Be cork careful: You could put an eye out GUERNEVILLE, Calif., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Champagne adds sparkle to the holidays, but careless handling of the bubbly beverage is a common cause for holiday-related eye injuries, U.S. experts say.

Marital status not linked to lung cancer DURHAM, N.C., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Married patients with lung cancer do not survive longer than unmarried patients -- contrary to previous studies -- a study of nearly 6,000 U.S. patients found.

ADA includes low-fat, low-carb diets ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The American Diabetes Association says in its 2008 recommendations that weight-loss plans restricting carbohydrate or fat calorie intake are equally effective.

Women who feel unsafe less active BOSTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Women residing in low-income housing in Boston neighborhoods considered unsafe at night are much less physically active than those living in safer environs.

Healthy strategies for parents-to-be DALLAS, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- If having a healthy baby is tops on the list of New Year's resolutions, a U.S. doctor has some advice for parents-to-be.

Web site offers romance resolutions CHARLESTON, S.C., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A U.S. online resource for romance and relationships, offers New Year's resolutions for improving relationships in 2008.

Shorter, warm showers ease dry winter skin DALLAS, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The weather outside is frightful and a long, hot shower or bath may sound delightful but a U.S. dermatologist advises against the hot shower.

Tumor size may not dictate radiation LA JOLLA, Calif., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Early stage breast cancer that hasn't invaded surrounding tissues may contain highly mobile cells, increasing metastasis risk, a U.S. study said.

Fitness should be routine, not resolution ANN ARBOR, Mich., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The secret to keeping to an exercise plan throughout the year is for fitness to become a routine rather than just another resolution, a U.S. expert advised.

41 percent of road deaths alcohol-related DETROIT, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The Michigan Food and Beverage Association reminded party-goers about 18,000 people died in U.S. alcohol-related crashes in 2006 -- so don't drink and drive.

New Year's nosh can make latecomers sick DALLAS, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Visiting the New Year's buffet too long after it has been set out can cause bad bellyaches, a U.S. clinical nutritionist warns.

'Valley Fever' plagues U.S. west COALINGA, Calif., Dec. 30 (UPI) -- A deadly fungal infection has killed 33 inmates and sickened 900 others in the past three years at a California state prison.

Unlicensed UK fertility doc faces lawsuit LONDON, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Several London women demanded refunds for their fertility treatment after learning their doctor was operating an unlicensed clinic.

Report: More tainted blood in Japan TOKYO, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Tainted blood products may have been used decades ago to help treat chicken pox and other common diseases in Japanese children, a report said Saturday.

Filipino doctors becoming nurses abroad MANILA, Philippines, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- A growing number of doctors in the Philippines are foregoing their credentials and stature in order to seek a new life abroad as nurses.

Washington warns about pet bird illness OLYMPIA, Wash., Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Health officials in Washington warn as many as 20 pet stores in the state may have been selling diseased birds.

Report: Spike in adolescent binge-drinking LONDON, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Health authorities report 4,368 British children under the age of 14 have been hospitalized for alcohol abuse in the past three years.

Report: British doctors oppose abortions LONDON, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- A survey suggests four out of five British doctors oppose a government plan to let them perform medical abortions in their family practices.

Boomers planning to get 'old' at age 78 WESTPORT, Conn., Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Baby boomers, who once advised each other not to trust anyone over 30, say on average, they will get "old" at age 78, a U.S. survey found.

New fast-acting antidote to cyanide poison MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- University of Minnesota and Minneapolis VA Medical Center researchers have discovered a new fast-acting antidote to cyanide poisoning.

Inflammation, cancer susceptibility linked PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- A U.S. researcher studying a cancer-targeting molecule called TRAIL unexpectedly found a connection between inflammation and cancer susceptibility.

Study: Violent images promote violence AMES, Iowa, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Exposure to violent images in media increases the likelihood of aggressive behavior, with violent video games a special concern, a U.S review found.

Study: LASIK surgery safe and effective ANKARA, Turkey, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Researchers in Turkey and Spain found laser in-situ keratomileusisthe, or LASIK, surgery was safe and effective even for the highly myopic.

Anti-aging ingredients can improve skin HIGH POINT, N.C., Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Cosmeceuticals -- beauty aids that reportedly work like prescription drugs -- can be effective in treating aging skin, a U.S. study found.

Men require more Botox in treatments CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Dec. 28 (UPI) -- A U.S. review found men can be treated with Botox for cosmetic procedures in the same way as women, but they require higher doses of Botox.

Healthy Mondays give a new start each week NEW YORK, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- A U.S. network of businesses, advocacy groups and academic institutions concerned with health are starting the Healthy Monday Movement.

Shopping styles linked to cognitive skills DURHAM,, N.H., Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Attention New Hampshire shoppers: you have been watched, your cognitive skills observed, but retail staff should benefit.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy drug promising WASHINGTON, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- A U.S. clinical trial to treat a type of muscular dystrophy -- Duchenne -- shows some success at restoring a protein linked to healthy muscle tissue.

Hysterectomy alternative for DUB effective CYPRESS, Calif., Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Endometrial ablation, a minimally invasive procedure, is effective as hysterectomy in treating "dysfunctional uterine bleeding" or DUB, a U.S. study found.

Allergic reactions to MRI injections rare ANN ARBOR, Mich., Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Allergic-like reactions to intravenously administered gadolinium-containing contrast material used in magnetic resonance imaging are rare, a U.S. study found.

Teens say other teens could drive safer NORTHBROOK, Ill., Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Nearly 90 percent of U.S. teens said they hoped their friends adopt safer driving habits in the new year and 11 percent will pursue safer driving themselves.

Fibrosis of the liver can be cured in mice SAN DIEGO, Calif., Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Cirrhosis, a consequence of chronic liver disease characterized by replacement of liver tissue by fibrotic scar tissue, may be reversed, a U.S. study found.

Primary care during cancer ups survival INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Receiving treatment for non-cancer health issues while being treated by specialists for cancer improves cancer survival rates, a U.S. study found.

Other cholesterol tied to stroke risk LOS ANGELES, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- A U.S. researcher has linked high triglyceride levels and elevated levels of a certain type of cholesterol to a type of stroke.

Eye care has place on list of resolutions PINELLAS PARK, Fla., Dec. 27 (UPI) -- A U.S. expert in eye care suggests a new kind of New Year's resolution -- one that she says is easy to keep and could avert blindness.

Therapy may aid musician's dystonia LONDON, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Therapy that stimulates hand muscles may help treat the musician's dystonia that causes muscles spasms in musicians, a British study found.

Hospital ER alcohol intervention works NEW HAVEN, Conn., Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Asking U.S. emergency room patients about alcohol use and discussing how to reduce harmful drinking patterns is effective in lowering risky drinking.

Bevacizumab slows metastatic breast cancer CHICAGO, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Bevacizumab, a drug which slows tumor-supporting blood vessels, added to standard chemotherapy slowed metastatic breast cancer, a U.S. clinical trial found.

Study: Alcoholics more impulsive SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists have tied impulsiveness to genetically linked differences in brain activity between sober alcoholics and non-addicted people.

Aussie state bans fruit-flavored tobacco SYDNEY, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- The New South Wales state government in Australia is banning tobacco products containing fruit-flavored additives to curb youth smoking.

Screening may help combat Chagas disease ATLANTA, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- A screening strategy could make the diagnosis and treatment of Chagas disease -- a single-cell parasite -- more feasible, a U.S. researcher said.

Travelers at risk for tropical diseases BETHESDA, Md., Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Most sufferers of neglected tropical diseases live in tropical regions, but Americans and other travelers to these areas may be exposed, a U.S. study says.

Study: Parasites common among U.S. poor WASHINGTON, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Many of America's poorest suffer some of the same parasitic infections found in Africa, Asia and Latin America, a study has found.

Getting nutty is heart-healthy DALLAS, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Nuts are a big part of holiday eating, but a U.S. dietician says nuts can be a regular treat if they are substituted for less heart-healthy foods.

Drug helps some in breast cancer survival GENOA, Italy, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- The chemotherapy drugs -- anthracyclines -- aids survival in women with HER2-positive breast cancer, but not HER2-negative tumors, an Italian study says.

Chemo, tamoxifen cut second cancer risk COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Breast cancer patients given chemotherapy and tamoxifen have a reduced risk of developing a second cancer in the other breast, a Danish researcher found.

Many nursing homes lack cancer care RICHMOND, Va., Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Many U.S. nursing home residents do not receive cancer screening, surgical treatment or hospice care -- despite the increased risk of cancer as people age.

Marijuana may inhibit tumor cell growth ROSTOCK, Germany, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Cannabinoids, the active components in marijuana that reduce the side effects of cancer treatment, may inhibit tumor cell growth, German researchers say.

Environment may affect testicular cancer COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- A Danish study suggests that early exposure to environmental factors may influence the development of testicular cancer.

Driver-alcohol deaths rise at year's end DALLAS, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- The number of injuries and deaths from alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents increases during the holiday season, a U.S. physician says.