Medi watch

Italians take heart from smoking ban

A smoking ban introduced in Italy four years ago is behind an 11 per cent fall in heart attacks among people aged 35 to 64, say researchers who highlight the reduction in passive smoking rather than people quitting. The ban, enforced in all indoor public spaces, 'is working and having a real protective effect', says team leader Francesco Forastiere of the Rome Health Authority. Although cigarette sales also fell 5.5 per cent after the ban, the researchers attribute the health benefits mainly to reduced second-hand smoke, Reuters reports.

Beetroot benefits blood pressure

Drinking 500ml of beetroot juice a day appears to quickly lower blood pressure, with the effects lasting for up to 24 hours, according to British researchers who have discovered how the vegetable's high levels of nitrate boost blood-vessel functions. The small study, WebMD reports, 'suggests that drinking beetroot juice ... might be a simple way to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system', says Amrita Ahluwalia of the London School of Medicine.

Liquid bandage for combat troops

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a liquid bandage developed for combat troops. Although other liquid dressings are available, this one was designed by Rutgers University's Centre for Military Biomaterials Research for wounded soldiers to use on themselves, WebMD reports. The gel-based bandage is formed from two polymers and is applied using a double-barrelled syringe.

IVF boost from acupuncture

Acupuncture may significantly increase the success of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), based on a University of Maryland review of seven studies involving more than 1,300 women. The technique has been used in China for centuries to spur reproduction. Scientists suspect acupuncture may stimulate the flow of blood to the uterus, making the lining more receptive to accepting an embryo, AFP reports. The researchers say the results are preliminary, but acupuncture improved the success of IVF treatment by 65 per cent overall, and ranged from 24 per cent to as high as 91 per cent.

Impotence drug takes flight

An impotence drug may be just the ticket for high-flying top guns, says an official Israeli military magazine detailing the results of a study aimed at improving so-called oxygen starvation at high altitudes. The study was reportedly conducted by a retired general on Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro, and Bamahaneh magazine quoted an unnamed air force officer as saying the 'findings justify the continuation of tests with drugs of this type in low oxygen environments'. However, Reuters reports an army spokeswoman as saying there are no plans to use any such drug, and that breathing difficulties experienced by mountaineers and high-altitude pilots are different.

Sad days are bad buy days

Retail therapy isn't the answer if you're feeling depressed, say Carnegie Mellon University researchers. And don't go anywhere near auctions. Being sad and self-focused typically results in people being willing to pay more for goods than those who aren't - and then regretting the purchase, AFP reports. 'It's the combination that drives the effect,' says co-author Cynthia Cryder. 'It turns out that sadness leads to an increase in self-focus.'