Importance of Family Meals Questioned

TUESDAY, Oct. 9 (HealthDay News) -- There's no evidence to support the widely held belief that sharing family meals improves children's school performance or reduces their risk of behavior problems, a new study says.

Health Tip: Easing Teething Pain

(HealthDay News) -- Newer parents may feel helpless when they've got a teething, cranky baby on their hands.

Health Tip: All Fats Aren't Bad

(HealthDay News) -- While it's important to limit the fat content in your diet, your body does benefit from some fats in small amounts.

New MRI Might Help Spot Heart Disease Early: Study

TUESDAY, Oct. 9 (HealthDay News) -- A new MRI technique is showing "practical promise" in identifying thickening of the coronary artery wall, an early stage of coronary heart disease, researchers say.

Scientists ID 'Genetic Signatures' for Aggressive Prostate Cancer

TUESDAY, Oct. 9 (HealthDay News) -- Two separate genetic "signatures" for aggressive prostate cancer have been identified by researchers, who said the findings could one day help improve patient treatment and outcomes.

Marijuana Extract May Help Ease Muscle Stiffness in MS: Study

TUESDAY, Oct. 9 (HealthDay News) -- A marijuana extract appears to ease painful muscle stiffness in people with multiple sclerosis, according to a new British study.

Walking for Heart Health? Speed It Up, Study Suggests

MONDAY, Oct. 8 (HealthDay News) -- Fast walking and jogging every day can cut your risk of heart disease and stroke by as much as 50 percent, but an hour's walk every day does not make a difference, according to a new Danish study.

Teens Want Voice in End-of-Life Decisions

TUESDAY, Oct. 9 (HealthDay News) -- Teens and young adults who are seriously ill should have a chance to be involved in end-of-life decisions, and a new planning guide -- developed especially for this age group -- can help, researchers say.

Up to 13,000 Got Steroid Shots at Center of Meningitis Outbreak: CDC

MONDAY, Oct. 8 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. health officials said late Monday that as many as 13,000 people may have received steroid shots from the suspected source of a national meningitis outbreak.

Some 'Super Tasters' Might Be Less Prone to Sinus Woes

TUESDAY, Oct. 9 (HealthDay News) -- A person's ability to taste certain bitter flavors is directly related to their ability to fight off chronic sinus infections, according to a new study.

'Mouth Feel' Makes Wine Go Well With Meat, Study Finds

TUESDAY, Oct. 9 (HealthDay News) -- Scientists say they've answered the age-old question of why that glass of Cabernet or Merlot goes so well with your steak: something called "mouth feel."

Group Programs for Weight Loss May Work Best

TUESDAY, Oct. 9 (HealthDay News) -- New research suggests that if you want to lose weight, don't try to do it alone.

Health Highlights: Oct. 9, 2012

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