Health News

Health News for 06/09/10

June 09, 2010

Children of Older Dads at Higher Risk of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Children born to older fathers are at increased risk for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a new study has found.

Warfarin Safe During Heart Device Surgery: Study

It's safe to continue giving the blood thinner warfarin to patients undergoing surgery to implant a heart pacemaker or defibrillator, according to a new study.

Health Tip: When You're Using Crutches

If you've broken a bone in your leg or have had surgery that involves a lower limb, crutches can help keep you moving.

Health Tip: When You Shop With Children

The prospect of riding in a shopping cart may get many children excited about a trip to the grocery store.

Some Brain Cells Seem to Multitask

Certain types of "multitasking" brain cells (neurons) can correctly identify a wide variety of objects, ranging from cars to cats, a new study finds.

Early School Start Times Raise Risk of Teen Car Crashes

Starting the school day earlier may lead to more car accidents involving teenagers, new research suggests.

Old Drugs May Have New Use Against Hepatitis C

The diabetes drug metformin and the anti-obesity drug AICAR may help treat hepatitis C infections, although much more study is needed, British researchers report.

Fewer Heart Attacks After England Goes Smoke-Free

In the year after smoke-free legislation was introduced in England, there were 1,200 fewer emergency heart attack hospital admissions -- a 2.4 percent decrease, a new study shows.

Shortness Boosts Heart Disease, Death Risk: Study

Short people have a significantly increased risk of developing heart disease, a new analysis suggests.

More School Friends May = Better Grades

School friends may play a major role in your teen's academic success, a new study suggests.

1 in 4 Americans Under 65 Lacks Dental Insurance

About three-quarters (73 percent) of Americans under the age of 65 years had some type of dental coverage in 2008, but about 45 million had no coverage, according to a new report from the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics.

H1N1 Flu Acts Much Like Its Seasonal Cousin

The novel H1N1 flu seems to share many characteristics with the seasonal flu it has largely replaced, a new study indicates.

Morning Larks Outperform Night Owls on the Pitcher's Mound

If you're a baseball coach, you might want to find out whether your pitchers consider themselves to be morning larks or night owls, because a new study suggests that their sleep preferences may affect their performance.

Health Plan Reports Major Drop in Heart Attacks

In the war against heart disease, here's some good news from the front lines: A large study reports a 24 percent decline in heart attacks and a significant reduction in deaths since 1999 in one northern California population.

Epilepsy Drug Linked to Serious Birth Defects

The offspring of women who took the epilepsy drug valproic acid during the first trimester of pregnancy are much more likely to have serious births defects affecting the brain, heart and limbs, a new study finds.

Genes May Be a Source of Vitamin D Deficiency

Nutrition and sun exposure are both prime influences on an individual's vitamin D level, but a new study suggests that genetics could help determine a person's risk for vitamin D deficiency.

Health Highlights: June 9, 2010

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

Gene Copy Aberrations May Help Drive Autism

The genetic background to autism may have gotten a little clearer.

Clinical Trials Update: June 9, 2010

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

Medicare Drug Spending Varies Widely Across U.S.

Medicare patients in some regions of the United States spend significantly more on drugs than older folks elsewhere in the country, a new report finds.

Is It Safe to Go in the Gulf Coast's Water?

Now that oil and tar balls from the massive Gulf oil spill have begun washing up on the beaches of four states, many are wondering: What, if any, are the health risks to beachgoers and residents of the region?