Religious Teens Seem Less Prone to Alcohol Abuse

TUESDAY, June 22 (HealthDay News) --Teenagers who are raised with a religious outlook are less likely to abuse alcohol, even if they are genetically predisposed to do so, new research suggests.

Hormone Raises Desire for Fattening Foods

TUESDAY, June 22 (HealthDay News) -- You're dieting, and you know you should stay away from high-calorie snacks. Yet, your eyes keep straying toward that box of chocolates, and you wish there was a pill to restrain your impulse to inhale them.

Health Tip: Treating Heat Cramps

(HealthDay News) -- Heat cramps cause pain in the stomach, arms and legs when the body loses too many fluids and too much salt from strenuous exercise in extreme heat.

Health Tip: Keep Baby Safe With a Pacifier

(HealthDay News) -- A pacifier is a relatively safe device for babies, but it should still be used properly to avoid potential problems.

Thyroid Function at High End of Normal Tied to Miscarriage Risk

TUESDAY, June 22 (HealthDay News) -- Testing in the upper half of what is currently considered a normal range for thyroid function can nonetheless be problematic for pregnant women, who face an increased risk for miscarriage as a result, new research suggests.

Soccer Safety Not Just for the Pros

TUESDAY, June 22 (HealthDay News) -- While the attention of people around the globe is focused on the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is using the opportunity to caution amateur soccer players to make safety a priority when taking to their local fields.

Fewer Hours for Medical Residents May Backfire

TUESDAY, June 22 (HealthDay News) -- A 50-hour workweek limit for surgical residents in Switzerland may negatively affect surgical training and quality of patient care, suggests a new study.

Labor Induction May Boost C-Section Risk

TUESDAY, June 22 (HealthDay News) -- Inducing labor more than doubles the risk of having a cesarean delivery, according to a new study that puts some hard-and-fast numbers to a link that experts have long suspected.

X-Ray Can Spot Gastric Band Slippage

TUESDAY, June 22 (HealthDay News) -- X-rays can help doctors detect gastric band slippage following surgery that places an inflatable silicone band around the top part of the stomach to restrict food intake, says a new study.

Exercise May Combat Alcohol Cravings, Animal Study Suggests

TUESDAY, June 22 (HealthDay News) -- Exercise may turn out to be an effective treatment option for alcoholism, a new animal study suggests.

Cavities in Baby Teeth May Come From Poor Food Choices

TUESDAY, June 22 (HealthDay News) -- Obesity and increased consumption of sugary drinks appear to be linked to rising rates of cavities in very young children, a U.S. study has found.

Blacks Seem More Vulnerable to Deadly Blood Infection

TUESDAY, June 22 (HealthDay News) -- Black patients are more likely to develop the life-threatening blood infection sepsis and have a greater chance of dying from it than whites, new research suggests.

Health Highlights: June 22, 2010

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

More Evidence That B Vitamins Alone Won't Counter Heart Risks

TUESDAY, June 22 (HealthDay News) -- A new study by British researchers provides the most conclusive evidence to date that taking vitamins to reduce levels of the blood protein known as homocysteine doesn't lower the risk of heart problems.

Clinical Trials Update: June 22, 2010

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

Study Clears Cell Phone Towers of Childhood Cancer Connection

TUESDAY, June 22 (HealthDay News) -- Living near a cell phone tower while you're pregnant doesn't raise your baby's risk of developing a childhood cancer, British researchers report.

New Method Proposed for Gauging Hospital Infection Rates

TUESDAY, June 22 (HealthDay News) -- Current measures of how well hospitals control post-operative infections don't reflect actual results, a new study contends.

Gaining Weight Later in Life Ups Diabetes Risk

TUESDAY, June 22 (HealthDay News) -- Gaining weight when you're over age 50, especially around the waist, significantly increases your risk of type 2 diabetes, new research suggests.