Health Headlines - January 29

Students Benefit From Milk Switch: Study

Substituting low-fat and fat-free milk for whole milk in schools can greatly reduce students' consumption of calories and fat and help combat childhood obesity, says a new study.

It examined the impact of the New York City Department of Education's decision to switch from whole fat to low-fat/fat-free milk in 2005. The change meant that a milk-drinking student was exposed to 33 fewer calories and 3.4 fewer grams of fat per school day, which works out to nearly 6,000 fewer calories and more than 600 fewer grams of fat a year.

The effect was even greater for a student who drinks white milk -- 7,000 fewer calories and more than 900 fewer grams of fat a year. The researchers also found that school purchases of milk increased 1.3 percent after the switch.

Making changes to school milk policy can help reduce students' consumption of calories and fat without decreasing their intake of important vitamins and minerals, the researchers concluded.

The study appears in the latest Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Rural Hospitals Admit More Medicare Patients

In 2007, Medicare patients accounted for 45 percent of all stays at rural hospitals and 35 percent of stays at urban hospitals, says a new U.S. government report.

The latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality also found that 36 percent of urban hospital patients and 25 percent of rural hospital patients were covered by private insurance. About 20 percent of patients in both urban and rural hospitals had Medicaid and about 5 percent were uninsured.

Among the other findings:

• About half of the 2,000 rural hospitals in the United States had fewer than 50 beds, compared with 20 percent of urban hospitals.
• Among the two-thirds of rural residents who were hospitalized in rural hospitals, the top five illnesses were: pneumonia (267,000 stays); congestive heart failure (166,000 stays); chronic obstructive lung disease (146,000 stays); chest pain (110,000 stays); and fluid and electrolyte disorders, primarily dehydration and fluid overload (106,000 stays).
• Among the one-third of rural residents admitted to urban hospitals, the top five illnesses were: hardening of the arteries (108,000 stays); osteoarthritis (79,000 stays); back problems (75,000 stays); medical device, implant or graft complications (61,000 stays); and heart attack (61,000 stays).

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States Weigh Tougher Rules on Youth Head Injuries

Measures to tighten restrictions on when young athletes can return to play after suffering a head injury are being considered by a number of states.

Last year, Washington state set a precedent when it passed what's considered the strongest return-to-play law in the nation. It forbids athletes under 18 from returning to the game unless they have written approval from a licensed health-care provider. Similar bills are pending in several other states, including California and Pennsylvania, the Associated Press reported.

Last year, Maine lawmakers approved creation of a working group on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of concussions in young athletes. New Jersey has created a commission to examine brain injury research.

On Monday, a U.S. House committee will hold a forum to look at how high schools and colleges handle athlete concussions, the AP reported. The same committee has held hearings on head injuries in the NFL.

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Vital Social Skill Seems to Develop at Young Age

Babies develop an important social skill -- gazing -- when they're as young as 5 months old, according to a British study.

The researchers found that when babies pay joint attention to an object, they use an area of the brain (left prefrontal cortex) that's involved in complex cognitive and social behaviors, United Press International reported.

Joint attention -- when two people share attention to the same object -- is an important social skill necessary for teaching, language learning and collaboration, the researchers explained. Impairment in joint attention is one of the earliest signs of autism.

The study appears in the journal Biology Letters.

Health Tips for January 29

Health Tip: Spot the Signs of TMJ

TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders, affecting the jaw, are commonly triggered by grinding or clenching the teeth. The Nemours Foundation says TMJ disorders frequently have these symptoms: Pain of muscle spasms in the facial muscles, the jaw joint, in or around the ear, shoulders or neck. Painful chewing, yawning or talking. Unusual sounds when opening or closing the mouth, such as clicking or popping noises. Problems biting or chewing. The jaw "locking up." Difficulty hearing or ringing in the ears, feeling dizzy, or having headaches. Health Tip: Does Your Child Grind the Teeth? Bruxism is used to describe grinding the teeth or clenching the jaws, especially while asleep or under stress. In many cases, the teeth aren't damaged, although some kids who grind may have headaches or earaches. The Nemours Foundation offers this list of bruxism's possible warning signs: Your child makes a grinding sound while asleep. Your child's jaw or face is sore in the morning. Your child sucks the thumb. Your child bites the fingernails. Your child has signs of biting on the inside of the cheek. Your child frequently chews on items such as toys or pencils.

Health Headlines - January 28

C-Section Doesn't Affect Breast-Feeding: Study

Contrary to a widely held belief, having a "non-natural" instrumental or Caesarean section birth doesn't affect how long a mother breast-feeds, says a British study that included 2,000 new mothers.

But the researchers did find that a mother's ethnicity and the number of previous births did have an impact. White mothers were 70 percent more likely to stop breast-feeding than non-white women, BBC News reported.

The study also found that babies who began breast-feeding within an hour of being born weren't breast-fed longer than those who started breast-feeding within 48 hours of birth.

All the mothers in the study received breast-feeding help from the same peer support group. On average, they breast-fed for 21 weeks, and half of them breast-fed for more than 27 weeks, much longer than the national average, BBC Newsreported.

The study was published in the journal BMC Pediatrics.

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Antibiotics Combo More Effective Than Single Drug

Having patients take the two antibiotics lankacidin and lankamycin at the same time is a more effective way to combat pathogenic bacteria than using either antibiotic on its own, a new study says.

Individually, each drug is marginally effective at fighting pathogens, said the American and Israeli researchers. However, when used together, the two antibiotics are much more likely to be effective against dangerous pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureas (MRSA), United Press Internationalreported.

"What we found most amazing is that the two antibiotics appeared to help each other in stopping pathogens from making new proteins and in inhibiting bacterial growth," lead investigator Alexander Mankin, professor and associate director of the Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at the University of Illinois in Chicago, said in a news release.

The study was published online in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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New Disinfectant Kills Wide Range of Pathogens

A new rapid-acting disinfectant may help reduce deadly infections in hospitals, German scientists say.

The disinfectant is a simple alkaline detergent formulation mixed with 20 percent propanol, United Press International reported.

In tests on surgical instruments, the disinfectant killed bacteria, viruses, fungi and prions that cause mad cow disease in cattle and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans.

"Standard formulations that eliminate prions are very corrosive," study leader Dr. Michael Beekes, of the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin, said in a news release, UPIreported. "The solution we've come up with is not only safer and more material-friendly but easy to prepare, cheap and highly effective."

The study appears in the February issue of the Journal of General Virology.

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Curbs on L.A. Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Called 'Disaster' for Patients

A Los Angeles ordinance that places restrictions on medical marijuana dispensaries will dramatically restrict patient access to the drug, according to critics of the law.

The measure, passed Tuesday by the city council, forces dispensaries to comply with local restrictions, such as being at least 1,000 feet away from parks, schools and libraries. In addition, dispensaries will not be allowed to abut or be across an alley from residential property, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The restrictions will make it difficult to find suitable locations, say the operators of the estimated 150 medical marijuana dispensaries.

"It's a disaster for patients," James Shaw, director of the Union of Medical Marijuana Patients, told the city council after the vote, the Times reported.

Health Tips for January 28

Health Tip: Children Who Are at Risk for Ear Infection

Ear infections are common in children, and may be chronic. The American Academy of Family Physicians offers this list of risk factors for ear infections in children: Being around smokers. Having had a prior ear infection or a family history of ear infection. Going to day care. Being born prematurely or having a low birth weight. Having frequent colds or other infections. Going to bed with a bottle, or using a pacifier. Being a boy. Having allergy-related nasal congestion. Having nasally speech. Health Tip: Does Your Child Have an Ear Infection? Ear infections are common in babies and young children. Unfortunately, youngsters who can't talk yet aren't able to tell you when something is wrong. Here are signs, courtesy of the American College of Emergency Physicians Foundation, that your young child has an ear infection: Pain, which your baby may indicate by acting fussy, pulling on the ear, being irritable during feeding, or crying when lying down. A white or yellow drainage from the ear that may have an unpleasant odor. Difficulty hearing. A fever, usually between 100 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit. (37.78 to 40 degrees Celsius).

Health Headlines - January 27

Defect Prompts Recall of 2 Million Needles

Two million Exel/Exelint Huber needles are being recalled because there's a risk they can push pieces of silicone into patients' bodies, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The needles are used to access injection ports implanted beneath the skin of patients with chronic diseases who require frequent injections, the Associated Press reported.

The voluntary recall by Miami-based Nipro Medical Corp. includes needles made between January 2007 and August 2009.

An FDA inspection of Nipro's manufacturing plant found that 60 to 72 percent of the needles have a design problem that can cause the needle to dislodge bits of silicone from the injection ports and possibly push the pieces into a patient's bloodstream, the AP reported.

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Victoza Approved for Type 2 Diabetes

Victoza (liraglutide) has been approved to treat type 2 diabetes in some adults, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in a news release.

But the agency warned that the once-daily injection shouldn't be used as an initial (first-line) treatment until additional studies are completed, since the drug may cause thyroid tumors or a rare disease called medullary thyroid cancer. People at risk for this type of cancer shouldn't use the drug, the FDA stressed.

Victoza, among a class of medicines called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, is meant to be used along with diet and exercise to control blood sugar by helping the pancreas make more insulin after a person eats.

In clinical studies involving more than 3,900 patients, people who took Victoza had more cases of pancreatic inflammation (pancreatitis) than people who took other diabetes drugs, the FDA said. The drug should be stopped if severe abdominal pain develops or tests confirm pancreatitis, the agency said.

Victoza is produced by Denmark-based Novo Nordisk.

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Hearing Problems Decreasing: Study

The rate of hearing problems among Americans ages 45 to 75 has been decreasing for years, says a new study.

Researchers analyzed the results of hearing tests conducted between 1993 and 2008 on about 5,300 people who were at least 45 years old and born between 1902 and 1962, the Associated Press reported. The participants were residents of Beaver Dam, Wis., and their children, who lived in different places.

Men had an average 13 percent reduced risk of hearing impairment for every five-year increase in their date of birth, the study found. For women, the decrease was about 6 percent, the AP reported.

The study was published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

Experts suggested a number of reasons for the decline in hearing problems, including fewer noisy jobs, better workplace ear protection, immunizations and antibiotics that prevent certain diseases, and perhaps even a decrease in smoking, the AP reported.

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Processed Foods Main Source of Sodium for Many

Many people consume too much sodium, and processed foods are the main reason why, new research shows.

ScienceDaily reported Tuesday on the study set to appear in the February issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Australian researchers conducted a systematic review of the sodium contents of processed foods available in that country. Previous research has shown that high sodium intake can raise blood pressure.

The team at the George Institute for International Health in Sydney said their database and descriptive data offer the tools and information needed for continued monitoring of sodium content in processed foods.

The Australian research "is important in that these real-time data provide baseline information on the sodium content of many foods in Australia," American Society for Nutrition spokesman Roger Clemens said in a society news release. "A successful sodium-reduction process is likely to involve several steps, a gradual decrease in sodium such that food safety is not compromised while attempting to reduce the risk of elevated blood pressure among those who may respond to lower dietary sodium."

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More Melamine-Tainted Dairy Products Found in China

Chinese officials say they've ordered the removal of melamine-tainted dairy products from the shelves of more than a dozen convenience stores in the southern province of Guizhou.

The order to remove cartons of milk and frozen milk products dating from early 2009 came after health inspectors tested the products and found they contained melamine, the Associated Press reported.

Health authorities are investigating why the tainted dairy products hadn't already been pulled from the convenience store shelves, said Guizhou government spokeswoman Ling Hu.

The action comes more than a year after melamine-contaminated milk sickened hundreds of thousands of children in China, the AP reported. Melamine is used in the manufacture of plastics and fertilizer.

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U.S. Unprepared for Bioterror Attack: Panel

The United States isn't prepared for a biological terrorist attack, such as the release of deadly bacteria or viruses, according to a Congressionally mandated panel.

The poor preparation for the swine flu outbreak in 2009 shows that the nation isn't positioned to respond to something more serious, said Randy Larsen, executive director of the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation, the Associated Press reported.

Larsen noted that the United States ran out of H1N1 swine flu vaccine despite a six-month warning from health officials that the disease would be potentially deadly.

He said no one in the Obama administration has the lead for protecting the nation against a bioterrorism attack, the AP reported.

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Blood Glucose Level Affects Decision Making: Study

Blood glucose levels affect a person's decisions about present and future rewards, says a new study.

Participants were asked a series of questions about whether they'd prefer to receive a certain sum of money tomorrow or a larger amount at a later date. The questions were asked before and after drinking either a regular soda or a diet soda with an artificial sweetener, United Press International reported.

Those who drank a regular soda and had a higher blood glucose level were more likely to decide to receive a larger amount of money at a later date, while those who drank a diet soda and had a lower blood glucose level tended to take the smaller amount of money immediately.

The University of South Dakota researchers said their findings suggest that higher levels of blood glucose are associated with more future-oriented decisions, UPIreported.

The study appears in the journal Psychological Science.

Health Tips for January 27

Health Tip: Risk Factors for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is characterized by pain, weakness, tingling and numbness in the wrists and hands. It can lead to difficulty holding or gripping objects. The National Women's Health Information Center lists these common risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome: Abnormally small bones that form the carpal tunnel (between the wrists and hands). Frequent and repetitive movements of the hands and wrists. Any damage to the wrist joints or hands. Being pregnant. Being menopausal. Having had a mastectomy. Being obese. Certain medical problems, including rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, hypothyroidism or lupus Health Tip: Reduce Your Risk of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Carpal tunnel syndrome includes a number of conditions characterized by swelling, pain, tingling and weakness in the wrists and hands. The National Women's Health Information Center says you can help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome by taking these precautions: When you work at a computer, make sure your equipment is kept at an ideal height and distance, limiting strain on your hands and wrists. Also, keep your elbows near your sides as you type. Take a break once an hour. Scatter activities that require repetitive movements of the hands and wrists. Gently stretch and bend your hands and wrists in the opposite direction from typical movements. Keep your muscles warm while you work. Consider fingerless gloves if you work in a cold office.

Health Headlines - January 26

U.S. Veterans With PTSD Fight for Better Coverage

Thousands of U.S. veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who were discharged from the military because of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been told they can apply for an expedited review of their cases to determine if they were improperly denied benefits.

The legal notices sent to about 4,300 veterans explain that they have until July 24 to join a lawsuit against the U.S. military in order to be included in the expedited review, the Associated Press reported.

The lawsuit was launched by seven combat veterans who allege the military illegally denied health care and other benefits to veterans discharged because of PTSD during a six-year period that ended Oct. 14, 2008.

Each of the seven plaintiffs was given a disability rating of 10 percent or less when discharged. Since October 2008, the military has given a disability rating of at least 50 percent to those discharged with PTSD, the AP reported.

A higher disability rating ensures lifelong monthly disability benefits for a veteran, free health care for the veteran and his/her spouse and health care for the veteran's minor children.

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Regular Sex Benefits Men's Hearts: Study

Having sex at least twice a week can reduce a man's risk of serious heart disease by almost half, says a new study.

It included more than 1,000 men, aged 40 to 70, who had no history of heart disease and were followed for 16 years. Men who had sex twice a week were as much as 45 percent less likely to develop serious heart conditions than men who had sex less than once a month, CBS News reported.

The study appears in the American Journal of Cardiology. Women weren't part of the study, but experts believe the findings would be true for them too.

Sex could help heart health through its physical and emotional effects, said the researchers, CBS News reported. Sex can be good exercise and men who have regular sex are more likely to be in a healthy relationship that reduces stress and provides them with social support.

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No Medical Marijuana Limits: California Supreme Court

A California law that imposed limits on the amount of medical marijuana a patient can legally possess was overturned Thursday by the California Supreme Court.

In 1996, voters approved a measure to allow patients with a doctor's recommendation to possess an unspecified amount of marijuana. But in 2003, state lawmakers limited that amount to 8 ounces of dried marijuana, theAssociated Press reported.

In its ruling, the court said only voters can alter amendments they've added to the state's constitution through the initiative process.

In related news, the Washington state Supreme Court ruled that police can arrest a patient or search a home even if a patient has a doctor's permission to use marijuana for medicinal purposes. In the ruling, the court upheld the conviction of a man who had a doctor's authorization and was arrested with 2 pounds of marijuana.

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Past Decade Warmest on Record: NASA

The past decade was the warmest on record, according to Earth surface temperature data released Thursday by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

NASA said the figures also show that 2009 was the second warmest year since 1880, when scientists first started recording such data. The warmest year was 2005 and the other warmest years have all occurred since 1998, The New York Times reported.

Changes in ocean heating and cooling cycles cause variations in annual global temperatures, but when "we average temperature over 5 or 10 years to minimize that variability we find global warming is continuing unabated," said James E. Hansen, director of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies.

The newly released data show an upward trend of about 0.36 degrees Fahrenheit (0.2 degrees Celsius) per decade over the past 30 years. Since 1880, there's been an average 1.5 degree F rise in global temperatures, the Times reported.

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Same-Sex Couples Good Parents: Study

Same-sex couples are as good as male/female couples when it comes to parenting, say researchers who reviewed 81 studies of one- and two-parent families, including gay, lesbian and heterosexual couples.

"Children being raised by same-gender parents, on most all of the measures that we care about, self-esteem, school performance, social adjustment and so on, seem to be doing just fine and, in most cases, are statistically indistinguishable from kids raised by married moms and dads on these measures," said review co-author Timothy Biblarz, of the University of Southern California, USA Todayreported.

"It's more about the quality of the parenting than the gender of the parents," noted co-author Judith Stacey of New York University.

The researchers also found that "two women who choose to parent together are slightly more likely than a heterosexual couple to be actively committed to hands-on parenting. We don't have data yet on two men parenting, but I think it will come out fairly similar," Stacey said, USA Today reported.

The review findings will be published Friday in the Journal of Marriage and Family.

Health Tips for January 26

Health Tip: Triggers for Foot Arthritis

Arthritis can cause pain and swelling in any joint, and the joints of the feet are no exception. The American Podiatric Medical Association says the following triggers may contribute to foot arthritis: An injury to the foot, especially one that was left untreated. A bacterial or viral infection such as pnuemonia or Lyme disease. Bowel disorders such as ileitis or colitis. Use of certain prescription drugs or illicit drugs. Research has suggested that genetic history may also play a role in the development of arthritis. Health Tip: Warning Signs of Juvenile Arthritis When children complain about the pain of stiff, swollen joints, they may have juvenile arthritis. Although the disease affects each child differently, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says there are some common warning signs. It offers this list: Joint pain that is worse in the morning and eases later in the day. Pain in the knees, feet and hands. Pain that forces your child to limp in the morning. Swelling in the joints or lymph nodes. Joints that are inflamed and feel warm when touched. Irritability, fatigue, and loss of interest in playtime activities. A high fever and/or pink skin rash.

Health Headlines - January 25

Regular Sex Benefits Men's Hearts: Study

Having sex at least twice a week can reduce a man's risk of serious heart disease by almost half, says a new study.

It included more than 1,000 men, aged 40 to 70, who had no history of heart disease and were followed for 16 years. Men who had sex twice a week were as much as 45 percent less likely to develop serious heart conditions than men who had sex less than once a month, CBS News reported.

The study appears in the American Journal of Cardiology. Women weren't part of the study, but experts believe the findings would be true for them too.

Sex could help heart health through its physical and emotional effects, said the researchers, CBS News reported. Sex can be good exercise and men who have regular sex are more likely to be in a healthy relationship that reduces stress and provides them with social support.

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No Medical Marijuana Limits: California Supreme Court

A California law that imposed limits on the amount of medical marijuana a patient can legally possess was overturned Thursday by the California Supreme Court.

In 1996, voters approved a measure to allow patients with a doctor's recommendation to possess an unspecified amount of marijuana. But in 2003, state lawmakers limited that amount to 8 ounces of dried marijuana, theAssociated Press reported.

In its ruling, the court said only voters can alter amendments they've added to the state's constitution through the initiative process.

In related news, the Washington state Supreme Court ruled that police can arrest a patient or search a home even if a patient has a doctor's permission to use marijuana for medicinal purposes. In the ruling, the court upheld the conviction of a man who had a doctor's authorization and was arrested with 2 pounds of marijuana.

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Past Decade Warmest on Record: NASA

The past decade was the warmest on record, according to Earth surface temperature data released Thursday by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

NASA said the figures also show that 2009 was the second warmest year since 1880, when scientists first started recording such data. The warmest year was 2005 and the other warmest years have all occurred since 1998, The New York Times reported.

Changes in ocean heating and cooling cycles cause variations in annual global temperatures, but when "we average temperature over 5 or 10 years to minimize that variability we find global warming is continuing unabated," said James E. Hansen, director of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies.

The newly released data show an upward trend of about 0.36 degrees Fahrenheit (0.2 degrees Celsius) per decade over the past 30 years. Since 1880, there's been an average 1.5 degree F rise in global temperatures, the Times reported.

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Same-Sex Couples Good Parents: Study

Same-sex couples are as good as male/female couples when it comes to parenting, say researchers who reviewed 81 studies of one- and two-parent families, including gay, lesbian and heterosexual couples.

"Children being raised by same-gender parents, on most all of the measures that we care about, self-esteem, school performance, social adjustment and so on, seem to be doing just fine and, in most cases, are statistically indistinguishable from kids raised by married moms and dads on these measures," said review co-author Timothy Biblarz, of the University of Southern California, USA Todayreported.

"It's more about the quality of the parenting than the gender of the parents," noted co-author Judith Stacey of New York University.

The researchers also found that "two women who choose to parent together are slightly more likely than a heterosexual couple to be actively committed to hands-on parenting. We don't have data yet on two men parenting, but I think it will come out fairly similar," Stacey said, USA Today reported.

The review findings will be published Friday in the Journal of Marriage and Family.

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Herpes Drug Doesn't Reduce HIV Infection Risk

The herpes drug acyclovir doesn't reduce the risk of HIV infection, a new study says.

The five-year trial included more than 3,400 African couples in which one partner had HIV and one partner was HIV-free, Agence France Presse reported.

The infected partners were randomly selected to take twice-daily doses of acyclovir or a placebo.

During the study, there were 41 HIV infections among couples in which the infected partner took acyclovir, and 43 HIV infections among those who took a placebo. The researchers said this wasn't a significant difference, AFP reported.

The study appears online in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Health Tips for January 25

Health Tip: What's Causing My Shoulder Pain?

The joints, tendons and muscles that make up the shoulder allow for a lot of flexibility. But an injury or a number of medical conditions can cause pain and limit the shoulder's movement. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says common reasons for shoulder pain include: Tendinitis, the inflammation of a tendon in the shoulder. Bursitis, the inflammation of a sac of fluid in the shoulder that's designed to limit friction during shoulder movement. An injury that leaves the shoulder joint out of position or unstable. Arthritis in the shoulder. Health Tip: Tame Arthritis Symptoms Arthritis can't always be prevented, but you can take steps to keep joints healthier and moving freely. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers these suggestions: Exercise regularly. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise at least three days each week. Maintain a healthy body weight, as being overweight can increase your risk of developing arthritis. If you have any signs or symptoms of arthritis, see your doctor promptly to begin early treatment. Do your best to protect joints from injury. Be careful when playing sports, and avoid repetitive bending of the joints.

Health Headlines - January 22

Same-Sex Couples Good Parents: Study

Same-sex couples are as good as male/female couples when it comes to parenting, say researchers who reviewed 81 studies of one- and two-parent families, including gay, lesbian and heterosexual couples.

"Children being raised by same-gender parents, on most all of the measures that we care about, self-esteem, school performance, social adjustment and so on, seem to be doing just fine and, in most cases, are statistically indistinguishable from kids raised by married moms and dads on these measures," said review co-author Timothy Biblarz, of the University of Southern California, USA Todayreported.

"It's more about the quality of the parenting than the gender of the parents," noted co-author Judith Stacey of New York University.

The researchers also found that "two women who choose to parent together are slightly more likely than a heterosexual couple to be actively committed to hands-on parenting. We don't have data yet on two men parenting, but I think it will come out fairly similar," Stacey said, USA Today reported.

The review findings will be published Friday in the Journal of Marriage and Family.

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Herpes Drug Doesn't Reduce HIV Infection Risk

The herpes drug acyclovir doesn't reduce the risk of HIV infection, a new study says.

The five-year trial included more than 3,400 African couples in which one partner had HIV and one partner was HIV-free, Agence France Presse reported.

The infected partners were randomly selected to take twice-daily doses of acyclovir or a placebo.

During the study, there were 41 HIV infections among couples in which the infected partner took acyclovir, and 43 HIV infections among those who took a placebo. The researchers said this wasn't a significant difference, AFP reported.

The study appears online in the New England Journal of Medicine.

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First Lady Michelle Obama Tackles Childhood Obesity

The nation's mayors are being asked by first lady Michelle Obama to join her campaign to reduce childhood obesity rates, which have tripled in the past 30 years.

About one in three American children is overweight and 17 percent are obese or dangerously overweight, according to the latest figures, the Associated Pressreported.

"The statistics still never fail to take my breath away," Obama said in a speech Wednesday to a meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. She noted that local leaders are among the first to notice what's happening to people in their communities.

Obama plans a major initiative to raise awareness about childhood obesity, with a formal rollout of her program planned for next month, the AP reported. The first lady said she'll seek help from educators, religious leaders, government, community and health centers, and businesses and nonprofit organizations.

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Access to Specialists a 'Big Problem' for Some Patients

About 8 percent of the 36 percent of U.S. adults who needed to see a health specialist in 2007 said getting access to one was a "big problem," according to a federal government study.

The latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality also found that:

• Patients who didn't have a usual source of care were much more likely than those with a family physician or other usual source of care to report having difficulty getting specialty care -- 16 percent vs. 6 percent.
• Difficulty getting access to a specialist was more common among non-elderly adults without insurance (26.5 percent) than among non-elderly adults with public coverage (16 percent) or those with private insurance (6 percent).
• Among elderly patients, those with Medicare and supplemental insurance were more likely to say access was a big problem (11 percent) than those with Medicare only (5 percent) or those with Medicare and supplemental private coverage (2.5 percent).

The study was based on data from a national survey that didn't ask respondents the reasons they had difficulty seeing a specialist. But previous research suggests these reasons may include: lack of health insurance; specialist non-participation in patients' health insurance plans; patient difficulty contacting specialists; lengthy wait times to get an appointment; and specialists' office locations.

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Too Much Sitting May Harm Health

Sitting for extended periods can harm your health, even if you get regular exercise, experts warn.

It may be time to rethink how physical activity is defined in order to emphasize the dangers of sitting, Elin Ekblom-Bak, of the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, wrote in an editorial published this week in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the Associated Press reported.

Guidelines currently recommend the minimum amount of physical activity, but don't suggest people limit the time they spend sitting.

"After four hours of sitting, the body starts to send harmful signals," said Ekblom-Bak, the AP reported. Genes that regulate the amount of glucose and fat in the body start to shut down, she explained.

Health Tips for January 22

Health Tip: Caring for Acne-Prone Skin

The exact cause of acne isn't understood, but the American Academy of Dermatology says four factors are involved: too much oil, clogged pores, bacteria, and inflammation. The academy offers these skin-care suggestions designed to help manage acne: Gently clean your face one or two times per day with a gentle skin cleanser and lukewarm water. Excessive washing, on the other hand, can irritate the skin and make acne worse. If your hair is oily, shampoo daily to help prevent oil from getting to the skin. While foods aren't believed to cause acne, in some people, certain foods can make acne worse. If you know which foods seem to aggravate your acne, avoid them. Use oil-free makeup and skin products. Avoid getting hair products, such as sprays or gel, on your face. If you have acne, your dermatologist may recommend a prescription or over-the-counter treatment. Health Tip: What's Triggering My Acne? Acne occurs when skin lesions -- commonly called pimples -- develop because the skin's oil glands overproduce and clog the skin's pores. But what brings about an actual breakout? The National Women's Health Information Center offers this list of common triggers in women: Undergoing hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause or puberty. Taking certain medications, including some antidepressants and some anti-epileptic drugs. Wearing makeup. Applying pressure to the skin, such as when a tight hat or helmet is worn. Having a family history of acne.

Health Headlines - January 21

Too Much Sitting May Harm Health

Sitting for extended periods can harm your health, even if you get regular exercise, experts warn.

It may be time to rethink how physical activity is defined in order to emphasize the dangers of sitting, Elin Ekblom-Bak, of the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, wrote in an editorial published this week in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the Associated Press reported.

Guidelines currently recommend the minimum amount of physical activity, but don't suggest people limit the time they spend sitting.

"After four hours of sitting, the body starts to send harmful signals," said Ekblom-Bak, the AP reported. Genes that regulate the amount of glucose and fat in the body start to shut down, she explained.

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Graco Strollers Recalled Because of Amputation Risk

About 1.5 million Graco strollers have been recalled in the United States after reports that canopy hinges on the products had amputated five children's fingertips and cut the fingertips of two other children.

The recall includes certain model numbers of the Passage, Alano and Spree strollers and Travel Systems, said Pennsylvania-based Graco Children's Products Inc., the Associated Press reported.

The strollers were sold at retail stores nationwide from October 2004 to December 2009. Consumers should stop using the strollers and contact Graco for a free repair kit, advised the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

People who want more information about the recalled strollers can phone 800-345-4109, the AP reported.

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California Sets Doctor Appointment Wait Limits

Time limits for doctors to see patients will take effect in California in January 2011, making it the first state to introduce this type of legislation.

The rules "set reasonable expectations about when care should be provided," said Cindy Ehnes, director of the state's Department of Managed Health Care, theAssociated Press reported.

Family doctors in health maintenance organizations will be required to see patients seeking an appointment within 10 business days, while the deadline for specialists will be 15 days. Patients seeking urgent care that doesn't require prior authorization must be seen by a doctor within 48 hours. If they determine there's no threat to a patient's health, doctors can extend the waiting period.

"These regulations ... will not only get people access to care when they need it but will reduce unnecessary use of the emergency room," Anthony Wright, executive director of the consumer group Health Access California, told the Los Angeles Times, the AP reported.

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Recalled Dorel Asia Cribs Linked to Infant's Death

The death of a 6-month-old boy and a number of reports of injuries have prompted the recall of about 635,000 cribs sold by major retail stores in the United States.

The recall includes 20 models of Dorel Asia cribs with both drop sides and fixed front rails. In some models of the cribs, the drop sides can detach and create a space where an infant can be trapped and suffocate or strangle, said the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

In other models, a child can become trapped if one of the slats is broken or damaged, which can occur when the crib is being used or when it's being assembled, taken apart, or shipped, the Associated Press reported.

There have been 31 reported incidents involving drop-side cribs, including 6 reports of children being trapped between the mattress and the drop side. The 6-month-old boy in Cedar Rapids, Iowa became trapped and strangled after the drop-side hardware broke.

Dorel Asia and the CPSC have also received 36 reports of broken slats, including two reports of trapped children, the AP reported.

The cribs were sold by Kmart, Wal-Mart, Sears and other stores. Consumers can receive a free crib repair kit by contacting Dorel Asia at 866-762-2304. More information about the recall is available on the Dorel Asia Web site.

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Exercise Increases Memory-Related Brain Cells: Study

Mice who exercised grew more brain cells in a part of the brain associated with memory than mice that didn't exercise, a finding that may explain why physical activity can improve brain power, say scientists.

The 105-day study included two groups of mice. One group was allowed unlimited access to an exercise wheel and ran an average of more than 20 km (12 miles) a day. The other group of mice weren't allowed to exercise, BBC News reported.

Tests showed that the mice in the exercise group were better able to distinguish between memories of similar things. This is likely due to the additional brain cells generated by exercise, the researchers said.

"Keeping similar memories distinct is an important part of having a good memory," said study senior author Timothy Bussey of Cambridge University, BBC Newsreported. "It is this aspect of memory that is improved by exercise, our study shows. The human equivalent might be remembering which car parking space you have used on two different days in the previous week. It becomes difficult to distinguish memories when events are similar."

The study was published Jan. 18 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Health Tips for January 21

Health Tip: Prevent Injuries From Toys

Toys may be meant for fun and play, but toys in the wrong little hands can lead to serious injury. The Lucile Packard Children's Hospital in Palo Alto, Calif., offers these guidelines to help parents choose safe toys: Check the packaging for the appropriate age range for the toy, and make sure it applies to your child. Allow your child to play with toys only in a safe area -- for instance, away from stairs. Participate in your child's play, to supervise and help keep the child safe. Keep toys designed for older children away from younger ones. Use a small parts tester on toys meant for children younger than age 3. The product checks for any choking hazards. Inspect your child's toys for any damage that could injure your child. Be aware of any toy recalls. Health Tip: Signs That a Head Injury Is Serious Any head injury should be taken seriously, but certain warning signs indicate that the injury needs immediate medical attention. The American Academy of Family Physicians says a doctor's evaluation is required if you notice the following: Any symptom that begins to worsen, including sleepiness, nausea or a headache. Nausea that doesn't subside. Behavioral changes, such as acting confused or irritable. Enlarged eye pupils, or pupils that are a different size in each eye. Difficulty talking or walking. Any bloody or unusual discharge from the nose or ears. Seizures or vomiting. Weakness or numbness in the legs or arms.

Health Headlines - January 20

Nanoparticles New Weapon Against Heart Disease?

American scientists say their creation of nanoparticles that can find and treat hardened arteries may offer a new way to fight heart disease.

The "nanoburrs," as they are called, look for damaged cells in blood vessel walls. They then attach to the site and release drugs for an extended period, said the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) team, BBC News reported.

"This is a very exciting example of nanotechnology and cell targeting in action," said Professor Robert Langer, one of the study authors. The research is published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

This technology appears "promising," but requires much more work before it might be used to treat people, Professor Peter Weissberg, medical director of the British Heart Foundation, told BBC News.

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Dietary Supplements Recalled by MuscleMaster.com

Seventeen dietary supplements sold by MuscleMaster.com Inc. are being recalled because they may contain steroids, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The recall covers all lots and expiration dates of the 17 body-building products that were sold online between June 1 and Nov. 17, 2009, the Associated Pressreported.

For more information, consumers can call 800-240-4767.

Steroids can cause liver damage and other serious long-term health problems. Massachusetts-based MuscleMaster.com says it hasn't received any complaints of illnesses or injuries associated with the recalled products, the AP reported.

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Artificial Muscles Help Facial Injury Patients Blink

A new technique for implanting artificial muscles enables people with facial injuries to blink, which is essential for healthy eyesight.

The artificial muscles developed by facial surgeons at the University of California, Davis consist of a combination of electrode leads and silicon polymers, CBS Newsreported.

This medical advance could help thousands of people with facial injuries and paralysis caused by stroke, nerve damage or combat. The research appears in the January-February issue of the journal Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery.

Without the lubricating and cleansing effects of blinking, eyes can develop ulcers that lead to blindness, CBS News reported.

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Ground Beef Recalled by California Company

Possible E. coli contamination has prompted the recall of about 864,000 pounds of ground beef sold by Huntington Meat Packing of Montebello, Calif.

The affected ground beef -- sold under the Huntington, Imperial Meat and El Rancho brands -- was sent to distribution centers, restaurants and hotels in California between Feb. 19 and May 15, 2008, and between Jan. 5 and Jan. 15, 2010, the Associated Press reported.

No reports of illnesses caused by the products have been noted, according to the Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service. The possible E. coli contamination was discovered while department personnel were conducting a food safety assessment.

People infected with E. coli can suffer bloody diarrhea, dehydration and, in the most serious cases, kidney failure, the AP reported.

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N.J. Governor Signs Medical Marijuana Bill

A bill making New Jersey the 14th state to legalize the use of medicinal marijuana was signed Monday night by Gov. Jon Corzine.

The measure, which is expected to effect in six months, will allow patients with specific illnesses to get a marijuana prescription from their doctors, the Newark-based Star-Ledger reported.

Eligible patients include those with cancer, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, seizure disorder, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, severe muscle spasms, muscular dystrophy, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, and terminally-ill patients who are expected to die within a year.

Under the bill, the state health department can add other illnesses when it writes the rules implementing it, the Star-Ledger reported.