Alcohol-cancer risk: study

Booze-cancer link

A new study provides insight on how alcohol may increase cancer risk. When the body metabolizes alcohol, a substance called acetaldehyde is formed, which can cause DNA damage, University of Minnesota researchers say. It interferes "with DNA activity in a way [that is] linked to an increased risk of cancer," the said. But, most people who drink socially do not develop cancer because of a natural repair system. Researchers noted about 30 percent of people of Asian descent have gene variant that prevents this repair, meaning they are more likely to develop esophageal cancer from drinking alcohol.

Ear for sound

Adults who studied music during childhood have an improved ability to process sounds and are better listeners, according to a new study from Northwestern University. Researchers looked at 45 adults and found those with even a few years of musical training (versus none) as children had enhanced brain responses to complex sounds. This made them more effective at hearing the fundamental frequency -- the lowest frequency in sound. It's crucial for speech and music perception, and enables recognition of sounds in complex and noisy hearing settings.

-- HealthDay