Monthly News Archives



		Mild Exercise Not Enough to Strengthen Bones Even mild physical activity, such as walking, gardening and working around the house, can help keep the heart healthy, but such activities do little to make bones stronger, according to a new study. Feeling Stressed Out Weakens Immune System Response People who consider themselves to be stressed out and who are anxious or otherwise psychologically distressed may be less able to fight off the diseases they have been immunized against, study findings suggest. Treat the Cause, Kill the Symptom Targeting microscopic cells that cause inflammation in lung airways may be a more effective way of reducing severe asthma attacks than treating asthma symptoms, says a British study in The Lancet journal. Breast-Feeding May Boost Baby's Own Immune System During breast-feeding, substances that protect against infection are passed from mother to child. Now a new study suggests that breast-feeding may also boost an infant's own immune response against infections later on in childhood. Born to Be a Tomboy? Why do some girls love to wear dresses and play tea party while others prefer climbing trees and playing baseball? It may have something to do with the levels of testosterone in their mother's body during pregnancy, say British researchers in a study published in the current issue of Child Development. Moderate Drinkers Take Less Sick Leave Not only may moderate drinking promote heart health, new study findings from Finland have found that people who consume alcohol a few times each week may actually miss less work. Genes Help Explain Why Low-Cal Diet Extends Life Research has shown that a low-calorie lifestyle can extend the lives of species ranging from yeast to mammals, and now scientists have evidence that two genes may be the major orchestrators of this effect. Tips On Preventing Child-Playing Fires Children playing with fire cause hundreds of fire deaths and injuries each year. Preschoolers are most likely to play with matches and lighters that lead to fires and are most likely to die in such fires, says the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Body Burns Some Fats Better After Exercise A workout can help burn the fat you eat, and keep it from adhering to your hips, even hours after you've left the gym, the results of a small new study suggest. Zinc Supplement Overdose Can Have Toxic Effects Prolonged consumption of large doses of over-the-counter mineral and vitamin supplements--such as the increasingly popular mineral zinc--can cause major health complications, California researchers warn. Skateboarding Is Safe, But It Could Be Safer A new study of injury rates shows that skateboarding is a "comparatively safe sport," but the authors urge efforts to make it even safer. 'Hot Tub Lung' May Befall Users of Dirty Hot Tubs The cases of two women with "hot tub lung" recently described by Mayo Clinic researchers reveal the potential dangers of using a hot tub without cleaning it regularly. Tryptophan May Affect Mood and Memory A chemical in turkey called tryptophan has received a lot of attention for its ability to make you feel sleepy, but Dutch researchers say tryptophan may also affect your mood and memory. Wonder What's in Your Food Other Than Food? Chemical preservatives are used to keep food fresh and slow the growth of bacteria, molds and yeasts. But which preservatives do what, and how do they actually work? An article in the current issue of Chemical and Engineering News offers some answers. 'Safer' Cigarettes May Be Not Be Safer They're sold by big tobacco companies and go by names like Advance, Eclipse and Accord. They're marketed as safer cigarettes that can lessen the risks of smoking by releasing fewer cancer-causing substances. But two new studies show these so-called safer cigarettes may not be safer at all -- and may even lead to increased addiction. Asthma Medication May Backfire People, especially children, who take high doses of the inhaled corticosteroid fluticasone for asthma may suffer acute adrenal gland problems that can result in convulsions and coma, says a study in the current issue of Archives of Disease in Childhood journal. Chores Can Give You a Good Workout If you're one of the many Americans who has trouble finding the time to work out, salvation may be as close as the broom in your closet. Don't Let the Holidays Expand Your Waist It's time to start planning how to avoid packing on the pounds as you're tempted to pack in all that delicious holiday food. Exercise Cuts Inflammation Related Protein in Blood Exercise is good for you for a number of reasons, and now researchers think they have found yet one more. Men who are physically fit tend to have lower levels of a protein linked to body-wide inflammation, new research reports. Teens Do Listen to Parents About Smoking, Drinking Contrary to popular belief, many teens and young adolescents look to parents for guidance about smoking, drinking and doing drugs, according to a new study that gauged teens' acceptance of parental authority. Handful of Nuts Every Week May Ward Off Diabetes Women who enjoy an occasional handful of almonds or walnuts or a serving of peanut butter may have a lower risk for developing type 2 diabetes than women who rarely eat such food, Harvard researchers report in a study released Tuesday. After Heart Attack, Risk May Linger for Lifetime A study of heart attack patients from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s suggests that 5% of heart attack survivors who do not receive modern medications --such as aspirin--will die each year after leaving the hospital. Dentists Check for Oral Cancers Your dentist can do more than just ensure you have a nice smile -- she can save your life by detecting oral cancer at an early stage. Moderate Beer Drinking May Be Heart Healthy Drinking a few glasses of beer with dinner may provide some protection against heart disease, Dutch researchers report. Green Trees, Sunshine in Home, Linked to Longevity Seniors who live on tree-lined streets and within walking distance of grassy parks appear to survive longer than those with less exposure to greenery, according to a team of Japanese researchers. UN Report-Young Women Are New Face of AIDS Epidemic It started as a mysterious infection among gay white men, but over two decades HIV/AIDS has exploded into the worst epidemic humanity has ever faced and is now afflicting as many women as men. US Government Asks Court to Seal Vaccine Records Attorneys for the Bush Administration asked a federal court on Monday to order that documents on hundreds of cases of autism allegedly caused by childhood vaccines be kept from the public. Married Men More Likely to Get Health Screenings Unmarried older men are less likely to get necessary health screenings than their married peers, according to a new study of men over age 65 in the UK. Drowsy Driving Can Steer You Into Disaster Accidents caused by people falling asleep at the wheel are more frequent now than ever before. Experts believe it is a consequence of everyone's relentless push to work and study harder. But the likelihood increases during the holiday season. A Working Model for Diabetes Management The U.S. federal government has joined with private business to launch a new Web site to address diabetes-related workplace issues. Sex 149 Times a Year Is Average: Global Survey Britons have sex more often than Americans and Spaniards, but are outdone between the sheets by the French, Dutch, Danes and Canadians, a survey by condom manufacturer Durex found. Some Heart Disease Risk Factors on the Rise If findings from one US city are any indication, efforts to get Americans to reduce cholesterol, stay slim and exercise more haven't fared very well over the last two decades. Healthier to Give Than to Receive That old adage about feeling good when you do something for someone else apparently has more than an emotional ring to it. Cold Sores May Be Hereditary Do you suffer from recurrent cold sores? Well, it may run in your family. University of Utah researchers say it's likely that people who are predisposed to cold sores have inherited that trait through one of six genes. HIV Prevention Saved Up to 1.5 Million Lives in U.S. Efforts to prevent new HIV infections may have saved between 204,000 and more than 1.5 million lives in the US since the 1980s, according to new estimates. Laser and Light Therapies Show Promise Laser and light treatments show promise as viable alternatives to medications for several common skin conditions, including psoriasis, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, vitiligo and hypopigmentation. Making Hospitals Safer Thousands of patients are put at risk every day by preventable medical errors that happen in hospitals. An Institute of Medicine report released a few years ago said that medical errors are responsible for thousands of deaths and near-deaths every year in hospitals. Teens Lack Knowledge on Seizures Many American teenagers don't know what to do if a friend has an epileptic seizure, says a survey by the Epilepsy Foundation. GERD: A Growing Concern Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a chronic condition that is more common than you might think but missed more often than you might guess. Educating Schools About Asthma Six strategies to help schools better manage the problems faced by students with asthma are offered in a new report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Many Older Children Struggle With Bedwetting If you've been washing your child's urine-stained bed sheets every morning for far too many years, don't punish him -- he may have a condition called nocturnal enuresis. Acupuncture May Help Ward Off Migraine Women who opt for acupuncture instead of a drug to prevent migraines report feeling fewer initial symptoms, attacks, and side effects from the treatment, new study findings report. Report Supports Folic Acid for Heart Health High blood levels of the amino acid homocysteine may raise the risk of heart disease, stroke and blood clots in the legs, a new study confirms. The good news, researchers say, is that supplements containing the B vitamin folic acid might help reduce this risk. Marijuana Smoking Tied to Depression, Schizophrenia Young people who frequently smoke marijuana may be more likely to later develop depression, anxiety and even schizophrenia, the results of three studies released Friday suggest. Type A Types Leads to High Blood Pressure If you're the type who pounds a fist on the steering wheel every time you get stuck in traffic, you may be traveling down the fast lane to high blood pressure and heart disease. Smoking During Pregnancy Linked to Kids' Obesity Smoking in pregnancy is dangerous for a number of reasons. Now a new study suggests one more-children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy may be more likely to become obese than other youngsters. Men's Deep Throat Linked to Sleep Problems Men are more likely than women to develop breathing problems during sleep that can seriously cut into their quality "z" time, and new research suggests that one portion of the male anatomy may be to blame. Smoking, Drinking Affect Mental Speed in Middle Age Middle-aged adults who enjoy a drink or two a day may be somewhat quicker mentally than their non-drinking peers, new study findings suggest. Redefining a Healthy Diet A few simple changes to the federal government's "Dietary Guidelines for Americans" could further reduce the risk of major chronic diseases, Harvard University researchers say. Criminal Charges Laid in Canadian Blood Scandal Police laid criminal charges against four doctors, the Canadian Red Cross Society and a US pharmaceutical company on Wednesday after a five-year investigation into the country's tainted blood tragedy of the 1980s. Divorce and Teens: It Takes Support Support from friends, neighbors and schools can be just as important as parental support for teenagers coping with the effects of their parents' divorce and possible remarriage, says new research. Marriage Not the Goal for All Cohabiting Couples Approximately one quarter of women living with a man say they don't ever plan on marrying him, according to new study findings. Easy Ergonomics If you've got a huge pain the neck after working on your computer, it might not be from your boss. Maybe your computer work space needs adjusting. The Cancer Vaccine of the Future? Is a new vaccine the beginning of the end of cervical cancer?The results of a new study have cancer specialists excited about a vaccine that was 100 percent effective in preventing one type of human papillomavirus, or HPV, the leading cause of cervical cancer. Nose Plugs May Help Relieve Hay Fever Woes Instead of using drugs and nasal sprays, hay fever sufferers could get relief from nose plugs that filter out the pollen that makes their lives a misery. Alarming News for Black Men's Heart Health Black men with coronary heart disease are in worse shape and less capable of exercise than their white counterparts. ID Checks Don't Deter Teens from Buying Cigs Teens can often illegally buy cigarettes, even when they show store clerks a valid photo ID that proves they're underage, a new study shows. Just Can't Wait? High Blood Pressure May Be Result If you are impatient or often feel pressed for time, there is a good chance you will develop high blood pressure--and at a relatively young age. That finding is from the first study to look at a link between hypertension and a "type A" behavior trait called time urgency/impatience, researchers reported here at the American Heart Association meeting. Study Says Soy Nuts Combat High Blood Pressure Eating dry-roasted soy nuts may help post-menopausal women lower their blood pressure, according to a study released on Tuesday. Hormone Therapy, Vitamins Don't Help Heart Antioxidant vitamins, either alone or in combination with hormone replacement therapy (HRT), do not appear to provide any heart health benefits to postmenopausal women. Anger Tears Your Heart Apart High hostility levels may predict heart disease more often than other more commonly recognized risk factors such as cigarette smoking, weight and high cholesterol, says a study in the November issue of Health Psychology. Many Adults Not Controlling Blood Pressure At least one half of older adults with high blood pressure do not have their pressure controlled to levels that would limit their risk of heart disease and stroke, according to a large national study. More Kids May Have Peanut Allergies More children are becoming sensitized to peanuts, and it could be because more pregnant and breast-feeding women are eating peanuts, British researchers reported on Monday. U.S. Government Releases New Cancer Statistics Breast cancer and prostate cancer head the list of the most common cancers, regardless of race, among American men and women, cancer experts announced. Sleep Apnea, Stuttering May Be Linked Stuttering and a serious form of snoring known as sleep apnea may be linked, and both conditions may be caused by brain damage sustained early in life, US researchers announced. Rh Incompatibility Could Up Schizophrenia Risk A blood mismatch between a pregnant woman and her fetus may double the risk of schizophrenia, according to the results of a new study. Doctors' Groups Issue Migraine Guidelines The nation's two largest groups of primary care physicians are issuing their first set of guidelines for the prevention and treatment of migraines. Low-Carb Diet Being Tested After years of dismissing the high-fat, low-carbohydrate Atkins diet, the medical establishment is at last putting it to a careful test and finding it might not be the nutritional folly they long assumed. Mom's Food Tastes Shape Child's Preferences Mothers who bemoan their child's preference for toffee over tofu might want to examine their own diet, researchers suggest. Coffee Ingredient Beyond Caffeine May Affect Heart The mysteries hidden inside a coffee cup may be more multi-layered than many realized, results from a small study suggest. Alcohol, Hormones May Increase Breast Cancer Risk Previous research has suggested that postmenopausal women who either drink alcohol or use hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have a higher than average risk of breast cancer, and new evidence suggests that the combination of both could up the risk more than either alone. Eat Fish to Keep Heart Healthy People should try to eat at least two servings of fish every week to get a good dose of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). Study Finds Offspring of Centenarians Healthier Whether it's the genes or the lifestyle, living to an old age appears to confer benefits to one's children. Popular Buckwheat Pillows May Trigger Allergy Though often touted as hypoallergenic, pillows containing buckwheat husks may be anything but a dream for some users. Fighting Fat in Kids Can exercise and nutritious snacks in the after-school hours help counter high obesity rates in American children? Tips to Keep Your Sleep Peaceful Everybody knows that a good night's sleep is essential. However, sleep patterns change as we grow older, and the incidence of sleep disorders increases with age. For men, there are new clues that point to reasons why this might be true. Drug-Resistant Germs: Food for Thought In the campaign to educate people about the danger of over-prescribing antibiotics, victories seem to be coming in small doses. Male Fertility Technique Produces Healthy Kids Children born after a technique used to treat male infertility are as physically and mentally healthy as children conceived naturally, a study of 5-year olds shows. Red Meat Increases Risk of Colorectal Cancer An increase in colorectal cancer among Chinese people living in Singapore can be linked to a diet high in red meat and low in vegetables. Possible Link Found Between Virus and Colon Cancer A common type of herpesvirus may play a role in the development of colorectal cancer, preliminary research suggests. Skiers and Snowboarders Need Helmets Skiers and snowboarders should wear helmets to protect themselves from traumatic brain injuries, according to a new report. Sex Urged for More Productivity Healthy sex lives make happy workers, who will in turn create a more robust economy, says Emil Ng, sex therapist and founder of the Asian Federation of Sexology. Extra Pounds Increase Stroke Risk Obese, middle-age women have thicker carotid artery walls, putting them at greater risk for stroke. Full of Excuses? Deflecting Blame Not Always Wise Excuses for bad behavior may abound in our but-it's-not-my-fault culture, but researchers say that shifting blame from one's self can often backfire. Quitting Smoking May Be All in the Genes If you're a smoker with a specific genetic variant, you may be more susceptible to cigarette cravings and relapse when you try to quit smoking. German Elder Care Costs May Not Doom Health System The cost of treating elderly patients in German hospitals with life-threatening diseases is far less than treatment costs for people younger than retirement age, which could mean that Germany's rapidly aging population is not the ticking healthcare-spending time bomb that some believe, according to a German researcher. Life Expectancy Gap Due to Smoking, HIV, Diabetes Blacks and the less educated in the US have life expectancies about 6 years shorter than their white and better-educated counterparts, respectively. Now a new report suggests that smoking-related diseases are largely to blame when it comes to cutting the life expectancy of people with lower levels of education. After First Baby, Husband's Share of Housework Key After the arrival of baby, new fathers can help hold on to marital harmony by picking up a broom more often, according to new research. Ionized Bracelets for Pain Relief? Save Your Money Although some consumers swear by the pain-relieving power of ionized bracelets--devices made of copper and zinc and widely sold over the Internet--a new study has found no evidence that they work, Mayo Clinic researchers report. Smoking Starts in Summer Months, When School's Out More teens start smoking during the summer months than any other season, according to new research. Exercise Well Into Your Golden Years Regular aerobic exercise may keep you healthy well into your golden years. Growth Hormone 'Not Ready' As Anti-Aging Weapon The health disadvantages of using growth hormone to fight the aging process far outweigh any benefit it may carry, new research says. Twins Not Identical in Every Way Identical twins may be alike in most every way, but their levels of emotional distress can differ depending on their religious beliefs and their relationships with their mothers and teachers. Infants Born Prematurely Take Longer to Process Information Premature infants as a group take longer to process information than full-term infants, New York researchers have found. Cut Salt, Save Lives, Experts Tell Food Industry Approximately 150,000 deaths could be prevented each year if the food industry were to make a few feasible cutbacks in the amount of salt (sodium) added to foods, according to a group of experts. Married Women Have the Best Sex Forget forbidden flings and passionate one night stands, it's married women who enjoy the best sex. No Smooth Sailing in Love When Mate Is Always #1 Men and women who are searching for their soul mate should steer clear of people who show signs of being hypercompetitive, study findings suggest. If not, they may be headed for rocky-road relationships that are full of conflict and emotional pain. Walking Cuts Hip Fracture Risk in Older Women Older adults are at risk for hip fracture, a major cause of illness and disability. But lowering the risk may be as easy as taking regular leisurely walks, researchers report. Day Care May Be Source of Kids' Allergies Parents looking for the culprit behind their child's allergy to house dust and cockroaches should consider their child's day care center or school as a possible source of exposure to such allergens, study findings suggest. Brain Training Improves Memory in Elderly Keeping the brain sharp through classes, puzzles or memory games may slow the pace of age-related memory loss in older adults, study findings suggest. Americans with Bad Habits Claim 'Excellent' Health Nearly one in five US workers claims to be in excellent health--despite being overweight, smoking, drinking too much or never exercising, according to a survey released on Monday. Foods Cooked at High Heat Linked to Inflammation People with diabetes may be able to lower their risk of heart disease by consuming cool foods, or dishes cooked at relatively low temperatures, such as salads and tuna fish, preliminary research suggests. Running Postpones Disability in Older Folks Running and other aerobic exercise seem to help older people stave off disability and live longer, according to the results of a new study. Asian, Black Undergrads Need More Exercise Many college students--particularly Asian and African-American women--do not regularly participate in vigorous physical activity, even though recreational facilities and other resources are available to them on campus, study findings show. British Study Warns of Health Danger of Cannabis Smoking three pure cannabis joints is as bad for your lungs as smoking 20 normal cigarettes and marijuana is more dangerous now than it was in the 1960s. Secret of Sickle-Cell Pain Uncovered New research may help explain what causes some of the painful symptoms of sickle cell disease. A Look at the Alternative in Medicine A $1 million study lasting nearly two years will examine the scientific and policy implications of the use of complementary and alternative medicine by Americans. Sperm Quality Poorer in Rural Men Men who live in rural parts of the United States have poorer sperm quality than men in urban areas, a new study contends, and farm pesticides may be to blame. A Soda a Day Keeps the Vitamins Away Soft drinks may fill you up, but they let you down when it comes to vitamins and minerals. Healthy Teeth Linked to Better Quality of Life Three out of four people in the UK believe the health of their teeth and gums has a significant impact on their quality of life, according to the results of a new survey. Heavy Coffee Drinking Lowers Diabetes Risk Good news for coffee drinkers. The cup that helps millions of people get started in the morning, and several more cups throughout the day, may reduce the risk of diabetes. Patients Seek Internet Rx People seeking information about medical procedures are more than twice as likely to get it from the Internet as they are from their doctors, says a survey by the American Academy of Dermatology. Men Suffer More from Exertional Headaches Who's more likely to say, "Sorry honey, I have a headache?" A man or a woman? Exercise Hits Cholesterol Risk Need another reason to exercise? Scientists have discovered it makes cholesterol less dangerous. Even A Little Alcohol Affects Brain Even a single drink of alcohol is enough to impair someone's ability to reason quickly and detect errors, according to a study that electronically monitored brain waves in volunteers given drinks. More Supermarkets Linked to Healthier Diets Opening more supermarkets in African-American neighborhoods may be a good way to encourage residents to eat more fruits and vegetables and otherwise maintain a healthy diet, study findings suggest. What Makes a Good Leader? Fairness, Selflessness Leaders who want to inspire members of a group to cooperate would do well to appear willing to sacrifice their own wants for the good of the group, new study findings show. The Pitfalls of Over-the-Counter Painkillers Your over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain medications may not just kill pain -- they may kill you. Making It Easy to Get in Shape Making it easy for people to exercise encourages even the most unlikely folks to become fitness enthusiasts and improve their health. Actively Aging Staying active as you age helps you remain healthy and feel better. But you need to exercise safely. Check out these tips. 'Good' Cholesterol Helps Very Old Keep Their Smarts While it's well known that high levels of "good" cholesterol reduce a person's risk of heart disease, experts now report that maintaining high levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) may also help the very old stay sharp. Pressure on the Job Thwarts Exercise Plans New study findings back up what most stressed-out workers already know: intense job demands often prevent people from exercising. Leg Exercises May Help Heart Failure Breathlessness The study of 25 men and women with heart failure found that those who trained their leg muscles with supervised, low-intensity exercises saw improvements in breathlessness--a common and physically limiting symptom of heart failure. Aging Brain Doesn't Lose Language Skills Normal age-related declines in brain activity don't hinder language processing. That's the claim of a study being presented at the Society for Neurosciences meeting in Orlando, Fla. Babies Look to Eyes for Information New research provides evidence to support the theory that babies use the direction of an adult's eyes to tell them what to look at. Garlic May Prevent Cancer Men in China have the lowest rate of prostate cancer in the world, and a diet rich in garlic, shallots and onions may be one of the reasons. Too Much Screen Time Can Make Computer Users Sick The more time an office worker toils in front of a computer, the more likely he or she is to suffer a host of physical, mental and sleep-related ills, Japanese researchers report. Stomach-Shrinking Surgery Emerges As Drastic Remedy For Obese Kids Drastic surgery for obesity, once viewed as suitable only for adults, is emerging as an option for children, a new pediatrics report says. Emotions Grow Stronger with Age: Study Just because grandma and grandpa do not cry at weddings or stamp their feet in anger and frustration when something goes wrong does not mean that they are less emotional than younger people, new study findings show. Red Wine Component to Be Studied Against Cancer Scientists in Britain and the US announced plans to begin studying a possible new cancer prevention drug based on resveratrol, a natural compound found in red wine. Spouses That Help Too Much Can Hurt More, Too Spouses that attend to their partners' chronic back pain--by focusing on the pain, giving them a massage or glass of water--may unknowingly make the pain feel worse, new research shows. If You Like the Sex, You Like the Relationship People who say they are satisfied with the sexual aspect of their relationship are also likely to say they are content with the relationship itself, and may feel relatively more love and commitment toward their partner, according to results from a study of unmarried college students. How Women See Men May Vary with Cycle During especially fertile days of a woman's menstrual cycle, she may be slightly quicker to identify a man as a man and to associate him with certain gender-linked qualities, the findings from a small new study suggest. Testosterone in Blood Linked to Better Memory Older men with relatively high levels of testosterone in their blood tend to outperform others in tests of memory and other aspects of mental functioning, according to new study findings. Evidence of How Food Might Shift Body Clock The body has an internal clock that affects vital signs such as temperature and blood pressure and also influences when we sleep and wake. Overweight Boys Reach Sexual Maturity Later Overweight boys are likely to finish puberty later than their leaner peers, the exact opposite of the weight-maturity relationship seen in girls, a new study shows. Parents' Behavior Prompts Kids to Smoke "Hey, kid! Got a light?" When that question comes from a parent, the child is more likely to start smoking, reports a study being presented today at the 68th annual international scientific assembly of the American College of Chest Physicians in San Diego. Chronic Stress Beats Down Immune System Chronic stress isn't just a burden on your mind, it can interfere with the normal function of your body's immune system. Study Ties 250 Baby Deaths Yearly to Drug Reactions Nearly 250 infants and toddlers may die every year from bad reactions to drugs and treatments that no longer have to be tested in the youngest patients. Web Sites Promote Anorexia and Bulimia as a 'Lifestyle' Dozens of sites that promote anorexia -- and the related illness bulimia -- as a lifestyle choice rather than a mental disorder are flourishing on the Internet. Antidepressants: Too Much of a Good Thing? Now that some of the stigma of mental illness has been stripped away, more than ever before are reaching out for help with depression. Blood Clots: What You Don't Know Can Kill You Along with the public service signs denouncing smoking and promoting blood donations, the corridors of the Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans are now plastered with posters warning of two little-known dangers: Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms. Can a Used Mattress Cause SIDS? A baby who sleeps on a mattress that was used by another child may be at increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), a Scottish study finds. Choosing the Right Shoes As You Age As your feet grow older, they develop more problems. Wearing the right shoes will help prevent many foot woes. Be Smart Before You Commit to Surgery All surgery carries risks, so it's best to know as much as you can before hopping onto an operating table. Psychological Stress Does Not Cause Cancer Mothers who experience the stress associated with a child's death have a slightly higher risk of developing cancer than those who do not experience such an event, new study findings show. But contrary to widely held beliefs, the stress did not seem to cause the cancer, researchers in Denmark report. Teen Dies After Following High-Protein Diet Missouri doctors describe the case of an apparently healthy 16-year-old girl who collapsed suddenly and died after spending one to two weeks on a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet. More Diabetics Try to Avoid Foot, Eye Damage Over the past few years, a growing number of diabetics have adopted standard techniques to prevent complications from their illness, such as monitoring their feet, eyes and blood sugar levels, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).