A new clue to the cause of sudden infant death syndrome comes from baby mice that suddenly die when their brain serotonin levels go haywire.

As the 2008 West Nile virus season begins in the U.S., the CDC says last year there were 175,000 infections, with 1,227 serious cases and 117 deaths.

Drug companies should be required to conduct stricter safety tests before marketing new diabetes drugs, expert advisors told the FDA.

The Kroger ground beef recall has been expanded to include seveeral supermarket chains in multiple states.

The more times per week an aging man has sex, the lower his risk of erectile dysfunction, Finnish researchers find.

An experimental technique for detecting and analyzing tumor cells in the blood has the potential to change the face of cancer treatment, researchers say.

A new screening tool for dementia gauges the ability of older adults to perform everyday tasks.

Studies suggest genes may play a role in people's desire to participate in social behavior like voting.

Tough minimum drinking age laws can curb drunk-driving deaths, according to a new study.

Myriad Genetics is halting work on its experimental Alzheimer's disease drug Flurizan after disappointing study results.

Most Americans are unaware that almost half of eye injuries occur in the home and that protective eyewear could prevent almost all of them.

Drinking green tea rapidly improves the health of the cells lining the blood vessels and helps lower one's risk for heart disease.

Men who eat broccoli a few times a week may have a lower prostate cancer risk than men who don't, new research suggests.

Watermelon may be a natural Viagra, says a researcher. That's because the popular summer fruit is richer than experts believed in an amino acid called citrulline.

Death from AIDS is the exception, not the rule, with early detection of HIV and state-of-the-art medical care, a JAMA study shows.

An environmental research and advocacy group contends that most name-brand sunscreens are insufficiently effective or potentially unsafe.

The FDA is expanding its salmonella outbreak probe to include not just tomatoes, but other produce items commonly served with tomatoes.

Newborns in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) often undergo painful and stressful procedures without pain treatment, a new French study shows.

We’ve come a long way since the first test tube baby was born in 1978. Now researchers are looking at how to predict whether women will become pregnant from in vitro fertilization.

Nebraska Beef Ltd. of Omaha, Neb. has recalled about 531,707 pounds of beef used to make ground beef because of the risk of E. coli..

Mothers who eat junk food during pregnancy and while breastfeeding have obesity-prone children, rat studies suggest.

A new study shows non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with more serious heart disease risk factors in overweight and obese children.

Workplace wellness programs are effective in helping employees lose weight, a research review shows.

Despite tough anti-drug laws, a new survey shows the U.S. has the highest level of illegal drug use in the world.

The FDA has approved the drug Concerta for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults.

Drinking large amounts of caffeine appeared to protect mice from developing a multiple sclerosis-like disease in a newly published study.

Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or ‘good’ cholesterol, in middle age may increase the risk for developing dementia later in life, new research suggests.

A lightweight, handheld device helps migraine sufferers zap away pain, sometimes within two hours, according to a new study.

The salmonella outbreak in tomatoes isn't over and it's already the largest salmonella outbreak the CDC has ever tracked, in terms of lab-confirmed illness.

Salvia has been smoked for centuries by Mazatec Indians. But now, the hallucinogenic herb properly known as Salvia divinorum is becoming the "drug du jour" among some young adults, causing concern among parents, medical professionals, and lawmakers.

Scientists have discovered a new Alzheimer's gene called CALHM1. Researcher Philippe Marambaud talks with WebMD about what the new Alzheimer's gene means for Alzheimer's treatment.

Portuguese scientists have made a wool-polyster fabric that smells like lemon; uses could include shirts, suits, and underwear.

CDC: Rabies vaccine supplies are "limited" in the U.S., so shots will be saved for actual animal bites and not used for prevention.

A CDC panel has approved a new two-dose rotavirus vaccine for infants, a five-disease vaccine for infants, and a four-disease booster vaccine for children.

Having a meaty meal? Drinking a little red wine may make it healthier, thanks to compounds in red wine, an Israeli study shows.

Millions of underage drinkers are getting their alcohol for free from adults, many of whom are their parents, according to a federal study.

The CDC reports a "troubling" rise in HIV diagnoses among men aged 13-24 who have sex with men, especially among African-Americans.

A new study shows that nearly 11% of participants who thought they were healthy actually had some brain damage from a “silent” stroke. Silent strokes are true strokes but don’t have noticeable symptoms.

Early prenatal care and substance abuse treatment can help women struggling with drug, alcohol, and tobacco addictions achieve healthy outcomes similar to pregnant women who do not abuse such substances.

Researchers say parents should follow safe-sleeping guidelines to ensure bassinet safety.

CDC: 1 in 7 Americans lack health insurance. Uninsured rates are highest in the South and West; private health care coverage is dwindling.

By ages 12 to 14, half of obese children have metabolic syndrome -- a groupof risk factors that predicts heart disease and type 2 diabetes, a study shows.

"Medical marijuana" may ease nerve pain (neuropathic pain) while also impairing mental skills, according to a small study of patients at the University of Calif. at Davis.

At least 32 people in Ohio and Michigan have been sickened by E. coli that appears to be linked to ground beef.

Both real life and virtual social interactions such as on Facebook are harder for introverts, new research shows.

American youths were exposed to nearly 40% more alcohol advertisements in 2007 than they were just six years before, according to a study.

A new type of MRI scan may help doctors spot early signs of Alzheimer's disease in the brain, paving the way for earlier treatment of the disease.

An ultrasound exam of the heel combined with an assessment of specific risk factors for bone loss and falling can help predict fracture risk due to osteoporosis, a new study suggests.

A new study shows that web users who got online support and who checked blood pressure at home eased hypertension better than those patients who came into a clinic for care.

A new 5-in-1 vaccine means fewer shots are needed to protect babies and toddlers from potentially dangerous childhood infections.

The mission of the Empowered Patient column is to help you take charge of your health care. This week, we're saluting a few "patient empowerment" heroes, whose experiences with the health-system have inspired them to help others.

Read full story for latest details.

Read full story for latest details.

If Russell Jackson has his way, any child who needs medical care but lacks the transportation to get there will have a safe and reliable alternative.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are among the most nutritious foods you can choose. They're low in calories yet rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. That's why produce, along with whole grains, forms the basis of a healthful diet. What's more, the way you store, prepare, and cook these foods can magnify (or preserve) their already healthful properties.

Jordan has moved 10 times in the last three years, but his most unsettling news came when his mother recently sat him down and asked, "How would you feel about your dad going to Iraq?"

The federal government has expanded its investigation into an outbreak of salmonella illness to include items commonly eaten with tomatoes, health officials said Tuesday.

Denmark is the happiest country in the world while politically unstable Zimbabwe ranks at the bottom, according to a U.S. government-funded study released this week.

Six hospital employees have been fired or suspended after ignoring for more than a hour a woman who collapsed and died in a New York emergency room waiting area.