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A new technique for finding and analyzing stray cancer cells in the blood of lung cancer patients may make it possible for doctors to one day not only determine the genetic "signature" of particular tumors but to monitor changes in those cells and adjust treatments accordingly.

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An environmental research and advocacy group claims that four out of five brand-name sunscreens either provide inadequate sun protection or contain chemicals that may be unsafe, but industry representatives strongly dispute the charge.

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People are often advised to try to keep up their levels of so-called good cholesterol to reduce their risk of heart disease. But high levels may also help prevent a decline in memory, a new study says.

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Reuters
Wed Jun 25, 2:36 PM ET

LONDON (Reuters) - Scientists have identified a primitive area of the brain that makes us adventurous -- a finding which may help explain why people routinely fall for "new" products when shopping.

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Know your way around the Internet, arm yourself with statistics and don't be afraid to speak up.
By Susan Brink, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
June 23, 2008
Even if you're not rich or well-connected, you can find leading-edge treatment when it matters. And it could well matter if your condition is rare or if few doctors have developed expertise in treating it. For starters, be Internet savvy -- and pushy. Here are some tips for getting what you need:

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More people are hurt snowboarding than any other outdoor activity, accounting for a quarter of emergency room visits, according to the first national study to estimate recreational injuries.
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Trailing snowboarding are sledding and hiking, researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report in the journal Wilderness and Environmental Medicine.

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New research indicates that your personality may have a lot to do with what kind of illnesses you contract, London’s Daily Mail reported Monday.

For instance, it has been suggested that people with Type A personalities are prone to have heart problems.

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In particular, such "prudent" eaters were 28 percent less likely to die of heart disease or stroke. The study defined a prudent diet as one rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fish and poultry.

A highly "Western" eating pattern, in contrast, was one that featured plenty of red and processed meat, sweets, French fries and refined grains like white bread.

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The amount of DHEAS that a man has in his blood is a "strong predictor" how long he will live, a new report from a 27-year study conducted in Japan suggests.

The adrenal glands secrete DHEAS, or dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, a "pre-hormone," which the body converts into androgens and estrogens, Dr. Mika Enomoto and colleagues from Kurume University School of Medicine and colleagues explain. Levels of DHEAS peak during a person's 20s and 30s and then sharply decline.

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Now, researchers have caused Alzheimer's symptoms in rats by injecting them with one particular form of beta-amyloid. Injections with other forms of beta-amyloid did not cause illness, which may explain why some people have beta-amyloid plaque in their brains but do not show disease symptoms.

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Americans are consuming caffeinated beverages as never before. In fact, energy drink sales skyrocketed in 2007. The sale of Rockstar, which contains up to 360 mg of caffeine per can, compared with 80 to 150 mg per serving for coffee, rose 38.9 percent in 2007, according to Beverage Digest. Redbull sales rose 19 percent.

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Red wine appears to protect the heart and prolong life. Now a new study suggests it may also be a weapon against obesity.

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The "placebo effect" may play a part in the athletic performance-enhancing effects of growth hormone, particularly in men, new findings suggest.

"Athletes are doping with growth hormone to improve performance, despite any firm scientific evidence that it does so," Dr. Kenneth K. Ho said at the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in San Francisco.

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At 32, he's not worried about losing his memory. He's taking advantage of a growing market in "brain fitness" spurred by aging baby boomers.

Teenagers cramming for tests and people worried about "senior moments" can now turn to an explosion of brain-assisting video games, such as Nintendo's Brain Age; puzzles that are said to ward off dementia, such as Sudoku and crosswords; and online tips that claim to train the brain.

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I got a letter this week from Mary, who's 49, and wants to know what hairstyles would flatter her most. According to Mary, she has a high forehead and a "very round" face. She's says she's "always hot, but not in a good way," which I assume means she's going through menopause and wants a short, comfortable cut.

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