NEW YORK - Alcohol May Not Affect Memory over Long Term

Enjoying a cocktail now and then is not associated with declining mental function over time and may even make women sharper, according to a new report.

Cutting Calories May Keep Heart Young: Study

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Cutting calories may do more than help people shed excess weight, research suggests. According to a new report, a low-calorie diet may also slow age-related changes in the heart's genes that can lead to chronic disease.

Nicotine 'Cooks' Proteins in the Body

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - As if smokers need another reason to kick the habit, California scientists have discovered that a byproduct of nicotine, the substance that makes cigarettes so addictive, causes a type of chemical reaction in the body similar to that which occurs when sugar is scorched or food goes bad. This reaction is thought to play a role in diabetes, cancer and other diseases.

Blackcurrant Juice May Cut Risk of Kidney Stones

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A glassful of blackcurrant juice may make the risk of a certain type of kidney stone go down, a small study suggests.

Drug Makes Cancer Cells Sensitive to Treatment

COVENTRY (Reuters) - A new drug that destroys cancer cells' protective shield could improve the effectiveness of radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments. Professor Hilary Calvert of the University of Newcastle in northern England told a medical conference Monday that cancer treatments work by damaging the DNA in the cells.

Research Identifies Gene Behind Heart Defect

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - An international group of researchers has identified a single gene that contributes to the risk of developing the second most common type of hereditary heart disease.

Tool Can Identify Extra-Heavy Babies Before Birth

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A new study confirms that an equation that takes into account characteristics of a pregnant woman and her fetus can accurately predict how much an infant will weigh at birth.

Blood Copper Levels Higher in Alzheimer's Disease

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Individuals with Alzheimer's disease may have elevated blood levels of copper, a mineral that is necessary for survival but may cause brain cells to 'rust' when levels are high.

Adaptation to U.S. Culture Leads to Worse Nutrition

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The more time a Mexican-American child's family has lived in the US, the less likely he or she is to have a healthy diet, US researchers report.

Gene Variant May Up Lupus Risk

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Scientists have identified a gene variation that may increase the risk of the autoimmune disease lupus.