Here are some of the latest health and medical news
developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:
Scientists Turn Bad Fat Into Good Fat: Rat Study
U.S. scientists who found a way to turn rats' bad fat into good
fat believe the same thing can be done in humans.
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine team found that
modifying the expression of an appetite-stimulating protein called
NPY in the brain reduced rats' calorie intake and transformed their
white fat into brown fat, which burns off calories and weight,
BBC News reported.
The study appears in the journal
"If we could get the human body to turn bad fat into good fat that burns calories instead of storing them, we could add a serious new tool to tackle the obesity epidemic," said study author Dr. Shen Bi, BBC News reported.
"Only future research will tell us if that is possible," Bi added.
Blood Thinner Drug Recalled
One lot of the blood thinner Coumadin (warfarin) is being
recalled after the discovery of a tablet that was more potent than
normal, Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. said Monday.
The recall covers 5-milligram Coumadin tablets with an expiry
date of Sept. 30, 2012, production lot number 9H49374A, the
Associated Press reported.
Consumers who use 5-milligram Coumadin tablets should not stop
taking them, but should ask their pharmacist if their prescription
was filled with the recalled tablets, the company said.
Patients who take an excessive dose of Coumadin could be at
increased risk for bleeding, the
Salmonella Triggers Recall of Grape Tomatoes
Grape tomatoes used in salads distributed by a California
company may be contaminated with salmonella, the U.S. Food and Drug
The prepackaged salads from Taylor Farms Pacific, Inc. were
shipped to Albertson's, Raley's, Safeway, Sam's Club and Walmart
stores in California, Nevada, Oregon, Arizona, New Mexico,
Washington, Utah and Montana,
United Press International reported.
The grape tomatoes came from a California grower called Six L's,
the FDA said.
The salads have "use by" dates of late April and early May. No
illnesses have been reported. Consumers can get more information at
the FDA or U.S. Department of Agriculture websites,
Trauma-Related Disease Found in Ex-Football Player's Brain
Evidence of a head injury-induced disease was found in the brain
of retired football star Dave Duerson, who committed suicide
earlier this year.
The 50-year-old former Chicago Bear had chronic traumatic
encephalopathy (CTE), which has recently been found in about two
dozen deceased former NFL players,
The New York Times reported.
In the months before his death, Duerson complained of headaches,
blurred vision and a deteriorating memory. In his final note to his
family, he told them to donate his brain for research into
football-related brain trauma. He shot himself in the chest on Feb.
An examination of Duerson's brain revealed indisputable evidence
of CTE and no evidence of any other disorder, Dr. Ann McKee, a
neuropathologist at Boston University's Center for the Study of
Traumatic Encephalopathy, told