Medically Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD on October 27, 2006 From the WebMD Archives
Oct. 27, 2006 — The benefits of early lung cancer screening, exercise forcold prevention, coffee for fighting type 2 diabetes, and more in the week’sbiggest stories …
Do Cell Phones Affect Sperm Quality?
There just might be a connection between a suspected decline in male fertility and increased cell phone use, butexperts say much more research is needed to confirm an association. Readmore.
Moderate Drinking May Help Heart
Moderate drinking may cut a healthy man’s heartattackrisk, a new study shows. Whatdoes “moderate” mean? One-half to two drinks a day. Readmore.
Vegetables May Aid Mind
Here’s another reason to load up on the veggies: People aged 65 and olderwho eat lots of vegetables have a slower slowdown in age-related mentalfunction, researchers say. Read more.
Racial Disparity Despite Quality Care
Even when enrolled in identical Medicare health plans, black patients have worsehealth outcomes than white patients, a new study shows. And it’s going to takemore than doctors to close the gap. Readmore.
Flu Vaccine Safe for Tots
The flu vaccine is safe for children aged 6 to 23 months. Researchers reportthat children that age aren’t more likely to see doctors for serious illnessesafter getting flu vaccines. Read more.
CT Screening Finds Lung Cancers Early
More than 90% of lung cancerpatientsend up dying of their disease; now, a potentially landmark study suggests earlyscreening using spiral computed tomography (CT) imaging could save most ofthem. But important questions remain about the value of CT screening as aroutine test for lung cancer. Read more.
Coffee May Protect Against Diabetes
he American love affair with coffee may be helping to reduce the risk ofdiabetes, a new study shows. Drinking caffeinated coffee lowered a person’srisk of developing type 2 diabetes by as much as 60%. Readmore.
Shingles Vaccine to Be Routine at 60
The CDC’s vaccine advisory panel voted this week to make shinglesvaccination routine for all Americans 60 and older. Without vaccination, about20% of people who have had chickenpoxeventually will get shingles. A personwho lives to be 85 has a 50% chance of getting shingles. Readmore.
Acomplia May Be Effective for Diabetes
The highly anticipated weight loss drug Acomplia may also helpindividuals who are trying to control their type 2 diabetes, a new study shows.But some diabetes experts aren’t quite ready to call it a “wonderdrug.” Read more.
U.S Smoking Decline Has Stalled
Nearly 21% of U.S. adults smoked cigarettes last year, the same percentageas in 2004. The new statistics suggest that the eight-year decline in smokingrates among American adults has stalled. Which state has the highest percentageof smokers? Read more.
Public Would Cooperate in Flu Pandemic
A large majority of Americans say they would comply with government ordersto avoid work, school, or other public places in the event of a flu pandemic, anew survey shows. Cooperation may wane, however, if the pandemic lasts a longtime. Read more.
Moderate Exercise May Lower Cold Risk
A brisk walk a day may keep the common cold away. A new study shows thatpostmenopausal women who exercised regularly lowered their risk of coming downwith coldscomparedwith more sedentary women. Read more.
