Based on a six-year study of 9,000 children, German researchers have stated that having dogs may reduce a child's risk of developing allergies. In theory, exposure to pet-related allergens builds ups a child's immunity and helps reduce risk of allergies, asthma, eczema, and hay fever.

The study used parents' answers on detailed surveys from birth to age six. Blood samples were also taken from a number of participants to test for antibodies in the blood stream.

The same protective effect was not noted in children with repeated exposure to dogs, but without dogs in their home.

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If you're one of the 21 percent of the American public that still smokes, it's possible that you're also part of the large percentage (70 percent) that would like to quit, but for some reason can't. Fortunately, there may be good news for you on the horizon.

A new vaccine, designed to curb the urge to smoke, may be available in the U.S. Administered by injection, this new vaccine will stimulate antibodies, reducing the amount of nicotine that makes it to the brain and releases dopamine. In trials, conducted by the University of California San Francisco, 16 percent of smokers who received this anti-smoking shot put out their cigarettes for good in a year, as opposed to only 6 percent of smokers who were given placebos.

Look for the vaccine, which is tentatively being called NicVax, to be on the market by around 2012.

Working out before you get your flu shot may help you get better results. In a study of 60 college students, the women who worked out by lifting weights 6 hours before receiving their flu shot developed more antibodies over the following 5 months than the women who didn't do any strength training. And the men who lifted weights had a greater cell-mediated response over the following months, but didn't have any more antibodies.

Why the difference between men and women? Researchers aren't sure, but with this in hand they are sure now that exercise stimulates antibody production, and that they've got a good start on finding simple things people can do to boost vaccination results.

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