News & Press
Tobacco consumption and indoor tanning are both known health hazards so why do people engage in the risky practices? One reason may be the advertising similarities of both industries. In a recent observational study investigators found that the same tactics used by the tobacco industry to promote cigarette smoking were used by the indoor tanning industry to promote indoor tanning. The tactics used were:
- Downplaying health concerns by emphasizing new "healthier" products, for example
- Appealing to a sense of social popularity convincing consumers their social standing will rise
- Emphasizing the calming or relaxing effect of their products
- Targeting specific groups like women and teens
Advertising Similar for Indoor Tanning and Tobacco Industries originally appeared on About.com Skin & Beauty on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 at 00:00:42.
In a recent study, investigators were able to video the movement of viruses as they infect a group of cells. In that video they were able to see that the virus glides past cells that are infected.
Video of Virus Shows Virus Gliding Past Infected Cells originally appeared on About.com Skin & Beauty on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 at 21:57:25.
In a prospective study presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's annual meeting, researchers found that closing a c-section incision with sutures caused fewer complications than using staples.
Interestingly the wound complication rate in the suture group was 9.1%, compared to 21.8% in the staple group. In addition wound separation rate in the suture group was 4.6%, compared to 16.8% in the staple group.
Sutures Cause Fewer Complications than Staples for C-Section Incisions originally appeared on About.com Skin & Beauty on Monday, February 15th, 2010 at 04:53:59.
If your child gets a rash on the backs of the thighs or sides of the buttocks would you think about your toilet seat as the culprit? In a new study published in the journal Pediatrics, investigators discovered the factors most likely to cause skin irritation from a toilet seat.
It appears using harsh chemicals to clean the toilet seat or having toilet seats made of exotic woods, especially if they are covered with varnish or paint, are to blame for causing skin irritation in children. This irritation is easily treated if diagnosed early, but bacteria can get into the skin if it's cracked and chafing, causing cellulitis.
Toilet Seat Dermatitis on the Rise originally appeared on About.com Skin & Beauty on Sunday, February 7th, 2010 at 22:52:27.
A new study recently published showed that glycyrrhizin, a compound that comes from licorice root, Glycyrrhiza glabra, helped burned skin fight off infections. Glycyrrhizin works by helping the skin create proteins called antimicrobial peptides which attack the covering of the bacteria and poke holes in it.
Using Candy to Treat Resistant Infections originally appeared on About.com Skin & Beauty on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 at 07:20:20.
In a new study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, researchers describe the possibility that turning on a certain gene could prevent skin cancer.
One type of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, starts on the top layer of the skin. Exposure to UV radiation can damage the DNA of a skin cell. A protein called protein kinase C (PKC) repairs the DNA damage and if there is too much damage, PKC tells the cell to die.
One part of cell division involves splitting DNA in half and copying the other side. There are checkpoints along the way where the cell repairs any damage to the DNA before going on. This study found that the PKC gene is responsible for stopping at these checkpoints, but in squamous cell carcinoma, the PKC gene is turned off.
Non-Functioning Checkpoint Gene May Cause Skin Cancer originally appeared on About.com Skin & Beauty on Monday, January 18th, 2010 at 05:51:12.
Scientists have developed a novel treatment for MRSA, a bacteria that causes abscesses and is resistant to the usual antibiotics. This treatment involves applying a cream that contains tiny nanoparticles carrying nitric oxide to the infection. When these nanoparticles released the nitric oxide, resistant infections in mice cleared up even without surgical drainage.
New MRSA Treatment Based on Nanotechnology originally appeared on About.com Skin & Beauty on Monday, January 4th, 2010 at 06:51:37.
There is a risk of developing shingles after getting the chicken pox vaccination but that risk is very low. A recent study showed that children who received the vaccination later were at a higher risk of developing shingles.
The first chicken pox vaccine is normally given after a child's first birthday, and the second vaccination is given between 4 and 6 years old. The second vaccination can actually be given 3 months after the first.
The study also showed that children with asthma and developmental disorders were also at a higher risk of developing shingles.
Higher Risk of Shingles With Later Chicken Pox Vaccination originally appeared on About.com Skin & Beauty on Sunday, December 27th, 2009 at 21:03:18.
Researchers found that taking N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant, before being exposed to UV radiation protected against UV-induced oxidative stress. This reduction was measured by glutathione levels in the tissue. The implication is reducing free-radical damage to the skin will reduce the risk of melanoma.
Possible Sunburn Pill on the Horizon? originally appeared on About.com Skin & Beauty on Thursday, December 17th, 2009 at 22:41:18.
In a recent study scientists have been able to identify the mechanism that the bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, uses to reduce inflammation on the skin.
The conventional thinking on wound healing has been that chemicals causing inflammation in a wound are necessary for wound healing. Lately, studies have been showing that good wound healing occurs when there are low levels of these inflammatory chemicals.
The skin always has bacteria on it, the same bacteria that cause infections if they get into the body. This study showed that one of those skin bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, produces a molecule that blocks a certain receptor on the skin from making inflammatory chemicals in response to a wound.
But it doesn't block all of the inflammation. This bacteria is able to keep the receptor from making too many inflammatory chemicals. It allows just enough required for good wound healing.
Bacteria Good for Your Skin? originally appeared on About.com Skin & Beauty on Wednesday, December 9th, 2009 at 23:54:48.
