(June 18, 2009 - Insidermedicine) From Edmonton - According to research published in BMC Public Health, proximity to fast food restaurants seems to influence obesity risk. In a study of 2,900 adults, researchers found that people were 25% less likely to be obese if there was a smaller ratio of fast food restaurants to grocery stores in the area where they lived. However, the researchers had no information on actual consumption habits.

From Washington - According to research presented to the Endocrine Society, head trauma warrants investigation into pituitary abnormalities. In a study of nearly 130 people, researchers found that 36% of prospectively studied patients and 45% of retrospectively studied patients had endocrine abnormalities consistent with pituitary dysfunction after moderate to severe brain trauma.

And finally, from Brazil - According to research in the Journal of Translational Medicine, fallopian tubes may be an important source of adult stem cells. Researchers have found that fallopian tubes discarded after a hysterectomy contain mesenchymal stem cells. These cells can differentiate into multiple tissue types, including fat, muscle, cartilage and bone cell lines.

For Insidermedicine in 60, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.