If you're at risk of obesity because of your genes, you may also be more at risk for weight gain from sugary drinks.
That's according to new research published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
In people with a high genetic risk for obesity, getting a lot of sugar from sugar-sweetened drinks may amplify the genetic effects on obesity, says researcher Lu Qi, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health.
Qi's study and two others looked at the effects on weight gain of sugary drinks -- including sodas, fruit punches, lemonades, or other fruit drinks. Read MoreNew Trends in Laparoscopic Surgery Unveiled at Forum
RIYADH: A major symposium on laparoscopic surgery focused on the benefits of this highly-innovative procedure, which has revolutionized the medical world today. The benefits of laparoscopic surgery include small skin incisions, better cosmetic scars, less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay and faster recovery, argued top health experts, who also examined the disadvantages of laparoscopic surgery at the symposium organized here last week.
"Patients suffering from various ailments can undergo laparoscopic surgery, which has been augmented by specialized tools for decades," said Dr Mohammed Omar Alomayer, director and chief executive of Huraymala General Hospital (HGH), while addressing the symposium. The event provided a platform for top surgeons to share their views and insights with about 300 delegates from more then 20 hospitals and 25 Primary Health Care centers, who attended the symposium. Yadulla Pashayev, chief of the consular section at Azerbaijan embassy, was also present. Read More90% of MOH Hospital Chiefs Unskilled, Says Study
RIYADH About 90 percent of Ministry of Health hospital directors do not hold administrative qualifications, revealed a study presented at a Saudi Society of Health Administration meeting in Riyadh.
Dr. Humood Al-Shammary, who conducted the study and who runs Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Mishari Hospital, said his research covered all hospital directors in the Kingdom.
He said: "A third of medical directors do not hold bachelor's degree while 89 percent of them think that they don't need academic degrees to run hospitals because this is something acquired through experience."
Dr. Al-Shammary said when the medical directors were asked how they landed these posts, their answers varied. Read MorePopular Brands Named; Salmonella Cases in 19 States So Far
The nationwide recall of peanut butter has vastly expanded to include dozens of peanut butter, tahini, and other nut butter products, many sold under popular brand names.
All of the products use nuts from Sunland Farms. The New Mexico nut company is the likely source of a salmonella outbreak that so far has sickened 30 people in 19 states. Read MoreRIYADH: Health authorities downplayed yesterday the impact of a possible outbreak of a virus from the family of deadly SARS on forthcoming Haj, stressing that the cases remain rare.
"There have been two cases of flu over a period of time. This is normal," said ministry spokesman Khaled Al-Mirghalani.
"There are no changes to the conditions put by the Health Ministry to pilgrims," he said, adding that authorities remain vigilant. Read MoreImmunization During Haj to Reap Major Health Rewards
JEDDAH Saudi authorities have taken all precautions to prevent contagious diseases from spreading during the Haj next month, when nearly 2 million Muslims from all over the world flock to the Kingdom for the annual pilgrimage.
Millions of people from different parts of the world living in a limited area for a number of days or weeks can easily spread infectious diseases and epidemics. These people could carry the contagion to their countries when they travel home, raising grave concerns of global outbreaks. This is where the Saudi government has astutely stepped in with compulsory vaccinations for all pilgrims.
More than two centuries have passed since the first successful vaccine for smallpox was developed. We have come a long way since. Today's vaccines are among the 21st century's most successful and cost-effective public health tools for preventing disease and death. Read MorePanel Suggests Easing Hiring Rules for Private Hospitals
A committee of four government and private agencies has recommended employment of foreigners in private sector hospitals and clinics.
To nationalize health sector jobs, the government had made it incumbent on employers to seek the prior approval of work visas from the Human Resources Fund (Hadaf), with whom 8,000 Saudi unemployed health graduates are currently registered.
The Ministry of Labor's decision to oblige investors to get Hadaf approval was aimed at employing those graduates regardless of the ministry's rates of Saudization the visa-seeking employer had achieved. Hadaf's inability to provide sufficient number of qualified health workers led to many private establishments' incurring losses, according to letters submitted to relevant authorities. Read MoreAmputee Becomes First Person to Receive Bionic Hand on NHS
An amputee who lost his arm after being hit by a train as a teenager has become the first person in the UK to receive a bionic hand on the NHS.
Since losing his right arm as a teenager in a terrifying accident, Mike Swainger has been robbed of the everyday actions that most of us take for granted.
But now, Mr Swainger is once again able to tie his shoe laces and walk hand in hand with a loved one after becoming the first person in the UK to be fitted with a bionic hand on the NHS. Read MoreMOH's Press Release on Coronavirus (One of the Seasonal Influenza Viruses)
Ministry of Health (MOH) has issued a press release pointing out that, within the framework of the Ministry's strenuous efforts to prevent the advent of diseases, as well as its close follow-up and surveillance of all communicable diseases, and proceeding from its keen interest in embracing transparency in all matters related to public health, the Ministry would like to make clear that, with the acceleration of climatic changes, and the coming of the hajj season, a rare viral species of "coronavirus" (one of the widly spread seasonal influenza viruses) was detected. To date, three cases have been found out to be suffering from this virus: the first is a Saudi citizen at a hospital in Jeddah, the second is a Saudi citizen as well, whereas the third is a Gulf citizen in Britain. Two of them died, May Allah have mercy upon them, whereas the thir is still receiving treatment.
In its release, the Ministry explained that coronavirus is a well-known disease, and most cases are very likely to get recovered after receiving the necessary treatment, which is a simple supportive medicine meant to prevent the incidence of complications. Nonetheless, in quite rare cases, a rare species of this virus entails acute complications to the respiratory system and kidneys, which may lead to death Allah forbid! It is particularly hazardous for the elderly and those suffering from chronic heart and chest diseases, or immunodeficiency. Read More