Article: Milk, Glorious Milk

New research heralds the amazing health benefits of milk

By Melanie Hundley
Photo credit: Ambro.

A most refreshing article on the medical research of mammalian milk caught my attention recently.  And I found Dr. Darewicz, Professor and Chair, from the University of Warmia and Mazury very helpful as I gathered more information on her team's research efforts.  Here is a link to the review posted on Suite 101 online magazine.

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What We Should Know About Factor V Leiden

Research discusses whether more people should be tested for FVL genetic blood clotting mutation

By Melanie Hundley

Are you familiar with Factor V Leiden (FAK-tur five LIDE-n)?  Or "FVL?"  Women, especially those who are not familiar with this genetic condition, those planning pregnancy or considering oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy, and those who have a family history of unexplained episodes of forming blood clots, may wish to discuss this with their physician.  Men's health may be impacted, too.

However, some physicians may appear hesitant to cooperate with testing because these days it seems to take an act of Congress or Parliament to get a non-standard blood test approved for payment.  The blood test is not cheap, but for some, it may offer answers to painful questions that have gone unanswered for years or even save a life.

What is Factor V Leiden?

According to the Mayo Clinic website, Factor V Leiden (FVL) is a "common" genetic mutation.  It is

For Men: Information For Future Fathers

2011: New research says chemicals released from some plastics may be harming human reproduction

By Melanie Hundley
A new research article appeared in the June 2011 issue of Human & Experimental Toxicology that may be of interest to men who want to be fathers.  A group of researchers, Pant et al, in New Delhi analyzed the “environmental and experimental exposure of phthalate esters” to human sperm.  In this review, we will learn more about phthalates (THAL-ates), look at their study, and see their results.

What Are Phthalates?

According to Pant and the research team, phthalates are chemical additives that may be used to increase flexibility in some manufactured plastics.  Phthalates are believed to be released from some

2011: Chasing Better Autism Data

Finnish data model offers new insight on autism in children

By Melanie Hundley

A major consideration in any research project or audit is selecting the data to analyze.  Once the data population is determined, various methods of sampling are used to spot trends and draw conclusions.  Deciding where to obtain the data is critical to the quality, trust, and peer acceptance of the results.

That is why a new report coming out in the August 2011 issue of the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders should prove very interesting for future studies of autism.  Lampi, Sourander, Brown, et al's excitement about the Finnish Prenatal Study of Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders (FIPS-A) appears justified.  Having a comprehensive collection of medical data together with blood samples sounds wonderful for any such research. 


Lampi and the other researchers are affiliated with the University of Turku, Columbia University, or the National Institute of Health and Welfare in Finland.  I will reference the team as Lampi et al in this article for brevity.

Article: New Research: Is Smoking Harmful to Unborn Baby's Kidneys?

With the new cigarette warnings coming out in 2012, I wanted to dig into any new research on smoking and pregnancy.  This research team offers some insight on risk to baby's kidneys.Link to article on www.suite101.com by Melanie Hundley.

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