Monthly News Archives



		Grandpa's Diet May Affect Grandkids' Disease Risk We are what we eat, or so the saying goes, but new research suggests that we may be what our parents and grandparents ate as well. Coffee Linked to Mental Abilities in Elderly Women Elderly women who drank relatively large amounts of coffee over their lifetimes appear to out-perform less frequent coffee drinkers in certain tests of mental abilities, according to new study findings. Think Safety on Halloween Night When all the wee goblins and ghouls come out tonight to celebrate Halloween, make sure the scares and frights are only imaginary. Increase Your Heart Rate with Household Chores According to cardiologists at the Medical College of Wisconsin, household chores will get your heart rate going and work off those extra calories. Help Your Child Cope With a More Stressful World They don't have to deal with grueling commutes, bad bosses or endless streams of bills. But children, even young ones, are increasingly struggling with the stresses of modern life, child development experts say. Heart Failure Declines in Women, but Not Men New cases of heart failure have declined steadily for women over the last 50 years, but the rates remain nearly unchanged in men, new study findings show. Most Parents Say TV Programming Going Downhill Nearly half of parents in a new survey say they worry that their child spends too much time watching TV, and most feel TV programming is getting worse and worse in terms of "bad language and adult themes," according to a new report. 2-Year-Olds Have Better Memories Scientists have confirmed what many mothers know: that a one-year-old child's absent-mindedness is replaced with robust memory-recall in the second year of life. WHO-Lifestyle Major Cause of Global Health Problems The World Health Organization released a major report Wednesday fingering alcohol, tobacco, high blood pressure and high cholesterol as some the biggest causes of illness and death worldwide--including the developing world. Depo-Provera Users Can Miss Unplanned Pregnancies Just a tiny fraction of the women who use the injected hormonal birth-control method called Depo-Provera become pregnant, but many of those who do don't realize they are pregnant until after the first trimester, US researchers report. Parasomnia Sleep Disorders Does your spouse or partner shriek, grind, mumble, thrash about or even eat in their sleep? These are all symptoms of "parasomnias," sleeping disorders that include sleep-talking, teeth grinding, night terrors and, yes, even sleep-eating. Breast-Feeding May Lower Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk Women who spend a total of 2 or more years of their lives breast-feeding may be less likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than those who breast-feed for 3 months or less, new study findings show. Day Care May Cut Allergy Risk, Raise Asthma Risk Children who spend time in day care centers or have many siblings may have a lower risk of developing seasonal allergies but an increased risk of asthma, according to the results of a European study. Bifocals May Up Risk of Falling in Older Adults A single pair of glasses that corrects both close and distant vision may increase the risk of falls in older adults, researchers report. Long-Term Hormone Therapy No Help for Alzheimer's Long-term hormone therapy, taken in the traditional continuous manner, doesn't improve symptoms of Alzheimer's disease in women and may make memory loss worse, a new rat study suggests. Back Pain Could Be From the Brain Abnormal pain-processing pathways in the brain may be the culprit in people who have lower back pain that doctors can't trace to a specific physical cause, says a study presented this weekend at the American College of Rheumatology's annual meeting in New Orleans. Cutting Calories May Keep Heart Young Cutting calories may do more than help people shed excess weight, research suggests. According to a new report, a low-calorie diet may also slow age-related changes in the heart's genes that can lead to chronic disease. Nicotine 'Cooks' Proteins in the Body As if smokers need another reason to kick the habit, California scientists have discovered that a byproduct of nicotine, the substance that makes cigarettes so addictive, causes a type of chemical reaction in the body similar to that which occurs when sugar is scorched or food goes bad. This reaction is thought to play a role in diabetes, cancer and other diseases. Aspirin, Acetaminophen Linked to High Blood Pressure New research suggests that young and middle-aged women who take painkillers such as Tylenol, Motrin and Advil may be setting themselves up for significantly higher blood pressure even if they don't already suffer from hypertension. Magazines Feature Breast Cancer More Than Heart Disease Heart disease is a much greater threat to women's health than breast cancer, yet most popular magazines, and women's magazines in particular, devote more space to covering breast cancer, new study findings show. CDC Issues New Hand Hygiene Guidelines The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new hand hygiene guidelines here Friday that recommend that healthcare facilities across the nation begin to use alcohol-based hand rubs to cut the risk of spreading germs to patients. Health Programs Being Emphasized at Churches It's preached in the pulpit and takes place among the pews, but the focus is not so much on saving your soul as it is on lowering your body fat, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. Another Way Your Heart Can Give Out on You A newly recognized type of congestive heart failure kills more Americans than the more widely known form of the disease. A new study makes that claim in a recent issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. USDA Offers Handy Free Nutrient Info Database The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has just made it easier for people with Palm Pilots and other handheld personal digital assistants (PDAs) to maintain healthy diets while on the go. Canada Urged to Spend Billions More on Health Care The Canadian Senate said on Friday that Ottawa should pump C$5 billion ($3.2 billion) more a year into the creaking healthcare system, putting more pressure on Finance Minister John Manley as he prepares to deliver a budget in February. Depression Common in Teens, but Few Seek Help Although over one third of adolescents and young adults report having had at least one episode of depression, less than 20% seek help for it, Dr. Stephanie A. Riole reported here at the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry's annual meeting. Study: 1 in 3 Adults Has Arthritis Arthritis and other chronic joint problems are far more widespread than estimated just five years ago, affecting one in three U.S. adults, or 69.9 million people in all, the government said Thursday in the first comprehensive survey of the disease. What's So Special About Chocolate? Virtually everyone likes chocolate, and no other food resembles chocolate in flavour, aroma and texture. Chocolate is also highest on the list of foods subject to cravings. So why is it our mouths start watering when we see chocolate? How come so many people experience cravings for chocolate? This article sums up some of the most plausible theories as to why we like chocolate. Study Ties Fish-Rich Diet to Lower Dementia Risk Fish may indeed be "brain food," if new study findings are any indication. French researchers found that among the elderly adults they studied, those who regularly ate fish and other seafood at the study's start were less likely than others to develop dementia--including Alzheimer's disease--over the next 7 years. Kids Need to Warm Up Before Exercise, Too Older athletes know the importance of warm-up exercises. But children also need to do them to avoid injuries and perhaps avoid developing arthritis when they get older, experts say. Antibacterial Soap a Waste of Time, Experts Say It may be virtually impossible to buy soap in the United States that is not "antibacterial," but such products are a waste of time, experts said on Thursday. Not only that, but their heavy use could contribute to a whole new breed of hard-to-kill superbugs, the researchers told a meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Excess More Common in Beer Than Wine Drinkers People who prefer wine are less likely to become heavy drinkers or to develop cirrhosis compared with those who prefer to drink beer. These are the conclusions of a large population study conducted in Denmark and presented here this week at the Wine and Health International Congress. Similar Patterns Seen in Murderers� Brains Using imaging techniques that allow them to map the brain with growing precision, scientists have found subtle but similar patterns in the brain activity of people who commit violent crimes. Extra Midlife Body Fat May Up Risk of Parkinson's Men who lug around excess body fat through middle age may be at an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease, new research suggests. Korean Red Ginseng May Treat Impotence Korean red ginseng, a herb considered an aphrodisiac in some Asian countries, seems to be an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction, according to the results of a small study from Korea. White-Collar Teen Workers Face High Body Pain Risk Teens employed in so-called "white-collar" jobs such as office work and sales are more likely than those doing more physical work to develop musculoskeletal pain, such as in their back or neck, new research reports. Sauerkraut a Cancer Fighter Here's an excuse to go out to the ballpark, or at least a Polish deli: Sauerkraut, that favored hot dog topping, has powerful anti-cancer properties. Psychological Abuse Dangerous Psychological abuse by an intimate partner can be as dangerous as sexual or physical abuse in terms of putting victims at risk for long-term physical and mental health problems. Vitamins to Save Eyes Could Save Money, Too Giving high-dose vitamin therapy to people suffering from the leading cause of age-related blindness could save money, as well as their sight, a Canadian researcher told attendees of the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology here. Any Exercise Is Better Than No Exercise A little bit of exercise is better than no exercise at all. Honolulu Called 'Healthiest' City in U.S. for Men Health-conscious men looking to settle down in more hale and hearty environs need to look no further than Honolulu, Hawaii, according to a new survey from Men's Health magazine, which ranked the island paradise number 1 in its latest "best and worst" cities list. Fast Food Menus Offer Healthier Alternatives to High-Fat Meals Feeling guilty about noshing on fatty, junky fast food because you're just too busy? "Many of the foods served by fast-food restaurants are high in fat and calories," says nutritional consultant Rose Reisman, "but if you examine the menu carefully, you will find plenty of lower-fat healthier choices." Weight Training May Help Heart Moderate physical activity is good for preventing heart disease, but revving up the pace may be better � especially if combined with weight-training, a Harvard study of more than 40,000 men suggests. Diet, Exercise Said to Help Heart in Three Weeks As little as three weeks of eating healthily and exercising can significantly lower a man's risk of heart disease by reducing blood pressure and cholesterol, researchers reported. Gardening Influences Tots' Views on Veggies Let preschoolers get their hands dirty in a garden, and you might see a shift in their attitudes toward vegetables, new study findings suggest. Warm Up to the Warm-Up Rushing into a game of soccer or turning cartwheels without stretching first could be harmful to childrens' able-yet-vulnerable bodies. Fructose May Cause Gas and Stomach Discomfort Fructose, the simple sugar found in honey, fruits and some soft drinks, may be to blame for unexplained stomach ailments such as cramps, gas and diarrhea. Trust Kids To Eat Well Parents, just learn to trust your kids at the table. That's the message coming from childhood nutrition experts. Left to their own devices, children will know when, what and how much to eat. Keeping Active Helps Irritable Bowel Patients Cope A study presented found that exercise may help patients to cope with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Prevention Key to Fighting Obesity in Kids-Docs Prevention, not treatment, will help contain the growing epidemic of obesity among children, according to speakers who addressed the topic here Sunday at the American Academy of Pediatrics' National Conference. Low-Carb Diet Deemed Safe over Short Term People who follow a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet for 6 months may lose more weight than those on a standard low-fat diet, and they appear to experience no cardiovascular problems as a result. Magnesium May Improve African Americans' Health Paying more attention to magnesium intake could greatly improve the health of African Americans, making them less prone to high blood pressure, diabetes, heart and kidney problems, a New York researcher reported here Saturday at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Most Care About Healthy Eating, Some Still Ignore Most are generally aware of the importance of healthy eating, but about one third of the population remains unconcerned about their own dietary habits, according to new survey results. Community Anti-Drug Program Didn't Work A program designed to build a community anti-drug coalition did nothing to lower rates of substance abuse among adolescents or adults, according to a new report. World Bank Commits $1 Billion to Fight Africa AIDS The World Bank has committed $1 billion to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa and much of the support will be in the form of grants, the bank's Vice President for Africa Callisto Madavo said Sunday. Acid Reflux Can Be a Night Stalker For people with acid reflux, the worst damage is often done while they sleep. That's the conclusion of a new study presented at the American College of Gastroenterology's anunual meeting in Seattle. Children Who Dine in Classroom Eat More In a two-year study among third graders, researchers at Columbus Children's Hospital found children who dined in the classroom with the teacher ate 21 percent more of their school lunches when compared to children who dined in a cafeteria setting. Surgery Doesn't Always Do the Trick for GERD At least 50 percent of those who have surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) still need drugs to ease their chronic indigestion, according to new research. Pregnancy and the Medicine Dilemma You're pregnant, and suddenly laid low by a cold or strep throat. Should you take medicine? Stressful Work Tied to Heart Disease Death Risk People who put much more into their jobs than they get back may be more likely to die of heart disease than those with more satisfying work, new study findings suggest. Thumb-, Pacifier-Sucking Affects Toddlers' Teeth Too much pacifier- and thumb-sucking after age 2 can lead to persistent dental problems in preschoolers, according to an Iowa researcher. Index Finger Length Can Predict Penis Size On the heels of a previous report that debunked the notion that a man's shoe size could be used to estimate the length of his penis, a new study now claims that those with inquiring minds need merely take a gander at a man's forefinger. When Your Spouse Falls Ill Working wives in late midlife looking after ill or disabled husbands are five times more likely to retire than those who aren't providing care for their husbands. Exercise, Moderate Drinking Keeps Seniors Active A new study has found that while people with certain health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure, seem to decline more as they age, seniors who exercise regularly and drink occasionally seem better able to maintain their abilities to carry out their daily activities. WHO Atlas Maps Global Tobacco Epidemic Tobacco kills 560 people every hour or 13,400 people per day or 4.9 million people per annum. This death and disease toll spares no nations and no people. WHO's new Tobacco Atlas presents a visual view of this galloping worldwide epidemic. Task Force Advises Against HRT for Heart Disease Combined estrogen and progestin hormone replacement therapy (HRT) should not be used to prevent heart disease, osteoporosis or other chronic conditions in postmenopausal women, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) announced this week. WHO Report: Reducing Risks, Promoting Healthy Life October 31, 2002 sees the official publication of this year's World Health Report, which is the outcome of one of the largest research projects ever undertaken by the World Health Organization. The report measures the amount of disease, disability and death in the world today that can be attributed to some of the most important risks to human health. It then goes on to calculate how much of this present burden could be avoided in the next 20 years. Fish Oil May Help Relieve Stubborn Depression Daily supplements of an omega-3 fatty acid--found in fish and fish oil--may help alleviate the symptoms of depression in patients who do not respond to standard antidepressant medications, new research findings suggest. Chinese Herbals Studied as Hepatitis B Treatment Chinese herbal medicine, commonly used to treat chronic hepatitis B in China, may be effective against the virus, particularly when combined with interferon medical treatment, according to an analysis of 27 studies published in Chinese-language medical journals and Western medical literature. Aging Population May Tax Blood Reserves As the population of older folks increases, the amount of blood kept on reserve for transfusions may fall short of demand, according to a new UK report. Mist Doesn't Alleviate Croup Despite a long tradition of use, mist appears to offer no benefit to children with croup, Canadian researchers report. Winter Wardrobe Winter weather is no excuse to skip your outdoor exercise. In fact, jogging or walking when it's cold outside can be more invigorating than exercising in warm temperatures. Midweek Fatigue You may have midweek fatigue -- a common offshoot of frenzied schedules and fast-paced living. According to the American Dietetic Association, a few lifestyle changes can boost your energy levels and delay the slump. Growth Spurt in Brain Causes Teenage Anxiety Parents of teenagers can breathe a sigh of relief; scientists believe they have discovered the cause of teenage angst. 'No More Tears' Onions? It May Be Possible Researchers from Japan have discovered that the tear-inducing substance in onions is produced by a compound that, contrary to previous expectations, has nothing to do with the onion's flavor. Italian Study Confirms Loud Snoring, Stroke Link An Italian study provides further evidence that snoring not only annoys a person's bed partner; it may also be a risk factor for stroke. Rapid Early Growth Linked to Type 1 Diabetes Babies and toddlers who grow relatively quickly may have a higher risk of developing type 1 diabetes before adolescence, according to a new report. Testosterone Fluctuation Tied to Women's Sex Drive A fluctuating level of testosterone may account for a reduced libido in women in their 30s and 40s, researchers report. Very Elderly Have Eluded Many Major Disease Killers Those hardy individuals who make it to the 100-year mark have essentially "outlived" the major causes of death in the general population, including most of the diseases for which lifestyle plays a vital role, according to US researchers. More Breast Screening Benefits Approximately one in every 1,300 mammograms will result in a diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a type of non-invasive tumor that makes up roughly 20 percent of breast cancers detected by screening, says new research. Pregnant Drinkers Have Undersized Kids If you're pregnant, don't drink. Not even a drop. A new study says women who drank less than one drink a day not only tended to have smaller babies, but those children remained small well into their teens. Prevention Programs Help Kids Whose Parents Divorce Children of divorced or divorcing parents who participate in intervention programs with their mothers are less likely to have mental health problems during their teen years than their peers, new study findings show. Education, Acupuncture Help Smokers Kick the Habit While acupuncture and education alone can help people to quit smoking, combining the two strategies works even better, according to a report in the latest issue of the American Journal of Public Health. Deodorant Not Linked to Breast Cancer Contrary to Internet lore, women who use antiperspirant or deodorant are not at increased risk for breast cancer, researchers report. Online Buyer Beware Con artists are rife among the hundreds of Web sites selling medical products, so before you buy, check out the vendor's legitimacy. Mortality Higher in Some with Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis may raise the risk of death in older women, study findings suggest. Poverty May Raise Risk of Early Menopause Women who have experienced economic hardship at some point in their lives tend to have an earlier menopause than their more affluent peers, new research suggests. Stressing Out at School If your child is still anxious or stressed about settling into a new school year, there are ways you can help them cope. Duct Tape Can Get Rid of Warts The next time you're in need of a wart cure-all, forget combing the aisles of the local pharmacy and head over to the hardware store instead. Jasmine-Sniffing Snoozers Catch Higher Quality Z's People who sleep enveloped by the soothing smells of jasmine may get a more restful snooze than others, new research suggests. Ginkgo May Improve Memory of Dementia Patients Britain's Alzheimer's Society said on Monday that a major review of clinical trials provided "promising evidence" that dietary supplements containing the herbal medicine Ginkgo biloba can improve memory and function in people with dementia. Stem Cell Science Offers New Hope to Diabetics Type 1 diabetes patients may be able to avoid the need for daily insulin shots through transplants of insulin-producing stem cells, but the procedure faces some hurdles including finding the cells and dealing with immune-system rejection, researchers said. Which Foods Best Boost Your Immune System? Many of us spend money on vitamin and mineral supplements, but nutrition experts say much of what our bodies need to fight off infection can be found in foods. Cross Train Your Brain Exercise your brain and keep it stronger longer. According to neurobiologists at Duke University, if you approach everyday tasks in novel ways, you'll help keep your brain feisty enough to remember names, master new skills and stay creative. Paying Attention No Easy Feat Different parts of your brain control various aspects of attention, says a study in the October issue of Neuropsychology. Bitter Foods May Be Better A natural aversion to bitter taste can save people from swallowing toxic substances, but some bitter things may actually be healthy. Osteopathic Docs as Mainstream as M.Ds What does it mean when your doctor has a D.O. after her name instead of an M.D.? Is she a "real" doctor? Herpes Rates Could Explode by 2025 Nearly half of all young American women could suffer from genital herpes by the year 2025 if nothing more is done to stem the disease's spread, a new study contends. Skateboarding Riskier Than Ever A new study in the latest issue of the Journal of Trauma found skateboard injuries doubled between 1993 and 1998 as the sport underwent a radical change. Real Oven Better Than Microwave for Killing Germs Before you heat up that doggie-bag full of the leftovers from last night's barbecue at Bill's house, be warned. According to the American Journal of Epidemiology, nuking them is not as good as reheating in the oven or a frying pan. Waist Circumference Helps Predict Cardiovascular Risk If you want to determine your risk for cardiovascular disease, maybe you should throw out your scale and grab the measuring tape. A study appearing in a recent issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests waist circumference is more strongly associated with cardiovascular risk factors than body mass index (BMI). Low Weight at Birth May Impair Man's Fertility Low birth weight may affect testicle size--and perhaps fertility--later in life, results of a preliminary study from Italy suggest. What Older Women Want, Men Can't Deliver-Sex Many older women still want to have sex, but they might find their men cannot oblige. Family History Linked to Suicide Risk People with a family history of suicide and mental illness are more likely to attempt suicide than their peers with no such family history, according to Danish researchers. Teething Mistakenly Blamed for Other Ills Despite research showing the contrary, many healthcare providers still attribute many baby ills to teething, Australian researchers report. Low-Income Childhood Linked to Later Heart Risks Growing up in a low-income family may increase the odds of some major heart disease risk factors down the road, a UK study suggests. Receiving an Apology Does a Body Good Most individuals who have been wronged would agree that they feel better after receiving an apology. Now researchers have found scientific proof to back up that claim. Which Mammography Works Best? Thousands of women are needed for a national study comparing the effectiveness of digital mammography to standard mammography in detecting breast cancer. Arthritis More Common in Smokers, Divorced Researchers have long known that people with arthritis are more likely than others to be obese, older and less physically active. Now, new research shows that certain other factors may also be associated with the risk of arthritis. Understanding of Emotionay Tied to Kids' Aggression Preschoolers who have trouble recognizing different emotions may be more likely than their more-perceptive peers to behave aggressively once they start school, new study findings suggest. Study Sheds Light on Screening Kids for Diabetes Testing adolescents across the board for type 2 diabetes may not offer much benefit, study findings indicate. Instead, focusing on children who are obese or who have a family history of the disease appears to be a better way to identify kids at risk. Better Eyecare Could Save Poor Billions, WHO Says Blindness and visual impairment are crippling and cost poor countries billions of dollars in lost productivity, and 80% of cases could be prevented or treated. Low-Carb Craze Michelob's new low-carbohydrate beer is one entrant in a growing field of low-carb products for weight-conscious consumers. Introduced in print ads showing fit men and women out for a run, Michelob Ultra boasts 2.6 grams of carbohydrates � the lowest of any competing light beer. Emotionally Mature Kids More Sensitive to Criticism Though there may be great advantages for precocious preschoolers who have a high level of mental, social and emotional understanding, there may be disadvantages as well, new study findings suggest. These youngsters may be more sensitive to criticism. Skin with Eczema Contains Fewer Disease Fighters People suffering from the most common form of eczema, known as atopic dermatitis, have low levels of natural body substances that help fight off skin infections, new research shows. Groups Call for Bans or Limits on Diet Supplement The American Medical Association called for a ban on the weight loss supplement ephedra on Tuesday, and a top maker of the supplements said the industry should be more closely regulated. Helping Those Who Help Alzheimer's Patients An interactive program to help people caring for a family member with Alzheimer's disease is now available from the University of Florida. Did You Wash Your Hands? Hand washing, correctly done, can easily prevent the spread of communicable disease. The better you wash, the more likely you are to remove even tiny particles that, if allowed to get into your mouth, could make you seriously ill. Resistance Training Aids Weight Loss Cardiovascular exercises like running and aerobics are great for your heart and do succeed at burning calories, if that is your goal. However, actually losing weight and changing the shape of your body is a process that will take more than running, it will take a trip into the weight room for some resistance training. Marriage-Related Anger Can Hurt Wife's Health Marital discord can cause emotional pain to both partners, but a new report suggests that women's cardiovascular health may be especially vulnerable to anger stemming from a troubled marriage. Weight Gain in U.S. Continues Upward Trend Two major new studies from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirm what a trip to the local mall would suggest: Americans are heavier than ever. Brain Differs in Children with Attention Problems Brain scans of teens and young children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) reveal they have slightly smaller amounts of brain tissue than their peers, a new study shows. Sense of Smell Tied to Seniors' Mental Functioning Using a smell test to evaluate mental function may seem odd, but the idea is not as farfetched as it sounds. In a new study, researchers found that the sense of smell corresponds with mental abilities in older adults. Global Warming Boosts Crops, Cuts Nutrients Global warming could increase rice, soybean and wheat production in some areas, but the greater plant growth could also hurt the nutritional value of the crops. Curry Spice May Inhibit Tumor Growth A compound found in the curry spice turmeric may suppress production of a protein that spurs tumor growth in the body, researchers report. Mammographies Get Vote of Confidence A study presented at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology's annual meeting in New Orleans found that women over the age of 40 who get routine mammographies are more likely to have breast cancer caught in its earliest and most treatable stage. Safety on the Ice Winter will be here before you know it, and Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources has some suggestions before you venture out onto that frozen pond or lake. Opioids May Have New Use Opioids may help treat people with post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a painful chronic condition that can develop after a case of shingles. Depression from Job Loss Is Long Lasting While it may not be surprising that job loss and the resulting financial strain can lead to depression, new study findings show that this and other negative consequences of unemployment can last for up to 2 years, even after a person gets another job. Students Tested for Tobacco Use Breath mints won't cut it anymore for students who have been smoking in the bathroom � some schools around the country are administering urine tests to teenagers to find out whether they have been using tobacco. Parents Surrender in Booster Seat Battle Most parents know young children should ride in booster seats. However, many don't know at what age it's safe to graduate a child to a seat belt. Age of First Period Continues to Decrease Girls have been starting menstruation at earlier and earlier ages since the 19th century, and that trend appears to be continuing in more recent generations, according to new research. Battling Back AIDS The quality, not quantity, of HIV-fighting white blood cells may explain why the immune systems of some people infected with HIV can stem the spread of the virus in their bodies. African-American Infants at Higher SIDS Risk Rates of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) are nearly twice as high among African Americans compared to other ethnicities, and seem to be linked to the baby's sleeping position, according to a new report. Steer Clear of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Here's the ideal cure for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS): Don't get it in the first place. Girls Need to Learn to Run Like Boys "You run like a girl!" It's an age-old taunt, but sports medicine experts have discovered that if female athletes are trained to run, jump and pivot like males, they can prevent serious knee injuries. Cases of ADHD on the Rise A steady rise in the number of children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) over the past decade is due to a number of reasons. Blood Test Can Spot a Troubled Heart A simple blood test in the emergency room can make quick work of diagnosing heart failure. Americans Fooling Themselves About Exercise Habits Expanding waistlines and dire health statistics aside, most Americans think their exercise habits are just fine, according to the results of a new survey. Spirituality May Help Breast Cancer Patients Adjust Women who rely on their faith or other aspects of their spirituality to adjust to a breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment appear to be less distressed by the diagnosis and have less fear that their cancer will return after treatment, recent study findings suggest. Gaining Insight About Losing Weight Americans probably lose more weight deliberately than do people in any other country. Some of the most aggressive dieters take off the same number of pounds two or more times in a single year. Tailoring Insulin to Diet Boosts Diabetics' Health A week-long course that teaches diabetics to adjust their insulin intake to match their normal food consumption improves their glycaemic control and reduces the impact of the disease on their lives, British researchers said on Friday. Birth Weight Tied to Risk of Adulthood Stress Lower birth weight and slower weight gain early in life may be associated with poorer psychological health in adulthood, new research suggests. A New Approach to Managing Diabetes With some basic training in math and carbohydrate counting, people with Type I diabetes can follow a more flexible eating plan without losing control of their glucose levels or quality of life. Cat Scratch Fever The Health Library at Yale-New Haven Health System describes it this way: "A self-limiting infectious disease characterized by swelling and pain in the lymph nodes (regional lymphadenitis)." Symptoms can vary from mild to severe, and may include achiness, discomfort, malaise and loss of appetite. In most cases a scratch, bite, or lick of a cat is considered to be the source of the infection. Teenage Smoking Increases Breast Cancer Risk Women who start smoking when they are teenagers are 70 percent more likely to develop breast cancer than non-smokers, Canadian scientists said on Friday. 'Smart Furniture' Promises Office Air Protection Can the office worker of the future be protected from both common indoor pollutants and the threat of bioterrorism? Yes, says one American researcher--through the use of "smart furniture" to detect air quality problems and protect individuals right at their desks. Migraines Cost Insurers and Businesses a Bundle People suffering from migraines incur higher medical costs and cost companies more money than those who don't experience the debilitating headaches, according to the results of a study. Treating Morning Sickness, Gingerly Expectant mothers must often cope with a very unpleasant side-effect: morning sickness. Fortunately, relief may be on the way: A new study has found the herb ginger can relieve the queasiness in many women. WHO: Half of World's Violent Deaths Are Suicides Violence in all its forms kills 1.6 million people worldwide each year and around half the deaths are suicides, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) report. A Woman's Steps to Good Health The road to ongoing good health is marked by stops at your doctor's. For women, the American College of Gastroenterology recommends you start this regimen in your teens and follow this checklist as you age. Stress Protein Links Heart Disease in Blacks, Men A study in teens suggests that males and African Americans have higher levels of a stress protein linked to cardiovascular disease during both stressful and non-stressful situations. Men and Women Get Mental Boost from Marriage Women, as well as men, benefit from marriage and get a mental health boost from being a couple, new study findings suggest. Physical Therapy Helps Elderly Stave Off Disability Physical therapy may help prevent physical declines in older, frail people, study findings suggest. Web Site Spreads Word on Whooping Cough Launched by the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP), Pertussis.com is designed to increase awareness about this vaccine-preventable disease and provide prevention and treatment information to parents and health care workers. ADHD's Severity in Girls Overlooked Many parents and pediatricians assume girls don't suffer as much from attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder as boys. If You're Hit by Lightning Lightning strikes kill some 200 people and injure another 750 annually in the U.S., according to FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It's actually amazing that lightning doesn't cost more lives, given that some 100,000 thunderstorms strike the U.S. annually. Exercise May Cut Heart Risks of Diabetes, High Blood Pressure Exercise may help cut the substantial risk of cardiovascular problems faced by people with both type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, according to a new report. Toxins Put Arctic Polar Bears and Humans at Risk The health of polar bears and the indigenous peoples of the Arctic is at serious risk from man-made toxins being carried there by air and sea, a new report shows. Breast Self-Exam Won't Cut Cancer Death Risk Teaching women to perform breast self-exams does not lower their risk of death from cancer and may lead to unnecessary biopsies, according to the results of a decade-long investigation. Research Could Prevent Brain Defects Scientists are hopeful that the discovery of a fatal gene mutation, now found only in Amish newborns, could be a major step toward preventing brain defects in babies worldwide. Self-Esteem Levels Peak in Childhood, Mid-Life How we think of ourselves seems to vary across the life span, with self-esteem peaking in childhood and middle adulthood and falling in adolescence and late adulthood, recent study findings show. Sport Association Urges Kids to Walk to School Children and adults may be able to fulfill a small part of their daily exercise requirement by participating in the third annual International Walk to School Day. Adults' Harsh Words Take Emotional Toll on Kids When parents are driven mad by badly behaved children, most do not smack them and instead may give them a telling-off. But verbal abuse could be nearly as harmful as beating, according to new Danish research. Some Muscle Men View Selves as 98-Pound Weaklings Despite having the muscled physique of a Hercules, some men see a pip-squeak when they look in the mirror, study findings show. Hot-Headed Guys? It's All in the Brain A husband-and-wife research team from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine reports that the relative size of the sections of the brain that constrain aggression and monitor behavior are larger in women than in men. Dry Mouth Condition Has Many Causes The name may not be familiar, but xerostomia -- more commonly referred to as dry mouth -- is a common problem among adults with several causes. Brain Signal Balance May Identify Alzheimer's Risk An imaging technique that detects imbalances in brain signals holds promise as a screen for early-stage Alzheimer's disease, new research suggests. Playing Sick May Help People Feel Unique, Important New research findings suggest that people who fake or exaggerate illness or injuries may do so because of the favorable attention they get by doing so. Lifelong Exercise May Cut Breast Cancer Risk Even moderate physical activity--for example brisk walking for at least 2 miles three times a week--over the course of a lifetime can reduce a young woman's risk of developing breast cancer by 33%, and the risk of breast cancer after menopause by 26%. Soy Cuts Insulin, Cholesterol in Diabetic Women Older women with type 2 diabetes who take a daily soy supplement show improvements in cholesterol and insulin levels, according to preliminary study findings. Antibacterial Products May Fuel Growth of Superbugs New study findings add to growing concerns that widespread use of products containing the antibacterial agent triclosan may be promoting the growth of dangerous superbugs.