Health News

Health News for 01/27/10

January 27, 2010

Raising Co-Pays for Doctor Visits Raises Seniors' Hospital Use

Boosting co-pays for doctor visits and other outpatient care reduces seniors' use of those services, but it also may have the unintended consequence of sharply increasing hospitalizations, a new study suggests.

Rotavirus Vaccine Could Save Millions of Children Worldwide

Vaccinating infants against rotavirus could save the lives of millions of children in developing nations who would otherwise die from the diarrhea-causing disease, two new studies show.

Alcohol Affects Baby's Pain Regulation

Exposure to alcohol in the womb can alter a child's developing pain regulatory system, a new Canadian study suggests.

Too Much Alcohol Impairs Seniors' Thinking

Elderly people who are heavy drinkers are more likely to suffer memory and cognitive problems than mild-to-moderate drinkers, a new study shows.

'Mirror Therapy' Appears to Reduce Post-Amputation Pain

A technique called mirror therapy can help reduce phantom pain in soldiers who've had limbs amputated, a new study shows.

Aging of Blood Stem Cells May Be Reversible

Scientists have found a way to make old stem cells in the blood act like young stem cells, a discovery that could lead to ways to slow the aging process.

Barefoot Best for Running?

If you just spent $100 on a fancy pair of running shoes, this news may hurt: A new study suggests that running barefoot is actually better for your body because of the way your feet land on the ground.

Scientists Turn Mouse Skin Cells Into Nerve Cells

Scientists at Stanford University have succeeded in creating brain nerve cells directly out of skin cells taken from the tails of adult mice.

New Scan May Help Find Aggressive Prostate Tumors

A new imaging technology promises to achieve the long-sought goal of singling out prostate cancers that are life-threatening and require the most aggressive treatment, researchers report.

Clinical Trials Update: Jan. 27, 2010

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

Health Highlights: Jan. 27, 2010

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

New Test Might 'Smell' Early Stage Lung Cancer

Scientists say they have fashioned a new test that can detect lung cancer simply on the basis of a tumor-causing change in the odor of bodily fluids.

Green Tea May Help Treat Uterine Fibroids

Green tea extract shows promise as a treatment for uterine fibroids, say U.S. researchers who add they'll soon begin human trials of the therapy.

One 'Type A' Trait May Actually Lower Work Stress

Most "Type A" personality traits, such as aggression and competitiveness, boost work stress, but there's one characteristic that actually reduces stress, according to Finnish researchers.

Antidepressants May Complicate Breast-Feeding

A widely used class of antidepressants can cause delayed lactation in new mothers, which means they may need additional support in order to breast-feed their babies, a new study says.

Are Two Mommies as Good as Mom and Dad?

Same-sex couples are as good at raising well-adjusted, healthy children as heterosexual couples are, a review of 20 years of social science research finds.

Health Tip: Spot the Signs of Appendicitis

The appendix is a small organ located near the large intestine, and it can become inflamed (appendicitis), painful and require surgical removal.

Health Tip: Children Who Are at Risk for Ear Infection

Ear infections are common in children, and may be chronic.