Health Headlines - December 16

Air Around Indoor Pools May Harm Kids' Lung Cells

Children who make regular visits to an indoor pool may develop damage to a type of lung cell that helps prevent airway inflammation, a new study suggests.

Low Iron Levels May Contribute to ADHD

Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) seem to have iron deficiency, according to the results of a small study. The researchers suggest that such kids may benefit from iron supplements.

Infection, Not Vaccines, Raises Heart Attack Risk

People who are ill with respiratory or urinary tract infections face a higher risk of heart attack or stroke while they are sick, researchers said on Wednesday.

New Breast Cancer Risk Genes Found

Tiny differences in genes linked to the hormone estrogen can strongly influence a woman's risk of developing breast cancer, U.S. researchers reported on Wednesday.

Marriage Keeps You Healthy, U.S. Study Shows

Marriage keeps you healthy, even though it can make men fat, U.S. government researchers said on Wednesday.

'Salvage' Prostate Surgery Has Improved

For men with prostate cancer that recurs after radiation therapy, 'salvage' surgery to remove the prostate can lead to long-term cancer control, New York- based researchers report.

Early Ritalin May Alter Later Brain Function

When rats are treated with Ritalin at an early age, they are more likely to exhibit "behavioral despair" as adult animals, Harvard researchers report.

Federal Agency Disputes Pill's Benefits

Federal officials Wednesday backed away from the findings of two major studies on birth control pills, saying the research was flawed and that a new analysis shows there is no evidence that oral contraceptives cut the risk of heart disease.

Study Probes Responses to Anthrax Attacks

Giving a new-generation anthrax vaccine along with antibiotics in response to a terrorist attack wouldn't prevent much disease, but it could help by letting people take the medicines for a briefer time, a study suggests.

Faith-Based Groups Get Food-Stamp Grants

The Department of Agriculture on Wednesday awarded $1 million in grants to eight faith- and community-based organizations for food stamp programs.

Getting Out and About Good for Seniors

Older adults who get daily social and physical activity -- even for brief periods -- sleep better and have improved cognition, says a Northwestern University study in the Dec. 15 issue of Sleep.

How Blood Platelets Speed Cancer's Spread

French researchers have identified two new ways that blood platelets help breast and ovarian cancer spread to bones.

Biennial Mammograms OK for Some Women

Women age 50 and above who get screening mammograms every two years instead of annually may not face an increased risk of being diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer, a new study suggests.

Smoking Worsens Alcohol-Induced Brain Damage

People who drink to excess also tend to be chronic smokers, and a new report suggests the combination of the two might prove more toxic than either one alone.