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June 2012

Friday June 29, 2012

• Asthma Rates Higher Near Busy Highway – Researchers suspect emissions from vehicle may inflame the lungs.
• Court's Verdict on Health-Care Reform Holds Surprises, Legal Experts Say – The battle over the Affordable Care Act may now shift back to Congress, they add.
• Few Patients Should Get Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants, FDA Panel Says – Controversial devices can shed metal particles; patients who have them need regular monitoring.
• Gay or Straight, Parents Too Tired for Sex, Study Suggests – Dads in same-sex relationships may face similar intimacy issues as heterosexual couples with kids.
• Gene Boosts Tomato's Color, But May Make It Less Tasty – Uniformly red, 'store-bought' tomatoes are not as sweet, study finds.
• Health Highlights: June 29, 2012
• Health Tip: Is Your Pregnancy Higher Risk? – Factors that may dictate extra care.
• Health Tip: Reduce Your Risk of a Herniated Disk – Use proper lifting technique.
• Hot Flashes Don't Signal Poor Heart Health for Most Women: Study – The exception may be when hot flashes continue for years or start many years after menopause.
• Is Court's Health-Care Ruling a Wise Decision? It Depends... – Supporters see medical gains for millions, opponents see unwanted expansion of government's power.
• Minorities Less Likely to Use Hospice Care: Study – Finding suggests there are differences that need to be addressed, researcher says.
• Residents as Good as Fully Trained Docs if Properly Supervised: Study – Their inexperience is counteracted by teaching from more experienced physicians, researchers say.
• Shorter Arms May Explain Why Women Need Glasses Sooner Than Men – Focusing ability wanes earlier when reading materials held closer, researchers say.
• Study of Retired NFL Players Finds Evidence of Brain Damage – In tests, they had higher rates of depression, memory deficits and 'white matter' damage.
• Summertime Is Tonsillectomy Time – Many parents take advantage of summer break to schedule the surgery to give kids time to recover.
• Supreme Court Ruling Sets Stage for Full Rollout of Health-Care Reform Law – As various provisions are implemented, more than 30 million uninsured will get coverage.
• Toddlers Are Happier to Give Than Receive: Study – Sharing their own treats was most rewarding, their reactions showed.

Thursday June 28, 2012

• 40 Million Americans Addicted to Cigarettes, Alcohol or Drugs – About 16 percent of Americans aged 12 and older are hooked.
• Eating Vegetables May Protect Pancreas, Study Suggests – 4 servings a day cut risk of acute pancreatitis by 44% compared to 1 helping, researchers say.
• Greater L.A. Heating Up, Climate Experts Predict – Extremely hot days could triple by mid-century because of climate change.
• Health Highlights: June 28, 2012
• Health Tip: Have Heart Palpitations? – Get them checked by a doctor.
• Health Tip: Help Cool a Temper Tantrum – Offer praise when the child calms down.
• Job Worries for Parents May Mean Poorer Nutrition for Kids – Study found family meals suffered as work pressures increased.
• Newer 'Second-Line' Diabetes Drug May Outperform Older Meds – In study, linagliptin worked as well as sulfonylureas but had fewer side effects.
• Small Babies Can Be Sign of Heart Problems in Mother – Researchers say some women with low birthweight babies have type of heart dysfunction.
• Smallest, Largest Fetuses at Higher Risk of Stillbirth – Problems with placenta to blame for small babies, while maternal diabetes, obesity can mean large babies.
• Standing at Work All Day While Pregnant Linked to Smaller Babies – Infant head size may be affected if mom-to-be spends long hours on her feet, researchers say.
• Supreme Court Backs Much of Controversial Health Reform Law – Says requirement that most Americans must carry insurance is constitutional.
• Supreme Court to Rule Thursday on Health Care Reform – At issue is the requirement that most Americans carry health insurance or face a tax penalty.
• U.S. Mammography Rates Drop Following Task Force Recommendations – Guidelines associated with a 6 percent drop in screenings among women in their 40s, study says.

Wednesday June 27, 2012

• 'Atkins'-Type Diets May Raise Risk of Heart Problems: Study – Diets rich in plant-based foods a better choice in the long run for women, experts say.
• Exercise Program Boosts Health After Lung Transplant: Study – Training regimen linked to improved strength, mobility and heart health a year after surgery.
• Experimental Vaccine Seems to Stop Nicotine Addiction in Mice – More animal research is needed before testing the shot in humans, researchers say.
• Fear of Childbirth Linked to Longer Labor, Study Says – Relaxed women delivered about an hour and a half sooner than more anxious moms-to-be.
• Fossilized Teeth Hold Clues to Early Human Species' Diet – 2 million years ago, Au. sediba was still munching on tree bark rather than grasses, researchers say.
• Health Highlights: June 27, 2012
• Health Tip: Living With a Pacemaker – Be careful using cell phone or microwave.
• Health Tip: Stay Healthier as You Age – Don't smoke, and drink responsibly.
• Pictures of Fatty, Sugary Foods May Spur Cravings – Stimulating brain's reward areas might cause overeating, researchers say.
• Surgeons Seek Repeal of Transplant Ban Between HIV-Positive People – As many as 1,000 lives might be saved each year in U.S., experts say.
• To Improve School Nutrition, Involve Teachers and Parents – Junk-food 'interventions' decreased consumption of unhealthy foods and beverages by 30 percent.
• Wednesday Is National HIV Testing Day – CDC urges all people between the ages of 13 and 64 to get tested at least once.
• Weight Loss May Increase Testosterone Levels – Overweight men more likely than normal-weight men to have low levels of the hormone, study says.

Tuesday June 26, 2012

• Brain EEG Test Might Help Spot Autism: Study – Children with the disorder showed differences in synchronization among brain regions.
• Certain Diets May Help Body Burn More Calories: Study – Low-carb and low-glycemic plans work best, but low-carb regimen has drawbacks.
• Clot-Busting Stroke Drug Safe for Many Who Take Warfarin – Study finds emergency use of tPA is warranted for these patients, within certain parameters.
• Coffee Might Actually Help Your Heart – But moderation is key for folks with heart failure, study finds.
• Even Some Scientists Are Math-Challenged – When articles are packed with equations, research suggests fellow scientists tend to ignore the work.
• Health Highlights: June 26, 2012
• Health Tip: Prepare Children for Sleep – Maintain a regular schedule.
• Health Tip: Signs That May Indicate Ulcerative Colitis – Including abdominal pain and diarrhea.
• Hormone 'Ratio' May Show Which Dieters Will Keep Weight Off – Study found measuring the ratio of leptin and ghrelin helped predict success.
• Limited Radiation May Help Some Kids With Lymphoma – Therapy increased progression-free survival in children who responded well to chemo, study says.
• Low Vitamin D Levels Linked to Weight Gain in Older Women – Findings significant since most over 65 are deficient in it, researchers say.
• Lung Cancer Deaths Rise Among 'Boomer' Women in South – Researchers see link to targeted tobacco marketing to young women in the 60's and lax state laws.
• Magnets in iPad2 May Alter Settings on Brain Shunt Devices: Study – Effect seen only when tablet computer was within inches of the patient's head, researcher noted.
• Pandemic H1N1 Flu Killed Far More Than Reported: Study – Scientists now estimate 2009 toll was 15 times higher, with majority of fatalities in Africa and southeast Asia.
• U.S. Blood Supply at Dangerously Low Levels: Red Cross – Donations fell by 50,000 in June, experts note.

Monday June 25, 2012

• 'Dessert' With Breakfast Boosts Weight Loss: Study – But several nutritionists disagree with the finding.
• Could Fertility Drugs Make Kids Shorter? – Small study suggests a link, but researchers can't pinpoint the cause.
• Delaying ADHD Meds Could Hurt Kids' Math Scores – Study finds starting stimulant drugs sooner helps prevent academic decline.
• Diabetes Can Make a Comeback After Weight-Loss Surgery: Study – For some, bariatric procedures banish the disease, but only for a while.
• Employment Key to Helping Veterans Adjust to Life Back Home – In study, money worries raised risk for violent behavior more than PTSD.
• Even Moderate Exercise Might Cut Breast Cancer Risk: Study – Researchers found up to 30 percent reduction, as long as women didn't gain weight.
• Health Highlights: June 25, 2012
• Health Tip: Help Avoid a Lupus Flare – Take steps to limit stress.
• Health Tip: How to Floss – Don't forget the back of each tooth.
• Metformin Outperforms Common Class of Diabetes Drugs in Study – The standby drug had a lower death risk than 3 different meds from the sulfonylurea group.
• More Vigilance Needed to Protect Kids With Food Allergies – Study showed more than 70% suffer reactions after exposure, 11% of those severe.
• New Melanoma Drug May Extend Survival – But only in the short term, international trial shows.
• One-Fifth of Nursing Home Residents Fall in First Month – Large study also linked certified nursing assistant staffing to lower risk.
• Plastics Chemical Linked to Obesity in Kids – Study suggests phthalates may alter fat metabolism, influence weight
• Secondhand Smoke Linked to Raised Diabetes Risk – Findings also suggest an association with obesity, but more research is needed.
• Some Diabetics May Not Benefit From Daily Aspirin – About half of patients with type 2 diabetes were resistant to the pill's effects, study found.
• Supreme Court's Ruling on Health Care Reform Could Come Monday – At issue is the requirement that most Americans carry health insurance or face a tax penalty.

Friday June 22, 2012

• 1 in 10 Fibromyalgia Patients Uses Marijuana to Ease Pain – They also tend to have poorer mental health, researchers say.
• Active, Outdoor Teens Are Happier Teens: Study – And those who spend more time indoors in front of screens are more likely to feel lonely, shy.
• Health Tip: Are Your Child's Tantrums Dangerous? – Signs you should talk to a pediatrician.
• Health Tip: Prevent Traveler's Diarrhea – Don't use tap water for drinking, ice or brushing teeth.
• Red Wine, Weather May Trigger Migraines – Studies found certain wine varieties, cold outdoor temperatures had strongest effects.

Thursday June 21, 2012

• As Heat Builds, Take Steps to Protect Yourself – Experts offer advice on how to steer clear of dehydration -- or worse.
• Cancer Survivors Call in Sick to Work More Often, Study Finds – Single parents, those with limited education or who work in health care were most likely to be absent.
• Child's Scoliosis Stresses Patients, Parents: Study – Teen girls dislike wearing a body brace, but parents worry most of all.
• Eating Disorders Hitting Women Over 50, Study Finds – Researcher says new treatment strategies needed to target this older population.
• Gene Studies Support 'Queen of Sheba' Legend – Ethiopian genomes strikingly similar to those of groups in Israel, Syria.
• Health Highlights: June 21, 2012
• Health Tip: Take Care of Yourself, Too – Don't neglect your own health.
• Health Tip: Warm Up Before You Exercise – And burn calories more efficiently.
• Once-Banned Bird Flu Study Yields Sobering Findings – Few mutations needed to allow airborne spread of H5N1 virus in mammals, scientists find.
• Rare Drug-Resistant Bacteria Spotted in U.S. Hospital – Swift treatment, stronger infection control prevented spread.
• Study Ties Kids' Allergy Risks to Antibacterials, Preservatives – Chemicals in some soaps, toothpaste, mouthwash may play a role in immune system development.
• Travel and Other Adventures Can Boost Happiness – As long as you do it for the right reasons and not to impress others, study says.
• Who Has the Most Sway on Facebook? – Men, over-30 users are more influential than others, study finds.

Wednesday June 20, 2012

• 'Moderate' Drinking During Pregnancy Has No Effect on Young Children: Study – But experts caution that the results are no green light for moms-to-be to drink.
• Few Migraine Sufferers Referred for Behavioral Treatments – Researchers say relaxation training, other non-drug therapies can help some patients with headaches.
• For Combat Vets, Brain Injury Symptoms Can Last Years – 'Mild' injury doesn't mean quick recovery, researchers say.
• Genes May Influence Reactions to Painkillers – Identical twins responded similarly when it came to side effects, addiction risk, study found.
• Headaches Worse With Mild Head Trauma Than More Severe Trauma – Researchers say even seemingly mild head injury should be taken seriously.
• Health Highlights: June 20, 2012
• Health Tip: Make Exercise a Social Activity – Take a walk with friends.
• Indoor Tanners Rationalize Risky Behavior, Study Finds – 'Everything causes cancer these days,' said many students who use the devices.
• More Than Half of Resident Docs Have Worked While Sick: Study – Dedication to work a key reason, but experts say patient safety may be at risk.
• New Therapies Show Some Promise Against Pancreatic Cancer – Often resistant to chemo, two treatments might help beat back disease, experts say.
• Race Might Play Role in Success of Weight-Loss Surgery – Black women lost less than whites, but the gap was narrower when diabetes was present, study finds.
• U.S. Teen Pregnancy Rate Continues to Fall – At same time, more women in their 40s are having children, federal report finds.
• Weight-Loss Surgery Cuts Heart Risk 7 Years Later: Study – Patients maintained lower weight, improvement in cholesterol levels.
• Weight-Loss Surgery May Improve Diabetes-Related Kidney Damage – Obese patients who had bariatric procedure had lower rates of kidney disease, study found

Tuesday June 19, 2012

• Colds May Be Even More 'Common' Than People Think – Infected co-eds with no symptoms outnumbered those with symptoms by 4 to 1 in study.
• Could Sunlight Lower Your Odds for Pancreatic Cancer? – Experts say early study results are no reason to tan, however, given UV rays' link to skin cancer.
• Discount Supermarkets Tied to Rising Obesity Rates – Make healthy foods more affordable, researchers say.
• Health Highlights: June 19, 2012
• Health of Americans a Mixed Bag: CDC Report – More are exercising and not smoking, but obesity, diabetes rates still increasing.
• Health Tip: Get Enough Calcium – Sprinkle shredded cheese on soups or salads.
• Health Tip: When Memory Loss Isn't Normal – Here are common warning signs.
• High Rates of Untreated Kidney Failure Seen in Elderly – Prevalence of advanced kidney disease among older adults underestimated, researchers say.
• Hospitalization May Be 'Tipping Point' for Alzheimer's Decline – Study also found delirium added to risk of mental deterioration, even death.
• Kidney Disease May Be as Harmful to Heart as Heart Attack: Study – Findings suggest chronic kidney disease could help ID people at risk for heart disease.
• More Mental Health Woes in College Kids Who Abuse Prescription Drugs – Large study found association was strongest with painkillers like OxyContin, Vicodin.
• More Than 46 Million Americans Uninsured in 2011: Report – One bright spot: fewer young adults went without coverage as they joined parents' plans.
• Sleepy Pro Athletes May Have Shorter Careers – Studies suggest that helping players get better rest could benefit them and their teams.
• Teen Drinkers May Feel Like Social Outcasts: Study – Those who abuse alcohol also have worse academic performance.

Thursday June 7, 2012

• Child CT Scans Might Up Risk of Brain Cancer, Leukemia – Although the risk is small, radiation doses should be kept low, experts say.
• Exercise Controls Weight in White Girls Better Than in Black Girls: Study – Researchers suggest new weight-loss strategies needed for these teens.
• Health Tip: Easing Heel Pain – Make sure shoes fit properly.
• Health Tip: Help Prevent Heart Disease – Control blood pressure and cholesterol.
• Many Kids on Medicaid Don't See Dentist: Study – Some improvement found over 5-year period but expert says program cuts could hurt.
• Skin Cells Turned Into Brain Cells in Lab Study – Transformed cells could lead to better ways of testing drugs for Alzheimer's, researchers say.

Wednesday June 6, 2012

• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month - Statement by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius
• Whitehouse.gov - Join Us for an Online Women's Health Town Hall - June 7 at 10 AM EST
• Antibiotic-Resistant Gonorrhea Spreading: WHO – Last line of drug defense, cephalosporins, appears to be weakening, U.N. agency says.
• Blood Tests Might Help Guide Breast Cancer Care – Study of about 300 women found exams helped predict survival in early stages of disease.
• Financial Worries Add to Cancer Patients' Burden – Caregivers also affected by concerns over bills, possible bankruptcy, study finds.
• Health Highlights: June 6, 2012
• Health Tip: Signs That You Have a Hearing Problem – If you can't hear when on the phone.
• Health Tip: What to Expect After Childbirth – Give yourself time to recover.
• Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Don't Boost Local Crime: Study – No rise in violent or property crime seen in Sacramento, Calif., neighborhoods
• Stem Cells Behind Clogged Arteries, Mouse Study Reveals – Researchers identify type of cell that blocks blood vessels, and may lead to heart attack, stroke.
• Ultrasound May Detect Heart Disease Earlier in Arthritis Patients – Study suggests common diagnostic methods underestimate risk for those with rheumatoid arthritis.

Tuesday June 5, 2012

• Cigarette Tax Hikes Curb Smoking in Pregnancy: Study – $1 increase per pack boosts likelihood that moms-to-be will quit long-term.
• Disney to Curtail Junk Food Ads Aimed at Kids – Change will affect the media giant's child-focused TV channels, radio stations and websites.
• Fewer Medicare Patients Being 'Admitted' to Hospitals: Study – They are instead being 'held for observation,' which may increase their out-of-pocket expenses.
• Health Highlights: June 5, 2012
• Health Tip: Understanding Adult Dehydration – Diarrhea is a common cause.
• Health Tip: Work Out in Water – And help ease pressure on muscles and joints.
• Little Short-Term Risk of Repeat Bout of Shingles, Study Finds – Seniors were unlikely to have recurrence of painful skin condition, researchers found.
• Low-Fiber Diet May Raise Teens' Risk for Heart Disease, Diabetes – And most teens don't consume enough 'roughage,' study found.
• Seniors With Asthma Do Worse If Obese – They also fare poorly in traffic pollution, researchers say.
• Some Prisoners Misuse Antibiotic Ointments: Study – Using topical medicines for grooming could lead to drug-resistant bacteria, researchers say.
• Study Finds Soy Supplements Don't Boost Thinking Skills – Older women who took soy did no better overall on memory tests than their peers, researchers say.

Monday June 4, 2012

• 'Bombs' Ineffective Against Bedbugs, Experts Say – Over-the-counter foggers won't eliminate the blood-sucking pests; might make infestation worse.
• 'Rediscovered' Lymphoma Drug Helps Double Survival: Study – Patients who got bendamustine plus another med also had fewer side effects.
• After Chest Radiation, Girls at Greater Risk for Early Breast Cancer: Study – Even those childhood cancer survivors who got low doses should be screened yearly, researchers say.
• Antidepressant Cymbalta Might Ease Chemo-Linked Pain – Drug could be first effective treatment for tingling, numbness of peripheral neuropathy, study finds.
• Avastin May Help Fight Tough-to-Treat Ovarian Tumors – Study found it slightly lengthened the time before the cancer returned.
• Combination Drug, Chemo May Extend Life of Colon Cancer Patients – Research supports second-line treatment with Avastin and chemotherapy in advanced-stage disease.
• Experimental Drug Shows Promise for Certain Breast Cancers – HER-2 positive patients survived longer on new med than those getting standard treatment, study says.
• Ginseng Capsules Seem to Ease Cancer-Related Fatigue – Study found herb worked better than sham treatment, but only after about 2 months.
• Health Tip: Avoid Fighting With the Kids Over Food – Eat healthy yourself, setting a good example.
• Health Tip: Exercise Can Help Manage Menopause – And help prevent heart problems or osteoporosis.
• Immune System Glitch Linked to Greater Risk of Death – People with this flaw are four times more likely to die of a serious disease, study finds.
• Leukemia Deadlier for Teens, Young Adults Than Younger Kids: Study – More resistant disease, toxic treatments take their toll on older patients, study says.
• Long-Term Side Effects Key When Cancer Patients Choose Drugs – In 5-month study of people with kidney cancer, one medicine was strongly preferred.
• Low Income May Keep Cancer Patients Out of Clinical Trials – Access gap might exist, researchers say, along with concerns about co-pays or taking off work.
• New 'Personalized' Drugs Show Promise Against Melanoma, Lung Cancer – They focus on genes that are specific to the type of tumor the patient has
• Novel Drugs Show Early Promise Against Several Cancers – Immune system therapies tested on advanced melanoma, kidney or lung tumors; side effects seen.
• Older Drug for Advanced Breast Cancer Beat Newer, Pricier Meds – Study found Taxol outperformed Abraxane, Ixempra in terms of survival and side effects.
• Only a Third of U.S. Moms Who Plan to Breast-Feed Meet Goals – Formula-feeding at hospital is important barrier, study finds.
• Runners May Live Longer – But research also finds that too much high-intensity running may harm heart.
• Study Compares Timing of Hormonal Therapy for Prostate Cancer – Intermittent use may spare patients side effects, but might also shorten survival.

Friday June 1, 2012

• HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on LGBT Pride Month
• American Heads Are Getting Bigger, Study Finds – Skull growth among whites is outpacing increases in overall height, thigh length.
• Bridging the Doctor-Patient Gap – Narrative medicine aims to improve communication -- and care.
• Competitive Sports May Boost Heart Function After Breast Cancer – Researchers report that long-term, high-level exercise made a difference.
• Daily 'Dose' of Dark Chocolate Might Shield the Heart – Another study supports the antioxidant goodness of dark, but not milk, chocolate.
• Diabetes Drug Actos May Increase Bladder Cancer Odds – But the absolute risk of getting the cancer is small, researchers find.
• Health Highlights: June 1, 2012
• Health Tip: Don't Overeat When Dining Out – Order smaller portions.
• Health Tip: Warning Signs of Infant Dehydration – Including dry mouth and tongue.
• Healthy Diet, Exercise Extend Life for Women in Their 70s: Study – Participants who were tops in both categories had 8 times the odds of survival.
• Heart Rhythm Disorder May Raise Older Women's Stroke Risk – Added risk from atrial fibrillation was higher than that of men with the same condition, study finds.
• More Vitamin D Might Help Older People Stay Active – Seniors low in this essential nutrient more likely to have trouble getting around, study finds.
• Small Batteries, Other Shiny Objects Pose Risks to Children – Curious kids may accidentally swallow magnets and batteries, leading to serious injury.
• Worldwide Cancer Incidence Predicted to Rise 75% by 2030 – Infection, lifestyle tied to which cancer types are most common in different countries.
• Young Girls, Boys Can Compete on Equal Level – Analysis of nearly 2 million swim records found little or no difference until age 13.

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Content last updated June 30, 2012.

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