Clogged arteries can be unblocked with new laser blast.

Around 85,000 people a year have treatment to widen their arteries which have been narrowed by cholesterol, hypertension and diabetes.

British scientists have developed a new high - powered laser which unblocks clogged arteries in just minutes.

The new procedure involved fitting a special catheter or tube to a new laser called the Excimer that blasts tissues into particles so small they can only be seen under a microscope. It not only reduces operation time but also dramatically speeds up patients recovery time.

Tips for vibrant and youthful skin.

Some people are blessed with great skin. There are others who need to work on keeping their skin looking bright and healthy. A good complexion can really add to your over all look. Since your face is always noticed first, it is essential to keep it looking its best.

Here are some tips to make your face look gorgeous.

The first step to good skin is cleaning. All of us are exposed to dirt and pollution in our daily routine. Accumulated dirt clogs the pores and makes the skin look dull and lifeless. Using a good facial cleaner is essential. Use it twice a day to get rid of all dead skin cells. You could also get a regular clean ups done at the parlour.

Exfoliation is the next step. You can use a peel or an apricot scrub to really get the shine back. This help stimulate collagen and elastin production and aids in refining the pores, thereby reduces the chances of wrinkles. Steaming your face once in a while will also help open up the pores and get rid of blackheads.

Moisturising is one step you can’t afford to skip. As the age passes, the skin loses moisture and elasticity. Hence applying a good facial cream is a must. It also helps plump up fine lines and delays the onset of wrinkles.

At least once a month try and use a facemask specific to your skin type. Preferably home made masks are better than store bought ones. Give your face a light massage whenever possible.This will help relax the muscles and boost skin production.

Swine flu (H1N1) vaccine is finally ready.

The indigenous intra-nasal vaccine, Nasovac is finally released to the market. It takes just two puffs in each nostril to control the deadly H1N1 virus. The vaccine is free of side effects and can be administered to anybody, except pregnant woman and children below three years.

Pune based Serum Institute of India created Nasovac the first WHO approved nasal vaccine which is administered without a needle and pain-free. Clinical trials have shown it is as effective as an injection. Infact , it is even more effective as the nasal spray blocks the virus at the entry itself.

The vaccine was launched a couple of weeks ago across India. About a half million doses have been released so far. Already more than 2 lakh people have bought it, mainly in Pune and Mumbai, where the virus is creating panic.

It costs about Rs.250 and is now available with leading chemists. The vaccine provides life time immunity .To be on safer side it is recommended that the vaccine should be taken every year.

The central government has so far been importing Swine Flu vaccines from French drug maker Sanofi Pasteur , used mainly for inoculating health workers. The country’s first indigenous vaccine VaxiFlu-S, in an injection form, was recently launched by Ahmadabad based ZydusCadilla.

Wrinkles and baldness -go for carboxytherapy treatment.

In the latest study at the University of Siena in Italy, researchers found the treatment called carboxytherapy, which is effective at smoothing skin and reducing fat.

The carbon dioxide gas, the latest weapon in the cosmetic surgeon’s armoury, helps melting away fat and stretch marks effectively when injected below the skin. In their study, the researchers found that in three weeks treatment , on an average the participants lost two cm from their thighs, one cm from each knee and three cm from their stomach. At the same time their skin became thicker and their cellulite smoother.

Sabine Zenker, a doctor who has pioneered the use of the technique said, “this is quick, largely pain free and a more natural alternative to dermal fillers and botox. It takes four or five minutes. It is not painful at all.”

carboxytherapy could also come to the aid of the bald, with jabs reopening closed pores, potentially allowing hair to regrow. It has been used in France since 1930s to treat patients suffering from poor circulation, blocked arteries and heart problems.

Chemicals in the cosmetics –an analysis.

According to recent research, it has been revealed that putting chemicals on the skin is worse than ingesting them. Because when we eat something, the enzymes in our saliva and stomach help to break it down& flush it out of our body. But chemicals applied on our skin, are absorbed straight into the blood stream. Hence the body is not protected against the toxin.

The toxic chemicals absorbed from the use of beauty products go directly to the delicate organs. So you need to be careful while using the cosmetics. Here are some of the cosmetic items & the chemicals they contain.

Lipsticks.

These are considered to be the most toxic among all cosmetics. The perfume oils & indelible dyes used in lipsticks can cause health hazards like numbness, respiratory problems, swollen gums & inflamed eyes.

Exfoliating products.

Products such as cleansers & skin peels can cause damage to the skin. Too much of exfoliating removes the top layer of the skin, which is the protective layer.

Foundation.

Liquid foundation contains mineral oil which is considered a petro-chemical pollutant. This can play havoc with our hormones. Foundations may also contain agents that slow down the process of cell renewal, which results in premature ageing.

Nail Polish.

It contains toxic products like toluene, phenol & xylene. These ingredients can cause bleeding under the nails, discolouration & roughen the smooth texture of the nails. Phenol, when in contact with the skin, can cause pimples. While toluene can cause headaches, nausea& loss of appetite.Go for the cosmetics made with natural products. Spices & condiments like turmeric & saffron are some of the natural cosmetics. Milk & lemon make very effective natural cleansers. Fruits can be excellent face packs. The Almond &coconut oils can be used to massage the skin& hair. They also help to control wrinkle &crease formation on the skin.

Beer lovers-Be happy.

A new study has claimed that the Beer is one of the healthiest alcoholic beverages when taken in moderate quantity.

According to the study , commissioned by the Beer Academy, the drink is a rich source of vitamins, fibre, minerals and antioxidants & has relatively low calorific value as compared to other alcoholic beverages.

Beer contains vitamins which can help you to maintain a well balanced healthy diet, fibre to keep you regular,readily absorbed antioxidants& minerals such as silicon which may help to lower your risk of osteoporosis.

Cancer among nuclear staff-probabilities.

The study conducted on employees of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre(BARC) and Department of Atomic Energy(DAE) over a period of 30 years revealed that the incidence of cancer &deaths due to cancer among BARC &DAE employees is not higher than that of in the general population.

The study also reveals that the cancer & death were not due to radiation. The status of cancer risks among the serving employees in BARC appears to be similar to that found in general population.

The study also included comparison of cancer risks among radiation workers & non-radiation workers of DAE employees says that the cancer risks are similar to both groups. One is not higher than the others.

Autism – A simple test to detect.

A simple urine test can help to detect autism. According to new research, children with Autism have a different chemical fingerprint in their urine compared to Autistic children. It is therefore possible to differentiate between the two by looking at the by – products of gut bacteria & the body’s metabolic processes in the children’s urine. Imperialcollege,

The distinctive urinary metabolic fingerprint for autism identified by the study, from Imperial college,London & the university of South Australia, could form the basis of a non – invasive test that might help diagnose autism earlier.

A study led by Professor Simon Baron – Cohen at Cambridge university’s autism research centre, estimated that for every three cases of autism detected, another two go undiagnosed. So, this urine test would enable autistic children to receive assistance earlier in their development than is currently possible.

National Institute Of Virology.

The only Research Institute in the Southeast Asia working about the diseases caused by virus. Continuous Research is going on here about the viruses which cause various viral diseases such as H1N1,Dengue, Brain fever,Bird flu, Measles etc

For more information

www.niv.co.in/