Artificial Pancreas Helps Type 1 Diabetics During Sleep

THURSDAY, Feb. 4 (HealthDay News) -- New research suggests that young children and teenagers with type 1 diabetes could benefit by using an artificial pancreas device to lower the risk of dangerously low blood sugar levels during sleep and help them control their disease.

Tests Show Top Tuna Brands Have High Mercury Levels

THURSDAY, Feb. 4 (HealthDay News) -- Tests on more than 300 samples of canned tuna from the top three brands in the United States revealed that more than half contained mercury levels above what's considered safe by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Campaign Calls for Limits on Doctors' Hours

THURSDAY, Feb. 4 (HealthDay News) -- In November 2000, Helen Haskell took her 15-year-old son to a teaching university for a routine, elective procedure.

'Gene Doping' May Be Next Wave of Sports Tampering

THURSDAY, Feb. 4 (HealthDay News) -- Just in time for the Winter Olympics, scientists are warning of a new breed of performance-enhancing agents that use cutting-edge genetic technology and may be particularly hard to detect.

Nanofiber Gel May Spur Growth of New Knee Cartilage

THURSDAY, Feb. 4 (HealthDay News) -- A new nanofiber gel that promotes cartilage growth in joints has been developed by U.S. researchers.

Black and Hispanic Infants Much More Likely to Have HIV

THURSDAY, Feb. 4 (HealthDay News) -- Rates of HIV infection in infants are significantly higher among blacks and Hispanics than whites, and preventive measures are needed to reduce the disparity, a new government report says.

Steroids May Be Overrated in Treatment of COPD

THURSDAY, Feb. 4 (HealthDay News) -- Patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are often given inhaled corticosteroids to help ease exacerbations of the disease, but a new study finds these drugs may be of only limited benefit.

Review Spotlights Clues to Serious Childhood Infection

THURSDAY, Feb. 4 (HealthDay News) -- Rapid breathing, poor blood circulation and, possibly, parental concern and a doctor's instinct are potential warning signs of serious infection among children in developed countries, according to a review of published research.

Now in Living Color: Dinosaurs

THURSDAY, Feb. 4 (HealthDay News) -- For the first time, the colors that adorned a species of feathered dinosaur more than 150 million years ago have been revealed by U.S. scientists who deciphered microscopic clues hidden in a fossil of one of the creatures.

Clinical Trials Update: Feb. 4, 2010

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

Health Highlights: Feb. 4, 2010

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

Government to Pay for More Than Half of U.S. Health Care Costs

THURSDAY, Feb. 4 (HealthDay News) -- As jobless Americans lost private health insurance coverage and joined the Medicaid rolls during the recession, U.S. health spending jumped 5.7 percent to $2.5 trillion in 2009, government projections show.

Too Few Adults Get Recommended Vaccinations

THURSDAY, Feb. 4 (HealthDay News) -- Most parents make sure their children get all their vaccinations, but when it comes to adults these protective shots often fall by the wayside, a new report shows.

Untreated, Mild May Become Major Depression

THURSDAY, Feb. 4 (HealthDay News) -- For many people whose depression goes untreated, symptoms persist and worsen over time, eventually leading to a diagnosis of major depression, according to new research.

Natural Delivery OK in Cases of Intrauterine Growth Restriction

THURSDAY, Feb. 4 (HealthDay News) -- Waiting for natural birth is as effective as inducing labor in pregnant women with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), a new study shows.

Genes May Influence Preterm Births

THURSDAY, Feb. 4 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers say they've discovered genetic traits in mothers and fetuses that appear to boost the risk of premature labor and delivery.

Health Tip: Beta Blockers May Have Side Effects

(HealthDay News) -- Beta blockers often are prescribed to treat various heart conditions, including congestive heart failure and an irregular heartbeat. They also may be used to help treat high blood pressure.

Health Tip: Understanding Perimenopause

(HealthDay News) -- Perimenopause describes the period of time just before menopause starts, says the National Women's Health Information Center.

With C-Section, Stitches May Be Best

THURSDAY, Feb. 4 (HealthDay News) -- Women who've had a cesarean delivery are less likely to suffer complications if their wound is closed using sutures rather than staples, says a U.S. study.

Biofeedback Now Seen as 'Regular' Medicine

THURSDAY, Feb. 4 (HealthDay News) -- Biofeedback used to be thought of as alternative therapy -- something that might help but wasn't considered a fully legitimized medical treatment.