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August 2012

Friday August 31, 2012

• Diners Eat Less When Restaurant Has Soft Lighting, Music – Calorie counts per meal dropped but customers' satisfaction rose, study found.
• Feces-Linked Bacteria Found at Lake Erie Beaches – High levels of Arcobacter indicate fecal contamination, researcher notes.
• Health Highlights: Aug. 31, 2012
• Health Tip: Do You Have Plantar Fasciitis? – Heel pain is a prime symptom.
• Health Tip: Help Keep COPD in Check – Visit your doctor often.
• Hookah Effects as Harmful as Cigarettes, Study Finds – Wheeze, cough, chest tightness evident in those who smoke using either method.
• Irregular Heartbeat May Pose Higher Stroke Risk for Women Than Men – But large study of atrial fibrillation found this only holds true in oldest patients.
• Keeping Up a Healthy Lifestyle Pays Off in Added Years: Study – Seniors who keep active and don't smoke live an average 5 years longer, researchers say.
• Kidney Stones May Be Tied to Later Kidney Problems – Study found slightly increased risk for chronic disease, especially in women.
• More Baby Boomers Opting to Cohabit, Not Marry – The partnerships are also long-lasting, researchers find.
• New Prep for Colon Screen Uses Four Pills, Not Liquid Laxative – Researchers think the easier regimen will encourage more to get 'virtual colonoscopy'
• Turning Off the Tube Linked to Healthier Weight in Teens – Study that limited TV time for a year found that kids, but not adults, gained fewer pounds.

Thursday August 30, 2012

• 'Alarming' Rise Seen in Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis – International study found TB withstanding multiple types of antibiotics.
• Afinitor Disperz Approved for Rare Tumor
• Ancient Genome Appears to Have Links to Modern Humans – Scientists who studied Denisovan DNA found shared genes with people in Papua New Guinea.
• Brain Bleeds More Common in Smokers, Research Shows – Quitting reduces risk of burst aneurysm, but less so for pack-a-day folks, study finds.
• Breast Cancer Drug May Harm the Heart More Than Thought – Analysis finds increased risk of cardiac problems with Herceptin in real-world setting.
• Could Bacteria in Skin Mites Help Cause Rosacea? – Evidence is mounting that immune system might react badly to the germs, triggering the skin ailment.
• Frequent MRI Scanner Exposure Might Affect Memory: Study – Magnetic field remains even when imaging not taking place.
• Health Highlights: Aug. 30, 2012
• Health Tip: If Bowel Control Is a Problem – Here's a list of possible causes.
• Health Tip: Living With Fibromyalgia – Make sure you get enough sleep.
• Heart Attacks, Strokes Jumped After Japan Earthquake, Study Finds – Disrupted medication deliveries may have played a role.
• Hurricane Isaac Could Stir Up Allergies, Asthma – Experts say levels of pollen and mold typically rise after these types of storms.
• Most U.S. Schools Unprepared for Pandemics: Study – Protective gear, medication stockpiles, staff disaster training all lacking.
• Multiple Abortions May Raise Risk of Preemie Birth Later – First baby born to women who had 3 or more induced abortions more likely to have low birth weight, study says.
• New Drug Approved for Irritable Bowel, Chronic Constipation
• New Drug Approved for Lack of Certain White Blood Cells
• Stress, a 'Type A' Personality May Boost Stroke Risk – Experts suggest the anger and hostility of a hard-driven personality could be to blame.
• Survival More Likely With Exercise-Related Cardiac Arrest: Study – Many benefitted from bystander CPR.
• Tiny Batteries Pose Growing Threat to Kids – So-called button batteries can cause choking and death, report warns.
• Too Few Girls Get HPV Vaccine Against Cancer: CDC – Many more teens protected from whooping cough, meningitis than the sexually transmitted virus.

Wednesday August 29, 2012

• Confusion Over Diabetes Types Adds to Patients' Woes – Causes, treatment differ between type 1 and type 2 disease.
• Daily Temper Tantrums Not the Norm for Preschoolers: Study – Fewer than 1 in 10 'melt down' that often; finding helps define when parents should be concerned.
• Discovery May Improve Diagnosis of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's – Markers in cerebrospinal fluid might help distinguish different forms of neurological disease, study finds.
• ER Study Shows Drop in Deaths After Trauma Injury – Experts say advances in treatment, better guidelines over past decade may explain trend.
• Health Highlights: Aug. 29, 2012
• Health Tip: If Your Child Develops Food Poisoning – Suggestions for at-home care.
• Health Tip: On the Go With Diabetes – Talk to your doctor about making adjustments.
• Kids With Neurological Conditions at Higher Risk of Flu Death: CDC – Medical, parenting groups working to increase flu vaccination, awareness.
• Less Is More With Exercise, Study Says – 60-minute workout no better for weight loss than half-hour regimen.
• Low-Cal Diets Kept Monkeys Healthier, But Didn't Lengthen Lives – Study runs counter to previous research that suggested caloric restriction might boost longevity.
• Mental Skills Decline More Sharply for Women With Alzheimer's: Study – Even verbal ability deteriorates more than for men, researchers say.
• Scientists ID 'Happy' Gene in Women – One version of the 'MAOA' gene may boost levels of feel-good chemicals in brain.
• Stroke Prevention: More Sweet News for Chocolate Lovers – But it's still too soon for recommendations, researchers say.
• West Nile Cases Jump 40% in a Week; 66 Deaths Reported, CDC Says – Texas bears the brunt of the outbreak, which has yet to peak, experts say.

Tuesday August 28, 2012

• 'Cyborg' Tissue Created Using 'Nano-Wires' – Most likely use in near future is in drug industry, researcher says.
• 4 Eating Habits May Help Older Women Maintain Weight Loss – In 4-year study, those who kept pounds off decreased 3 food groups and increased fruits, vegetables.
• Add Hurricane Menu to Your Storm Prep, Experts Say – Stock up on nonperishables, protein sources, powdered milk.
• Belly Fat May Hit Your Heart the Hardest – Study finds risk of cardiovascular death highest in those with 'central obesity.'
• Breast Cancer Drug Might Help Men on Prostate Cancer Therapy – Study found tamoxifen cut some side effects that could discourage men from seeking treatment.
• Chronic Cough Responds to Epilepsy Drug, Study Finds – But expert contends few patients really need it.
• Early Stenting Best for Some Heart Patients: Study – Those who started on drug therapy alone were more likely to later need urgent stent placement.
• FDA Approves New Once-a-Day HIV Pill – Stribild combines four AIDS-fighting medicines, agency says.
• Health Highlights: Aug. 28, 2012
• Health Tip: Coping With Early-Onset Alzheimer's – Prepare for good days and bad ones.
• Health Tip: Help Prevent a Poison Ivy Rash – Teach kids to recognize the growing menace.
• Little Evidence on Value of Treatments for Autism: Report – Whether it's drug therapy or vocational training, more study needed to clarify benefits.
• Missed Diagnoses in ICU Often Have Deadly Results: Review – About 1 in 4 in intensive care has undiagnosed, sometimes potentially fatal, conditions.
• Once-Daily Pill Approved to Treat HIV
• Snoring Kids Should Be Screened for Sleep Apnea: Experts – New guidelines issued by American Academy of Pediatrics also urge weight loss for obese snorers.
• Vitamins, Minerals May Help Older Men's Sperm Stay Healthy – More intake of zinc, folate, vitamins C & E linked to less sperm DNA damage in advancing age.

Monday August 27, 2012

• Circumcision Benefits Are Significant, Pediatricians Say – But decision should stay with parents, they add.
• Could Your Genes Influence How You Vote? – DNA might account for some differences between liberal, conservative views, researchers say.
• Electronic Cigarettes Have Slight Impact on Heart: Study – Appear to be far less toxic than tobacco cigarettes, researcher says.
• Excess Pounds Raise Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence, Death: Study – Link seen only with most common form of disease.
• Gene Might Predict Brain Tumors' Aggressiveness – Scientists zero in on DNA sequence associated with gliomas.
• Health Highlights: Aug. 27, 2012
• Health Tip: Help Keep Your Bones Healthy – Exercise daily.
• Health Tip: If Your Thyroid Is Overactive – Possible signs of hyperthyroidism.
• Mechanical Blood Clot 'Retrievers' May Aid Stroke Patients – Two studies suggest the devices might be an improvement in clearing blocked vessels.
• New Blood Thinner Effient No Better Than Plavix at Preventing Heart Trouble: Study – In patients who were not getting bypass surgery or stents, results and risks were equal.
• You Can Learn While You Sleep, Study Suggests – Participants reacted to information given as they slept, after waking.

Friday August 24, 2012

• African Chimps Carry Drug-Resistant, Human-Linked Staph – Study suggests infected caretakers might have spread bacteria to animals.
• Alzheimer's Drug Shows Some Promise in Trials – Subgroup of patients with mild disease showed slowing of mental decline.
• Couch-Potato Kids Are Top U.S. Child Health Problem: Poll – Obesity, tobacco use also ranked high among community concerns.
• Health Highlights: Aug. 24, 2012
• Health Tip: If You Have Eczema – Suggestions that may help avoid a flare.
• Health Tip: Work Out in Water – It's low impact, and can help you lose weight.
• Meditation May Help Fight Loneliness, Study Says – Researchers also looked at its effect on stress and inflammation in older adults.
• Missing Follow-Up Colonoscopies Could Raise Colon Cancer Risk – Incomplete removal of polyps and poor follow-up are top factors for those at increased risk, researchers report.
• Multiple Brain Tumors Even More Malignant: Study – More tumors may lead to worse treatment response, shorter survival.
• Radiation for Childhood Cancer Might Raise Diabetes Risk – Study found kids whose treatment affected tail of pancreas were more likely to have diabetes later.
• Research Pinpoints Brain's 'Gullibility' Center – Changes in this region could explain why seniors, children are less doubting.
• Statin Use Tied to Possible Boost in Cataract Risk – But link isn't proven and patients shouldn't stop taking cholesterol-lowering drugs, researchers say.
• Teen Girls Need Bone Health Advice to Stave Off Osteoporosis – Experts update guidelines on screening, prevention for women of all ages.
• U.S. Appeals Court Backs Ruling Against Graphic Images on Cigarette Packs – Decision finds requirement would violate free speech; makes Supreme Court decision likely.

Thursday August 23, 2012

• Anorexics Can't Judge Own Body Size: Study – But they can size up others accurately, researchers noted.
• FDA Cites Possible Source of Cantaloupe-Salmonella Outbreak – Consumers urged to throw away melons from Indiana-based Chamberlain Farms.
• Health Highlights: Aug. 23, 2012
• Health Tip: Crohn's Disease Can Cause Complications – Here's what to look out for.
• Health Tip: Wanna Dance? – It can bolster your heart and lungs.
• Human Airways' 'Brush' Mechanism Gives Clues to Lung Diseases – Researchers say proper mucus clearance may depend on how tiny hair-like cilia operate.
• Kindergarten Vaccines Close to Target Levels: CDC – But measles, chickenpox protection remains a concern.
• Many Obese Americans Struggle With Stigma, Discrimination, Poll Finds – As levels of overweight rise, more say they've been left out of gatherings or passed over for jobs.
• Modern Technology Adds to Worldwide Obesity Woes: Report – As countries gain information and communication advances, populations pack on pounds, research shows.
• More Friends, Greater Well-Being at Midlife? – Many friends help men and women, family contacts help men, study found.
• PSA Testing Linked to Improved Prostate Cancer Survival – Analysis of research before and after screening was introduced shows benefits.
• Spirituality May Boost Mental Health: Study – Forgiveness emerged as the most telling trait among people in five religions.
• Study of Brain-Injured Man Sheds Light on Self-Awareness – Sense of self not confined to specific region, as previously thought.
• Tap Water Used in Neti Pots Tied to Rare, Fatal Brain Infection – Boiled or filtered water safer for preparation, expert says.
• Vitamin D May Thwart Kids' Winter Colds – But whether children without vitamin deficiency would benefit remains unclear, study finds.

Wednesday August 22, 2012

• Childhood Music Lessons May Create Better Listeners – Even a few years' training in childhood confers benefits years later, small study suggests.
• Health Highlights: Aug. 22, 2012
• Health Tip: Defining Fibromyalgia – Symptoms typically include widespread pain and tender points.
• Health Tip: If You Have Anxiety – These suggestions may help.
• Many Teens Drinking, Taking Drugs During School: Survey – Roughly half knew classmates who sold drugs, and knew nearby spots to drink or get high during the day.
• Microbiology and Genome Experts Quell Deadly Bacteria Outbreak – Collaboration helped control multi-drug resistant bacterial infection at research hospital.
• Obesity Biggest Risk Factor for Diabetes Among Poor: Study – Lifestyle changes key to decreasing disease rate among the disadvantaged.
• Older Dads May Raise Risk for Autism, Schizophrenia in Kids – New mutations in male DNA increase with age, study finds
• Scientists ID Cancer-Causing Agent in Smokeless Tobacco – Study rats received equivalent of daily half-tin of ingredient over 30 years.
• West Nile Outbreak Could Be Biggest Ever: CDC – Thirty-eight states have reported infections, almost half of 1,118 cases in Texas.

Tuesday August 21, 2012

• 2 Tests May Improve Heart Patients' Care, Studies Suggest – But experts say coronary artery calcium scans, best at predicting disease, have drawbacks.
• 40 Proven Strategies to Improve Public Health – Affordable healthy foods, public smoking bans among the methods shown to work.
• Antibiotic Use in Infants Tied to Overweight Later: Study – Babies receiving these drugs before 6 months of age were heavier for height at 3 years.
• Close Relative's Early Death May Raise Your Heart Risk: Study – But healthy lifestyle lessens the odds of cardiovascular disease, expert says.
• Health Highlights: Aug. 21, 2012
• Health Tip: Symptoms of Foot Arthritis – Signs you should see a doctor.
• Health Tip: When Children Develop Hearing Loss – Here are common warning signs.
• Late-Night Cramming May Hurt School Test Results – Research suggests trading sleep for study may be a bad idea.
• Newer Drug-Releasing Stent Cuts Chances of Cardiac Events: Study – One releasing biolimus showed better outcomes than bare metal stents.
• No Truth to Candidate's Claim That Rape Hinders Pregnancy, Experts Say – Leading ob/gyn group in United States calls Rep. Akin's remarks 'inaccurate, offensive.'
• Popular Characters Can Help Kids Eat Healthy Foods Too – Branding tactics used to sell junk food also may be used to promote better nutrition, research shows.
• Rosie O'Donnell's Heart Attack a Lesson for Women – Symptoms can be subtler than in men, experts say.
• Soy Formula May Harm Babies With Underactive Thyroid: Report – Two cases highlight how it interferes with absorption of critical medication.
• Statins Won't Hurt, Might Even Help, Your Pancreas: Study – Findings contradict previous reports on possible connection.
• Stem Cells Fix Bladder Leakage in Mice, Study Finds – In women, stress urinary incontinence is related to pregnancy, older age.
• Study Casts Doubt on Link Between MS and Vein Trouble – Researchers say compromised blood flow is not a cause of the disease,.
• Teens Benefit by Spending More Time With Parents – Encounters with Dad may boost self-worth and social skills the most, research suggests.
• Teens Who Drink, Smoke More Likely to Abuse Painkillers: Study – An estimated 3.5 million young adults in U.S. abuse prescription opioids, researchers say.
• Unhappy Kids Are More Materialistic, Study Finds – Research with children ages 8 to 10 says TV ads play big part in 'spoiling' those who aren't content.

Monday August 20, 2012

• Anesthesia Before Age 3 May Raise Risk of Learning Delays: Study – Research found even one exposure is associated with language deficits by age 10.
• Black Belts' Punching Power Linked to Their Brain Structure – Brain scans show how coordinated movements can boost strength of martial arts experts.
• College Students Who Binge Drink Say They're Happier – Study found richer, 'high-status' students more likely to overindulge, while others may do so to fit in.
• Could Food Flavors Act Like Mood-Stabilizing Drugs? – Early study suggests chemical similarities between prescription meds and certain foods.
• Curbing Circumcision Boosts STDs, Study Contends – Resulting infections, including HIV, could add billions to U.S. health spending, researchers say.
• Dense Breasts Not Linked to Cancer Deaths – Worse breast cancer survival seen with low-density tissue in obese women, study finds.
• Health Highlights: Aug. 20, 2012
• Health Tip: Am I at Risk for Gallstones? – Check your family history.
• Health Tip: Applying Insect Repellent – Read the instructions carefully.
• Health, Social Life Improve After Weight-Loss Surgery: Study – Patients sought better condition, self-esteem, activity levels.
• Many U.S. Doctors Have Symptoms of Burnout: Survey – Emotional exhaustion, cynicism in physicians may affect patient care, expert says.
• Newer Psoriasis Drugs May Lower Heart Attack Risk for Patients – TNF blockers, other older treatments seemed to cut risk compared to topical meds in study.
• Obesity in Middle Age Tied to More Rapid Mental Decline: Study – 'Fat and fit' concept may not apply to brain function, research suggests.
• Secondhand Smoke May Impair Children's Cough Reflex – Reduced sensitivity to respiratory irritants could raise pneumonia risk, researchers say.
• Stroke Risk Higher After Bypass Than Angioplasty: Analysis – About 1 in 80 surgery patients, 1 in 300 angioplasty patients have stroke complication, new review shows.
• Tying the Knot Ups Women's Drinking Rate, Lowers Mens' – Study also found that men were more likely to hit the bottle after divorce.
• Vaccinations Belong on Parents' Back-to-School Checklists – Preventable diseases can threaten children's lives, expert warns.
• Working Moms Report Better Health Than Those Who Stay Home – Mothers who work full time seem to benefit more than those who work part time, researchers say.

Friday August 17, 2012

• ADHD May Raise Girls' Risk for Suicide as Young Adults – Also more likely to self-injure as young women, study shows.
• Breast-Milk Compound May Shield Babies From HIV – Only 10% to 15% of breast-fed infants get virus from infected mothers, researchers say.
• Cervical Disease Treatment Not Linked to Premature Birth Risk – Findings counter previous research, U.K. study says.
• Chemicals From Soaps, Cleansers Found in Minnesota Waterways – Overuse of antimicrobials can promote drug-resistant germs, researchers warn.
• College Students Don't Respect Peers Who 'Hook Up' Too Much: Survey – Male athletes, fraternity members likelier to judge women more harshly.
• Dallas Launches Insecticide Spraying Against West Nile Virus – The north Texas area has been hit hard by the potentially fatal mosquito-borne disease this summer.
• Experimental Drug May Cut Severe Asthma Attacks: Study – Mepolizumab might help patients reduce oral steroid use, researcher says.
• FDA Approves Generic Versions of Actos
• Global Tobacco Use Remains High, Survey Finds – China and India have the highest number of tobacco users and lowest quit ratios.
• Health Highlights: Aug. 17, 2012
• Health Tip: Protect Kids With a Life Jacket – Enforce these rules.
• Healthy-Looking Pigs at State Fair Found to Have Swine Flu – CDC offers infection precautions for summer fairgoers.
• Sharp as a Tack at 90: Here's Why – Brain scans found these 'Superagers' had thicker cortexes than their peers.
• Smoking During Pregnancy May Cause Asthma, Wheezing in Kids – More breathing problems seen in preschoolers even if mothers stopped smoking once they were born.
• Solving the Medical Mystery of Cold Feet – Scientists find more puzzle pieces to explain circulatory condition known as Raynaud's disease.
• Teens With ADHD May Need Help Making Transition to College – Experts offer suggestions for students on how to compensate for their disorder.

Thursday August 16, 2012

• 'Yo-Yo' Dieting Won't Harm Long-Term Weight Loss Efforts – Study found no differences among 'weight cyclers' and others as time went on.
• Blacks More Prone to Hypertension After Certain Strokes – Researchers not sure why racial gap exists.
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: An Underestimated Threat – Study finds 450 Americans die, more than 2,000 are hospitalized each year.
• Chemo During Pregnancy Doesn't Seem to Harm Newborn – More research needed on the long-term effects of chemotherapy exposure in the womb, expert says.
• Chickenpox Cases Fall 80% Over Decade: CDC – Two-dose schedule will deliver further improvement, experts say.
• Does Just Feeling Fat Make You Gain Weight? – Study shows teens with a bloated body image more likely to become fat in their 20s.
• Health Highlights: Aug. 16, 2012
• Health Tip: Are You Overtraining? – Performance decline is a primary symptom.
• Health Tip: Manage Heartburn During Pregnancy – Watch what and when you eat.
• High-Potency Pot in Pregnancy May Cause Brain Damage – Study finds babies at higher risk for devastating birth defect, later learning disabilities.
• Kids Who Can Resist Sweets Might Be Slimmer as Adults – Decades-long research shows self-control as tot may mean an obesity-free maturity.
• Male Birth Control Drug Shows Promise in Mice – Nonhormonal method avoids side effects, researchers say.
• Most Parents Think Social Media Not a Bad Thing: Survey – Many believe it prepares their kids for future work world, broadens their thinking.
• New Brain Measurements Can Pinpoint Children's Age – Taken together, they might help detect developmental disorders, researchers say.
• North Texas Cities to Start West Nile Spraying Thursday – Dallas, Fort Worth area has been hit hard by the potentially fatal mosquito-borne disease.
• Older Americans Living Longer, But Becoming More Obese – Government report on seniors also found more working women, higher housing costs.
• Sleep Apnea Affects Many Women, Too – Study finds obesity, high blood pressure raise the odds for disorder.
• Test All Baby Boomers for Hepatitis C: CDC – Most people who are infected don't know it, agency noted.
• Two-Thirds of U.S. Youth Have Had Oral Sex, CDC Reports – Many may believe it's safer than it actually is, expert says.
• With Very Sick Infants, Doctors and Parents Often Miscommunicate – Mothers often have different impressions of their babies' condition than physicians meant to convey.

Wednesday August 15, 2012

• A Few Hours of Weekly Exercise May Help Women's Bones – Study found effect on proteins involved with bone growth in pre-menopausal women.
• Drinking in Pregnancy Shows Up in Child's Growth: Study – Research finds reduced height, weight, head size in kids whose mothers drank heavily while expecting.
• Egg Yolks Almost as Bad for Arteries as Smoking: Study – But industry and some health experts say the food may not be so dangerous.
• Health Highlights: Aug. 15, 2012
• Health Tip: Are You at Risk for Plantar Fasciitis? – Factors include lifestyle and weight.
• Health Tip: Get Baby Moving – Exercise is healthy, even for infants.
• High BPA Levels Seen in People With Narrowed Arteries: Study – More of chemical used in plastics showed up in the urine of adults with coronary artery disease.
• Man's Best Friend Points the Way in Genetic Research – Dog breeds offer clues to human diseases, scientists report.
• More Delays in Brain Growth Seen With ADHD – Latest study finds the covering of the cerebral cortex developed more slowly.
• New 'Brain-Cleaning' System Discovered in Mice – It drains the brain of waste products, researchers report.
• New Drug Appears to Extend Survival in Advanced Prostate Cancer Patients – Study found enzalutamide helped men whose disease had resisted chemo, hormone therapy.
• New Pill Appears Effective, Safe for Ulcerative Colitis: Study – Tofacitinib relieved symptoms in short term, but effects over time not yet known.
• Poor Economy Tied to Rise in Suicides, British Study Finds – Researchers estimate recession spurred about 1,000 cases in 2008-2010.
• PSA Test's Overall Benefit Still Unclear: Study – When harms of overdiagnosis are considered, cancer screen's value drops.
• Routine Screening Won't Cut Rates of Domestic Violence, Study Suggests – Researchers saw no benefit for women who got doctor's office-based screen vs. those who did not.
• Some Families May Have Natural Protection Against Dementia – Protein related to inflammation is linked to lower risk, study shows.
• Three Kids Dead From Codeine After Surgery: FDA – Youngsters who metabolize the drug faster than usual are at risk, experts warn.

Tuesday August 14, 2012

• Baby's Healthy Diet Feeds IQ, Study Finds – Infants, toddlers reared on junk food scored slightly lower at 8 years.
• Couples Therapy May Help Combat PTSD – Study finds reduction in symptoms, greater relationship satisfaction.
• Dallas, Fort Worth Area Braces for West Nile Spraying – The Texas cities have been hit hard by the potentially fatal mosquito-borne disease.
• Dallas-Fort Worth Brace for West Nile Spraying – The Texas cities have been hit hard by the potentially fatal mosquito-borne disease.
• Drug May Aid People With Advanced Thyroid Cancer – First treatment for this deadly form of the disease, researchers say.
• FDA Approves Flu Vaccine for Coming Season – Two of the three strains picked weren't in last year's shot, experts note.
• Flu Season's Vaccine Approved
• Genetic Studies Give Clues to Tourette Syndrome, OCD – But specific genes for the mental health conditions have yet to be pinpointed.
• Health Highlights: Aug. 14, 2012
• Health Tip: If You Have Tinnitus – Ringing in the ears may signal hearing loss.
• Health Tip: Is Anxiety Affecting Your Child? – Insomnia is a potential warning sign.
• Health Tip: Protect Your Child in Extreme Heat – Have an air-conditioned place in mind.
• Hepatitis A Vaccine for Children Lasts for 10 Years: Study – Cases of the virus in the U.S. have decreased by 90 percent over the past 20 years, research shows.
• Newer Bone Drug Better for Advanced Breast Cancer Patients: Study – But expert says it's too soon to say it will replace older drug.
• Older Antipsychotics May Work as Well as Newer Ones: Review – First-generation medications are also much cheaper, researchers note.
• Pain Reported by Nearly Half With Type 2 Diabetes – Specialized treatment may be needed to improve quality of life, researchers suggest.
• Parents' Religious Beliefs Can Complicate Kids' End-of-Life Care – Hoping for a miracle might lead them to request futile treatments for their children, researchers say.
• Physical, Mental Toll of Japanese Nuke Plant Meltdown Assessed – Residents living near doomed reactor showed relatively low radiation exposure, study found.
• Pregnancy May Raise Risk of Cerebral Bleeding in Some Women – Blood vessel tangles more likely to rupture in brain when expecting, research shows.
• Thyroid Treatment Guidelines for Pregnant Women Revised – Overactive or underactive thyroid can lead to dangerous medical conditions for mothers, newborns.
• Your Blood Type May Boost Your Heart Risk, Study Finds – But lifestyle is still more important, experts say.

Monday August 13, 2012

• Condition Commonly Seen in Aging May Alter Brain Function – Small study suggests 'leukoaraiosis' is not harmless after all.
• Could Chocolate's Antioxidants Boost Brain Function? – In small study, a flavanol-rich cocoa drink seemed to have an effect, but one expert is unconvinced.
• Fat Stats: 30% of Adults in 12 States Now Obese – South, Midwest claim high proportion, researchers find.
• Health Highlights: Aug. 13, 2012
• Health Tip: Possible Signs of an Ear Infection – They include pulling at the ear.
• Health Tip: Reduce Your Risk of Fire – Make sure all smoke detectors are working.
• Hepatitis C Treatment May Hamper Kids' Growth – Study found weight returned to normal after peginterferon, but not always height.
• Junk Food Laws in Schools May Mean Healthier Kids: Study – In states with toughest regulations, kids more likely to maintain healthy body weight.
• Many Test Results Left Unread as Patients Leave Hospital: Study – Electronic records could prevent important information from falling through cracks, expert says
• More Evidence That Exercise in Middle Age Boosts Health – Brisk walking, biking, even house and yard work can cut harmful inflammation, study finds.
• Not Enough Data to Advise Routine Hearing Screens for Older People: Experts – Hearing loss affects up to 40 percent of adults aged 50 and older.
• Retinal Device Restores Sight to Blind Mice – Researchers hope to start human trials next.
• Scientists ID New Gene Regions Linked to Type 2 Diabetes – Findings help shed light on condition's genetics, biology.
• Snoring Toddlers May Have More Behavior Problems – But breast-feeding helped protect against snoring in youngsters, study found.
• Strategy May Help ER Docs Spot Heart Attacks Within an Hour – Cardiac enzyme data may enhance diagnosis, but some experts say more study is needed.
• Study Questions Guidelines on Radiation for Older Breast Cancer Patients – Current advisory says no to radiation post-lumpectomy, but new data suggest otherwise.
• Two Antibiotics Linked to Liver Injury in Elderly – But while serious, these cases are relatively rare, study says.

Friday August 10, 2012

• 'Exergames' Can Help Inactive Folks Get Moving: Study – But active video gamers may not reach recommended levels of physical activity, researchers say.
• Advice From a Cancer Veteran: Do What's Best for You – N.Y. man who opted for radiation says surgery or watchful waiting may be right for others.
• Childhood Friendships May Be Key to Adult Happiness – Quality of relationships has more effect than intelligence or academic record, study finds.
• Health Highlights: Aug. 10, 2012
• Health Tip: Help Keep Bed Bugs at Bay – Cover your mattresses and box springs.
• Health Tip: Offering Baby or Toddler Solid Food? – Make sure the child is ready.
• Screening Debate Typifies Prostate Cancer Uncertainties – Experts differ, leaving men with no easy answers.
• Statins' Heart Benefits Outweigh Diabetes Risk: Study – Even those at risk from diabetes benefit from lower cholesterol, experts say.

Thursday August 9, 2012

• Birds' Songs Reflect Changing Weather Patterns: Study – Extreme differences in precipitation trigger more complex warbles, study shows.
• Calcium, Vitamin D Supplements May Pose Risks for Men With Prostate Cancer – They're used to fight treatment-related bone loss, but supplements may harm, not help, study finds.
• Electrical Brain Stimulation Curbs Epileptic Seizures in Rats – Implantable device short-circuits attacks, researcher says.
• Gonorrhea Resistant to All But One Antibiotic: CDC – Agency issues new guidelines: Rocephin should be first-line treatment.
• Health Highlights: Aug. 9, 2012
• Health Tip: Caring for an Ingrown Toenail – Soaking in warm water can help prevent infection.
• Health Tip: Protect Against Food Poisoning During Pregnancy – Products you shouldn't eat.
• High-Risk Heterosexuals Should Take HIV Prevention Pill, Too – More than 1 in 4 new HIV infections in U.S. in 2009 involved heterosexuals, research shows.
• Humira Might Help Kids With Tough-to-Treat Crohn's Disease – 'Biologic' drug spurred remission for a third of patients 6 months into treatment, study found.
• Male Diners Tip Better When Waitress Wears Red: Study – Men gave up to 26% more to waitresses in red, but color didn't effect female customers, researchers say.
• Marqibo Approved for Rare Leukemia
• Reductions in U.S. Teen Smoking Stalled: CDC – 30 percent of high school males now use some form of tobacco, study shows.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients May Have Higher Risk for Gum Disease – Small study also found disease was more severe, but cause and effect not proven.
• Sharp Spike Seen in Swine Flu Cases: CDC – Number of reported illnesses has jumped 5-fold this week.
• Stressed-Out Men May Prefer Heavier Women – Study suggests evolution could explain why males are programmed this way.
• Two Languages Better Than One for Kids' Brains: Study – Bilingual children excel at problem-solving, creative thinking, research suggests.
• When Partner Has Breast Cancer, Men Find Their Own Ways to Cope – Support groups don't meet their emotional needs, study finds.
• Workers Counseled on Back Pain Return to Job Sooner – Study found reassurance, advice to stay active aided recovery.

Wednesday August 8, 2012

• 7-Day Stuttering Therapy May Get Results, Study Says – Scans suggest the experimental treatment reorganizes the way the brain works.
• All That Txtng May B Hrtng Kids' Grammar – Parents can set good example by avoiding shorthand like 'ur' and '2' in own text messages, expert says.
• Balance, Strength Training Reduce Falls for Elderly, Study Finds – Researchers recommend incorporating these exercises into everyday activities.
• Brain Scans May Spot Teens at Risk for Problem Drinking – Findings also point to harms of excessive alcohol use.
• Fainting Might Run in Families, Twin Study Finds – Multiple genes and environmental factors influence the phenomenon, researchers say.
• Health Highlights: Aug. 8, 2012
• Health Tip: Diabetes Isn't a Ticket to Inactivity – But discuss plans with your doctor before you exercise.
• Health Tip: Jumping Rope for Exercise – Start on the right foot.
• Mechanical Device Helps Kids Waiting for Heart Transplant – Pediatric ventricular assist device buys time for young patients with severe heart failure.
• New Pill Might Relieve Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis – Studies suggest drug works but may have serious side effects.
• New Vaccine May Offer Protection From Deadly Nipah Virus – Virus causes serious respiratory distress syndrome and encephalitis, researchers say.
• Patients Often Kept in Dark About 'Off-Label' Drug Use: Study – Docs commonly prescribe meds in ways that are not FDA-approved, researchers say.
• Study Compares Safety of 'Biologic' Meds for Rheumatoid Arthritis – Humira, Enbrel and Remicade pose similar death risk, making choice a bit easier for patients, experts say.
• TB Vaccine Promising as New Way to Fight Type 1 Diabetes – Study found vaccine triggered death of rogue immune-system cells.
• Too Much Travel May Be Tough on Olympians – Study finds traveling across more than five time zones to compete raises chances of illness.
• Underinsured Heart Disease Patients Die Sooner, Study Finds – Insurance status seems to be a better predictor of survival than race, researchers say.
• Vaginal Deliveries as Safe as C-Sections for Most Preterm Births – But study shows Cesareans have lower risk of death for preemies in breech position.

Monday August 6, 2012

• Blood Pressure Drugs Linked to Lip Cancer in Study – But risk is extremely small and not reason to change meds, expert says.
• Brain Scans of 'Hoarders' Show Unique Abnormalities – Researchers say finding shows behavior is different from other obsessive-compulsive disorders.
• Brain's Connections May Predict Intelligence: Study – Intelligence based on prefrontal cortex's effective communication with rest of brain.
• Chronic 'Butter Flavoring' Exposure Linked to Harmful Brain Process – Working with diacetyl may raise risk of proteins clumping in the brain, similar to Alzheimer's: study.
• Eyes May Be Key to Spotting Who's Straight, Gay – Study suggests pupil dilation points to sexual orientation when viewing erotic imagery.
• Grateful Teens May Have Less Risk for Depression, Other Problems – Parents, teachers can help kids learn to identify good things in their lives, study says.
• Health Highlights: Aug. 6, 2012
• Health Tip: Focus on Healthy Aging – Don't smoke, and limit alcohol.
• Health Tip: If You Have Sweaty Feet – Be sure to clean them daily.
• Honey a Sweet Treatment for Kids' Night-Time Cough – Given before bedtime, study found this home remedy improved symptoms of common cold.
• Hormone May Boost Aging, Failing Brains – Treatment might help healthy adults and those with early memory problems, study finds.
• Implantable Defibrillators Linked to Decline in Cardiac Arrests – 1 in 20 carriers can expect a life-saving shock each year, researcher says.
• Living Without Lies Might Make You Healthier – Study found those who fibbed less had fewer headaches, less anxiety.
• Minority Patients at Higher Risk of Having Ambulances Diverted – California researcher says rerouting to other ERs can harm patients' health.
• More Evidence That Exercise Helps Fight Diabetes – Studies found staying active cut death risk in type 2 disease, which weight training helped prevent in men.
• Severely Obese Donors Raise Risks for Kids With Liver Transplant – Children with organs from these adult donors were more likely to lose grafts or die, study found.
• Sugary Sports Drinks Plentiful at U.S. Schools: Study – Fewer stock soda, but fruit beverages, Gatorade-like drinks are widely available.
• Tourette Patients Benefit From Behavioral Therapy: Study – Adults with condition learned to better prevent, manage symptoms like tics.
• Violent TV Shows Keep Young Kids Awake: Study – Preschoolers who stuck to nonviolent fare just before bed were much more likely to sleep well.

Friday August 3, 2012

• 'Spray-on Skin' May Someday Heal Stubborn Leg Ulcers – But manufacturer-funded study is preliminary and treatment cost unknown.
• 'Virtual' Patients New Addition to Psychiatry? – Researcher sees future for his characters in training sessions.
• Allergies May Plague Renters More Than Homeowners – Those who rent less likely to take steps to reduce indoor allergy triggers, study finds .
• Breast Cancer Charity Overstates Value of Mammograms: Researchers – But, Komen official maintains routine screening gives best chance for improved survival.
• CDC Preparing Vaccine for New Swine Flu – No sustained person-to-person transmission yet, but this virus has a gene linked to pandemic flu.
• Child Abuse Might Alter Onset of Menstruation in Girls
• College Students Who Use Tanning Beds Often Burn: Study – Ultraviolet exposure not 'controlled' as advertised, researchers warn
• Could Compact Fluorescent Bulbs Pose Skin Cancer Risk? – Tiny flaws in all brands tested allowed emission of harmful UV rays, study found.
• Don't Trust 'Dr. Google' for Help on Infant Sleep Safety – Study finds many Web searches turn up erroneous info on avoiding SIDS, other dangers.
• Exercise May Ease Depression Tied to Heart Failure – One year of regular aerobic activity provided modest mental health benefits, study says.
• Extreme Heat Biggest Weather Killer, Expert Warns – Older people who live alone at greater risk for heat-related illness.
• First Generic Versions of Singulair Approved
• Fitter Kids May Make Better Grades: Study – Policymakers should realize the importance of phys-ed classes, researcher says.
• For Colorado Family, It's Allergies All Around – Kids avoid long list of foods, but not athletic lifestyle.
• Health Highlights: Aug. 3, 2012
• Health Tip: If Your Child Gets Headaches – Keep a log of symptoms to help doctors isolate a cause.
• Human Culture May Date Back 44,000 Years – Artifacts found in South Africa reveal earliest use of poison and beeswax.
• Options Increasing for Coping With Kids' Food Allergies – Medication, herbs and desensitization offer alternatives to avoidance, experts say.
• Race-Day Diet Can Make or Break a Competitive Cyclist – HealthDay reporter describes nutrition regimen for grueling West Coast bike ride.
• Sleepiness Hampers Job Performance, Study Confirms – Effects get worse over time and can affect vision-oriented tasks, even in folks who don't feel tired.
• Some Improvement in Heart Risk Factors for Americans: CDC – But nearly half have a predisposing issue such as hypertension, high cholesterol, agency says.
• Trauma Patients at Higher Risk of Dying of Hypothermia: Study – Paramedics can help by controlling IV temperature and heating ambulance, researcher says.
• Zaltrap Approved for Advanced Colorectal Cancer

Thursday August 2, 2012

• Asthma Common Among Olympic Athletes – Chronic airway conditions affect 8 percent of the elite competitors, research shows.
• Common Skin Cancer a Chronic Condition, Study Says – Risk of new lesions doubles for those with three prior basal cell carcinomas.
• Expert Tips May Help Kids Avoid Allergens at School – Common allergy triggers in classrooms, on playgrounds spur 14 million absences a year in U.S.
• Health Highlights: Aug. 2, 2012
• Health Tip: If Your Older Child Wets the Bed – Ask the pediatrician if it could mean a medical problem.
• Health Tip: Quench Your Thirst Without Extra Calories – Healthier beverages to keep you cool.
• Most Americans With Celiac Disease Don't Realize It: Study – On the other hand, many without the disease needlessly follow gluten-free diets.
• Musicians' Brains Might Have an Edge on Aging – Study found seniors with musical training outperformed others on thinking, memory tests
• Pregnant Mothers' Gut Changes May Support Fetal Growth – Women's gut microbes become less 'normal' and less diverse as pregnancy progresses, study shows.
• Smokers Drop Pricey Cigarettes for Cheaper Alternatives: CDC – Other tobacco products allow industry to work around tax hikes, labeling regs, study authors say.
• West Nile Virus on the Rise in US: CDC – Health officials recommend steps to avoid the mosquito-borne infection.
• When Parents Get Active, So Do Kids: Study – Weekends are ideal time to get moving as a family, researchers say.
• Why Women Outlive Men: Fruit Flies Give Clues – Genetic mutations affect aging patterns of males, but not females, research shows.

Wednesday August 1, 2012

• Even Mild Depression, Anxiety Hurts the Heart: Study – The risk rises as chronic mental distress becomes more intense, study says.
• Evidence Grows That Cancer Has Its Own Stem Cells – Three new studies in mice may explain why some tumors resist aggressive treatment.
• Health Highlights: Aug. 1, 2012
• Health Tip: Keep Your Child Safe in a High Chair – Make sure it's sturdy.
• Health Tip: Prevent Food Cross-Contamination – If you or a loved one has a food allergy.
• In Mice, Alzheimer's-Linked Protein Shows Promise Against MS – Amyloid beta has long been tied to dementia, but injections slowed MS progression.
• New Clues to How HIV Infects Body's Cells – Study of mice found the virus 'hitches a ride' on immune system's T cells to reach remote locations.
• Poor Sleep Hampers Vaccine Effectiveness: Study – Adults who slept less than six hours nightly weren't adequately protected from virus.
• Signs of ADHD Evident by Preschool, Expert Says – Early identification improves odds for social, academic success.
• Too Much Bottled Water Might Harm Kids' Teeth – As Americans rely less on tap water, lack of fluoride could be a concern, experts say.
• Wider Waistlines Put Damper on Men's Sex Lives: Study – As obesity rises, males encounter sexual dysfunction more often, research shows.
• Workers With Paid Sick Days Healthier, More Productive: Study – In U.S., only 40 million private-sector employees had access to paid leave in 2010, research shows.

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Content last updated August 31, 2012.

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