Health News

Health News for 01/19/10

January 19, 2010

No Role Found for Birds in Swine Flu Pandemic

Birds don't become sick when exposed to the H1N1 influenza strains that caused the 1918 and 2009 global flu pandemics, a finding that suggests birds played no role in the spread of the pandemic-causing viruses, according to a new study.

Stem Cells Become Functioning Neurons in Mice

Transplanted neurons grown from embryonic stem cells were able to form proper brain connections in newborn mice, U.S. scientists report.

Tobacco Toxin Helps a Protein Cause Lung Cancer

New research offers insight into how a carcinogen in tobacco known as NNK contributes to the formation of lung cancer tumors.

Statins Show Promise Against Sickle Cell

The cholesterol drugs known as statins hold promise as a treatment for sickle cell disease, a common genetic disorder, new research has found.

Excess Weight Poses Anesthesia Challenge

Many health risks of excess weight are well-known, such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes, to name a few. But an obese patient is also a challenge for an anesthesiologist to care for during surgery.

Shedding Light on Why Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Help the Heart

Scientists think they have uncovered at least one of the reasons why omega-3 fatty acids are good for your heart.

In Europe, Most Men Can Trace Roots to Near East Migrants

The majority of European males are descended from farmers who migrated from the Near East 10,000 years ago, say English researchers who examined the diversity of the Y chromosome, which is passed from father to son.

Mouse Study May Advance Multiple Sclerosis Research

A mutation in a gene called ZFP191 causes central nervous system myelination problems in mice that are similar to what occurs in humans with multiple sclerosis, new research has found.

Compounds Identified That Might Treat Nerve Diseases

Researchers report that they've developed a new way to find compounds that could become treatments for degenerative nerve disorders such as Alzheimer's, Huntington's and Parkinson's diseases.

Monkey Brain 'Hardwired' for Simple Math

Monkey see, monkey do simple math?

Health Highlights: Jan. 19, 2010

Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay :

Clinical Trials Update: Jan. 19, 2010

Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of ClinicalConnection.com :

Should HPV Test Replace the Pap Smear?

DNA testing for the human papillomavirus should replace the Pap smear as the main way to screen women for cervical cancer, according to Italian researchers.

Current Smoking Can Worsen Lung Cancer

Not only does cigarette smoke cause lung cancer, it worsens the disease by increasing lung inflammation, U.S. researchers have found.

Complex Weight-Loss Plans Erode Dieters' Resolve

The more complex a person's diet plan, the sooner the person will abandon it, a new study finds.

Adding Fish Oil to IV May Speed Sepsis Recovery

Adding fish oil to intravenous solutions proved beneficial for intensive care patients with the potentially lethal blood infection known as sepsis, a new study finds.

Compulsive Dogs Yield Clues to Human OCD, Autism

A study of obsessive-compulsive Dobermans might someday help explain similar repetitive behaviors in humans.

Overdoses From Prescription Painkillers on the Rise

Overdoses from prescription painkillers are increasing in the United States, a new study shows.

Health Tip: Recovering From Mononucleosis

Mononucleosis, often dubbed "mono," is a viral infection that can cause fatigue, weakness, sore throat and fever.

Health Tip: Help Prevent a Stress Fracture

A stress fracture occurs from overuse, when muscles become too weak to absorb the continued stress of physical activity, causing a small crack in a bone.