Health News

Health News for 06/23/10

June 23, 2010

Tests Help Predict Which Parkinson's Patients Are Likely to Fall

Tests that can predict the risk a Parkinson's patient has of falling are outlined in a new study.

Health Tip: Is it a Concussion?

A concussion is a brain injury that's generally caused by a strong blow to the head.

Health Tip: If Your Child Stutters

Stuttering is an interrupted pattern of speech, often characterized by words, letters or syllables being repeated or delayed.

Study Shows Courage Sparks Certain Parts of Brain

Scientists have uncovered new details about brain mechanisms associated with courage.

Mouse Study Sheds Light on Diabetes-Heart Disease Link

A potential link between diabetes and a heightened risk of heart disease and sudden cardiac death has been spotted by researchers studying mice.

Urban Sprawl Could Make Cities Hotter

If global warming does drive temperatures upward, cities with urban sprawl may be more prone to extreme heat than less spread-out centers, new research suggests.

Seasonality of Child Abuse Could Be a Myth

Rates of child abuse in the United States are steady throughout the year and don't increase during the winter, says a new study challenging the widespread belief that there are more cases in the winter months, especially during the holiday season.

Poor Breast Cancer Survival in Blacks May Not Be Due to Race

Underinsured black breast cancer patients have worse survival outcomes than underinsured white patients, a new U.S. study has found.

Tailored Treatment for Advanced Lung Cancer?

Advanced lung cancer is notoriously hard to treat, but a team of Japanese scientists reports that a cancer drug known as Iressa was significantly more effective than standard chemotherapy for patients with a certain genetic profile.

Treatment Helped Soldiers With Migraine, Insomnia: Study

Treatment helped improve sleep quality for U.S. soldiers who suffered from migraine headaches after returning from the war in Iraq, a new study found.

Abuse May Raise Risk of Heart Attack, Stroke in Migraine Sufferers

Adults who suffer migraines and were victims of childhood abuse or neglect face an increased risk for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, a new study suggests.

Study Clears Cell Phone Towers of Childhood Cancer Connection

Living near a cell phone tower while you're pregnant doesn't raise your baby's risk of developing a childhood cancer, British researchers report.

U.S. Health Care Ranks Low Among Developed Nations: Report

Compared with six other industrialized nations, the United States ranks last when it comes to many measures of quality health care, a new report concludes.

Experts Try to Gauge Health Effects of Gulf Oil Spill

This Tuesday and Wednesday, a high-ranking group of expert government advisors is meeting to outline and anticipate potential health risks from the Gulf oil spill -- and find ways to minimize them.

Better Rx for Cirrhosis-Linked Bleeding

Patients with cirrhosis of the liver who suffer acute variceal bleeding have improved chances for survival if a shunt is used earlier rather than later, a new study finds.

Health Highlights: June 23, 2010

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

Clinical Trials Update: June 23, 2010

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

Expert Challenges New Mammogram Guidelines

A new report challenges the 2009 recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force that women between 40 and 49 who are not at high risk of breast cancer can probably wait to get a mammogram until 50, and even then only need the exam every two years.

Aging Swingers at High STD Risk

All those wild and crazy nights may be catching up with swingers as they age, new research found.

Stem Cell Technique Restores Sight to Burn-Injured Eyes

A new Italian study describes a technique that doctors can use to restore vision to some patients with severe burns to their eyes.