Health Headlines - November 30

Vaccination Campaign Slashes Global Measles Deaths

An international immunization drive has cut measles deaths in Africa by a dramatic 91 percent since 2000, according to a report released Thursday by the Measles Initiative, which includes the American Red Cross, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization and UNICEF.

In Africa, the number of measles deaths went from an estimated 396,000 in 2000 to 36,000 in 2006. Worldwide, measles deaths fell from an estimated 757,000 to 242,000, a 68 percent reduction, the Associated Press reported.

South Asia remains a challenge. About 178,000 people died from measles there in 2006, a 26 percent decline from 2000.

Between 2000 and 2006, about 478 million children, ages nine months to 14 years, were vaccinated against measles in campaigns that targeted 46 of 47 priority countries were measles was a major problem, the AP reported.

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Utah Most Depressed State: Study

Utah ranks the poorest of any state when it comes to levels of depression and outcomes for people seeking help for depression, according to a Mental Health American study released Wednesday.

The other lowest ranking states in terms of depression and suicide were Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming and West Virginia, while Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland and New Jersey were the healthiest, the Deseret Morning News reported.

The study isn't meant to point fingers at any particular states when it comes to depression levels and treatment, said a Mental Health America spokesman. It was released to highlight the country's need for mental health resources, preventive treatments, and federal legislation that would put mental health services on par with physical health services on medical insurance plans.

The study was funded by drug maker Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, the Morning News reported.

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Smokers Cost Medicaid $9.7 Billion a Year

Current smokers cost U.S. Medicaid $9.7 billion a year, or about 5.6 percent of total Medicaid expenditures, says a report released Thursday by RTI International researchers who analyzed data from 2000 through 2004 Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys.

"Reducing the number of smokers in the United States could save taxpayers billions of dollars in Medicaid costs," RTI health economist Justin Trogdon said in a prepared statement. "Policy makers looking for ways to reduce health costs in America would be wise to look at areas of health behaviors that both improve health and reduce health care costs."

New York smokers cost Medicaid the most ($1.5 billion a year), while Wyoming smokers cost the least ($15 million a year).

Current 24-year-old smokers in the United States will cost Medicaid a total of almost $1 billion over the course of their lifetimes. Most of those costs are due to female smokers. The researchers found that taxes paid by young male smokers make up for most of their Medicaid costs.

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Worst U.S. Nursing Homes Listed on Web Site

The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Web site listed on Thursday 54 nursing homes considered among the worst in the country. The move is an attempt to push the nursing homes into improving patient care, the Associated Press reported.

The 54 targeted nursing homes are in 33 states and the District of Columbia. Nationwide, there are about 16,400 nursing homes that care for about 1.5 million elderly and disabled people.

The nursing homes listed on the CMS Web site are among more than 120 designated as a "special focus facility," a designation used by CMS to identify nursing homes that require additional oversight, the AP reported. Such homes undergo state inspections every six months, rather than once a year.

The 54 homes have failed to show improvement.

"Very, very poor quality nursing homes do not deserve to be left untouched or unnoticed," said Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wisc., chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, the AP reported. "This is not to be punitive. That's not our goal. Our goal is to see to it that the people in these nursing homes get better quality care or that they get the opportunity to move somewhere else."

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Sleep Drug Needs Stronger Warning Against Use in Children: FDA

The sleep disorder drug Provigil should carry a stronger warning to discourage physicians from prescribing it to children, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel recommended Wednesday.

Provigil, approved by the FDA for treatment of certain sleep disorders in adults, already has labeling that says the drug isn't approved for use in pediatrics patients. However, it's sometimes used "off-label" to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in youngsters, the Associated Press reported.

The panel said the drug's labeling needs to carry clear language that it's not recommended for use in children, along with the current statement that it's not approved for use in pediatric patients. Provigil is marketed by Cephalon Inc.

The FDA is not required to act on the recommendations of its advisory panels, but usually does follow their advice.

Recently, Provigil's label was updated to warn about the risk of serious skin reactions associated with the drug, along with psychological problems such as anxiety, hallucinations and suicidal thoughts, the AP reported.

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'Superbug' Infections Increase in the U.S.

Between 1999 and 2005, the number of patients hospitalized in the United States with "superbug" (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus -- MRSA) infections more than doubled, from 127,000 to nearly 280,000, says a study in the December issue of the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Superbugs have evolved resistance to the most commonly used antibiotics, which makes them more difficult and expensive to treat. The authors of this study said antibiotic-resistant infections are reaching epidemic proportions in some health facilities and communities. Infection control needs to be a national priority, the researchers said.

The researchers at Resources for the Future and the University of Florida also found a 62 percent increase in the number of hospitalizations of patients with general staph infections between 1999 and 2005.

This is the first study to examine recent rates and trends related to staph and MSRA infections. The researchers said they found dramatic increases in the rate of minor skin and soft tissue infections caused by staph and MRSA that are commonly spread outside of hospitals.

There's been "a change in the ecology of the disease," senior study author Ramanan Laxminarayan of Resources for the Future, said in a prepared statement. "Antibiotic-resistant infections are spreading more rapidly in the community while the epidemic of drug-resistant infections in hospitals continues unabated."

Health Tips for November 30

Health Tip: Female Infertility

About 7.3 million females in the United States aged 15 to 44 had difficulty becoming pregnant or carrying a baby to term in 2002, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services lists these factors that may contribute to female infertility:

* Age.
* Stress.
* Unhealthy diet.
* Being overweight or obese, or significantly underweight.
* Strenuous exercise.
* Smoking or drinking alcohol.
* Sexually transmitted disease.
* Health conditions that affect hormone production.

Health Tip: Cut Baby's Nails

An infant's fingernails may seem soft, but they can still scratch the skin or eyes.

Here are suggestions on how to cut your baby's nails, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

* Start clipping nails when your baby is a newborn.
* Always use nail clippers made especially for babies -- never adult nail clippers.
* Cut fingernails at least once weekly.
* Cut toenails twice each month.
* Smooth jagged edges on your baby's fingernails with an emery board.

Health Headlines - November 29

Kids Exposed to WTC Disaster Developed More Asthma: Survey

Children under age 5 who were exposed to fallout from the World Trade Center disaster were more likely than the average child to be diagnosed with asthma in the two to three years after the event, according to survey findings released Wednesday by the New York City Health Department.

The survey found that half of the 3,100 children enrolled in the WTC Health Registry developed at least one new or worsened respiratory symptom in the few years after 9/11. The enrolled children were under age 18 on 9/11.

Overall, about 6 percent of the enrolled children were newly diagnosed with asthma. Children exposed to the dust cloud from the collapse of the twin towers were twice as likely to be diagnosed with asthma as those who weren't exposed to the dust cloud.

The asthma rate among enrolled children under age 5 may be as much as twice that of the regional (northeastern) rate for children in the same age group. Additional research is needed to clarify those findings.

The survey authors also looked at enrolled children's mental health and found no evidence of increased rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). About 3 percent had symptoms suggestive of PTSD in the years after 9/11, about the same level of children in the general population.

The World Trade Center Health Registry initial survey was conducted in 2003 and 2004.

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Scientists Create Cancer-Resistant Mice

Mice resistant to cancer have been created by University of Kentucky researchers, who said the achievement may help lead to the development of cancer treatments that don't cause serious and debilitating side effects such as those experienced by patients treated with radiation and chemotherapy.

The mice were able to resist cancer after they were programmed to express the tumor-killing Par-4 gene, taken from the prostate. Par-4 kills cancer cells but not normal cells, CBC News reported.

"We originally discovered Par-4 in the prostate, but it's not limited to the prostate. The gene is expressed in every cell type that we've looked at and it induces the death of a broad range of cancer cells, including of course, cancer cells in the prostate," radiation-medicine expert Vivek Rangnekar said in a prepared statement.

Not only were mice that carried the Par-4 gene resistant to tumor formation, they also lived a few months longer than mice without the gene, the study found. There were no signs that carrying the Par-4 gene caused any ill effects, CBC News reported.

The study was published in the journal Cancer Research.

Rangnekar and his colleagues suggested it may one day be possible to transplant the Par-4 gene into a person's bone marrow to fight cancer cells in the body.

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Pedophiles' Brains Lack Proper Wiring: Study

MRI scans revealed that pedophiles have a significantly less-than-normal amount of white matter that connects six different areas of the brain known to play a role in sexual arousal, says a Canadian study in the Journal of Psychiatry Research.

This lack of adequate wiring between these areas may result in pedophiles being unable to differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate sexual objects, said lead researcher Dr. James Cantor of the Center for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, BBC News reported.

However, he emphasized that the study findings don't suggest that pedophiles shouldn't be held criminally responsible for crimes they commit against children.

"Not being able to choose your sexual interests doesn't mean you can't choose what you do," BBC News quoted Cantor as saying.

A previous study by Yale University researchers found that pedophiles had different thought patterns than average people.

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American TB Patient Didn't Infect Airline Passengers

No airline passengers caught tuberculosis from an infected American passenger who triggered an international health alarm earlier this year when he flew to Europe for his wedding.

U.S. and Canadian officials who investigated Andrew Speaker's flights to and from Europe tested hundreds of passengers and concluded that Speaker did not infect any of them with TB, the Associated Press reported.

Even though U.S. health officials told Speaker he had drug-resistant TB and advised him not to fly, the Atlanta attorney ignored the warning and flew to his May wedding in Europe.

When Speaker returned to the United States, he was quarantined in hospital and released in July after completing treatment, the AP reported.

Speaker told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution he's relieved that he didn't infect any fellow passengers and he hopes the test results give "a sense of peace and closure for the people who may have been concerned."

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Online Breast Cancer Risk Calculator Gets Update

The U.S. National Cancer Institute's online breast cancer risk calculator is being updated to better reflect risk among black women, the Associated Press reported.

The calculator -- which assesses five-year risk based on a number of factors, including age and family history of breast cancer -- was created using findings from studies of breast cancer in white women. Currently, there is a warning that informs non-white women that there may be some uncertainty in their risk assessment result.

A study published Tuesday in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that the risk calculator was slightly overestimating risk for younger black women and slightly underestimating risk for black women 45 and older, the AP reported.

Updates to the calculator to include newer data on black women will be completed by spring.

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R.J. Reynolds Won't Use Print Ads Next Year

U.S.-based R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. said Tuesday that it won't place cigarette ads in U.S. newspapers or consumer magazines next year, but didn't say whether it would resume doing so in subsequent years.

The company has faced harsh criticism for its print ads promoting Camel No. 9 cigarettes. Critics said the colorful ads, with feature images of roses and lace, targeted young women. A recent R.J. Reynolds cigarette ad in Rolling Stone magazine also came under fire, the AP reported.

The tobacco firm's announcement to halt print ads next year is a "more a strategy to deflect criticism than a real change in marketing," said the Washington, D.C.-based Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

"What they've done is just to limit the ads that have prompted the fiercest criticism, because they are the most visible," the group's president, Matthew Myers, told the AP. Myers said R.J. Reynolds still uses direct mail advertising, heavy promotion at retail outlets, and price promotion "for the brands kids like most."

Print ads for tobacco are legal in the United States, but banned in a number of countries.

Health Tips for November 29

Health Tip: Severe Food Allergy?

If you or a loved one has a serious allergy to one or more foods, it's important to have an action plan in case of accidental ingestion.

Here are some guidelines, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:

* Work with your doctor and family members to create a clear, detailed emergency action plan. Always carry it with you.
* Designate a trusted third party as an emergency contact.
* At all times, carry emergency medications recommended by your doctor, which may include an epinephrine pen and an antihistamine.

Health Tip: Bringing Baby Home

Bringing your newborn home from the hospital is a joyous event, but it can also be frightening for first-time parents.

Here are suggestions to help make the transition from hospital to home easier, courtesy of the Nemours Foundation:

* Dress your baby in clothing that's comfortable, appropriate for the weather, and easy to put on.
* Use your child's infant car seat for the ride home, and make sure it's properly installed.
* It's OK to feel a range of emotions, from happy to scared to overwhelmed. Don't be shy about asking family and friends to help.
* Take time to introduce the baby to his or her new family, including siblings, friends, relatives and pets.
* Don't be afraid to call your doctor if you are concerned or have questions.

Health Headlines - November 28

Cheney's Heart Rhythm Restored to Normal

An electrical shock was used to restore normal rhythm to U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney's heart Monday evening. The procedure at George Washington University Hospital was described as a low-risk, standard practice, the Associated Press reported.

An irregular heartbeat was detected in Cheney, 66, at about 7 a.m. ET Monday by doctors checking the vice president for a lingering cough from a cold. It was determined that he had atrial fibrillation, an abnormal rhythm involving the upper chambers of the heart.

Cheney worked throughout Monday and went to the hospital at about 5 p.m. He was discharged about 7:30 p.m. and returned to work Tuesday, the AP reported.

"An electrical impulse was used to restore the upper chambers to normal rhythm," said Cheney spokeswoman Megan Mitchell. "The procedure went smoothly and without complication."

Cheney has a history of heart problems. He's had four heart attacks, quadruple bypass surgery, two artery-clearing angioplasties, and has an implanted heart defibrillator, the AP reported.

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Experimental Heart Stent Shows Positive Results

Abbott Laboratories' experimental Xience V heart stent continues to show positive results in clinical testing, The New York Times reported Tuesday.

Stents are wire mesh cylinders inserted into arteries after blockages have been removed to prevent the vessels from reclogging. New data from a two-year study of more than 600 patients showed the Xience device was more effective in preventing reclogging than the market leader, Boston Scientific's Taxus 2, the newspaper said.

Xience, however, did not show an advantage when it came to preventing deaths or reducing heart attack rates, the Times said of data provided by the company and federal regulators.

Xience is among a class of stents that are coated with a drug designed to better prevent re-clogging than their bare-metal cousins.

An expert panel advising the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected to meet Thursday to decide whether to recommend approval of Xience by the full agency.

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Rhode Island Hospital Fined After 3rd Brain Surgery Mishap

Rhode Island Hospital has been fined $50,000 by the state health department after doctors there performed surgery on the wrong side of a patient's head for the third time in less than a year, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.

The hospital is owned by a non-for-profit corporation, Lifespan, and is a teaching hospital for Brown University, the wire service said.

After the Department of Health levied the fine and said it was "extremely concerned" about the recent mishaps, the hospital issued a statement saying it would re-evaluate its training methods and beef up oversight procedures.

The most recent incident occurred Friday when the chief resident began surgery on the wrong side of an 82-year-old man's brain, the department said. That man was expected to recover, as has the victim of a similar incident in February, the AP reported.

But in August, a patient died several weeks after a doctor operated on the wrong side of his brain. Each of the three operations was performed by different physicians.

The August death prompted the state to order the hospital to take preventive steps, including launching an independent review of the institution's neurosurgery practices, the wire service said.

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Electronic Harassment of U.S. Adolescents Increasing

The use of electronic media to harass American adolescents is a serious problem, according to a series of studies published Tuesday in a supplement to the Journal of Adolescent Health.

The supplement is the first collection of data to examine how electronic media -- including blogs, instant messaging, chat rooms, email, and text messaging -- affect American adolescents. The supplement was funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Among the studies' key findings:

• In 2000, 6 percent of Internet users ages 10 to 17 said they'd been subjected to online harassment, compared to 9 percent in 2005.
• Adolescents who were harassed online were more likely to get detention, be suspended, skip school, and to experience emotional distress.
• Adolescents who received rude or nasty comments via text messaging were six times more likely than other students to report that they felt unsafe at school.
• Sixty-four percent of adolescents who were harassed online were not harassed or bullied at school.
• While technology can be useful for developing social and communication skills, it can also create health and safety risks for adolescents.

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Encore Tabs May Contain Potentially Harmful Ingredients

Encore Tabs, a dietary supplement, are being recalled because they may contain potentially harmful undeclared ingredients, warned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

One lot of Encore Tabs, distributed by Bodee LLC of California, was found to contain aminotadalafil, an analog of tadalafil, the active ingredient of a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction. The undeclared chemical in Encore Tabs may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin) and in some users could lower blood pressure to dangerous levels, the FDA said.

People with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart disease may be prescribed nitrates.

Encore Tabs were sold across the United States and in Canada. Consumers should stop using the product immediately and contact their doctor if they've had any health issues since they started taking it, the FDA advised.

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Scientists Contemplate Artificial Limbs With Sense of Touch

In what may be the first step toward creating artificial limbs with a sense of touch, U.S. scientists were able to restore a form of feeling to two patients with prosthetic arms.

This was achieved by rerouting the remaining nerves from the patients' lost limbs to their chests, BBC News reported. After the procedure, the patients said they could "feel" their missing arms and hands in their chests. When pressure or heat was applied to their chests, the patients felt as if their hand was being touched.

Results of the research appear in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Research team leader Dr. Todd Kuiken said this success could pave the way to providing a sense of touch for people with prosthetic limbs, BBC News reported. Kuiken is director of the Neural Engineering Center for Artificial Limbs at Northwestern University, and director of Amputee Services at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

"Our results illustrate a method for creating a portal to the sensory pathways of a lost limb," the researchers wrote. "This work offers the possibility that an amputee may one day be able to feel with an artificial limb as though it was his own."

Health Tips for November 28

Health Tip: Build Healthy Bones

Osteoporosis doesn't have to be an inevitable part of aging -- if you begin practicing healthy habits when you're young.

Here are some facts about osteoporosis, and suggestions to help prevent brittle bones, courtesy of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:

* Women who are or have been pregnant, who are breast-feeding, or who have had a hysterectomy are more likely to lose bone mass, putting them at higher risk of osteoporosis.
* Women who are menopausal or postmenopausal produce less estrogen than before, which weakens bones.
* Ideally, weight-bearing exercises should begin during the teen years, when the bones grow rapidly.
* It's never too late to start protecting your bones, which may continue to grow throughout your 20s, and even into your early 30s.
* Avoid smoking and excess alcohol, which weaken bones.

Health Tip: Stay Safe in the Kitchen

Many a safety hazard or potential foodborne illness has its origin in the kitchen.

Here are suggestions to help keep you safe in the kitchen, courtesy of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension:

* To prevent the spread of bacteria and foodborne illness, keep your kitchen clean. Wash your hands frequently, wash foods before you prepare them, and clean countertops and utensils regularly.
* Be careful lifting and carrying heavy dishes, especially if they're hot. Ask for help carrying items that are large or heavy.
* Don't leave knives and other sharp utensils sitting in dishwater. Someone could easily cut themselves reaching into the water.
* Keep the kitchen floor clear of spills and debris.
* Prevent kitchen fires by keeping all flammable objects away from the stove and oven.

Health Headlines - November 27

Doctors Check Cheney for Irregular Heartbeat

Vice President Dick Cheney experienced an irregular heartbeat Monday while being examined by doctors for a lingering cold.

Cheney, who has a history of heart problems and has an implanted defibrillator, was to be evaluated later in the day at George Washington University Hospital, in Washington, D.C., the Associated Press reported.

"During examination, he was incidentally found to have an irregular heartbeat, which on further testing was determined to be atrial fibrillation, an abnormal rhythm involving the upper chambers of the heart," said spokeswoman Megan Mitchell.

She said that, if necessary, Cheney would be receive cardioversion, a procedure that involves the delivery of an electric impulse to the heart.

According to the American Heart Association, atrial fibrillation affects an estimated 2.2 million Americans. During the condition, the heart's two small upper chambers -- the atria -- quiver instead of beat effectively. Blood isn't pumped completely out of them, so it may pool and clot. If a piece of a clot in the atria leaves the heart and lodges in an artery in the brain, a stroke can occur. About 15 percent of strokes occur in people with atrial fibrillation, according to the heart association.

Typical treatments for the condition include drugs and electrical cardioversion.

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Children's Low Self-Esteem Linked to Materialism: Study

Low self-esteem in youngsters can increase their desire for consumer goods, says a U.S. study that found that materialism increases from age 8 or 9 to age 12 or 13, but then decreases by the time children are ages 16 to 18, CBC News reported.

"The level of materialism in teens is directly driven by self-esteem," study author Deborah Roedder John, a University of Minnesota marketing professor, said in a prepared statement. "When self-esteem drops as children enter adolescence, materialism peaks. Then by late adolescence, when self-esteem rebounds, their materialism drops."

John and a colleague asked 50 children in different age groups what makes them happy and found that those aged 12 to 13 were most likely to say materialistic items such as money and brand-name clothing. Younger and older children were more likely to say that friends or not having any homework made them happy, CBC News reported.

Physical changes that occur in early adolescence can cause low self-esteem in youngsters. That often coincides with entry into high school where the children are "the youngest and least important members of the school," John noted.

The study is published in the December issue of the Journal of Consumer Research.

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Rotary International, Gates Foundation Donate $200M to Fight Polio

Rotary International and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have pledged $200 million to the global campaign to eradicate polio. Monday's announcement by both organizations will help fund the final stages of two decades of work to wipe out the infectious disease that can paralyze and sometimes kill patients, the Associated Press reported.

The $200 million will be distributed over three years and will pay for immunization campaigns, polio surveillance and public education.

"This investment is precisely the catalyst we need as we intensify the push to finish polio," Dr. Margaret Chan, director-general of the World Health Organization, said in a prepared statement.

Since global efforts to eliminate polio began in 1988, there's been a 99 percent reduction in the incidence of the disease. However, polio is still a threat in Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan, the AP reported.

Two deadlines -- in 2000 and 2005 -- to eradicate polio were not met, even though the effort has received more than $5 billion. Some experts are concerned that if polio is not soon eliminated, donor patience and funding may disappear.

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Scans Reveal OCD-Related Brain Structure Patterns

British researchers say brain scans may be able to identify people with a genetic risk of developing obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), which is characterized by irrational fears and thoughts that cause people to repeat seemingly pointless actions over and over again, BBC News reported.

The Cambridge University researchers scanned the brains of 100 OCD patients and close relatives of OCD patients and found they all had distinctive patterns in their brain structure. It appears that as-of-yet unidentified genes cause changes to the brain's anatomy.

In addition, OCD patients and relatives of OCD patients did worse than volunteers in a control group on a test designed to measure the ability to halt repetitive behaviors, BBC News reported.

"Impaired brain function in the areas of the brain associated with stopping motor responses may contribute to the compulsive and repetitive behaviors that are characteristic of OCD," researcher Lara Menzies said. "These brain changes appear to run in families and may represent a genetic risk factor for developing the condition."

Menzies said the new information in this study, published in the journal Brain, may help lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of OCD, BBC News reported.

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U.S. Children Don't Shun Healthy School Meals: Study

Contrary to common belief, American children may be quite happy to eat nutritious school meals, says a University of Minnesota study that found that school lunch sales don't decline when children are offered healthier lunches.

The researchers also concluded that more nutritious lunches don't necessarily increase costs for schools, the Associated Press reported. The study appears in the December issue of the journal Review of Agricultural Economics.

The three economists who conducted the study analyzed five years of data from 330 Minnesota public school districts and found that schools that served the healthiest lunches did not suffer a decline in student demand for meals.

"The conventional wisdom that you can't serve healthier meals because kids won't eat them is false," said researcher Benjamin Senauer, the AP reported.

While preparation of more nutritious meals does result in higher labor costs, that increase is offset by lower costs for healthy offerings such as fruits and vegetables compared with processed foods.

The researchers noted that many school districts need to upgrade their kitchens and train their staffs to prepare more nutritious meals for students, the AP reported.

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Mental Health Hot Lines Help Farmers

American farmers in a number of states can call free mental health hot lines to help them cope with the stress and other mental and emotional challenges caused by drought and other difficulties, the Associated Press reported.

The confidential help lines offer a wide range of services, including vouchers for therapy sessions and referrals to mental-health experts and specialists who can analyze a farmer's financial status.

Some of the hot lines are operated by nonprofit or religious groups while others are offered through a university's agriculture department, the AP reported.

For example, the nonprofit organization Agriwellness Inc. coordinates hot lines in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. On average, those hot lines get a total of 12,000 to 14,000 calls a year, the news service said.

Health Tips for November 27

Health Tip: Caring for a Sprain

Sprains are often caused by twisting, straining or stressing ligaments that connect bones. Areas most prone to sprains include the ankles, knees and wrists.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these suggestions for taking care of a sprain:

* Rest the sprained area.
* Ice the injury.
* Keep the area wrapped with a bandage.
* Keep the injured area elevated.
* As it's starting to heal, lightly exercise the injured area.
* If possible, wear a brace for support until the injury has healed.

Health Tip: Put Nightmares to Bed

Nightmares can be triggered by factors including stress, medications, fear, sleep disorders, or a recent loss.

Here are suggestions to help conquer bad dreams, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

* Reduce stress by talking to friends and relatives about what's bothering you.
* Try relaxation techniques to reduce stress and anxiety.
* If you started having nightmares after starting a new medication, talk to your doctor to find out if it could be causing your sleep problems.
* If you're taking illegal drugs or drinking alcohol to excess, join a support group to help you stop using these substances.
* Get regular exercise.
* Start a regular sleep schedule. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day may help prevent nightmares.

Health Headlines - November 26

96,000 lbs of Ground Beef Recalled in Seven States

Yet another recall of ground beef has been issued, this time by Omaha-based American Foods Group.

The Associated Press reports that nearly 96,000 pounds of ground or chopped beef products were recalled by American Foods after two people became ill, possibly with the E. coli O157:H7 bacterium. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Saturday that the cases were being investigated by the Illinois Department of Health.

The meat was distributed to retailers and distributors in Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Virginia.

E. coli O157:H7 has been associated with a number of meat recalls in recent months. It can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration, and it is most dangerous to the very young, the very old and people whose immune systems are low.

The meat was produced on Oct. 10, and some of the expiration dates may have already elapsed. "Est. 18076" is on inside the USDA mark of inspection on each package, the A.P. reports.

Meanwhile, Topps, the Elizabeth N.J. meat company that had to recall almost 22 millions of ground beef last summer, applied for bankruptcy liquidation Saturday.

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U.S. Physical Activity Rate Increases, but It's Still Below 50 Percent

American adults are becoming more physically active, but they have a long way to go.

That's the mixed review given last week in a report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC and the American College of Sports Medicine used the standard of 30 minutes' moderate physical activity (e.g., walking briskly) at least five days a week to measure results.

From 2001 to 2005, U.S. women increased regular physical activity by 8.6 per cent, up to 46.7 percent, and American men increased their regular physical activity by 3.5 percent, to 49.7 percent.

While the findings are positive, the CDC notes that as of 2005 (the latest year for which complete statistics are available) more than half the U.S. adult population still didn't exercise enough to meet government standards.

Racial and ethnic minorities also registered gains in physical activity, the CDC says, but they ranked below the percentage reached by the white population. This must be improved, the federal agency says, because blacks and Hispanics face increased risk for obesity, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, certain cancers, and premature mortality.

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M.D.s, U.S. Government Stressing Flu Vaccination Next Week

It's certainly not too late to get your flu shot. In fact, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is emphasizing the week of November 27 to December 2 as National Influenza Vaccination Week.

According to a news release from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), stressing the importance of getting vaccinated against influenza now may stem off last-minute rushes to the doctor if this year's flu season should be a bad one.

And unlike the situation in 2005, there is enough vaccine for everyone in the united States, despite age or physical condition, officials from the CDC and AAFP say.

The AAFP is also emphasizing Tuesday, Nov. 27 as Children's Flu Vaccination Day, with a reminder that more than 20,000 children under age 5 are hospitalized every year as a result of influenza.

A letter to all AAFP members from AAFP President Dr. Jim King and Board Chair Dr. Rick Kellerman, urges doctors to stress the importance getting a flu shot, and the vaccine is not just for patients. "Immunization of health care workers protects not only the worker but also those around them," the letter says. "For example, influenza can be transmitted to patients and co-workers from an infected person 24 hours before symptoms appear."

A complete list of vaccination schedules is available on the AAFP Immunization Resources Web page .

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New Bird Flu Outbreak Reported in South Korea

Avian flu has returned to South Korea for the first time in eight months.

However, this strain, which forced the extermination of thousands of ducks in the southern part of the country, was not the deadly H5N1 strain that scientists fear could mutate into a pandemic among humans, the Associated Press reports.

Rather, it was described by government health officials as a "low pathogenic" H7 strain that so far, has not shown up in humans. About 17,000 ducks were slaughtered on a poultry farm 205 miles southwest of Seoul, the wire service reports. Cases of the H5N1 virus have occurred seven times in South Korea during the past year, the A.P. says.

From December 2003 to mid-July 2007, 319 cases of H5N1 bird flu in humans were reported to the World Health Organization. Among these cases, 60 percent (192) were fatal. To date, no human cases of bird flu have been reported in the United States.

All human cases were reported from Asia (Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Iraq, Laos, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam) and Africa (Djibouti, Egypt, and Nigeria).

-----

FDA Review Recommends Warnings on Kids' Flu Drugs

Reports of neurological problems in children taking the flu drugs Tamiflu and Relenza mean the medicines need a warning label on their packaging, according to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration safety review released Friday.

According to the Associated Press, the safety review follows 25 deaths among Tamiflu users under the age of 21, most of them occurring in Japan. In five cases, children fell from windows or balconies or ran into traffic, the AP said.

The FDA began its review in 2005 after receiving reports of children experiencing hallucinations, convulsions and other neurological problems while on Tamiflu.

Data from the review will be considered by a special panel of outside experts that will meet on Tuesday to mull the agency's proposed label changes. The FDA is not required to follow the advice of its advisory panels, but usually does.

According to the AP, there have so far been no child deaths linked to Relenza, but regulators say some children taking the drug have shown similar neurological symptoms.

Neurological side effects may come from a rare strain of the flu, or a rare genetic reaction to the flu drugs, according to the FDA.

Relenza's current label makes no mention of neurological problems. Tamiflu's labeling currently mentions the potential for self-injury or delirium, but does not say these incidents could prove fatal. The proposed labeling change would add that warning to Tamiflu, the AP said.

In a statement, Tamiflu's maker, Swiss-based Roche, said there's no hard evidence linking the drug to neurological trouble, which the company says can also be caused by the flu. However, referring to a proposed label change, Roche said it is "open to that consideration."

-----

Leg Vein Clots Boost Heart Attack, Stroke Risks

Patients with clots in the veins of the legs, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), face higher risks for heart attack or stroke in the year after a clot, according to a study in the Nov. 24 issue of The Lancet.

These clots have been noted in passengers on long-haul flights and have been dubbed "economy class syndrome," although they do occur in other settings.

In the study, researchers at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark, tracked one-year outcomes for over 25,000 people with DVT, almost 17,000 people with pulmonary embolism (clots that travel to the lung), and close to 164,000 healthy controls.

They found that DVT boosted the 12-month risk of heart attack and stroke by 60 and 119 percent, respectively, compared to controls. Pulmonary embolism boosted the odds for heart attack over the following year by more than two-and-a-half times compared to controls, while nearly tripling a patent's risk of stroke.

The increase in risk was roughly equivalent to that of conventional cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes and smoking, the team noted.

Health Tips for November 26

Health Tip: Understanding Glaucoma

Glaucoma occurs when pressure builds up in the eye from excess fluid. Early detection and treatment can preserve eyesight, but there is no cure for the disease once it has progressed.

Here is important information about glaucoma, courtesy of the American Foundation for the Blind:

* Glaucoma can trigger loss of peripheral vision, which impairs the ability to move about safely and independently.
* Among blacks, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness.
* Glaucoma can make reading difficult, by limiting vision so that only one word can be read at a time.
* If undiagnosed or untreated, glaucoma can cause permanent, irreversible damage to the eye.
* Regular eye exams are important for detection and early treatment. Testing should begin as early as age 35.
* Glaucoma rarely triggers symptoms in its earliest and most treatable stages.

Health Tip: Preventing Dry Eyes

Dry eyes can be triggered by aging, eyestrain, exposure to sun, wind or smoke, or injury.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers these suggestions to help soothe dry eyes:

* Use artificial tears, or other moisturizing eye drops or ointments.
* Avoid smoking, and exposure to secondhand smoke.
* Avoid direct exposure to wind or air conditioning.
* Use a humidifier in your home, particularly during the dry winter months.
* Rest your eyes, and blink often.

Health Headlines - November 25

M.D.s, U.S. Government Stressing Flu Vaccination Next Week

It's certainly not too late to get your flu shot. In fact, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is emphasizing the week of November 27 to December 2 as National Influenza Vaccination Week.

According to a news release from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), stressing the importance of getting vaccinated against influenza now may stem off last-minute rushes to the doctor if this year's flu season should be a bad one.

And unlike the situation in 2005, there is enough vaccine for everyone in the united States, despite age or physical condition, officials from the CDC and AAFP say.

The AAFP is also emphasizing Tuesday, Nov. 27 as Children's Flu Vaccination Day, with a reminder that more than 20,000 children under age 5 are hospitalized every year as a result of influenza.

A letter to all AAFP members from AAFP President Dr. Jim King and Board Chair Dr. Rick Kellerman, urges doctors to stress the importance getting a flu shot, and the vaccine is not just for patients. "Immunization of health care workers protects not only the worker but also those around them," the letter says. "For example, influenza can be transmitted to patients and co-workers from an infected person 24 hours before symptoms appear."

A complete list of vaccination schedules is available on the AAFP Immunization Resources Web page .

-----

New Bird Flu Outbreak Reported in South Korea

Avian flu has returned to South Korea for the first time in eight months.

However, this strain, which forced the extermination of thousands of ducks in the southern part of the country, was not the deadly H5N1 strain that scientists fear could mutate into a pandemic among humans, the Associated Press reports.

Rather, it was described by government health officials as a "low pathogenic" H7 strain that so far, has not shown up in humans. About 17,000 ducks were slaughtered on a poultry farm 205 miles southwest of Seoul, the wire service reports. Cases of the H5N1 virus have occurred seven times in South Korea during the past year, the A.P. says.

From December 2003 to mid-July 2007, 319 cases of H5N1 bird flu in humans were reported to the World Health Organization. Among these cases, 60 percent (192) were fatal. To date, no human cases of bird flu have been reported in the United States.

All human cases were reported from Asia (Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Iraq, Laos, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam) and Africa (Djibouti, Egypt, and Nigeria).

-----

UK Plans to Vaccinate Entire Population if Bird Flu Pandemic Occurs

Although there hasn't been a single confirmed case of human-to-human infection, the possibility of an avian flu pandemic has prompted the British government to announce it intends to provide its entire population with vaccinations if such an outbreak should occur.

According to the Associated Press, the United Kingdom's health secretary Alan Johnson characterized the possibility of a bird flu pandemic as being "one of the most severe risks" facing the country. Johnson told English lawmakers he had signed an agreement for the delivery of enough pandemic flu vaccine to immunize every British citizen against avian flu.

So far, its only a plan, the wire service quotes government officials as saying. No vaccine can be produced until -- and if -- an actual epidemic occurs, and the virus is identified.

"We don't believe an influenza pandemic is imminent," a UK government official told the A.P., but the danger of repeating the type of casualties that occurred in a 1968 influenza outbreak do exist, she added. In that instance, more than 1 million people died worldwide, 80,000 in Britain, the wire service reports.

In terms of the H5N1 bird flu virus, from December 2003 to mid-July 2007, 319 cases of bird flu in humans were reported to the World Health Organization. Among these cases, 60 percent (192) were fatal. To date, no human cases of bird flu have been reported in the United States.

All human cases were reported from Asia (Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Iraq, Laos, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam) and Africa (Djibouti, Egypt, and Nigeria).

-----

FDA Review Recommends Warnings on Kids' Flu Drugs

Reports of neurological problems in children taking the flu drugs Tamiflu and Relenza mean the medicines need a warning label on their packaging, according to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration safety review released Friday.

According to the Associated Press, the safety review follows 25 deaths among Tamiflu users under the age of 21, most of them occurring in Japan. In five cases, children fell from windows or balconies or ran into traffic, the AP said.

The FDA began its review in 2005 after receiving reports of children experiencing hallucinations, convulsions and other neurological problems while on Tamiflu.

Data from the review will be considered by a special panel of outside experts that will meet on Tuesday to mull the agency's proposed label changes. The FDA is not required to follow the advice of its advisory panels, but usually does.

According to the AP, there have so far been no child deaths linked to Relenza, but regulators say some children taking the drug have shown similar neurological symptoms.

Neurological side effects may come from a rare strain of the flu, or a rare genetic reaction to the flu drugs, according to the FDA.

Relenza's current label makes no mention of neurological problems. Tamiflu's labeling currently mentions the potential for self-injury or delirium, but does not say these incidents could prove fatal. The proposed labeling change would add that warning to Tamiflu, the AP said.

In a statement, Tamiflu's maker, Swiss-based Roche, said there's no hard evidence linking the drug to neurological trouble, which the company says can also be caused by the flu. However, referring to a proposed label change, Roche said it is "open to that consideration."

-----

Leg Vein Clots Boost Heart Attack, Stroke Risks

Patients with clots in the veins of the legs, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), face higher risks for heart attack or stroke in the year after a clot, according to a study in the Nov. 24 issue of The Lancet.

These clots have been noted in passengers on long-haul flights and have been dubbed "economy class syndrome," although they do occur in other settings.

In the study, researchers at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark, tracked one-year outcomes for over 25,000 people with DVT, almost 17,000 people with pulmonary embolism (clots that travel to the lung), and close to 164,000 healthy controls.

They found that DVT boosted the 12-month risk of heart attack and stroke by 60 and 119 percent, respectively, compared to controls. Pulmonary embolism boosted the odds for heart attack over the following year by more than two-and-a-half times compared to controls, while nearly tripling a patent's risk of stroke.

The increase in risk was roughly equivalent to that of conventional cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes and smoking, the team noted.

-----

Rotavirus Vaccine Could Help Prevent Child Diarrhea

A new vaccine against rotavirus -- a gastroenteritis bug responsible for sometimes lethal diarrhea in infants and young children -- shows promise in a new trial and might help save children's lives, experts say.

A team from the University of Tampere, Finland, tested the RIX4414 vaccine in almost 4,000 infants six to 14 weeks of age, living in six European countries.

After receiving two doses, children showed more than 90 percent protection against severe gastroenteritis over two seasons. The shot was also 96 percent effective in preventing illness requiring hospitalization, the researchers report in the Nov. 24 issue of The Lancet.

In an accompanying editorial, experts caution that diverse strains of rotavirus circulate in Africa and Asia, so no global recommendations on the vaccine's use can be made until it is tested in those populations.

-----

Britain Would Vaccinate All Against Pandemic Flu

U.K. health officials on Thursday announced they are planning to stockpile enough pandemic flu vaccine to protect the entire population, the Associated Press reported.

A flu pandemic was "one of the most severe risks" facing Britain, Health Secretary Alan Johnson told lawmakers. He said he had signed an agreement that would assure the delivery of enough vaccine to protect every citizen.

Experts can only formulate a vaccine once the strain of the pandemic virus had been identified, however. Health officials said it remains impossible to predict when a pandemic might strike or how widespread it might be.

According to an unnamed department of health spokeswoman, the last global flu epidemic occurred in 1968 and killed over one million people worldwide. She told the AP that "we don't believe an influenza [pandemic] is imminent."

Health Tips for November 25

Health Tip: Ruptured Eardrum

A ruptured eardrum has a tear in it. The torn tissue often is caused by pressure and fluid buildup resulting from a middle ear infection.

The eardrum protects the inner ear from wind and foreign particles, and also helps you hear. When the eardrum is perforated, the University of Michigan Health System says, it can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss.

Treatment may include an antibiotic to clear up any infection, and surgery may be required for large tears. The university recommends protecting the ear from water, cold and wind to reduce pain and the chances for additional injury while the tear heals itself.

Health Tip: Wax Can Build up in the Ear

Some people's ears produce more wax than is necessary to protect the ear from foreign matter. A blockage caused by excess wax can trigger hearing loss, earache, ringing in the ears, or a sensation of fullness in the ear, the U.S. National Library of Medicine says.

There are several ways to treat a wax blockage in the ear, the NLM advises. A doctor may choose to use mineral oil or baby oil, glycerin, hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. The ear can also be irrigated with a syringe full of water at body temperature directed into the ear, then drained.

Once wax has been removed, the ear should be thoroughly dried, such as by a blow dryer used on a low setting, the NLM says.

Health Headlines - November 24

FDA Review Recommends Warnings on Kids' Flu Drugs

Reports of neurological problems in children taking the flu drugs Tamiflu and Relenza mean the medicines need a warning label on their packaging, according to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration safety review released Friday.

According to the Associated Press, the safety review follows 25 deaths among Tamiflu users under the age of 21, most of them occurring in Japan. In five cases, children fell from windows or balconies or ran into traffic, the AP said.

The FDA began its review in 2005 after receiving reports of children experiencing hallucinations, convulsions and other neurological problems while on Tamiflu.

Data from the review will be considered by a special panel of outside experts that will meet on Tuesday to mull the agency's proposed label changes. The FDA is not required to follow the advice of its advisory panels, but usually does.

According to the AP, there have so far been no child deaths linked to Relenza, but regulators say some children taking the drug have shown similar neurological symptoms.

Neurological side effects may come from a rare strain of the flu, or a rare genetic reaction to the flu drugs, according to the FDA.

Relenza's current label makes no mention of neurological problems. Tamiflu's labeling currently mentions the potential for self-injury or delirium, but does not say these incidents could prove fatal. The proposed labeling change would add that warning to Tamiflu, the AP said.

In a statement, Tamiflu's maker, Swiss-based Roche, said there's no hard evidence linking the drug to neurological trouble, which the company says can also be caused by the flu. However, referring to a proposed label change, Roche said it is "open to that consideration."

-----

Leg Vein Clots Boost Heart Attack, Stroke Risks

Patients with clots in the veins of the legs, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), face higher risks for heart attack or stroke in the year after a clot, according to a study in the Nov. 24 issue of The Lancet.

These clots have been noted in passengers on long-haul flights and have been dubbed "economy class syndrome," although they do occur in other settings.

In the study, researchers at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark, tracked one-year outcomes for over 25,000 people with DVT, almost 17,000 people with pulmonary embolism (clots that travel to the lung), and close to 164,000 healthy controls.

They found that DVT boosted the 12-month risk of heart attack and stroke by 60 and 119 percent, respectively, compared to controls. Pulmonary embolism boosted the odds for heart attack over the following year by more than two-and-a-half times compared to controls, while nearly tripling a patent's risk of stroke.

The increase in risk was roughly equivalent to that of conventional cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes and smoking, the team noted.

-----

Rotavirus Vaccine Could Help Prevent Child Diarrhea

A new vaccine against rotavirus -- a gastroenteritis bug responsible for sometimes lethal diarrhea in infants and young children -- shows promise in a new trial and might help save children's lives, experts say.

A team from the University of Tampere, Finland, tested the RIX4414 vaccine in almost 4,000 infants six to 14 weeks of age, living in six European countries.

After receiving two doses, children showed more than 90 percent protection against severe gastroenteritis over two seasons. The shot was also 96 percent effective in preventing illness requiring hospitalization, the researchers report in the Nov. 24 issue of The Lancet.

In an accompanying editorial, experts caution that diverse strains of rotavirus circulate in Africa and Asia, so no global recommendations on the vaccine's use can be made until it is tested in those populations.

-----

Britain Would Vaccinate All Against Pandemic Flu

U.K. health officials on Thursday announced they are planning to stockpile enough pandemic flu vaccine to protect the entire population, the Associated Press reported.

A flu pandemic was "one of the most severe risks" facing Britain, Health Secretary Alan Johnson told lawmakers. He said he had signed an agreement that would assure the delivery of enough vaccine to protect every citizen.

Experts can only formulate a vaccine once the strain of the pandemic virus had been identified, however. Health officials said it remains impossible to predict when a pandemic might strike or how widespread it might be.

According to an unnamed department of health spokeswoman, the last global flu epidemic occurred in 1968 and killed over one million people worldwide. She told the AP that "we don't believe an influenza [pandemic] is imminent."

-----

Common Gene May Protect Against Cancer

Two variants of the B-MYB gene, which is carried by up to half of the world's people, may shield humans against cancer, the BBC reported Wednesday.

Scientists compared variants of B-MYB found in more than 400 patients with either colon cancer, a brain tumor called neuroblastoma, or chronic myeloid leukemia, to variants found in 230 people without cancer.

Reporting in the journal Oncogene, the team found that patients with malignancies were half as likely to carry the protective B-MYB gene variants as people without cancer.

"People who carry these gene variants might well be protected against cancer," researcher Dr. Arturo Sala of the Institute of Child Health told the BBC. Up to 50 percent of people in Africa appear to carry the protective variant, and perhaps slightly fewer in North America and Europe.

"Discovering exactly how it might protect against [cancer] could allow researchers to explore new avenues of cancer prevention," Henry Scowcroft, senior scientific information officer at Cancer Research UK, told the BBC.

Health Tips for November 24

Health Tip: Fluid in the Ear

Fluid that discharges from the ear can be harmless, as in the case of ear wax, or it could be a sign of something more serious.

Here are warning signs that ear discharge should be checked by a doctor, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

* If it is white, yellow or clear.
* If it is bloody.
* If it continues for more than five days straight.
* If it is accompanied by severe pain, fever or headache.
* If it results in hearing loss.

Health Tip: Emotional Reasons for Erectile Dysfunction

While male impotence can be caused by physical factors -- including high blood pressure, diabetes and injury -- other triggers can be emotional.

The American Academy of Family Physicians offers this list of possible emotional causes for erectile dysfunction:

* Feeling depressed.
* Feelings of anxiety or nervousness.
* Stress from work, family or financial problems.
* Unresolved issues between you and your sexual partner.
* Feelings of self-consciousness.
* Fear of your partner's reaction or rejection.

Health Headlines - November 23

Britain Would Vaccinate All Against Pandemic Flu

U.K. health officials on Thursday announced they are planning to stockpile enough pandemic flu vaccine to protect the entire population, the Associated Press reported.

A flu pandemic was "one of the most severe risks" facing Britain, Health Secretary Alan Johnson told lawmakers. He said he had signed an agreement that would assure the delivery of enough vaccine to protect every citizen.

Experts can only formulate a vaccine once the strain of the pandemic virus had been identified, however. Health officials said it remains impossible to predict when a pandemic might strike or how widespread it might be.

According to an unnamed department of health spokeswoman, the last global flu epidemic occurred in 1968 and killed over one million people worldwide. She told the AP that "we don't believe an influenza [pandemic] is imminent."

-----

Common Gene May Protect Against Cancer

Two variants of the B-MYB gene, which is carried by up to half of the world's people, may shield humans against cancer, the BBC reported Wednesday.

Scientists compared variants of B-MYB found in more than 400 patients with either colon cancer, a brain tumor called neuroblastoma, or chronic myeloid leukemia, to variants found in 230 people without cancer.

Reporting in the journal Oncogene, the team found that patients with malignancies were half as likely to carry the protective B-MYB gene variants as people without cancer.

"People who carry these gene variants might well be protected against cancer," researcher Dr. Arturo Sala of the Institute of Child Health told the BBC. Up to 50 percent of people in Africa appear to carry the protective variant, and perhaps slightly fewer in North America and Europe.

"Discovering exactly how it might protect against [cancer] could allow researchers to explore new avenues of cancer prevention," Henry Scowcroft, senior scientific information officer at Cancer Research UK, told the BBC.

-----

Actor Dennis Quaid's Twins Reported Hospitalized After Medical Error

Two-week-old twins born to actor Dennis Quaid and his wife, Kimberley, are recovering from a massive overdose of blood thinner they received at Los Angeles' Cedar-Sinai Medical Center, according to news reports.

The infants, who are being cared for in the hospital's neonatal care unit, each received vials of the anticoagulant drug heparin that was 1,000 times stronger than had been prescribed, the Associated Press reported.

The babies reportedly received doses containing 10,000 units per millimeter of heparin versus vials with a recommended concentration of 10 units per millimeter.

According to the AP, Cedar-Sinai's chief medical officer, Michael L. Langberg, said three patients received the erroneous doses in what he called a "preventable error." Cedars-Sinai has apologized to the patients' families but cannot release their names due to confidentiality issues.

However, celebrity Web site TMZ.com named the Quaid twins, Thomas Boone and Zoe Grace, as two of the patients involved.

According to the hospital statement, tests to asses blood-clotting function came out normal for one of the patients, but, in the other two patients, doctors used a drug that reverses heparin's effects.

Further testing on the those two patients "indicated no adverse effects from the higher concentration of heparin," Langberg said.

The twins were born to Quaid, 53, and his wife Nov. 8 to a surrogate mother. In a statement, the actor's publicist, Carla Tripicchio, said the couple "appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers and hope they can maintain their privacy during this difficult time," according to the AP.

-----

More Americans Physically Active, Report Finds

There is good, and moving, news for most Americans preparing to tuck into one of the big holiday meals of the year.

Between 2001 to 2005, the number of Americans who got regular physical activity increased from 48 percent to 49.7 percent among men, and from 43 percent to 46.7 percent among women, according to government research released Wednesday.

The largest increase in regular physical activity occurred among non-Hispanic black women (from 31.4 percent to 36.1 percent) and non-Hispanic black men (from 40.3 percent to 45.3 percent). Rates of physical activity increased from 46 percent to 49.6 percent among white women and from 50.6 percent to 52.3 percent among white men.

Among Hispanic women, rates of physical activity increased from 36.3 percent to 40.5 percent, and from 41.2 percent to 46.6 percent among women of other races. In 2005, 41.9 percent of Hispanic men got regular physical activity.

The findings are from an analysis of data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and are published in this week's issue of the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

The CDC points out that regular physical activity can reduce the risk of a number of health problems, including obesity, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and certain cancers.

-----

Children's Products Recalled for Choking Hazard, Lead Levels

Numerous recalls of made-in-China children's products that pose a choking hazard or have dangerous levels of lead were announced Wednesday by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

One recall includes about 205,000 Rachel Rose and Distinctly Basics assorted children's jewelry distributed by Family Dollar Stores of Charlotte, N.C. The jewelry contains high levels of lead. The jewelry was sold nationwide from January 2003 through August 2007. The jewelry should immediately be taken away from children. For more information, contact Family Dollar at 800-547-0359.

Other recalls include:

• About 84,000 children's pencil pouches distributed by Raymond Geddes & Co. of Baltimore, Md. The paint on the pencil pouches' zipper pull contains excessive levels of lead. The "Stuff Keepers" and "Bear Pencil Pouches" were sold nationwide from September 1997 through October 2007 for between 50 cents and $2. The pouches should be taken away from children and returned to the place of purchase for a full refund.
• About 43,000 Sparkle City charm bracelets and tack pin sets that contain high levels of lead. The charm bracelets and tack pin sets were distributed by Buy-Rite Designs Inc. of Freehold, N.J. and sold at Big Lots stores nationwide from August 2005 through April 2007 for about $1. For more information, contact Buy-Rite at 888-777-7952.
• About 38,000 Boppy pillow slipcovers imported by The Boppy Company of Golden, Colo. The zipper pull on the slipcovers can break and pose a choking hazard to young children. In addition, paint on the zippers may contain excess levels of lead. The slipcovers were sold nationwide at discount department stores from July 2006 through September 2007. Contact the The Boppy Company (888-713-3916) for a free replacement.
• About 8,000 flashing pacifiers or 2-in-1 flashing pacifiers with whistle necklaces imported by Sailing (U.S.) International Corp. of Hackensack, N.J. The nipple of the pacifiers can detach from the base and pose a choking hazard to young children. The pacifiers were sold nationwide in June 2007 for about $5 per dozen. Consumers should discard the pacifiers or return them to the place of purchase for a refund. For more information, contact Sailing (U.S.) International Corp. at 800-643-6134.

Health Tips for November 23

Health Tip: Make the Holidays More Meaningful

Children can easily be caught up in the superficial aspects of the holidays, including all of the big meals, and gifts coming from so many friends and relatives.

The Nemours Foundation offers these suggestions for making the holidays more meaningful for you and your children:

* Create traditions in the family that your children can look forward to. Talk about why it's important to have traditions, and which ones are their favorites.
* Encourage children to volunteer, and to make donations and gifts for those who are less fortunate.
* As a family, make homemade gifts to give to friends and family members. Help your children understand that a gift doesn't need to be something that's bought from a store.
* Don't let yourself get stressed during the holidays. Let your children see that it's a time to enjoy spending together as a family.

Health Tip: Eat Healthy When You Eat Out

When it's time to eat out, you may think it's too difficult to stick to a diet or to watch those calories.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which offers these eating-out tips, begs to differ:

* Order water, skim milk, unsweetened tea, or other drinks low in sugar and calories.
* Order a small salad as an appetizer, which will help fill you up before the main meal.
* Order salad dressings and other fattening sauces on the side.
* Order entrees that include vegetables.
* Order dishes that are steamed, baked or broiled, not fried.
* Order a small or medium-sized portion -- or even a children's meal -- instead of a regular adult portion.
* Order something from the menu, instead of visiting the all-you-can eat buffet.

Health Headlines - November 22

Actor Dennis Quaid's Twins Reported Hospitalized After Medical Error

Two-week-old twins born to actor Dennis Quaid and his wife, Kimberley, are recovering from a massive overdose of blood thinner they received at Los Angeles' Cedar-Sinai Medical Center, according to news reports.

The infants, who are being cared for in the hospital's neonatal care unit, each received vials of the anticoagulant drug heparin that was 1,000 times stronger than had been prescribed, the Associated Press reported.

The babies reportedly received doses containing 10,000 units per millimeter of heparin versus vials with a recommended concentration of 10 units per millimeter.

According to the AP, Cedar-Sinai's chief medical officer, Michael L. Langberg, said three patients received the erroneous doses in what he called a "preventable error." Cedars-Sinai has apologized to the patients' families but cannot release their names due to confidentiality issues.

However, celebrity Web site TMZ.com named the Quaid twins, Thomas Boone and Zoe Grace, as two of the patients involved.

According to the hospital statement, tests to asses blood-clotting function came out normal for one of the patients, but, in the other two patients, doctors used a drug that reverses heparin's effects.

Further testing on the those two patients "indicated no adverse effects from the higher concentration of heparin," Langberg said.

The twins were born to Quaid, 53, and his wife Nov. 8 to a surrogate mother. In a statement, the actor's publicist, Carla Tripicchio, said the couple "appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers and hope they can maintain their privacy during this difficult time," according to the AP.

-----

More Americans Physically Active, Report Finds

There is good, and moving, news for most Americans preparing to tuck into one of the big holiday meals of the year.

Between 2001 to 2005, the number of Americans who got regular physical activity increased from 48 percent to 49.7 percent among men, and from 43 percent to 46.7 percent among women, according to government research released Wednesday.

The largest increase in regular physical activity occurred among non-Hispanic black women (from 31.4 percent to 36.1 percent) and non-Hispanic black men (from 40.3 percent to 45.3 percent). Rates of physical activity increased from 46 percent to 49.6 percent among white women and from 50.6 percent to 52.3 percent among white men.

Among Hispanic women, rates of physical activity increased from 36.3 percent to 40.5 percent, and from 41.2 percent to 46.6 percent among women of other races. In 2005, 41.9 percent of Hispanic men got regular physical activity.

The findings are from an analysis of data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and are published in this week's issue of the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

The CDC points out that regular physical activity can reduce the risk of a number of health problems, including obesity, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and certain cancers.

-----

Children's Products Recalled for Choking Hazard, Lead Levels

Numerous recalls of made-in-China children's products that pose a choking hazard or have dangerous levels of lead were announced Wednesday by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

One recall includes about 205,000 Rachel Rose and Distinctly Basics assorted children's jewelry distributed by Family Dollar Stores of Charlotte, N.C. The jewelry contains high levels of lead. The jewelry was sold nationwide from January 2003 through August 2007. The jewelry should immediately be taken away from children. For more information, contact Family Dollar at 800-547-0359.

Other recalls include:

• About 84,000 children's pencil pouches distributed by Raymond Geddes & Co. of Baltimore, Md. The paint on the pencil pouches' zipper pull contains excessive levels of lead. The "Stuff Keepers" and "Bear Pencil Pouches" were sold nationwide from September 1997 through October 2007 for between 50 cents and $2. The pouches should be taken away from children and returned to the place of purchase for a full refund.
• About 43,000 Sparkle City charm bracelets and tack pin sets that contain high levels of lead. The charm bracelets and tack pin sets were distributed by Buy-Rite Designs Inc. of Freehold, N.J. and sold at Big Lots stores nationwide from August 2005 through April 2007 for about $1. For more information, contact Buy-Rite at 888-777-7952.
• About 38,000 Boppy pillow slipcovers imported by The Boppy Company of Golden, Colo. The zipper pull on the slipcovers can break and pose a choking hazard to young children. In addition, paint on the zippers may contain excess levels of lead. The slipcovers were sold nationwide at discount department stores from July 2006 through September 2007. Contact the The Boppy Company (888-713-3916) for a free replacement.
• About 8,000 flashing pacifiers or 2-in-1 flashing pacifiers with whistle necklaces imported by Sailing (U.S.) International Corp. of Hackensack, N.J. The nipple of the pacifiers can detach from the base and pose a choking hazard to young children. The pacifiers were sold nationwide in June 2007 for about $5 per dozen. Consumers should discard the pacifiers or return them to the place of purchase for a refund. For more information, contact Sailing (U.S.) International Corp. at 800-643-6134.

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Graco Infant Seats Recalled for Choking Hazard

A potential choking hazard has prompted the recall of more than 300,000 SnugRide infant seats made by Graco Children's Products Inc. The recall, announced Tuesday, covers standalone Snug Ride seats made between Aug. 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007 and sold from August 2006 until last week, the Associated Press reported.

Graco warned that the backing of the seat pad may pull away from the seams and expose the pad filling, which may pose a choking hazard to infants. The seats are still effective as a child-safety restraint, however.

The recall doesn't include SnugRide models made before August 2006 (which have a different design) or those sold as a travel system, the AP reported.

Consumers should not return the recalled seats to retailers. Instead, they should call Graco for a free replacement pad. Contact the company at 800-345-4109 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, Mondays to Fridays.

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Many Unsafe Toys Still on U.S. Store Shelves

U.S. government officials and toy makers say they're working hard to ensure toy safety, but many potentially dangerous toys are still for sale in stores across the United States, warn consumer groups.

Even the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) acknowledges that many toys on store shelves pose a threat, the Associated Press reported. According to the CPSC, major toy hazards include:

• Toys with small parts that are a choking risk, particularly for children under age 3.
• Riding toys, skateboards and inline skates that pose a fall hazard.
• Toys with small magnets that can cause serious injury or death if the magnets are swallowed.
• Air rockets, darts, sling shots and other projectile toys that can cause eye injuries.
• Chargers and adapters that can pose a burn risk.

In addition, in a report released Tuesday, U.S. PIRG (Public Interest Research Group) said nine of 100 toys it recently purchased at major U.S. retailers had high lead levels of 900 parts per million or more, the AP reported.

In the CPSC's annual toy safety message, acting head Nancy Nord urged parents to read product warning labels carefully.

Health Tips for November 22

Health Tip: Managing Menopause

If hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause are cramping your style, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers these suggestions:

* Eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats.
* Get plenty of regular exercise.
* Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may help certain women, but it carries medical risks. Discuss HRT with your doctor.
* Foods rich in soy may help some side effects, such as hot flashes.
* Get plenty of sleep, and maintain a regular sleep schedule.
* Avoid caffeine and alcohol.

Health Tip: Keep Kids on a Realistic Schedule

While after-school sports and other extracurricular activities are a great way to stay healthy, a schedule that's too packed can take its toll on your kids.

The Nemours Foundation says you should keep the following guidelines in mind when planning your child's extracurricular program:

* Set limits -- such as on the number of sports played per season, or on the number of days or evenings per week dedicated to these activities.
* Make sure your child knows how much time each activity will take. Be sure to include not just the activity itself, but any practice and time required at home.
* Create a calendar of activities, and make sure it includes ample down time -- as much as your child needs to be relaxed and happy.
* School must come first. If your child can't keep up with homework and other assignments, your child probably should cut back on extracurricular activities.

Health Headlines - November 21

FDA Investigating Anti-Smoking Drug

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is probing whether the smoking cessation drug Chantix (varenicline) raises users' risk for suicidal thoughts and "aggressive and erratic behavior," according to a statement released by the agency Tuesday.

First approved in May 2006 to help smokers kick the habit, Chantix made headlines in September after the violent death of Dallas musician Carter Albrecht. According to the Associated Press, Albrecht was shot in the head by his girlfriend's neighbor after he became enraged and attempted to kick down the man's door. Family members believe Chantix may have played a role in Albrecht's emotional state.

An autopsy report showed Albrecht's blood alcohol limit was triple the legal limit at the time of the incident, the AP added.

FDA says it is aware of the Albrecht case, as well as various anectdotal reports of increased suicidal behavior and ideation while taking Chantix, reported in the media and on Internet sites. The agency has asked the drug's maker, Pfizer Inc., for information on "additional cases that might be similar."

"The role of Chantix in these cases is not clear because smoking cessation, with or without treatment, is associated with nicotine withdrawal symptoms and has also been associated with the exacerbation of underlying psychiatric illness," the agency said.

The FDA said it is currently reviewing information supplied by Pfizer, and is checking on information suggesting that Chantix can make users drowsy. In the meantime, patients are encouraged to "contact their doctors if they experience behavior or mood changes," the agency said, and to be cautious when driving or using machinery while taking Chantix.

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Global HIV/AIDS Cases Decline

The number of global HIV/AIDS cases decreased from 39.5 million in 2006 to 33.2 million this year, according to a report to be released Wednesday by the World Health Organization and the United Nations AIDS agency.

However, previous estimates may have been too high and this year's lower numbers may be due to new methodology, the Associated Press reported. Previous estimates of HIV/AIDS in the general population were largely based on the numbers of infected pregnant women at clinics and rates in specific high-risk groups, such as drug users.

Officials said that approach produced flawed numbers, and the new figures factor in more kinds of data, such as national household surveys.

Even if this year's decline is mostly the result of changes methodology, U.N. officials said the new figures still show slowing momentum in the AIDS pandemic, the AP reported.

"For the first time, we are seeing a decline in global AIDS deaths," said Dr. Kevin De Cock, director of the WHO's AIDS department.

The Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation questioned whether the new estimate is any more accurate than previous numbers, and called for greater transparency among international agencies that monitor and track HIV/AIDS.

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Too Few U.S.-Trained Primary Care Doctors: Study

Only 31 percent of primary care doctors in the United States are homegrown, reports a study in the journal Annals of Family Medicine. That's because more and more U.S.-trained medical students are becoming specialists so that they can work fewer hours and make more money, ABC News reported.

As a result, the U.S. is increasingly dependent on foreign medical school graduates to fill the primary care role. This situation highlights the need for fundamental reforms in the primary care field, according to experts.

"The dependence on recruiting international medical graduates is symptomatic of the sad state of primary care in the U.S.," Dr. Allan Goroll, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston, told ABC News.

Low pay, inadequate funding, and poor organization are among the reasons why U.S. medical graduates shun primary care, he said.

The study authors noted that this situation also affects other nations, because the U.S. recruits top medical school graduates from poor and underdeveloped countries with severe doctor shortages, ABC News reported.

"What is most significant about this study is not only the fact that we import physicians, but that we preferentially import them from poor countries, to buttress our own primary care physician supply," said study lead author Dr. Barbara Starfield, a professor of health policy and management at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health in Baltimore, Md.

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Gene Therapy for Parkinson' s Disease Shows Promise

An experimental form of gene therapy shows promise in treating Parkinson's disease, according to a U.S. study published in the journal Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences.

The University of New York-led team used a virus that was genetically modified to carry a human gene that makes a chemical called GABA, which calms over-activity in an important part of the pathway that controls movement, BBC News reported.

Symptom assessment and positron emission tomography (PET) brain scans on the 12 patients who received this therapy showed significant improvements that were still present up to one year after treatment. Patients who received the highest doses of the gene therapy had the longest-lasting effect.

While this form of gene therapy shows promise, the research is still in the early stages, BBC News reported.

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U.S. Hysterectomy Rates Remain High

Although there are less expensive alternatives, the number of hysterectomies performed in the United States has remained at about 600,000 per year over the past 25 years, says a report released Monday by the not-for-profit National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC).

About one in every three women will have a pelvic disorder by age 60. Based on current trends, about 25 percent of women in the United States will have had a hysterectomy by age 60, and most will be treated with the open total abdominal procedure, said the report, presented at the Global Congress of Minimally Invasive Gynecology in Washington, D.C.

"Many women are still being treated for fibroids and menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding) with hysterectomy, particularly the most invasive total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH), even though it comes with a long and painful recovery," Elizabeth Battaglino Cahill, NWHRC executive vice president, said in a prepared statement.

"While there are some cases where TAH is appropriate, women need to understand that there are less invasive options to hysterectomy that can get them back to their daily lives quicker and are actually more cost effective," she said.

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Three E.U. Countries Halt Sales of Prexige

Austria, Germany and the United Kingdom have halted sales of the anti-inflammatory painkiller Prexige due to concerns that it may cause liver damage, Agence France-Presse reported.

Earlier this year, Australia and Canada suspended sales of the Novartis drug, which hasn't been approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

"Patients taking Prexige in the U.K., Germany and Austria should consult their healthcare provider," said a statement released by Novartis. The drug maker also noted that other European Union countries "may decide to independently suspend the marketing authorization or sale of Prexige ahead of a decision," by the E.U.'s medical regulator expected in December, AFP reported.

According to Novartis, "available data suggest that Prexige 100 mg once-daily for osteoarthritis is not associated with increased hepatic [liver] risk" compared to other painkillers.

Health Tips for November 21

Health Tip: Buying Athletic Shoes

Properly fitted athletic shoes are an essential part of every workout. But finding the right shoe could be a challenge.

Here are some guidelines, courtesy of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:

* Because feet swell with activity, always try on athletic shoes later in the day or after a workout.
* Try on shoes with the same type of socks that you use to work out.
* Make sure you can easily wiggle your toes when the shoes are laced up, and that your heel doesn't slip as you walk.
* Try walking or running a few steps in the store to be sure the shoes are comfortable. You should not have to "break in" athletic shoes.
* Always fully lace shoes when trying them on, as you would to work out.
* If you work out frequently, buy a shoe specific to the sport or exercise that you perform.

Health Tip: Before a Wart is Removed

Before your doctor removes a wart, often by a freezing process called cryosurgery, there are things you can do to prepare for the procedure.

The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these suggestions:

* For two weeks, thoroughly clean the wart with soap and water each night. Once it is dry, apply a salicylic acid gel to the wart.
* Once the gel has been applied, cover the wart with a salicylic acid pad. Be sure the pad is large enough to cover the wart completely.
* Keep the pad on the wart for 24 hours. Repeat this process once daily until the removal procedure.
* If the wart becomes red and sore, discontinue using the gel and see your doctor.

Health Headlines - November 20

U.S. Hysterectomy Rates Remain High

Although there are less expensive alternatives, the number of hysterectomies performed in the United States has remained at about 600,000 per year over the past 25 years, says a report released Monday by the not-for-profit National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC).

About one in every three women will have a pelvic disorder by age 60. Based on current trends, about 25 percent of women in the United States will have had a hysterectomy by age 60, and most will be treated with the open total abdominal procedure, said the report, presented at the Global Congress of Minimally Invasive Gynecology in Washington, D.C.

"Many women are still being treated for fibroids and menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding) with hysterectomy, particularly the most invasive total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH), even though it comes with a long and painful recovery," Elizabeth Battaglino Cahill, NWHRC executive vice president, said in a prepared statement.

"While there are some cases where TAH is appropriate, women need to understand that there are less invasive options to hysterectomy that can get them back to their daily lives quicker and are actually more cost effective," she said.

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Three E.U. Countries Halt Sales of Prexige

Austria, Germany and the United Kingdom have halted sales of the anti-inflammatory painkiller Prexige due to concerns that it may cause liver damage, Agence France-Presse reported.

Earlier this year, Australia and Canada suspended sales of the Novartis drug, which hasn't been approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

"Patients taking Prexige in the U.K., Germany and Austria should consult their healthcare provider," said a statement released by Novartis. The drug maker also noted that other European Union countries "may decide to independently suspend the marketing authorization or sale of Prexige ahead of a decision," by the E.U.'s medical regulator expected in December, AFP reported.

According to Novartis, "available data suggest that Prexige 100 mg once-daily for osteoarthritis is not associated with increased hepatic [liver] risk" compared to other painkillers.

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Few Older Workers Have Job-Related Stress: Study

Work-related stress isn't an issue for most older American workers, suggests a University of Michigan survey of 1,544 people, aged 53 to 85.

Results from the 2006 survey showed that only 15 percent of respondents said their work "often" or "almost" interfered with their personal lives, although 47 percent did agree that time constraints were stressful, CBC News reported.

The researchers were surprised by the conclusions of the survey, which also found that 19 percent of respondents felt they had poor job security.

"Given what we know about the extent of age discrimination at work and the current economic climate regarding unemployment, this is a surprisingly low number," of older workers affected by job-related stress, study co-author Gwenith Fisher said in a prepared statement.

She noted that many older workers no longer have children to care for, and have more personal time. This may be a factor behind lower-than-expected levels of work-related stress among this group, CBC News reported.

The survey was presented at the annual meeting in San Francisco of the Gerontological Society of America.

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Caregivers Have High Out-of-Pocket Expenses

Americans caring for an ailing spouse or elderly parent spend an average of $5,500 a year on out-of-pocket expenses, such as groceries, drugs, transportation, medical co-payments and household goods, according to a telephone survey conducted by the National Alliance for Caregiving and long-term care coordinator Evercare.

That amount is more than double previous estimates and more than what the average American household spends each year on health care and entertainment combined, The New York Times reported.

Caregivers cover these out-of-pocket costs, which account for an average of 10 percent of their household income, by dipping into savings, getting loans, skipping vacations, or ignoring their own health care, said the survey.

The researchers called for tax deductions, tax credits or other forms of government assistance for family caregivers, The Times reported.

The survey of 1,000 adults caring for someone over age 50 is the first to provide detailed information about out-of-pocket spending among the estimated 34 million Americans who provide care for older loved ones.

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Drug Shows Promise in Slowing Aggressive Brain Cancer

The drug Avastin shows promised in slowing the spread of an aggressive and hard-to-treat brain cancer called glioblastoma, according to a study presented Sunday at the Society for Neuro-Oncology meeting in Dallas.

The Phase II study of 167 patients with a relapsed form of glioblastoma found that tumors remained stable for six months in about 36 percent of patients who took the drug, compared to about 15 percent of patients who took other drugs in previous studies, Bloomberg reported.

Among patients in the new study who took both Avastin and the chemotherapy drug irinotecan, about 51 percent were alive with stable tumors after six months. About 8 percent of patients taking Avastin experienced significant hypertension and about 6 percent had convulsions. The study was sponsored by California-based Genentech, which makes Avastin. Currently, the drug is approved for treatment of colon and lung cancer.

A previous study of 35 glioblastoma patients found that 46 percent of those who took Avastin lived six months with stable tumors, Bloomberg reported.

Currently, patients with relapsed glioblastoma are expected to live about three to six months.

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Older Canadian Cattle Threaten U.S. Meat Supply: Consumers Union

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is putting meat safety at risk by allowing imports of older Canadian cattle, says the Consumers Union.

Beginning Monday, the U.S. will allow imports of Canadian cattle born after 1999. These cattle can be slaughtered and processed as steak and beef burgers to be sold to Americans. Until Monday, the USDA had restricted imports of Canadian cattle to those up to 2.5 years old.

"Canada claims that all cattle born after 1999 are safe, as its new feed rules became effective at that time. But no less than five cases of mad cow disease have been detected in Canadian cattle born after 1999," Dr. Michael Hansen, senior scientist for food safety at Consumers Union, said in a prepared statement.

"Moreover, these cattle have been detected in a relatively small test program that tests only about one percent of slaughtered or dead Canadian cattle. How many more are there that are escaping detection?" he said.

If an infected Canadian animal does enter the U.S. it's unlikely that it will be detected by the small-scale American testing program, Hansen said.