For Fitness, Cutting Calories May Not Be Enough

THURSDAY, Jan. 7 (HealthDay News) -- If you're vowing to lose weight this year, consider adding a regular exercise program while you're cutting calories.

As Swine Flu Wanes, Don't Be Fooled

THURSDAY, Jan. 7 (HealthDay News) -- Although only four states are now reporting widespread H1N1 swine flu activity, U.S. health officials caution that a new outbreak is possible.

Pet Frogs Behind Salmonella Outbreak

THURSDAY, Jan. 7 (HealthDay News) -- For the first time in the United States, doctors have spotted an outbreak of Salmonella linked to African dwarf frogs, typically kept in home aquariums.

When Smokers Call Quit Lines, Positive Approach May Be Best

THURSDAY, Jan. 7 (HealthDay News) -- Stressing the benefits of not smoking may work better than emphasizing the negative effects of cigarettes in persuading smokers to kick the habit, a new study has found.

Clinical Trials Update: Jan. 7, 2010

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

EPA Unveils Stricter Smog Standards

THURSDAY, Jan. 7 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday proposed stricter standards for smog, which has been linked to a variety of health problems, including aggravated asthma and premature death from heart and lung disease.

Leading COPD Drug May Raise Chances of Heart Trouble

THURSDAY, Jan. 7 (HealthDay News) -- New research suggests that the drug ipratropium bromide (Atrovent), used widely among patients who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), may raise the risk of heart attack and heart failure, while a separate study of the COPD drug tiotropium (Spiriva) shows it may well lower the risk of heart problems and death.

Diabetes Meds May Be Falling Through 'Doughnut Hole'

THURSDAY, Jan. 7 (HealthDay News) -- Medicare's so-called "doughnut hole" could be forcing many American seniors to skip their diabetes medications, a new study suggests.

Key to Cocaine Addiction May Lead to Treatment

THURSDAY, Jan. 7 (HealthDay News) -- A key mechanism in the brain that helps explain how people become addicted to cocaine has been identified by U.S. government scientists, who say their finding could lead to the development of new treatments for drug addiction.

Health Highlights: Jan. 7, 2010

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

Stored Fats May Make Cancer Cells More Aggressive

THURSDAY, Jan. 7 (HealthDay News) -- An enzyme that normally helps break down stored fats becomes highly active in some cancer cells and makes them more likely to spread, researchers have found.

Calorie Counts on Food Labeling Often Off

THURSDAY, Jan. 7 (HealthDay News) -- Many reduced-calorie restaurant and packaged foods in the United States have more calories than indicated on their nutritional labeling, a new study reports.

St. John's Wort Doesn't Ease Irritable Bowel Syndrome

THURSDAY, Jan. 7 (HealthDay News) -- The popular herbal supplement St. John's wort does not appear to relieve the pain and discomfort that accompanies irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), new research suggests.

Streamlined Stem Cell Procedure May Speed Up Research

THURSDAY, Jan. 7 (HealthDay News) -- A new way of genetically modifying human embryonic stem cells would enable rapid development of stem cell lines that could be used for research into genetic diseases, say U.S. scientists.

Childhood Cancer Survivors Targets for Heart Disease

THURSDAY, Jan. 7 (HealthDay News) -- Childhood cancer survivors are at increased risk for diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, all of which predispose them to heart disease, say U.S. researchers.

Assisted Living More Accessible to Well-Off

THURSDAY, Jan. 7 (HealthDay News) -- Assisted living facilities for older people are most often located in areas with higher levels of income, education and home values, a new study shows.

Slim Risk of Death After Joint Replacement

THURSDAY, Jan. 7 (HealthDay News) -- Patients who undergo knee or hip replacement surgery have a slightly increased risk of death for only 26 days after the procedure, claims a study that challenges earlier findings.

Health Tip: Prevent Denture Problems

(HealthDay News) -- Dentures can cause pain and discomfort if they're not worn properly and cleaned thoroughly.

Health Tip: What's Failure to Thrive?

(HealthDay News) -- Failure to thrive is a general medical term that describes when babies fail to gain weight and grow as expected. It can have numerous possible causes.