ZAP INFO

June 1, 2010 Good oral hygiene might protect you from more than just cavities. People who brush their teeth less than twice a day are 70 percent more likely to have a heart attack than those who take better care of their smiles, according to a new study in the British Medical Journal. And the researchers found that this was true regardless of age, smoking history, dentists’ visits, and diabetes, among others. So how is oral health is linked to heart health? Researchers suspect that inflammation plays a role. The scientists found that the subjects who brushed their teeth less often also had more levels of C-reactive protein in their blood. This protein is associated with inflammation, and is also linked to atherosclerosis, a condition in which plaque builds up in the arteries.

By the CNN Wire Staff June 1, 2010 -- Updated 0026 GMT (0826 HKT) (CNN) -- A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck the Philippines on Monday about 570 miles (917 km) southeast of Manila, the nation's capital, the U.S. Geological Survey said. The quake struck at a depth of 20 miles (33 km) in the Moro Gulf, about 28 miles (44 km) southwest of the island of Mindanao, the USGS said. There were no immediate reports of damages or casualties.

By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr. Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 03:42:00 05/31/2010 MANILA, Philippines—Presumptive president-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III Sunday said he risked being isolated from the people if he lived in Malacañang but that he was willing to talk with his neighbors on Times Street regarding his preference to stay in the family home in the quiet Quezon City subdivision. Aquino indicated that he would take a second look at his campaign promise not to live in the presidential palace like his mother, the late President Corazon Aquino. “I will hopefully talk to the officers of our neighborhood association,” Aquino told reporters. “We’ll be examining the situation also. Times Street lacks certain facilities. We want to make life easier for everybody, including the media.” Aquino, who remains ensconced on Times Street in West Triangle, has been the object of a paparazzi style of coverage by local and foreign media since the May 10 elections. In a paparazzi style of cov

Article Date: 30 May 2010 - 0:00 PDT New research from UT Southwestern Medical Center suggests that allergic reactions to pet dander, dust mites and mold may prevent people with allergic asthma from generating a healthy immune response to respiratory viruses such as influenza. "Our findings imply that the better your asthma is controlled, the more likely you are to have an appropriate response to a virus," said Dr. Michelle Gill, assistant professor of pediatrics and internal medicine at UT Southwestern and lead author of the study appearing online and in the June edition of The Journal of Immunology. "When individuals with asthma come in contact with an allergic trigger and a respiratory virus, the allergen may actually interfere with the immune response to the virus. This interruption in the antiviral response may contribute to exacerbations of asthma that are commonly associated with respiratory viral infections." More than half of the 20 million people diagnosed

May 30, 2010 Also called: Behcet's disease Behcet's syndrome is a disease that involves inflammation of the blood vessels. It causes problems in many parts of the body. The most common symptoms are Sores in the mouth Sores on the sex organs Other skin sores Swelling of parts of the eye Pain, swelling and stiffness of the joints More serious problems can include meningitis, blood clots, inflammation of the digestive system and blindness. Doctors aren't sure what causes Behcet's. It is rare in the United States, but is common in the Middle East and Asia. It mainly affects people in their 20s and 30s. Diagnosing Behcet's can take a long time, because symptoms may come and go, and it may take months or even years to have all of the symptoms. There is no cure. Treatment focuses on reducing pain and preventing serious problems. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases