Merck schizophrenia drug approved for 2 new uses (AP)

AP - Merck & Co. said Tuesday its schizophrenia drug Saphris has been approved for two additional uses by the Food and Drug Administration.

US smoking rate still stuck at 1 in 5 adults (AP)

AP - U.S. smoking rates continue to hold steady, at about one in five adults lighting up regularly, frustrated health officials reported Tuesday.

FDA cites claims on 2 green tea beverages (AP)

AP - Federal health regulators have issued warnings to the makers of Canada Dry ginger ale and Lipton tea for making unsubstantiated nutritional claims about their green tea-flavored beverages.

Four million child deaths avoidable in past decade: report (AFP)

AFP - Four million children have died in the past decade because governments have not spread major medical advances to the poor, a leading aid group said Tuesday.

Lack of Sleep May Be Linked to Childhood Obesity (HealthDay)

HealthDay - MONDAY, Sept. 6 (HealthDay News) -- Infants and preschoolers who don't get enough sleep at night are at increased risk for later childhood obesity, a new study suggests.

Low-Carb Diets Heavy on Meat May Raise Health Risks (HealthDay)

HealthDay - MONDAY, Sept. 6 (HealthDay News) -- A low-carbohydrate diet that derives fats and proteins from vegetable sources rather than meats is probably healthier, new research finds.

Autistic Toddlers Prefer to Gaze at Geometric Patterns: Study (HealthDay)

HealthDay - MONDAY, Sept. 6 (HealthDay News) -- When given the choice to gaze at geometric patterns or children dancing and playing, toddlers with autism spent more time looking at the patterns while typically developing toddlers preferred to look at other kids, a new study finds.

Health Tip: Recognizing a Skin Allergy (HealthDay)

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Allergic skin conditions may include eczema and hives. But how do you know if you have one?

Clinical Trials Update: Sept. 7, 2010 (HealthDay)

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of ClinicalConnection.com:

'Magic Mushroom' Hallucinogen Might Help Cancer Patients (HealthDay)

HealthDay - TUESDAY, Sept. 7 (HealthDay News) -- A controlled dose of the main ingredient in hallucinogenic mushrooms appears to reduce anxiety and lift spirits in people battling advanced cancer, researchers report.

In Cities, Weak Social Ties May Boost Mental Illness (HealthDay)

HealthDay - TUESDAY, Sept. 7 (HealthDay News) -- Weak social connections, or social fragmentation, may be one of the main reasons why people raised in cities are more likely to develop schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders than those who live in rural areas, the results of a study suggest.

Magic mushrooms may ease anxiety of cancer: study (Reuters)

Reuters - The hallucinogen psilocybin -- known by the street name magic mushrooms -- may help ease the anxiety that often accompanies late-stage cancer, U.S. researchers said on Monday.

Japan confirms its first case of new superbug gene (AP)

AP - Japan has confirmed the nation's first case of a new gene in bacteria that allows the microorganisms to become drug-resistant superbugs, detected in a man who had medical treatment in India, a Health Ministry official said Tuesday.

Long-term weight loss may be harmful to health (Reuters)

Reuters - Long-term weight loss may release into the blood industrial pollutants linked to illnesses like diabetes, hypertension and rheumatoid arthritis, researchers said on Tuesday.

Study: Men more susceptible to memory decline (LiveScience.com)

LiveScience.com - Men are more susceptible than women to memory problems in old age, according to a new study.

Men More Susceptible to Memory Decline (LiveScience.com)

LiveScience.com - Men are more susceptible than women to memory problems in old age, according to a new study.

Picking right blood pressure medicine challenging (AP)

AP - It's hard to predict which pills will best lower which patient's high blood pressure, but researchers are hunting ways to better personalize therapy — perhaps even using a blood test.

Mental illness alone not linked to violence (Reuters)

Reuters - Mental illnesses like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder alone do not make people more violent, but the tendency of people with psychiatric problems to abuse drugs or alcohol does, scientists said on Monday.

FDA relents from midodrine withdrawal plan (AP)

AP - Federal regulators have backed off a plan to remove a Shire PLC low blood-pressure treatment from the market after warning in August that the drug has not been proven effective.

Cholera outbreak in Cameroon 'worst in 20 years' (AP)

AP - UNICEF says more than 300 people have died in the West African nation of Cameroon from the country's worst cholera outbreak in 20 years.

Long-Term Use of Bone Drugs May Be Linked to Esophageal Cancer (HealthDay)

HealthDay - THURSDAY, Sept. 2 (HealthDay News) -- People with osteoporosis who take drugs such as Boniva (ibandronate), Fosamax (alendronate) or Actonel (risedronate) to strengthen their bones may be at an increased risk of esophageal cancer, British researchers report.

Long-Term Use of Bone Drugs May Be Linked to Esophageal Cancer (HealthDay)

HealthDay - THURSDAY, Sept. 2 (HealthDay News) -- People with osteoporosis who take drugs such as Boniva (ibandronate), Fosamax (alendronate) or Actonel (risedronate) to strengthen their bones may be at an increased risk of esophageal cancer, British researchers report.

Exposure to Violence May Aggravate Asthma, Study Finds (HealthDay)

HealthDay - FRIDAY, Sept. 3 (HealthDay News) -- People with asthma who witness violence in their neighborhoods are at increased risk for asthma-related hospitalization and emergency department visits for asthma or any cause, finds a new study.

Antidepressant patch doesn't help smokers quit (Reuters)

Reuters - An antidepressant drug delivered through a patch on the skin is no better than placebo for helping smokers kick the habit, new research shows.

Israeli researchers develop promising new HIV treatment (AFP)

AFP - Israeli researchers have developed a new treatment for HIV that kills human cells infected with the virus and could lead to a breakthrough in treating AIDS, the Haaretz newspaper said on Friday.

Seniors Get Boost From Bad News About the Young (HealthDay)

HealthDay - THURSDAY, Sept. 2 (HealthDay News) -- Older people prefer to read negative news stories about the young, possibly because it makes them feel better about themselves, a new study suggests.

Common bone drugs linked to esophageal cancer risk (Reuters)

Reuters - People who take a commonly used class of osteoporosis drugs called bisphosphonates for more than five years may be doubling their risk of developing cancer of the gullet or esophagus, a British study found on Friday.

Common bone drugs linked to esophageal cancer risk (Reuters)

Reuters - People who take a commonly used class of osteoporosis drugs called bisphosphonates for more than five years may be doubling their risk of developing cancer of the gullet or esophagus, a British study found on Friday.

Bone drugs may raise risk of throat cancer (AP)

AP - People who take bone-strengthening drugs for several years may have a slightly higher risk of esophageal cancer, a new study suggests.

Starting periods early tied to greater asthma risk (Reuters)

Reuters - Women who start menstruating early may be at increased risk of asthma and poor lung function, new research shows.