Headlines: June 24, 2011

by Tony Kikendall

A new Harvard study suggests that intake of calories may not be as important as previously thought in weight gain or loss, while the types of food one eats may be more important than was previously thought. The study showed that potatoes are a particularly poor food choice, with each additional serving of potatoes per day causing one to gain around a pound of weight over four years. Although fried potatoes were worse than other preparations of potatoes, even mashed and boiled potatoes had a similar effect. The study demonstrated yogurt and nuts to be beneficial food choices. Some were still skeptical of the study, however, saying that it is very likely that people who ate foods such as yogurt and nuts were also more likely to exercise more and make other good lifestyle choices.

Occupations that are sedentary in nature may increase one's risk of colon cancer. The American Journal of Epidemiology has reported that people with sedentary jobs have a 44% higher risk of colon cancer than those whose occupations involve physical activity. This higher risk of colon cancer is coupled with an increased risk for other conditions such as heart disease.

Some researchers are now shifting their method of fighting HIV. Attacking the virus head-on is the traditional mode of combating HIV; this new approach specifically targets HIV centers which are most vulnerable. Some patients with HIV naturally control the virus without medication, and these researchers are hoping to mimic such results with medication.


Tony Kikendall is a rising second year law student at Boston University. Please feel free to email him with any questions, comments, suggestions, or concerns.