Gleevec Pushes Advanced Melanoma Into Remission

THURSDAY, April 17 (HealthDay News) -- The cancer drug Gleevec has forced metastatic melanoma into remission for the first time, report researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.

  Work Conflicts Can Do a Job on Your Sleep

THURSDAY, April 17 (HealthDay News) -- Common job-related problems such as conflicts with bosses or co-workers are more likely than long hours, night shifts or job insecurity to cause poor sleep.

  Experimental Alzheimer's Drug Shows Promise

THURSDAY, April 17 (HealthDay News) -- A new analysis of a study on an experimental Alzheimer's drug reinforces the notion that the compound is broadly effective at improving the cognitive function of mild to moderate Alzheimer's patients.

  Deep Brain Stimulation Aids Those With Rare Headache Condition

THURSDAY, April 17 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with severe headache attacks that don't respond to medication can be helped with deep brain stimulation (DBS), new research concludes.

  Common Medications May Harm Memory in Older People

THURSDAY, April 17 (HealthDay News) -- Common medications known as anticholinergic drugs -- used to treat ulcers, stomach cramps, motion sickness, Parkinson's disease and urinary incontinence -- may cause older people to lose their thinking skills more quickly than seniors who don't take the medicines, new research suggests.

  Children With Migraines at Higher Risk for Sleep Disorders

THURSDAY, April 17 (HealthDay News) -- Children with migraine headaches are more likely to have sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea and lack of sleep, than children with non-migraine headaches, new research shows.

  Current Flu Season Worst in 4 Years

THURSDAY, April 17 (HealthDay News) -- The current U.S. flu season has been the worst in four years, due, in part, to a vaccine that was not a good match for certain circulating strains of flu virus, U.S. health officials said Thursday.

  Skin Test Spots Heart Risks in Healthy People

THURSDAY, April 17 (HealthDay News) -- A cholesterol test that requires no more than a small sample of skin cells scraped off the palm of the hand can measure the risk of heart disease in healthy people, researchers report.

  Migraines' Frequency Influences Heart Attack, Stroke Risk

THURSDAY, April 17 (HealthDay News) -- Women who have weekly migraines are at an increased risk for stroke compared to those with few or no migraines, a new study finds.

  Overuse of Opioids, Barbiturates Boosts Chronic Migraine Risk

THURSDAY, April 17 (HealthDay News) -- Taking barbiturates and opioids such as codeine and oxycodone too often for migraines could double the chances of having chronic migraines a year later, new research says.

  Breast-Feeding While on Seizure Meds Doesn't Harm Babies

THURSDAY, April 17 (HealthDay News) -- Mothers who breast-feed while on certain seizure medications do not appear to harm their children's cognitive development, a new study finds.

  Prozac Makes Old Brain Cells Young

THURSDAY, April 17 (HealthDay News) -- The antidepressant Prozac has been shown to restore old brain cells to their more plastic youthful condition in animal experiments, researchers report.

  Mature Mouse Cells Reprogrammed to Stem Cell-Like State

THURSDAY, April 17 (HealthDay News) -- Without using an egg, researchers have been able to reprogram certain mature cells back to an embryonic-stem-cell-like state, a new report says.

  Clinical Trials Update: April 17, 2008

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

  Health Highlights: April 17, 2008

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

  Mice Can Sense Oxygen Through Their Skin

THURSDAY, April 17 (HealthDay News) -- Mice can sense oxygen through their skin, says a new study that showed the skin plays a major role in sensing oxygen levels in the environment and in stimulating kidney production of the hormone erythropoietin (EPO) when oxygen levels decline.

  Early Screening Improves Outcomes for Kids With Amblyopia

THURSDAY, April 17 (HealthDay News) -- Early screening and detection of amblyopia, also known as "lazy eye," may improve visual outcomes for children, a study by Alaskan researchers suggests.

  Health Tip: Coping With Migraines During Pregnancy

(HealthDay News) -- Some women who are prone to migraines find that the headaches weaken during pregnancy, while other migraine suffers find that pregnancy increases the severity of their migraines, the American Pregnancy Association says.

  Health Tip: What Could Be Causing Your Acne?

(HealthDay News) -- Acne results when the skin's oil glands make too much of an oily substance called sebum. This can plug pores, triggering bacterial growth and skin lesions that we commonly call pimples.