Biannual Antibiotics May Cut Major Cause of Blindness in Africa

TUESDAY, Feb. 19 (HealthDay News) -- Increasing the administration of antibiotics from annually to twice a year in rural African villages could help reduce serious eye infections that can lead to blindness, a new study suggests.

  Eyes a Window to Hearing Loss?

TUESDAY, Feb. 19 (HealthDay News) -- The eyes may not just be a window to the soul, they may also provide a clear view to the state of your other senses.

  Combination of Thyroid Medicines Not Necessary

TUESDAY, Feb. 19 (HealthDay News) -- Two treatments aren't always better than one, suggests new research comparing thyroid hormone levels before and after thyroid removal surgery.

  Heart Attacks in Hospital More Deadly at Night, on Weekends

TUESDAY, Feb. 19 (HealthDay News) -- Hospital patients who have the misfortune of suffering cardiac arrest at night or on the weekend are less likely to survive than those who have a heart attack during weekdays or weekday evenings, new research finds.

  Gecko's Stickiness Inspires New Surgical Bandage

TUESDAY, Feb. 19 (HealthDay News) -- Borrowing a design from the agile, sticky-footed gecko, scientists have created a waterproof, biodegradable adhesive bandage that may one day replace conventional sutures.

  Missing Chromosome Improves Response to Brain Tumor Treatment

TUESDAY, Feb. 19 (HealthDay News) -- The lack of a chromosome actually helps people with a rare, aggressive brain tumor respond better to a new treatment, new findings show.

  Clinical Trials Update: Feb. 19, 2008

(HealthDay News) -- Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of Thomson CenterWatch :

  Health Highlights: Feb. 19, 2008

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

  Combo Treatment Best for Melanoma, Advanced Ovarian Cancer

TUESDAY, Feb. 19 (HealthDay News) -- Combining periodic infusions of antibodies with a widely used cancer vaccine appears to be more effective and less harsh with melanoma and advanced ovarian cancer patients than using either treatment on its own, a new study shows.

  2 Mutations Were Critical to Spread of 1918 Flu

TUESDAY, Feb. 19 (HealthDay News) -- New research on the spread of the 1918 influenza virus, which killed more than 50 million people worldwide, may aid research into today's potentially dangerous bird flu strain, scientists say.

  Hypertension a Health Challenge for Women

TUESDAY, Feb. 19 (HealthDay News) -- Women face unique challenges in keeping their blood pressure under control, and this may help explain why more women than men struggle with uncontrolled blood pressure.

  Health Tip: Timeouts for Toddlers

(HealthDay News) - While it's important to correct a young child who has done wrong, it's just as important to do it safely and correctly.

  Health Tip: Zinc in Your Diet

(HealthDay News) - Zinc is a mineral that the body needs to help the immune system, in wound healing, and in the breakdown of carbohydrates. Second only to iron in its concentration in the body, zinc is found in protein-rich foods such as meat, peanuts and peanut butter, and legumes.