Blood Test Spots Colon Cancer, Polyps

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 20 (HealthDay News) -- The first blood test to reliably detect early-stage colorectal cancer and polyps may help identify patients who would gain most from colonoscopy, say Israeli researchers who developed the screen.

First Oral Medications For MS Show Promise

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 20 (HealthDay News) -- Two new drugs -- both oral, rather than injected -- may soon be available to combat multiple sclerosis.

Small Cuts in Salt Intake Spur Big Drops in Heart Trouble

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 20 (HealthDay News) -- Slashing salt intake by just 3 grams a day -- the equivalent of half a teaspoon -- could dramatically cut the incidence of heart disease and death in U.S. adults, researchers claim.

Even Mild Lung Disease Affects the Heart

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 20 (HealthDay News) -- Heart and lung function appear to be intimately intertwined, so that even mild cases of chronic lung disease affect the heart's ability to pump blood, a new study finds.

New Gene ID'd in Brittle Bone Disease

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 20 (HealthDay News) -- A new gene involved in a recessive form of brittle bone disease has been pinpointed by researchers.

Malaria Parasite Infects Gorillas, Not Just Humans

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 20 (HealthDay News) -- Gorillas carry the parasite that causes malignant malaria in humans, a finding that could help in efforts to develop a vaccine for malaria, researchers say.

Heart-Assist System Approved for Severe Heart Failure

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 20 (HealthDay News) -- A device that helps the heart's left ventricle pump blood in people who have severe heart failure but who aren't candidates for heart transplant has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Senate Upset Foils Democrats' Health Reform Agenda

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 20 (HealthDay News) -- House and Senate Democrats' ambitious plans to revamp the nation's health-care system were torpedoed Tuesday night in the wake of a Massachusetts special election that delivered the seat long held by the late Sen. Edward Kennedy to a Republican.

Asian Air May Be Worsening Ozone Over U.S.

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 20 (HealthDay News) -- Call it an unwanted gift from overseas: Scientists are reporting that springtime ozone levels above western North America are on the rise, in part because of air heading this way from Asia.

New Treatment Eyed for Hepatitis C

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 20 (HealthDay News) -- A new class of compounds is able to inhibit replication of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in laboratory tests, say U.S. scientists.

Health Highlights: Jan. 20, 2010

Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:

How the Apple Keeps the Doctor Away

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 20 (HealthDay News) -- Common wisdom holds apples to be a healthy snack, and a new study agrees, finding that a component of fruit called pectin boosts levels of friendly germs in the digestive system.

Brain Scans Reveal Video Gamers' Secrets

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 20 (HealthDay News) -- How adeptly you play a video game may indicate how big some parts of your brain are, the authors of a new study report.

Painless 'Plasma Jets' Instead of Dental Drill?

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 20 (HealthDay News) -- Plasma jets could offer a painless alternative to dentists' drills, say German researchers.

U.S. Kids Using Media Almost 8 Hours a Day

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 20 (HealthDay News) -- The amount of time American children and teens spend watching TV, playing video games or surfing the Internet has increased dramatically, to almost eight hours a day, a new report finds.

Experts Push 7 Steps to Heart Health

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 20 (HealthDay News) -- Assessing whether you are in poor, moderate or ideal cardiovascular health takes just seconds, thanks to a new American Heart Association measure of health factors and behaviors.

Medical Students Supportive of Alternative Medicine

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 20 (HealthDay News) -- A new national survey finds that most medical students think that knowledge of complementary and alternative medicine could help Western doctors do a better job.

New Disinfectant Could Help Hospitals Fight Germs

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 20 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers report that they've developed a new formula for a disinfectant that's effective against bacteria, viruses, fungi and even prions, the proteins that cause mad cow disease.

Health Tip: Got a Blister Outbreak?

(HealthDay News) -- A blister, medically called a vesicle, is a small sac on the skin that's filled with fluid. Blisters can be caused by friction or an underlying health issue.

Health Tip: Reduce Your Risk of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

(HealthDay News) -- Carpal tunnel syndrome includes a number of conditions characterized by swelling, pain, tingling and weakness in the wrists and hands.