Health News

Health News for 09/16/10

September 16, 2010

Health Tip: Prevent Passing Germs

Viruses that cause the common cold or flu are spread in droplets produced when a person coughs or sneezes, a process the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls "droplet spread."

Health Tip: When Warts May Be Serious

Warts are small bumps, caused by a virus, that develop on the skin. While they're generally not cause for concern, some symptoms indicate that a doctor should examine a wart.

Teacher Interaction Key to Pre-K Success: Study

Interaction with teachers plays a crucial role in pre-kindergarteners' development of language and math skills, especially for children from low-income families, finds a new study.

For Common Warts, Freezing Therapy Works Best: Study

When it comes to ridding yourself of common warts, freezing -- also known as cryotherapy -- works better than applying salicylic acid, another common treatment, a new Dutch study finds.

Placebo Pill Gives Boost to Some Women's Sex Drive

About one-third of women given a placebo pill to treat a low libido reported improvements in their sex lives, a finding researchers say is evidence of the powerful and somewhat mysterious mind-body connection surrounding arousal and desire.

Severe Acne May Increase Suicidal Thoughts in Teens

Increased risk of depression and suicidal thoughts among teens with severe acne may be related to the acne itself, and not acne medications, the results of a new study suggest.

Diet to Prevent Hypertension Also Helps Prevent Kidney Stones

Eating a diet designed to combat high blood pressure may also help prevent kidney stones, researchers report.

Brain Anomalies Found in Moms With Postpartum Depression

Women with postpartum depression have differences in brain functioning that may interfere not only with how they process their own emotions, but also with their ability to be responsive to the emotions of their infants, new research suggests.

Tracking Groups of Friends May Aid Flu Surveillance

Social networks may help health officials predict epidemics of flu and other infectious diseases, according to new research.

Age-Related Mental Decline May Be Less Than Thought

All mental abilities appear to decline with advancing age, but the decreases aren't as sharp as some research has suggested, a new study contends.

Noninvasive Brain Stimulation May Aid Stroke Recovery

A noninvasive method of brain stimulation helped partially paralyzed stroke patients regain a significant amount of muscle function, a new study indicates.

Multitasking Either Makes or Breaks Job Satisfaction: Study

People who like to multitask may be less likely to suffer job burnout, according to researchers who developed a new tool to measure a person's preference for multitasking.

Depression, Heart Disease Combo May Up Odds of Death

People with both heart disease and depression are much more likely to die than those with just one of the conditions or neither illness, a new study shows.

Low-Dose Aspirin May Reduce Colon Cancer Risk

Taking low-dose aspirin daily may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, new research finds.

Health Highlights: Sept. 16, 2010

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

Clinical Trials Update: Sept. 16, 2010

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

Childhood Vaccination Rates Remain High in U.S.

U.S. childhood immunization rates remain high, with coverage for most routine vaccines at or over 90 percent, a new federal report shows.

Use of Marijuana, Ecstasy, Methamphetamine on Rise in U.S.

Illegal drug use in the United States increased from 2008 to 2009, federal drug officials reported Thursday, citing growing acceptance of marijuana and an upswing in ecstasy and methamphetamine use.

Feeling Introspective? Your Brain Structure May Be Key

Why is it that some people are much better at turning their thoughts inward and reflecting on their decisions than others? The answer, neuroscientists say, may come down partly to differences in brain structure.

More Evidence That Glucosamine, Chondroitin Won't Help Ailing Joints

Although millions take supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin to relieve the pain of osteoarthritis in their hips and knees, there is no evidence that these supplements have any healing effect, finds a new analysis of large-scale studies.