Health News

Health News for 01/29/10

January 29, 2010

Men Likely to Research a Purchase, Not Ask for Advice

When lost on the roadway, men have a reputation for being less likely than women to ask for directions, and new research suggests that the same behavior may hold true when men go shopping.

Parkinson's More Common in Northeast, Midwest

The largest study of its kind finds that Parkinson's disease in the United States is more common in the Midwest and Northeast, and that whites and Hispanics are twice as likely to develop the disease as blacks and Asians.

Brain 'Thermostat' May Suppress Non-Essential Information

A neural "thermostat" that keeps the brain running efficiently has been identified by Yale University researchers.

Immune System 'Memory' Gets a Boost in Mouse Study

Scientists have found a way to boost the immune system's "memory" in mice, raising the prospect that future research could pave the way for more effective vaccines.

Targeting Cancer Stem Cells May Eradicate Tumors

New ways of identifying and studying cancer stem cells in the lab could accelerate understanding of the cells and lead to the development of drugs that target them, British researchers say.

Insurers Must Offer Equal Coverage for Those With Emotional, Addiction Problems

Group health insurance plans can no longer limit benefits and require higher patient costs for people with mental health or substance abuse disorders, according to new rules issued Friday by the U.S. government.

Genital Herpes' Reactivation Better Understood

Genital herpes frequently reactivates throughout the genital tract, a finding that may help improve treatment and prevention, U.S. researchers say.

Tune Up Your Health

The litany of suspected benefits is long: It can soothe infants and adults alike, trigger memories, temper pain, aid sleep and make the heart beat faster or slower. "It," of course, is music.

Clinical Trials Update: Jan. 29, 2010

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

Health Highlights: Jan. 29, 2010

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

Sedation Linked to Longer Stay in ICU

Critically ill patients in intensive care who aren't sedated require fewer days on mechanical ventilation and spend less time in the intensive care unit than those who are sedated, new research suggests.

Three-Fourths of Cancer Patients Have Severe Flares of Pain

Breakthrough cancer pain is a major challenge for 75 percent of adult cancer patients, according to new survey findings released by the American Pain Foundation.

To Boost Your Memory, Take a Break

Great news for working stiffs: You can take a break and feel good about it, new research suggests.

Scientists Decode Brain Cancer Cell Line

The first complete genomic sequencing of a brain cancer cell line has been performed by U.S. scientists.

Health Tip: Testing a Walker Before You Buy

If you've been advised to buy a walker to help with mobility and balance, it's important to find the right fit.

Fake Drugs Bought on the Web Pose Big Health Risks

People who buy prescription medications over the Internet, especially drugs purporting to treat erectile dysfunction, are playing Russian roulette with their lives, a new study contends.

Bees Can Be Trained to Recognize Face-Like Patterns

Bees can learn to recognize human faces, as long as they think the faces are odd-shaped flowers, a new study reports.

Health Tip: Who's a Candidate for Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Gastric bypass surgery, sometimes recommended for obese people, involves re-routing the path that food takes, including shrinking the size of the stomach. But the procedure has a number of risks, including the possibility of post-surgical infection, blood clots or developing gallstones.