Experts Believe Many Birth Defects Are Preventable

FRIDAY, July 2 (HealthDay News) -- There are few things more chilling to expectant parents than the possibility that their child might come into the world with a birth defect that threatens the child's health or life.

For Parents With Spina Bifida, a Healthy Daughter

FRIDAY, July 2 (HealthDay News) -- Kerry O'Neill Wallace, now 47, was born with a birth defect known as spina bifida.

Health Tip: Are You More Likely to Develop Endometriosis?

(HealthDay News) -- Endometriosis occurs when uterine tissue grows outside of a woman's uterus.

Health Tip: Why Some People Become Blind

(HealthDay News) -- Why do people who are born with the ability to see eventually become blind?

Prison Games Hint at Psychopathy, Brain Damage: Study

FRIDAY, July 2 (HealthDay News) -- A new study of prisoners and game-playing suggests that there's a link between damage to a specific part of the brain and psychopathic behavior, although it's not clear how they're connected.

Effects of Mom's Favoritism May Last Into Adulthood

FRIDAY, July 2 (HealthDay News) -- Children of mothers who favor or reject one child are more likely to suffer depressive symptoms as middle-age adults, new research suggests.

Researchers Find Gene Behind Four-Leaf Clover

FRIDAY, July 2 (HealthDay News) -- One of the leprechauns' secrets has been uncovered by U.S. scientists.

Serious Mental Illness Can Take Toll on Life Span

FRIDAY, July 2 (HealthDay News) -- Non-institutionalized individuals struggling with serious mental illness face a shorter life span than the general population, new research reveals.

Love in Her Eyes? You're Likely a He-Man, Study Says

FRIDAY, July 2 (HealthDay News) -- The speed at which you can judge whether a member of the opposite sex is checking you out seems to depend on how masculine or feminine you look, according to a new study.

'Family-Centered Rounds' for Pediatric Patients Applauded

FRIDAY, July 2 (HealthDay News) -- Including families of hospitalized children in discussions during medical rounds improves doctor-family communication and benefits medical trainees, a new study shows.

Errands Tomorrow? Sleep May Help You Remember

FRIDAY, July 2 (HealthDay News) -- Sleep helps you remember something you want to do tomorrow or at some other point in the future, according to a new study.

In Mice, Oxygen Slows Wrinkling Due to UV Rays

FRIDAY, July 2 (HealthDay News) -- High levels of oxygen may slow the development of wrinkles by reducing skin damage caused by ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from the sun - at least in mice, Japanese researchers report.

Minnesota Smoking Bans Didn't Lead to Job Loss

FRIDAY, July 2 (HealthDay News) -- Smoking bans in Minnesota's Twin Cities did not lead to job losses at bars and may actually have helped create more jobs at restaurants, a new study finds.

Complications Shorten Stroke Patients' Lives

THURSDAY, July 1 (HealthDay News) -- Complications from stroke, such as pneumonia or a secondary stroke, can shorten the lives of patients by an average of two years, researchers report.

Scientists Make Immune Cells in Mice That Fight Off HIV

FRIDAY, July 2 (HealthDay News) -- Research in mice suggests that scientists may have a new lead on using gene therapy against the virus that causes AIDS.

Health Highlights: July 2, 2010

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

Clinical Trials Update: July 2, 2010

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