Kids Need Enough Sleep to Succeed at School: Experts

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Although many kids stay up late on long summer days, once school starts in the fall they should return to their normal sleep routines, according to experts at University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

For Many Americans, Caregiving a Long-Distance Burden

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Caring for a parent or relative in the same zip code can be hard enough, but long-distance caregiving, which is becoming more common in an increasingly mobile society, brings with it added burdens.

Health Tip: Seniors, Prepare for Exercise

(HealthDay News) -- Exercise is beneficial at any age, and seniors can certainly enjoy its many benefits. But before getting started, you should learn how to exercise safely.

Health Tip: Plan for Potty Training

(HealthDay News) -- Preparing for potty training can help make the process easier for you and your toddler.

More Evidence Links Genes to Parkinson's

TUESDAY, Aug. 30 (HealthDay News) -- A genetic variation that reduces the risk of Parkinson's disease by nearly 20 percent in many populations has been found by an international team of scientists.

Smoking Harder on Women's Arteries Than Men's, Scans Show

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Smoking causes more arterial damage in women than in men, a new study finds.

Homo Erectus Had an Axe to Grind

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Hand axes, picks and other stone tools that are 1.8 million years old suggest that ancient humans were using advanced tool-making methods at least 300,000 years earlier than previously thought, a new study says.

Potatoes May Be Good for the Heart After All, Study Says

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 31 (HealthDay News) -- French fries and potato chips may have given potatoes a bad rap, but new research finds the lowly tuber -- when cooked correctly -- may actually be good for the heart.

Frailty May Threaten Melanoma Survival More Than Age

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 31 (HealthDay News) -- A new study says physical frailty is more important than age at predicting poor outcomes for patients with melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer.

Trial of Cancer-Fighting Virus Shows Promise

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 31 (HealthDay News) -- A new type of cancer treatment that uses a virus to infect and destroy tumor cells without harming normal cells is showing promise in early clinical trials.

Kids Carrying MRSA Germ Prone to Serious Infection: Study

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Hospitalized children who carry a dangerous type of antibiotic-resistant bacteria but show no signs of illness are still at high risk for developing full-blown infections, a new study finds.

Being Heavier May Mean Fewer Hot Flashes for Women Over 60

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Older, heavier women tend to have fewer hot flashes than younger, leaner menopausal women, a small, new study suggests.

Americans Getting Too Many Calories From Sugary Drinks: CDC

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Almost half of Americans get a substantial amount of their calories from sweetened drinks, a new report indicates.

Electronic Medical Records Might Boost Diabetes Care

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 31 (HealthDay News) -- New research suggests that using electronic medical records instead of paper files could greatly improve care for diabetic patients by boosting communication.

Health Highlights: Aug. 31, 2011

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

Billie Jean King Says Exercise Your Best Shot Against Arthritis

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Tennis legend Billie Jean King is serving up a powerful shot against an old opponent, arthritis, in a new campaign that stresses the benefits of exercise for people with the condition.

Longer CPR Backfires for Certain Heart Patients: Study

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 31 (HealthDay News) -- More is not necessarily better when paramedics give cardiac arrest patients CPR before administering shocks to the heart, a new study finds.

Some Older Breast Cancer Patients Can Skip Hormone Therapy: Study

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Some breast cancer patients over the age of 60 who have small, early-stage tumors can skip hormone therapy without increasing their risk of death, a new study says.

Dangerous Bacteria Hide Out in Nurses', Doctors' Uniforms

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 31 (HealthDay News) -- The white coats and medical scrubs worn by hospital staff may harbor hazardous bacteria, a new study finds.