This week's other health news in brief
Humour good for health up to the age of about 70
A SENSE of humour can contribute to good health, but after the age of 70 those benefits appear to wane, according to a study in Norway.
The analysis looked at records from 53,500 individuals who were followed up after seven years, and researchers used questionnaires to evaluate the ability of individuals to understand humour and to think in a humorous manner.
“There is reason to believe that sense of humour continues to have a positive effect on mental health and social life even after people have become retirees, although the positive effect on life expectancy could not be shown after the age of 75,” said lead researcher Prof Sven Svebak from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
“At that point, genetics and biological ageing are of greater importance,” Prof Svebak said.
The new findings, published in the International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, back up previous results from a study of patients in Norway with chronic renal failure, which showed that over a two-year follow-up, survival was greatest among those with the best sense of humour.
However, Prof Svebak noted that a sense of humour was not always about laughing.
“Humour is all about ways of thinking and often occurs in a process or in dialogue with others. It does not need to be externalised,” he said.
“Commonly, people with the same sense of humour tend to enjoy themselves together and can communicate humour without huge gestures. A twinkle in the eye can be more than enough.”
'Low-allergy' peanut poses little risk
A “LOW-ALLERGY” peanut is being developed which could revolutionise eating out for allergy sufferers. Researchers from the US Department of Agriculture are creating naturally bred peanuts which are not genetically modified (GM) and which pose little risk to sufferers. Prof Soheila Maleki, whose team is working on the project, presented her findings at a European allergy conference in London yesterday.
The new peanuts will be missing two major allergens. – PA
Clinical director appointed to Galway/Roscommon area
CONSULTANT RADIOLOGIST Dr David O’Keeffe has been appointed clinical director for four hospitals in the Galway/Roscommon area.
The former Irish Hospital Consultants’ Association (IHCA) president will assume responsibility for managing Galway University Hospitals at Newcastle and Merlin Park, along with east Galway’s Portiuncula in Ballinasloe and Roscommon Hospital.
The new role of “clinical director, acute and continuing care services for Galway/Roscommon” encompasses the former general manager’s post – but with additional responsibilities.
Dr O’Keeffe is a member of the Irish Medical Council, with over 17 years’ experience as a senior clinician. He was outspoken on a number of healthcare issues during and after his time as IHCA president.
Dr O’Keeffe paid tribute to his predecessor, GUH manager Bridget Howley, who had overseen new developments such as a designated cancer care centre and introduction of cardiac surgery.
“It is a sign of confidence that we have been chosen as the first HSE hospital group for clinical leadership in a management role,” Dr O’Keeffe said.
