Health Headlines - May 8

Survey finds Americans prefer 'safer' older drugs

Concerned by recently discovered dangers of relatively new arthritis and depression drugs, most Americans would prefer a drug that has been on the market at least a decade, according to a new survey.

Drug combos up survival for heart disease patients

Drug combinations involving statins, aspirin, and beta-blockers improve the survival of people with heart disease involving ischemia -- restriction of blood flow through the coronary arteries -- according to UK doctors.

Indonesia steps up polio vaccinations

Indonesia stepped up polio vaccinations around several villages in West Java province on Friday as international concern grew over an outbreak of the virus that has crippled six infants.

Chlamydia strikes San Francisco penguin colony

A mysterious outbreak of chlamydia, a bacterial infection which humans pass to each other through sex, has killed a dozen penguins at the San Francisco Zoo, a zoo spokeswoman said on Friday.

Natural enzyme helps mice live longer in study

Mice genetically engineered to produce a human antioxidant enzyme lived longer than normal mice, which U.S. scientists on Thursday cited as evidence that antioxidants can counteract the effects of aging and disease.

Morphine for chest pain worsens death risk

High-risk heart attack patients given morphine for their chest pain have almost a 50 percent higher risk of dying, U.S. researchers reported on Thursday.

Breast cancer risk less when pregnant mom smoked

Women whose mothers smoked while they were pregnant have a reduced likelihood of developing breast cancer, according to a new study.

Native Americans seen at risk for problem gambling

Gambling addiction seems to be a particular concern for some Native Americans, with the problem often going hand in hand with other psychiatric disorders, new research indicates.

Prostate surgery often works after radiation fails

"Salvage" surgery should be considered for men who have persistent prostate cancer despite undergoing radiation therapy, US researchers contend.

Get ears pierced early to avoid keloids

Delaying ear piercing until the pre-teen years or later may increase a person's chances of developing keloids -- raised, fibrous scar tissue -- new study findings suggest.