Health Tip: Work on Good Posture

(HealthDay News) -- If you have lower back pain, sitting at an office desk all day can aggravate your symptoms.

Health Tip: When Baby Has a Fever

(HealthDay News) -- When a baby has a fever, parents may be unsure if this warrants a call to the pediatrician.

For Healthier Eating, Keep Fruits, Veggies Within Reach

MONDAY, May 7 (HealthDay News) -- College students are more likely to snack on fresh fruits and vegetables when these healthy options are placed where they can easily reach them, a new study suggests.

Study: More Pre-Teens Get Vaccines When Middle Schools Require Them

MONDAY, May 7 (HealthDay News) -- Pre-teens living in states that require vaccinations for incoming middle school students are more likely to be immunized than those in states without such requirements, a new study finds.

Using Earplugs Eases ICU Patients' Confusion: Study

MONDAY, May 7 (HealthDay News) -- Giving earplugs to patients in the intensive care unit can improve their sleep, reduce their confusion and delay the onset of delirium, according to a new study.

Exercise Can Help Fight Heart Failure

MONDAY, May 7 (HealthDay News) -- Exercise can slow muscle wasting, boost strength and reduce inflammation caused by aging and heart failure, a new study confirms.

In Mom's Eyes, Overweight Toddler May Not Be

MONDAY, May 7 (HealthDay News) -- A new study suggests that many mothers of overweight toddlers misjudge their child's weight and that could lead to overfeeding, researchers say.

Research May Point to New Obesity Treatments

SUNDAY, May 6 (HealthDay News) -- Scientists who found a way to make white fat behave more like brown fat say their discovery could lead to new obesity treatments.

Depression in Mid-Life Linked to Higher Odds for Later Dementia

MONDAY, May 7 (HealthDay News) -- People who suffer depression when they're middle-aged or elderly may also have an higher risk of dementia later, a new study suggests.

Birth Defect Rates Vary Depending on Fertility Treatment: Study

SATURDAY, May 5 (HealthDay News) -- Birth defects are more common after certain infertility treatments, but whether the cause is the assisted reproduction techniques themselves or the underlying biology preventing conception isn't clear, Australian researchers say.

Zinc Pills May Shorten Colds, Analysis Suggests

MONDAY, May 7 (HealthDay News) -- Those suffering from the common cold will try almost anything to relieve their symptoms, but a cure has yet to be found.

Living Near Major Roads May Shorten Heart Attack Survival

MONDAY, May 7 (HealthDay News) -- A new study finds that heart attack survivors who live close to major roads are at increased risk for death from all causes during a 10-year span.

Lots of TV May Harm Kids' Diet

MONDAY, May 7 (HealthDay News) -- Kids who spend lots of time in front of the TV have poorer diets overall, a new study of U.S. middle school students finds.

Having a 'Purpose in Life' May Help Shield You From Dementia

MONDAY, May 7 (HealthDay News) -- If you're looking for a way to keep dementia at bay, a new study suggests you can do so by developing a firm purpose in life.

People Love Talking About Themselves, Brain Scans Show

MONDAY, May 7 (HealthDay News) -- Got something to report about yourself? An opinion, perhaps, or a status update? Nobody may care except you, but new brain research suggests you can make yourself feel good simply by sharing.

Health Highlights: May 7, 2012

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

Aim Skin Cancer Warnings at the Young, Too, Experts Say

MONDAY, May 7 (HealthDay News) -- Doctors should take the time to counsel children, teens and young adults on the dangers of sun exposure and tanning beds, according to new recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

Kids Most Likely to Start Abusing Painkillers at 16: Study

MONDAY, May 7 (HealthDay News) -- Among U.S. adolescents, misuse of prescription painkillers peaks at age 16, earlier than thought, a new large survey analysis reveals.

U.S. Obesity Rate Set to Soar, Costing Billions: CDC

MONDAY, May 7 (HealthDay News) -- Even if the skyrocketing rates of obesity level off, 42 percent of Americans will be obese and 11 percent will be severely obese by the year 2030, a new report predicts.