New Risk for Testicular Cancer

Boys with undescended testes are known to be at increased risk for testicular cancer later in life. A new risk factor has been found: taking a biopsy of the undescended testis, according to a study published this week in the British Medical Journal. "There are many instances in organs other than the testes where trauma appears to lead to cancer," say the researchers.

Breast-Feeding Okay for Moms' Bones

When it comes to producing calcium-rich breast milk, nursing mothers usually draw the mineral from their own bones -- a process that has been theorized to contribute to the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis. Now, a new study suggests that the bone-thinning is temporary, and women recover fully from the process, even if they get pregnant again while nursing.

New Contacts Give UV Eye Protection

Ultraviolet (UV) sunlight can damage eyes as well as skin, experts say. But new UV-protecting contact lenses may keep eyes healthier, longer. Dr. Robert Neger, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology believes "a contact lens, because it's so close to the visual center of the eye, probably is (even) better at shielding because you can't get light coming in from the sides, whereas you can with sunglasses." Two leading contact lens manufacturers have now developed filtered lenses that help cut down on UV eye damage.

Early Sign of Alzheimer's Found

An impaired ability to remember a tale within a half hour of hearing it appears to be the earliest marker for Alzheimer's disease in individuals aged 80 years and older. "Verbal memory impairment is a presymptomatic sign of dementia of the Alzheimer's type in the oldest old," write researchers in the May issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Verbal memory impairment was noted an average of 2.8 years prior to the onset of clinical symptoms in study subjects who later developed Alzheimer's disease.

Soft Soles, Mats Harm Athletes

The softness of sneaker inner soles or floor mats may be more responsible for injuries in runners and gymnasts than the repetitive impact from these activities, a study suggests. New findings indicate that people come down harder and more straight-legged when wearing modern athletic shoes than they do barefoot, and that these shoes (and foam floor mats) make the landing more unstable -- a precursor to injury.

SIDS Linked to Second-Hand Mattress

Infants who sleep on their stomach or who are exposed to cigarette smoke are at greatest risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), a new study confirms. But a surprising finding was that children that slept on second-hand mattresses were at greater risk as well, according to a report in the British Medical Journal.

Bread Yeast Linked to Thrush

The yeast used in bread-making may in fact be a source of the common fungal infection known as thrush, experts say. "If you've handled bread or dough, wash your hands thoroughly afterwards," warns Karl Clemons of the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, California. Thrush, an infection of the mouth in babies or the vagina in women, is most often caused by the fungus Candida albicans. But scientists have now shown that commercial strains of baker's yeast can also cause it.

Smoking Halts Gain in Male Life-Span

The good news is that women around the world can look forward to an increasing life-span in the next 25 years, with the greatest gain in sub-Saharan Africa, India and Asia -- and climbing as high as age 90 for female infants born in developed countries. Men, unfortunately, won't enjoy an equal jump in life expectancy, according to a new analysis of global health trends. And one of the major reasons is cigarette smoking.

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