Hypnosis can ease chronic back pain

Psychological treatments such as hypnosis, biofeedback, relaxation and counseling can help relieve chronic low back pain, according to a review in the January issue of the journal Health Psychology. >>

Bird Flu spreads in Vietnam

Authorities in Vietnam said on Friday that bird flu had spread in two provinces in the southern Mekong delta, where massive outbreaks were first reported early this week.  >>

Fish oil while pregnancy boosts baby’s brainpower

Women who take high doses of fish oils during pregnancy could dramatically boost their babies’ vocabulary, hand-eye coordination and brainpower, say researchers. >>

Pandemic Flu could kill 62 million people

Pandemic flu would kill 62 million people around the world, most of them in poorer countries, a new estimate suggests.The figures assume that a new pandemic would follow the same pattern as the 1918 Spanish flu, which killed at least 20 million people at a time when the world’s population was much smaller.  >>

Black Cohosh doesn’t help with menopause

The widely used herbal remedy black cohosh does nothing to eliminate hot flashes, night sweats and other symptoms of menopause, either alone or in combination with other herbs, federally sponsored researchers reported Monday.

Thousands of women use the supplement, but a controlled trial reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine showed it was no more effective than a placebo. Only estrogen significantly reduced hot flashes. >>