Health News

Health News for 12/06/11

December 06, 2011

Health Tip: Are You Disposed to the Holiday Blues?

Though the holiday season is joyous for many, it can be depressing for some.

Health Tip: Boost Your Brain Power

Cognitive decline may lead to difficulty remembering, communicating or learning new tasks.

Research With Worms May Shed Light on Women's Fertility

Different molecular mechanisms may regulate the aging of the human body and the aging of the reproductive system, new research with worms suggests.

Very Low Birth Weight May Affect Adult Memory, IQ

Adults who had a very low birth weight are more likely to have memory and attention problems than those who had a low to normal birth weight, a new study says.

Vitamin D Levels Tied to Diabetes Risk in Obese Kids

Low levels of vitamin D are much more common in obese children than in those who aren't obese and are associated with insulin resistance, a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, researchers have found.

New Tests Might Better Predict Breast Cancer's Return

New research points to two gene-based methods of predicting if and when women with certain breast cancers will experience a tumor recurrence.

Rotating Shift Work May Boost Women's Diabetes Risk

Working rotating night shifts may do more than leave you tired; it may also increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, new research finds.

Mammograms Cut Risk of Breast Cancer Death by Half, Study Finds

Women who get routine mammograms can lower their risk of dying from breast cancer by nearly half, a new Dutch study suggests.

Best Antidepressant May Depend on Patient: Study

Newer antidepressants seem to be about as effective as one another, a new analysis indicates.

Targeted Drugs, Lung CT Screening Top Cancer Advances in 2011

As the war against cancer continues, a group representing U.S. oncologists has picked its "Top Five" list of advances in cancer care for 2011.

Gene Mutation Helps Clear Fats From Blood, Study Finds

A gene mutation that helps clear fat from the body has been identified by scientists, but they don't know if people with this mutation have a lower risk of heart disease or other health problems.

Most Doctors Don't Tell Parents Kids Are Overweight

Less than one-quarter of American parents with an overweight child remember ever being told by a health care professional that this was the case, a new study says.

Steroids May Boost Survival for Very Preemie Babies

Giving steroids to pregnant women at risk for preterm birth as early as 23 weeks during their pregnancy may boost an infant's overall chance of survival and reduce the baby's risk of serious developmental issues, including brain injury, a new study says.

Bed Bugs Can Bypass Pitfalls of Inbreeding, Studies Say

Bed bugs appear to breed with their close relatives, an adaptation that not only ups their "yuck" factor but also enhances the tiny bloodsuckers' ability to thrive, two new studies find.

If Parents Drink and Drive, Their Kids May Too: Study

Teens whose parents drink and drive are much more likely to do so themselves, a new U.S. government study finds.

Most U.S. Presidents Live Longer Than Their Peers

The American presidency comes with perks, from a very nice house to a handy jet at your disposal, but the job also comes with plenty of stress.

Health Highlights: Dec. 6, 2011

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

FDA Targets Homeopathic Weight Loss Products

U.S. officials on Tuesday said that they are taking action to remove controversial, unapproved and illegally labeled HCG weight loss products from the market.

Hormone Drugs Might Not Raise Heart-Related Deaths in Prostate Patients

Men with prostate cancer who are being treated with hormone therapy do not appear to be at increased risk of dying from heart disease, according to a large new review of evidence.

Diabetes, Obesity After 60 May Drive Up Breast Cancer Risk

A woman's risk of developing breast cancer appears to rise if she has diabetes or is obese after age 60, a new study indicates.