Health News

Health News for 07/14/11

July 14, 2011

Sometimes Sleeping on the Job May Be a Good Thing

Top U.S. officials who have taken a hard line against air traffic controllers napping on the job are missing an opportunity to improve air safety, sleep experts say.

Health Tip: Benefitting From Cross-Training

Cross training involves many different types of exercises, making your fitness routine more fun and beneficial.

Health Tip: Why the Frequent Nosebleeds?

Some children are more prone than others to frequent nosebleeds. While most of the time they are neither unusual or dangerous, they can be scary.

Poorer, Less Educated Youth More Prone to Hypertension

Young American adults with low incomes and less education are at increased risk for high blood pressure, a new study finds.

Rat Study Shows How Binge Drinking Harms Memory

Binge drinking may not necessarily kill or even damage brain cells, as commonly thought, a new animal study suggests.

Pets Pump You Up, Study Finds

Pets are a key source of social and emotional support for their owners, whether they are "everyday" people or those facing serious health problems, a news study finds.

Training in Positive Thinking May Help Anxious Teens

New research suggests that training kids in a positive thinking style about interactions with other people could help them overcome anxiety and prevent such problems from lingering into adulthood.

Suicide Among Veterans All Too Common, Study Finds

Military veterans who attempt suicide are not only at high risk of another suicide attempt, but have an overall heightened risk of death from all causes, new research shows.

Skin Lesions Often Misdiagnosed as Spider Bites

Misinformation about venomous spiders and spider bites often leads emergency department and primary care physicians to falsely blame the eight-legged creatures for "necrotic" skin lesions, new research indicates.

Exposure to Common Chemicals May Affect Thyroid Function

Chemicals called phthalates and bisphenol-A (BPA) that are found in solvents, plastics and numerous household products may alter levels of thyroid hormones in the body, according to a new study.

Genes Linked to Restless Legs Syndrome Identified

An international team of researchers has identified two genetic regions that seem to be implicated in restless legs syndrome.

Certain Painkillers May Raise Odds of Stroke, Heart Attack: Study

Heart disease patients with high blood pressure who take a class of painkillers called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are at greater risk for heart attack, stroke or even death, new research shows.

Can You Google Your Memory?

Before the advent of home computers and cell phones, you probably memorized a lot more information -- such as phone numbers and birthdays -- than you do now.

Antibody Finding Might Help in Search for HIV Vaccine

Researchers report that they've gained insight into the workings of the immune system's response to HIV, the AIDS virus, in certain people, potentially providing a boost as scientists work toward a vaccine.

Health Highlights: July 14, 2011

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

Food Industry Sets Standards for Advertising to Kids

A coalition of the nation's largest food makers on Thursday unveiled a plan to set new nutrition standards for foods that can be advertised to children.

Less Lighting Up in Movies Aimed at Kids

The number of films that children are likely to see that include smoking has dropped for the fifth year in a row, a new report finds.

Novel Virus 'Jumped' From Monkeys to Humans, Researchers Find

A novel version of a virus responsible for many well-known illnesses in humans and animals has managed to jump from one species and spark infection in another, according to researchers.