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• May 1, 2008

  No effective treatments for patchy hair loss
  There is no good evidence for any long-term benefit of any treatments now available for patchy hair loss, a type of baldness called alopecia areata, the authors of a review of current research on the subject conclude.

• April 30, 2008

  Food crisis unlikely to cause famine soon: U.N.
  Global food shortages and higher prices are more likely to cause malnutrition than outright famine, at least in the near term, the coordinator of a new United Nations task force said on Wednesday.
• REFILE: People often share prescription medicine: survey
  In one-on-one interviews with 700 Americans, roughly 23 percent reported loaning their prescription medications to someone else, and 27 percent reported borrowing prescription medications.

• April 29, 2008

  People often share prescription medicine: survey
  In one-on-one interviews with 700 Americans, roughly 23 percent reported loaning their prescription medications to someone else, and 27 percent reported borrowing prescription medications.
• Poor diet undermines health of northern Afghans
  Lunch at Gada Mohammed's single-room mud-brick house in Afghanistan's far north is the same as most other meals: dry bread washed down with tea.

• April 27, 2008

  Lip Balms and Glosses May Boost Skin Cancer Risks
  It's the shine that attracts ultraviolet rays, but sunscreen base can help, expert says

• April 26, 2008

  FDR Might Have Had Melanoma
  Researcher suggests large lesion above his left eyebrow was possibly skin cancer

• April 23, 2008

  Melanoma on scalp, neck most deadly, study finds
  Melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, is much deadlier when it appears on the scalp or neck than somewhere else on the body, according to a study published on Monday.
• Larger Skin Lesions More Likely to Be Melanoma
  Study backs current skin cancer-screening guidelines

• April 22, 2008

  Melanomas on Scalp and Neck More Deadly
  Survival rate was lower than with malignancies diagnosed on face, ears, study finds
• Many Cancer Survivors Are Overweight and Sedentary: Study
  This, despite research that says proper diet and exercise can keep disease from recurring

• April 19, 2008

  New immune drug safely treats psoriasis: study
  An experimental new drug that suppresses certain parts of the immune system worked safely to relieve some of the symptoms of psoriasis, researchers in Canada reported on Thursday.
• Low radon levels may reduce lung cancer risk
  Radon levels typically found in homes in the United States do not raise the risk of lung cancer, according to findings of a decade-long study. In fact, at low levels, radon may actually reduce the risk.

• April 18, 2008

  Gleevec Pushes Advanced Melanoma Into Remission
  Woman's case first showing the cancer may have an Achilles' heel, report suggests
• Health Tip: What Could Be Causing Your Acne?
  Common triggers in women

• April 17, 2008

  Caffeine protects mice from UV-induced skin cancer
  Caffeine acts as a sort of "sun screen" when given to mice before their skin is exposed to and damaged by ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation, and this ultimately prevents the development of skin cancer, according to researchers.
• Vitamin pills can increase mortality rate
  Vitamin supplements taken by millions of people in the hope of extending their lives may actually increase the risk of premature death in some cases, researchers said on Wednesday.

• April 16, 2008

  Experimental drug shrinks advanced skin cancer
  An experimental drug designed to block a specific cell-signaling pathway has been shown in a small trial to shrink tumors in patients with advanced basal cell carcinoma, researchers said on Monday.
• Some athletes may abuse allowed drugs
  Organizations responsible for monitoring doping among athletes should consider tighter restrictions on the use of certain drugs now permitted for therapeutic purposes or to control pain, the authors of a new analysis of doping data from Belgium and the Netherlands conclude.
• Drug Proves Effective in Slowing Melanomas
  Riluzole, used to treat Lou Gehrig's disease, inhibits aggressive growth, study finds

• April 12, 2008

  Drug protects mice, monkeys from radiation damage
  An experimental drug helped protect mice and monkeys from the damaging effects of radiation, researchers said on Thursday, in a finding that may lead to less toxic cancer treatments or an emergency treatment for radiation exposure.

• April 10, 2008

  Study debunks heart attack-male baldness link
  A new study of more than 5,000 men calls into question the idea that baldness can signal a greater risk of heart disease.

• April 6, 2008

  Simple regimen eliminates chronic bad breath
  Brushing twice a day with antibacterial toothpaste and using a toothbrush with a built-in tongue scraper can eliminate chronic bad breath, according to research presented today at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Association for Dental Research in Dallas, Texas.

• March 17, 2008

  Health Tip: Sun Safety
  Limit exposure during peak hours

• March 13, 2008

  Women's Risk for a Certain Skin Cancer Varies by Geography
  Study finds more squamous cell carcinomas in southern U.S. states

• March 3, 2008

  Embryonic Stem Cell Protein Inhibits Melanoma
  Finding helps identify cellular pathways involved in cancer metastasis

• February 26, 2008

  Hair analysis offers new crime-fighting clues
  Scientists can now tell where in the United States a person may have been by analyzing a single strand of hair, offering a new tool for crime investigators trying to identify a body or track criminals.

• February 25, 2008

  Gene discovery may lead to new drugs for baldness
  Researchers have identified a gene linked to premature hair loss that could lead to new drugs to treat baldness.

• February 21, 2008

  Moisturizer led to infection in hospital patients
  An outbreak of severe infections in ICU patients was caused by moisturizing body lotion that had been contaminated during the manufacturing process.

• February 19, 2008

  Combo Treatment Best for Melanoma, Advanced Ovarian Cancer
  Vaccine plus antibody therapy also produced milder side effects, study finds

• February 18, 2008

  Zinc helps with diarrhea in children: study
  Treatment with zinc supplements can cut the severity and duration of acute or persistent diarrhea in children, a study shows. Further research, however, is needed to determine exactly how zinc produces its anti-diarrheal effects, the researchers note in the in the February issue of Pediatrics.

• February 15, 2008

  Hair sample may provide breast cancer diagnosis
  Hair from women with breast cancer can be distinguished from hair obtained from women without the disease, researchers in Australia report.

• February 14, 2008

  Pepper may help disfiguring skin condition: study
  Black pepper could lead to better treatments for a disfiguring skin condition that affects about 1 percent of the world's population, British researchers said on Thursday.

• February 13, 2008

  Skin cancer, colon cancer syndrome may be linked
  A syndrome that increases the risk of some skin cancers may be a subset of a syndrome that increases the risk of colon cancer, report researchers from The Ohio State University, Columbus.

• February 11, 2008

  Drug combo treats severe acne in women: study
  The oral contraceptive Yasmin, plus a low-dose of the diuretic spironolactone, is a safe and effective treatment for women with severe facial acne, according to the findings of a small study.

• February 8, 2008

  US FDA reviewing safety of Botox, rival product
  U.S. regulators said on Friday they were reviewing the safety of Allergan Inc's Botox and a competing product after reports of deaths and serious reactions in some patients.
• Psoriatic arthritis does not raise risk of cancer
  Overall, people who suffer from psoriatic arthritis do not appear to have a higher risk of cancer compared to the general population, according to a new study.
• Protein offers clue to what makes melanoma spread
  A missing protein may explain why some skin cells advance to a deadly skin cancer known as melanoma instead of simply developing into harmless moles, U.S. researchers said on Thursday.
• U.S. doctors develop test for Menkes disease
  Doctors say they have developed a screening test for deadly Menkes disease so patients with the genetic defect can receive lifesaving copper injections.

• February 7, 2008

  Protein associated with skin cancer outcome
  Expression of the blood protein osteopontin may be an independent prognostic marker for melanoma, clinicians report in the journal Cancer.
• Tattoos may be tomorrow's vaccines
  The tattoo of the future may be good for your health rather than just your image.
• Multiple Sclerosis Drug May Be Linked to Melanoma
  Doctors report 2 cases of the deadly skin cancer developing in patients taking Tysabri

• February 6, 2008

  Psoriasis drug may provide lasting relief: study
  The drug alefacept, which in 2003 was the first "biologic" agent approved in the US for the treatment of moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis, appears to be a long-term option for certain patients, results of a study suggests.

• February 5, 2008

  REFILE: Babies absorb phthalates from baby products
  A new study suggests that baby lotion, baby powder, and baby shampoo may be exposing babies to potentially harmful chemicals called phthalates.
• TB eradication in the U.S. by 2010 unlikely: survey
  The U.S. is unlikely to meet its goal for eliminating tuberculosis (TB) by 2010, primarily because of high rates of latent (dormant) TB infection in certain population subgroups, according to a nationwide survey.

• February 4, 2008

  Circumcision reduces HIV infection co-factors
  Circumcision appears to reduce the likelihood of men becoming infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, and of passing it on to their female partners.
• Babies absorb phthalates from baby products
  A new study suggests that baby lotion, baby powder, and baby shampoo may be exposing babies to potentially harmful chemicals called phthalates.
• Ah, that's the spot: Why scratching brings relief
  Oh, it brings such blessed relief and now scientists can tell you why -- scratching an itch temporarily shuts off areas in the brain linked with unpleasant feelings and memories.

• January 31, 2008

  CORRECTION: Antioxidants show little anti-cancer benefit
  Taking antioxidant supplements won't reduce cancer risk, according to a new analysis of a dozen studies including more than 100,000 patients. In fact, the researchers found, smokers who take beta carotene supplements could be increasing their risk of smoking-related cancer and death.
• Oral penicillin allergy test may be safe for some
  Patients with a remote history of an allergic reaction to penicillin that was not life-threatening appear to be able to tolerate an oral penicillin test, even if the results of skin tests are positive, according to study results reported by Israeli investigators.
• Infant study casts doubt on vaccine-autism link
  The mercury in a vaccine preservative is pumped out of a baby's body too quickly for it to do any damage, researchers reported on Wednesday in a study they say should further absolve shots of causing autism.

• January 30, 2008

  Antioxidants more likely to raise cancer risk
  Taking antioxidant supplements won't reduce cancer risk, according to a new analysis of a dozen studies including more than 100,000 patients. In fact, the researchers found, smokers who take beta carotene supplements could be increasing their risk of smoking-related cancer and death.

• January 29, 2008

  Health Tip: Risk Factors for Melanoma
  The most serious form of skin cancer

• January 28, 2008

  Stigma of leprosy is worse than disease itself
  Leprosy is on the retreat but the stigma, fear and isolation associated with the disfiguring condition is now proving more damaging than the disease itself, health and human rights groups said on Monday.

• January 28, 2008

  Health Tip: Use Sunscreen Year-Round
  Not just during summer

• January 25, 2008

  Nuclear plant workers show higher cancer risks
  Workers at one U.S. nuclear facility have suffered higher-than-average rates of certain cancers, a study shows -- suggesting that on-the-job exposures are to blame.

• January 24, 2008

  Rituxan may treat severe eczema: pilot study
  In a small study of patients with severe eczema, treatment with Rituxan (also known as rituximab and MabThera) led to "an impressive improvement," Swiss researchers found.

• January 24, 2008

  China warns against rebound in leprosy cases
  China is recording an annual average of more than 1,600 new leprosy cases and will spend $30 million this year to renovate leprosy villages that are home to thousands of people, the Health Ministry said on Thursday.

• January 23, 2008

  Melanomas Present Unique Appearance
  They stand out like 'ugly ducklings' compared to benign moles, study finds

• January 23, 2008

  Pig gut implant a lip-plumping option
  A new implant derived from pig intestines could offer a longer-lasting alternative to injections for filling out thin lips, according to a study published in the Archives of Facial and Plastic Surgery.
• "Ugly duckling" sign spots most malignant melanomas
  Identifying pigmented moles that look different from a person's other moles -- the "ugly duckling sign" -- is a practical way to spot malignant melanoma skin cancer, doctors say.
• Honey dressing won't speed wound healing
  Wound dressings impregnated with honey won't help heal difficult-to-treat leg ulcers, a clinical trial from New Zealand shows.

• January 21, 2008

  Social, economic factors impact skin cancer survival
  Low socioeconomic status is a strong predictor of poor survival among patients from different ethnic groups with melanoma skin cancer, new research indicates.
• Higher prostate cancer risk tied to severe acne
  New research suggests a link between acne and prostate cancer, but the study's authors urge caution in interpreting their findings.

• January 17, 2008

  Undernutrition behind one third of child deaths
  Undernutrition causes more than one third of child deaths worldwide, but simple programs like promoting breast-feeding and providing supplements could keep some of those children alive, experts said on Thursday.
• US health officials probe unexplained skin ailment
  U.S. health authorities on Wednesday said they will conduct an investigation to get to the bottom of an unexplained illness marked by skin lesions that do not heal and a batch of other symptoms.

• January 16, 2008

  Researchers Hone in on Cancer Stem Cells for Melanoma
  For the first time, researchers say targeting these units can slow down tumor growth

• January 14, 2008

  Wyeth says court rejects thimerosal-autism link
  Drugmaker Wyeth said a court in Maryland has granted the company's motion to exclude some expert witnesses from testifying that exposure to thimerosal-containing vaccines can cause autism and rejected the compound's link to autism.

• January 11, 2008

  Sun Savvy Sadly Lacking Among Americans
  Most people practice risky behaviors while under its glare, study finds

• January 9, 2008

  Stem cell bank proposed
  Creating a bank to store a new type of stem cell produced from donors' ordinary skin cells could help reduce time and money for treating patients with regenerative medicine in the future, a Japanese researcher said on Wednesday.

• January 8, 2008

  Anti-cholesterol drugs may reduce cancer risk
  In a large study of U.S. veterans, the use of a commonly prescribed class cholesterol-lowering drugs called "statins," which include drugs such as Lipitor, reduced the cancer rate by about 25 percent.
• More sun is healthy, despite skin cancer risk
  A little more sunshine might help you live longer, according to new study findings suggesting that for some people health benefits from the sun outweigh the risk of skin cancer.
• Tobacco smoke can damage skeletal muscle
  Long-term heavy tobacco smoking can lead to potentially harmful structural and functional changes in skeletal muscle outside the lungs, even in smokers who don't have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a new study suggests.

• January 7, 2008

  No decline in autism since thimerosal removal
  Although some research has supported a link between exposure to the vaccine preservative thimerosal and autism, a new analysis of data from the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) indicates that removal of this chemical from vaccines has not reduced autism rates. In fact, the rates have actually continued to rise.
• Delaying solid foods may not prevent allergies
  Contrary to conventional wisdom, putting off solid foods for the first few months of an infant's life may not lower the risk of childhood allergies and asthma, a new study suggests.

• January 4, 2008

  Deformities common among kids with cancer
  Children with cancer are more likely than other children to have a variety of deformities, such as droopy eyelids and legs of different lengths, new research shows. This suggests that there are genetic defects or early prenatal environmental factors that influence the occurrence of both problems.
• "Psychoeducation" doesn't increase melanoma survival
  Contrary to earlier findings, a psychoeducational intervention provides no survival benefit and doesn't increase the time between treatment and recurrence in patients with malignant melanoma of the skin, Danish researchers report.
• Registered nurses have lower overall mortality risk
  Nurses have a lower risk of dying from several different conditions compared with individuals in the general population, according to the findings of a large Canadian study of registered nurses (RNs).

• January 1, 2008

  Hostility tied to lower levels of antioxidants
  Hostility could increase people's risk of heart disease by depleting their levels of certain heart-healthy antioxidants, new research suggests.
• High-fat, high-carb meals more harmful to obese
  Eating a high-fat, high-carb fast food meal produces damaging cellular changes that are greater and longer-lasting in obese people than in normal-weight people, a new study shows.

• December 28, 2007

  Young women vary in reasons for indoor tanning
  Young women have wide-ranging reasons for going to the tanning salon, which means they likely need different motivations to stop, according to researchers.
• Health Tip: Triggers of Acne
  Factors that could increase your risk

• December 18, 2007

  Some psoriasis linked to higher death rates: study
  People who suffer from severe psoriasis die younger than people with mild cases or without the disease, for reasons that are unclear, researchers said on Monday.
• Crohn's disease different in boys than in girls
  Crohn's disease tends to be more severe in girls than in boys, but boys with the disorder are more prone to stunted growth, new research suggests.
• Sunlight Helps Put Lung Cancer in the Shade
  The more rays people caught, the less prone they were to get the disease, study found

• December 7, 2007

  Black raspberries may prevent cancer of esophagus
  People with chronic irritation of the esophagus caused by the backup of stomach acid - a condition known as Barrett's esophagus -- may benefit from incorporating black raspberries into their diet, suggest research findings reported today during the Sixth Annual International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention, sponsored by the American Association for Cancer Research.

• December 6, 2007

  Broccoli compound may ameliorate skin disease
  The natural compound sulforaphane, which is abundant in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, may have a role in the treatment of epidermolysis bullosa simplex, according to research presented during the annual meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology in Washington, DC.

• December 4, 2007

  Honey eases nighttime cough, improves kids' sleep
  A spoonful of honey can quiet children's nighttime cough and help them -- and their parents -- sleep better, a new study shows.

• November 30, 2007

  China AIDS rate slows, main transmission now sex
  The rate of new HIV/AIDS infections in China is slowing and is now mainly being transmitted through sex, which the government could tackle with a circumcision campaign, the health minister said on Thursday.

• November 28, 2007

  Glutamine supplements may help tiniest babies
  Very low-birth-weight infants given supplements of the amino acid glutamine have a reduced likelihood of developing eczema during the first year of life, researchers report.

• November 22, 2007

  Most steroid users are not athletes: study
  Contrary to the popular image of the typical steroid user -- a teenage athlete trying to get an edge or a professional competitor who wants to win -- many users are in their 20s and 30s, well-educated and don't even play sports, a study suggests.

• November 21, 2007

  Stem cells without embryos: skin cells transformed
  Two separate teams of researchers announced on Tuesday they had transformed ordinary skin cells into batches of cells that look and act like embryonic stem cells, but without using cloning technology and without making embryos.
• Doctor says nothing wrong with Donda West surgery
  The plastic surgeon who operated on rap star Kanye West's mother before she died went public about the case on Tuesday, saying nothing had gone wrong during the surgery.
• Maternal asthma effects infant eczema risk
  Breast-feeding infants in the first 2 years of life provides protective effects, but these protective effects are weakened if the mother has allergies or asthma, according to findings published in the current of the Journal of Pediatrics.

• November 20, 2007

  Smoking accelerates men's hair loss: study
  While Asian men generally have less trouble than Caucasians with the most common form of hereditary male baldness, smoking cigarettes may erase that edge, researchers said on Monday.
• U.S. seizes discontinued eyelash product
  U.S. marshals on Friday seized 12,682 applicator tubes of a discontinued cosmetic called Age Intervention Eyelash, which the Food and Drug Administration said could harm some users' vision.
• Diabetics risk foot ulcers from ill-fitting shoes
  New research from the UK suggests that most people with diabetes are wearing shoes that don't fit correctly, putting them at risk of foot ulcers, which can ultimately lead to amputation.

• November 10, 2007

  Delaying solid foods may not prevent eczema in kids
  Delayed introduction of solid foods beyond the first four months, or the most potentially allergenic foods beyond six months, does not appear to protect infants from developing eczema, German researchers report.

• November 9, 2007

  A Little Wine, Sunlight Help Boost Women's Health
  Two small studies suggest life-enhancing, life-extending benefits

• November 8, 2007

  Brain tumor risk decreased in allergy patients
  Patients with allergic conditions have a decreased risk of glioma, according to a report in the American Journal of Epidemiology. Gliomas are tumors of the central nervous system that are difficult to treat and are usually rapidly fatal.

• November 7, 2007

  Smoking may raise psoriasis risk
  Pointing to yet another health consequence of smoking, a new study suggests that the habit raises the risk of the skin disease psoriasis.

• November 2, 2007

  Tattoos, piercing risky for heart patients
  Children and teenagers with congenital heart disease should be strongly discouraged from getting a tattoo or piercing their ears or other body part, because it could lead to a potentially deadly infection of the heart, doctors from the UK warn in a report published this month.

• November 1, 2007

  Bargain nip and tuck draws tourists to S. America
  Canadian lobster and tuna fisherman Everett Condon had never traveled further south than the United States until this year, when he spent his off-season going to tango shows and getting plastic surgery in Argentina.

• October 30, 2007

  Asians seek out the sun despite cancer threats
  It's autumn in Hong Kong but the island's beaches are still crowded with sun worshippers desperate to catch the last rays of sunshine before winter.

• October 26, 2007

  Broccoli May Help Fight Skin Cancer
  Natural compound shields against effects of UV rays

• October 24, 2007

  Broccoli sprout extract protects skin from UV rays
  Most people know eating broccoli is good for you but it also can help skin cells fend off damage from harmful ultraviolet radiation, U.S. researchers said on Monday.

• October 18, 2007

  Vegetables, fish may protect kids from asthma
  Children who eat their fish and green beans may have a lower likelihood of developing allergies or asthma, a study suggests.

• October 16, 2007

  Cosmetics said to cut fall risk in elderly women
  French researchers have shown that the application of make-up and cosmetics "might play a potential role in the prevention of falls" among elderly women.
• Most kids with skin rash don't develop asthma
  Contrary to common belief, only a minority of infants and young children with eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, go on to develop asthma, according to a report in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
• Anti-seizure drug reduces compulsive skin picking
  For patients with chronic skin picking, a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder, that is severe enough to cause physical damage, results of a small study suggest that the anti-seizure drug lamotrigine may reduce the behavior and improve social functioning.

• October 12, 2007

  Lipsticks contain lead, consumer group says
  Lipsticks tested by a U.S. consumer rights group found that more than half contained lead and some popular brands including Cover Girl, L'Oreal and Christian Dior had more lead than others, the group said on Thursday.

• October 8, 2007

  Nurses best at teaching kids about skin rashes
  A clinic led by nurses appears to be more effective in reducing the severity of dry skin rashes or "atopic eczema" in infants, children and adolescents than a clinic led by a dermatologist, the results of an Australian study suggests.
• Psoriasis patients' adjust to adverse reactions
  Psoriasis patients learn to cope when others show disgust in response to their skin lesions by automatically shutting off a specific part of their brains, UK researchers report.

• October 5, 2007

  Fewer early infections don't mean more allergies
  The idea that an increase in allergies and asthma is a result of a reduction in childhood infections seems not to hold up, researchers report.

• October 4, 2007

  New psoriasis drug is safe and effective
  A new psoriasis drug, which could be self-injected every 3 months, had "impressive" safety and efficacy results in a late-stage, multicenter clinical trial involving more than 1,200 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis, researchers announced here at the World Congress of Dermatology.
• Psoriasis drug shown highly effective in trial
  Johnson & Johnson's experimental treatment for psoriasis proved safe and highly effective in a late-stage trial, positioning it as a potential strong rival to current medicines, the company said on Wednesday.

• October 3, 2007

  Jewish "intactivists" in U.S. stop circumcising
  In most respects, Michelle Chernikoff Anderson is a rabbi's dream congregant. She sings in the choir and takes classes at her synagogue.

• October 2, 2007

  Life can be sweeter if you cut out the sugar
  Giving up sweets and avoiding vitamins could help you live longer, German researchers said on Tuesday.

• October 1, 2007

  Abbott drug maintains psoriasis relief in trial
  A high percentage of patients taking Abbott Laboratories Inc's experimental psoriasis drug, ABT-874, maintained an impressive improvement in symptoms 12 weeks after discontinuing the treatment, the drugmaker said on Monday.
• US FDA approves oral granules for scalp ringworm
  U.S. drug regulators on Friday said they had approved antifungal granules that can be sprinkled on a child's food to treat ringworm of the scalp.
• Skin changes an ominous sign in dialysis patients
  Roughly 13 percent of patients with kidney failure develop the skin changes of a potentially fatal disease called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, or NSF, new research suggests, and this condition triples the risk of death at 2 years.

• September 28, 2007

  Rwanda to urge male circumcision in AIDS fight
  Rwanda plans to encourage male circumcision to help the tiny African nation curb HIV/AIDS rates, a senior official told Reuters on Friday.

• September 27, 2007

  Study shows no language effects from vaccines
  A mercury-based vaccine preservative did not appear to affect language or other similar brain functions in children, U.S. researchers said on Wednesday in the first of a series of studies meant to lay to rest the controversy over thimerosal.

• September 26, 2007

  Doctors See Return of Kaposi's Sarcoma in Handful of AIDS Patients
  The skin cancer, which causes lesions, can be controlled with newer treatments.

• September 12, 2007

  Smallpox immunity lasts decades after vaccination
  Immunity against smallpox is retained and can be still be detected for at least 20 years after vaccination. Even people vaccinated in the 1950s may still have a robust immune response after exposure to this serious virus, a research team reports in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

• September 11, 2007

  Skin condition becoming more common in US kids
  A new nationwide study confirms that cases of atopic dermatitis are on the rise among US children.

• August 29, 2007

  Skin disorders common in young type 1 diabetics
  About two thirds of young patients with type 1 diabetes may have skin disorders, some of which develop early in the course of the disease, according to study results published in the journal Diabetes Care.
• Self-Exams of Feet Can Catch Early Melanoma
  Stay a step ahead of cancer with check for moles, freckles or spots, surgeons' group says
• RA Drugs Linked to Slight Skin Cancer Risk
  But the medications' benefits outweigh the downside, experts say.

• August 24, 2007

  Shaken by product safety woes, China declares 'war'
  China has launched a 4-month "war" on tainted food, drugs and exports, state media reported on Friday, as beleaguered officials embraced time-tested campaign tactics to clean up the country's battered image.
• Antioxidant Supplements May Raise Women's Skin Cancer Risk
  Mechanism isn't clear, and new findings don't apply to men.

• August 23, 2007

  US FDA proposes sunscreen rule, cancer warning
  U.S. regulators on Thursday proposed a new regulation governing the development and testing of retail sunscreens, including a new label warning consumers about the risk of skin cancer linked to sun exposure.
• Being overweight may raise women's psoriasis risk
  Women who are overweight or obese may face a higher risk of developing the psoriasis, a common skin condition, a large study suggests.
• FDA Proposes New Rules for Sunscreens
  New labeling would indicate UVA protection, not just UVB.

• August 22, 2007

  Low glycemic load diet may help fight acne
  Avoiding high glycemic load foods could help acne sufferers clear up their skin, the results of a new small study suggest.
• Melanoma Diagnosis Often Delayed for Rural Poor
  Poverty and distance to specialist makes a difference, study finds

• August 21, 2007

  Health Tip: Treating Acne Scars
  Several options to consider

• August 20, 2007

  Green tea extract may boost cancer-fighting enzymes
  Healthy subjects who received daily caffeine-free green tea extract capsules had an increased production of detoxification enzymes, which may provide some cancer-fighting benefits, study findings show.
• Hispanic Teens Take More Skin Cancer Risks
  Many think they're in no real danger, survey finds

• August 17, 2007

  Aldara cream treats skin damage from sun
  A type of skin lesion called actinic keratosis, caused by long-term exposure to the sun, responds well to prescription Aldara cream applied three times a week in one or two month-long courses, a study shows. The cream contains a 5 percent concentration of the drug imiquimod.

• August 16, 2007

  No proof zinc lozenges help cold symptoms
  There's no proof that zinc lozenges, which are marketed for relieving symptoms of the common cold, work as advertised, according to a new research review.

• August 13, 2007

  No clear heart benefit of antioxidants in women
  Vitamins C and E and beta carotene, taken alone or in combination, do little, it appears, to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events or heart-related death in women at high risk for heart disease, according to a study published today.
• Sunbathers warned as skin cancer rates rise rapidly
  Holidaymakers were warned on Thursday to protect themselves in the sun and avoid getting burnt after figures revealed skin cancer has become the fastest growing form of cancer in Britain.

• August 9, 2007

  Rituxan cures blistering skin disease: study
  Four weekly injections of the cancer drug Rituxan may be enough to provide a long-term cure for a rare but potentially fatal skin disorder characterized by blistering lesions that do not heal, French researchers reported on Wednesday.

• August 8, 2007

  CORRECTION: Benefits of new wound therapy questioned
  More and more doctors are using a new high-tech device to treat chronic wounds such as bed sores and diabetic ulcers, but there is little evidence the device is any better than standard therapies, according to a review of studies on the technique.

• August 7, 2007

  Suction surgery staunches super-sweating
  People who suffer from excessive armpit sweating may find relief with a minimally invasive surgical procedure, a study shows.
• Benefits of new wound therapy questioned
  More and more doctors are using a new high-tech device to treat chronic wounds such as bed sores and diabetic ulcers, but there is little evidence the device is any better than standard therapies, according to a review of studies on the technique.

• August 6, 2007

  Researchers Identify Cause of Rosacea
  Overproduction of 2 inflammatory proteins at base of chronic facial redness, study says
• Eczema in child greatly increases mom's stress
  Mothers of young children with moderate to severe eczema report higher stress levels than mothers of children with diabetes or profound deafness, findings from a small study suggest.

• August 2, 2007

  Chinese herbs can help control eczema: HK study
  A mixture of five traditional Chinese herbs can help control and manage eczema, a study by researchers in Hong Kong suggests.

• August 1, 2007

  Natural Protein May Be Lymphoma's 'Bodyguard'
  Blocking Galectin 1 could be new means of fighting cancer, researchers say

• July 30, 2007

  Caffeine plus exercise may offer sun protection
  A morning jog and a cup of coffee might help protect you against skin cancer, if the results of new animal research can be applied to humans.
• Circumcision doesn't reduce sensation: study
  Uncircumcised men receive no more sexual sensation than circumcised men, according to a new study that contradicts the widely held belief.
• Exercise Plus Coffee May Ward Off Skin Cancer
  Findings come from mouse study, however, and sunscreen is still key, experts say.
• Health Tip: Check Skin for Cancer Signs
  Watch moles for symptoms

• July 27, 2007

  Rash means cancer drug Tarceva is working
  The development of a skin rash in patients with pancreatic cancer or lung cancer treated with Tarceva is a strong indication that the drug is working, report researchers from OSI Pharmaceuticals, the drug's developer.
• Sunlight in Youth Might Shield Against MS
  But experts warn that too much sun poses skin cancer risk.

• July 24, 2007

  Circumcision could save millions from AIDS
  Millions of new HIV infections in Africa could be avoided if more men were circumcised, researchers reported here Tuesday at the 4th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment & Prevention.
• Natural Protein Protects Against Cancer
  Harnessing IKKa could fight skin tumors, other malignancies, scientists say

• July 22, 2007

  Scientists Make Strides Against Melanoma
  But with real advances years away, prevention is the best approach.
• Antioxidants may protect against knee arthritis
  People who have diets with plenty of foods containing antioxidants may be protecting themselves from bone changes associated with knee arthritis, according to a new study.

• July 20, 2007

  Low glycemic load diet may improve acne
  The findings from a new study suggest another reason why diets that contain low glycemic loads may be of benefit. Not only can they improve insulin sensitivity, this type of diet also appears to clear up acne as well.

• July 17, 2007

  Trauma complication rates high among diabetics
  Diabetics hospitalized for trauma experience more severe complications than their non-diabetic counterparts, study results suggest.

• July 16, 2007

  Choking risk for babies prompts Gerber recall
  U.S.-based baby food company Gerber is recalling around half a million packs of organic rice and oatmeal cereal because of a risk babies might choke on the product, a spokesman said on Monday.

• July 10, 2007

  Arthritis drug may treat stubborn psoriasis
  Patients with severe psoriasis previously treated with Enbrel (also known as etanercept) may respond to Remicade (also known as infliximab), a study published this month suggests.

• July 9, 2007

  EU bans misleading "sunblock" labels
  There is no such thing as 100 percent protection from the sun, the European Union's consumer chief warned holiday makers on Monday and she banned the words "sunblock" and "100 percent sun protection" on sun cream.

• July 7, 2007

  Heat-Related Illnesses Take the Fun Out of Sun
  Using sunscreen, drinking water, covering up are just what the doctor orders.

• July 6, 2007

  Cancer drug curbs radiation-induced vision loss
  Eye injections of the widely-used cancer drug Avastin (also called bevacizumab) curb vision loss caused by radiation treatment for eye cancer, according to results of study.

• July 5, 2007

  Laser hair removal enhanced with cream
  Laser hair removal results can be significantly improved with the addition of eflornithine cream, achieving rapid and nearly complete hair removal in women with excess facial hair, a condition known as hirsutism, Canadian researchers report.
• Most Sunscreens Aren't Up to the Task
  They offer some protection, but you need to take additional steps to avoid skin cancer.

• July 4, 2007

  Teen skinfold thickness predicts adult weight
  - the ratio of weight to height commonly used to classify an individual as over-, under- or normal-weight.

• June 26, 2007

  Artificial skin heals wounds in clinical trials
  A British biotechnology company has developed a long-lasting artificial skin that has produced promising results in healing wounds in early clinical trials.

• June 18, 2007

  Enbrel works well for psoriasis over long term
  The symptoms of moderate-to-severe psoriasis are improved by treatment with Enbrel, known generically as etanercept, and the therapy remains safe and effective for up to 96 weeks, according to a new study
• Health Tip: Be Careful During Hot Weather
  Protect yourself from heatstroke

• June 15, 2007

  Health Tip: Understanding Sun Protection Factor
  What SPF really means
• Probiotic treatment may limit eczema in infants
  Oral supplementation with the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri to the mother during pregnancy and to the infant after birth may help reduce the development of eczema and allergy associated with immunoglobulin E, a key protein involved in the allergic response, according to Swedish researchers.

• June 11, 2007

  Naltrexone cream helps alleviate chronic itching
  The application of naltrexone, an "opiate receptor antagonist," to the skin is significantly more effective than placebo in relieving chronic itching, also know as pruritus, in patients with allergic dermatitis, Swiss and German researchers report in the June issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

• June 1, 2007

  Modest in dress, rich Iranians pay for nice noses
  Iranians flouting Islamic street dress codes may risk being hauled in by police for questioning by "psychologists", but the frequent sight of bandaged faces from cosmetic surgery raises not so much as an official eyebrow.
• Health Tip: Lather up With Sunscreen
  And protect your skin

• May 31, 2007

  More Americans Suffering Sunburns
  Too much sun greatly increases skin cancer risk, experts say.

• May 29, 2007

  Jury awards $2.5 mln in Roche Accutane trial
  A New Jersey jury on Tuesday found that Swiss drugmaker Roche Holding AG failed to adequately warn a patient of the bowel disease risks associated with its potent acne medicine Accutane and awarded him $2.5 million in damages.
• Birthmarks may signal risk of childhood cancer
  There may be an association between childhood cancer and birthmarks, according to a new study.

• May 21, 2007

  Hair relaxers not seen linked to breast cancer
  Women who use chemical relaxers to straighten their hair do not seem to be at increased risk of breast cancer, according to a new study.

• May 18, 2007

  Thimerosal in vaccines has no link to autism
  Exposure to thimerosal, a mercury-containing chemical previously used as a preservative in vaccines, does not increase the risk of autism, according to a report in the American Journal of Medical Genetics.
• Tomatoes fail as prostate cancer preventive
  A new study suggests that eating lycopene-rich tomatoes offers no protection against prostate cancer, contrary to the findings of some past studies. In fact, the researchers found an association between beta carotene, an antioxidant related to lycopene, and an increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer.
• Moderate drinking may lower kidney cancer risk
  Having a drink or two per day appears to modestly decrease the risk of developing kidney cell cancer, new research findings suggest, regardless of the type of alcoholic drink that is consumed.
• UN again delays destruction of smallpox virus
  The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday delayed for at least four years any decision on whether to destroy the world's last known stockpiles of smallpox, a deadly virus eradicated nearly 30 years ago.
• Toddler survives smallpox vaccine reaction
  A two-year-old boy who developed a serious reaction to his father's smallpox vaccination has recovered but disease detectives found infectious virus throughout house, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Thursday.

• May 16, 2007

  Scabies drugs appear safe during pregnancy
  Treatment of scabies with benzyl benzoate lotion or permethrin during pregnancy is safe, at least in the second and third trimesters, according to findings reported in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
• Study offers hope of remedy for baldness
  Mice with deep skin wounds can grow new hair, scientists said on Wednesday in a finding that offers hope for a baldness remedy for humans.
• Sunny vacations may lead to kids' mole development
  A new study suggests that sun-filled family vacations can leave children with a permanent memento -- more moles on their skin. These moles, also known as melanocytic nevi, are a precursor of melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer.

• May 14, 2007

  Exposure to cats in infancy may boost allergy risk
  Children exposed to higher levels of cat allergen in their first 2 years of life may be at greater risk of becoming allergic to the animals, a new study from Germany shows. However, the risk of sensitization at 6 years old seems to disappear.
• Immune System Dysfunction Pinpointed in Melanoma Cases
  Finding may boost cancer vaccine efforts, researchers say
• Health Tip: Taking Care of Problem Skin
  Ways to help prevent acne

• May 11, 2007

  German court denies bald men state-funded wigs
  Bald men in Germany have no right to state-funded wigs, according to a new court ruling.
• Scientists Find Clues to AIDS-Linked Cancer
  Kaposi's sarcoma relies on key bits of genetic material, experts say

• May 10, 2007

  People still ignore skin cancer warnings
  Many people still equate a tan with beauty and are not protecting themselves from the sun's harmful rays, according to a new survey.

• May 9, 2007

  Australia's Aborigines live much shorter span: study
  Australia's Aborigines live 17 years less on average than other Australians, and a government pledge to spend millions more in their remote communities would do little to close the gap, rights groups said on Wednesday.

• May 7, 2007

  Washington, NYC America's Most 'Sun-Smart' Cities
  Chicago residents are worst for warding off skin cancer, survey finds.

• May 3, 2007

  Less Sun a Better Bet Than Sunscreens
  Protective clothing also cuts your risk of skin cancer, research finds.

• April 23, 2007

  Dermatologists Best for Melanoma Diagnosis
  Patients survived longer if skin specialist spotted the lesion, study found

• April 19, 2007

  Health Tip: Soothing a Sunburn
  Suggestions to ease the pain

• April 18, 2007

  "Instant face lift" chemical DMAE damages skin cells
  A chemical used in using cosmetic products promising an "instant face lift" makes wrinkles disappear by damaging skin cells, Canadian researchers report.

• April 16, 2007

  Antigen-Cloning Technique May Bolster Skin Cancer Vaccine
  Research could find way to stimulate helper T-cells to fight melanoma
• Health Tip: Risk Factors for Sunburn
  The young and fair-skinned are at greater risk

• April 6, 2007

  Survival rate with melanoma has improved
  The overall survival of people diagnosed with melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, has improved over the past 25 years or so, German researchers report.

• March 27, 2007

  Blueberries May Help Curb Colon Cancer
  The antioxidant-rich food cut precancerous lesions in rats.

• March 20, 2007

  Childhood Leukemia Survivors at Long-Term Risk of Second Cancer
  Odds for a variety of tumors kept rising in 30-year study.

• March 8, 2007

  Cancer-Fighting Gene Guards Against Sun Damage
  Gene jumpstarts tanning process, which protects against skin cancer.

• February 5, 2007

  Genital Skin Cancer More Deadly for Women
  Doctors need better awareness of this nonmelanoma malignancy, experts say

• February 2, 2007

  For Drivers, Skin Cancer Is Often One-Sided
  Tumors more likely on left arm, neck, especially in men, study shows

• January 17, 2007

  Partnered Learning Boosts Use of Skin Cancer Self-Exams
  It may reinforce the importance of these exams, experts say

• December 29, 2006

  Tanning Beds No Holiday Gift for Your Skin
  Try healthier self-tanners instead before that office party, experts urge

• December 20, 2006

  Infant Jaundice Treatment May Encourage Moles
  Light therapy spurs smaller forms of the cancer-linked blemishes, researchers say

• December 18, 2006

  Characteristics of Fast-Growing Melanomas Identified
  They tend to be thicker, symmetrical and elevated, Australian study says.

• November 21, 2006

  Marathoners Run a Greater Risk for Skin Cancer
  Exposed skin and depressed immune systems may be to blame, experts say.

• October 24, 2006

  Minorities Less Likely to Receive Care at High-Volume Hospitals
  This trend may indicate lower quality of surgical care, studies suggest.