurring glioblastomas — a brain tumour.

Shot to aid brain cancer
Surgeons at New York Presbyterian/ Weill Cornell are carrying out research for people with recurring glioblastomas — a brain tumour. Doctors first inject a substance called mannitol, which temporarily opens the blood-brain barrier, and then flood the tumour zone with Avastin. Avastin blocks the growth of new blood vessels, which tumours need. The drug is approved for glioblastoma, but tumors can become resistant to it.

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Normally, Avastin is dripped into a vein. But Dr. Boockvar- the lead researcher and his colleagues wanted to try hitting the cancer with a much higher dose by guiding tiny tubes called microcatheters through blood vessels to the tumor site and then unleashing the drug.

Yes to cereal, toast and eggs

No matter how busy you are, don't skip breakfast. A study says that skipping the morning meal too often could put you at risk of developing heart disease.

Researchers at the University of Tasmania have found that leaving the house on an empty stomach leads to obesity, larger fat stores around the stomach and higher cholesterol levels — all major risk factors for heart disease. It also triggers higher insulin levels in the blood, a warning sign that diabetes could soon set in.

For gum's sake, eat your fish (and make it oily)
People who consume a good amount of omega-3's — the fatty acids predominantly found in oily fish — may have a lower risk of developing gum disease, suggests a new study. However, the researchers are hesitant to give omega-3's full credit just yet, as other factors might be involved, too.

An excuse to not drink milk, kids
Finnish researchers claim to have found some evidence that keeping babies off cow's milk may help prevent the development of type 1 diabetes in children with an inherited risk of the disease. The children will have to be followed for years to be sure, but the researchers found indirect evidence that giving the babies a special formula may have helped.