less painful treatment for prostates
Men with enlarged prostates can avail of a new, “less painful” treatment, research led by an Indian-origin physician has found. The researchers treated men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition in which the prostate is enlarged but not cancerous. The new interventional radiology treatment known as prostate artery embolisation (PAE) improved patient symptoms, regardless of the size of BPH, researchers found in a retrospective study. “This innovative treatment offers less risk, less pain and less recovery time than traditional surgery, and we are hopeful that further research will confirm it to be an effective therapy for BPH,” said lead researcher Sandeep Bagla, interventional radiologist in the US. The findings were presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology’s 40th Annual Scientific Meeting in Atlanta.
60-year-old gives birth to twins
In an extremely rare case, a 60-year-old woman in Austria has given birth to twins following IVF treatment. It is only the second time a woman 60 years or older has given birth in Austria since 1970. The woman gave birth to twins in a clinic in Wels-Grieskirchen in Upper Austria following IVF treatment, the local media reported. According to Klaus Reisenberger, head of the clinic’s obstetrics department, the woman became pregnant by using an egg donor abroad. Until recently IVF treatment using donated eggs or sperm other than from a spouse was banned in Austria. However, an amendment to the law on reproductive medicine in January has allowed donations as long as the recipient is aged 45 or younger. It was “an interesting question, if it makes medical sense” to allow IVF treatment for older women, Reisenberger said.
‘Facebook envy’can cause depression
While some of this may be attributed to better diagnostic techniques and more attention being paid to student well-being, a study by University of Missouri researchers published in Computers in Human Behavior suggests that certain Facebook uses may contribute to higher levels of depression. “Facebook can be a fun and healthy activity if users take advantage of the site to stay connected with family and old friends and to share interesting and important aspects of their lives,” said researcher Margaret Duffy, a professor and chair of strategic communication at the MU School of Journalism. “However, if Facebook is used to see how well an acquaintance is doing financially or how happy an old friend is in his relationship — things that cause envy among users — use of the site can lead to feelings of depression,” she said.