Cannabis abstinence tied to memory improvement in adolescents, young adults

(Reuters Health) - - Not using cannabis for a month could improve learning ability for adolescents and young adults who used the drug at least weekly, a U.S. study suggests.

Yoga, acupuncture might ease menopause hot flashes

- Acupuncture and yoga could offer relief from the hot flashes of menopause, a new analysis suggests.

Smoking bans tied to lower blood pressure in non-smokers

(Reuters Health) - Non-smokers who live where smoking is banned in public places may have lower blood pressure than non-smokers who aren't protected by these types of laws, a U.S. study suggests.

FDA approves Meridian Bioscience's test for herpes in newborns

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved on Friday the first test - a diagnostic from Meridian Bioscience Inc - to help detect a type of herpes virus in newborns.

Fructose link to diabetes may be different for sodas than fruit

(Reuters Health) - - Sodas sweetened with fructose may have a greater impact on risk factors for diabetes than whole fruits that are natural sources of fructose, a research review suggests.

FDA picks eight medical device firms to help battle opioid crisis

Eight medical device makers, including a startup that uses virtual reality to treat chronic pain, topped an innovation contest aimed at addressing the opioid crisis, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Friday.

Lactalis says no salmonella in baby milk at second production line

Lactalis, the world's largest dairy group, on Friday rejected media reports that salmonella had been detected in baby milk from a second production line at a French factory where contaminated milk led to dozens of babies falling ill last year.

Polio-like disease sparks new sense of urgency

(Reuters Health) - Back in 2014, as Dr. Riley Bove's family was just getting over a respiratory virus, her 4-year-old son suddenly developed some very scary symptoms. "He woke up with a paralyzed arm, neck and shoulder," said Bove, an assistant professor of neurology at the University of California, San Francisco. "I got him right into care. Over the course of the next eight days he continued to get worse and was eventually paralyzed from the face down to his toes."

Sexual rehab could have benefits for men with heart disease

(Reuters Health) - A sexual rehabilitation program could help with erectile dysfunction in men who have heart disease, a study from Denmark suggests.

WHO says spread of polio remains international health emergency

The spread of polio must still be classified as a public health emergency because, while progress has been made towards wiping out the disease, that progress is fragile, the World Health Organization said on Friday.

With back pain, depression tied to higher healthcare spending

(Reuters Health) - - When patients with painful back problems are also depressed, they have significantly higher healthcare costs than back-pain patients without depression, a U.S. study suggests.

Elective cesareans tied to higher risk of overweight babies

(Reuters Health) - Pregnant women who opt for surgical cesarean deliveries may be more likely than those who have vaginal deliveries to have a child that is overweight by its first birthday, a small study suggests.

'Echo chamber' surrounds parental decisions about childhood flu vaccine

(Reuters Health) - Although the annual flu vaccine is recommended for all children older than 6 months, about a third of parents say their child won't receive one this year, according to a new U.S. poll.