Sleep: Big problem for college students MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich., May 12 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers suggest college students returning next semester include some white noise to help with sleep.

4 percent of U.S. firefighters women ITHACA, N.Y., May 12 (UPI) -- Fewer than 4 percent of U.S. firefighters are women, despite almost half of female firefighter candidates passing physical ability tests, a study says.

Student athletes don't need supplements BALTIMORE, May 12 (UPI) -- Athletes need to be nutrition-conscious, but a U.S. expert advises young athletes typically don't need supplements.

Fat early in life linked to heart disease COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 12 (UPI) -- Obesity as a child or teen may affect the vascular system and hurt heart health, a U.S. study says.

Third of cheap earrings test for nickel SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 12 (UPI) -- Nickel exposure from inexpensive earrings is a common cause of earlobe dermatitis and repeated exposure can make treatment difficult, a U.S. study said.

Adult children of divorce help parents LONDON, May 12 (UPI) -- Many British adult children whose parents divorced help their aging parents, but stepchildren give less support, a study found.

Hospital toilet, commode not cleaned well WINNIPEG, Manitoba, May 12 (UPI) -- Using a lotion that glows under ultraviolet light, Canadian researchers show that up to one-third of hospital patient toilets aren't properly cleaned.

'Math geek' stigma repels students LONDON, May 12 (UPI) -- Despite "math geeks" making millions during the dot.com era, the math geek stigma keeps many from studying mathematics, a British and Welsh study says.

Binge drinkers think they can drive drunk HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky., May 12 (UPI) -- A study of U.S. college students found that binge drinkers, even when legally intoxicated, believe they have adequate driving abilities.

Men may use alcohol as stress distraction NEW HAVEN, Conn., May 12 (UPI) -- A U.S. study of emotional and alcohol-craving responses to stress found that when men become upset, they are more likely than women to want alcohol.

Wanted: Shoe that helps arthritic knee MELBOURNE, May 9 (UPI) -- Australian researchers say there is an urgent need to see how shoe design can support the arthritic knee.

Birth order linked to asthma NEW YORK, May 9 (UPI) -- A U.S. study suggests first-born or only children are less likely than others to suffer respiratory symptoms like asthma.

Cane can help arthritic knee MELBOURNE, May 9 (UPI) -- University of Melbourne researchers using a 3-D camera system found using a cane helps reduce the load carried by an arthritic knee.

Women don't want to give sex history MELBOURNE, May 9 (UPI) -- A study of young women in Australia said they would prefer age-based screening for the sexually transmitted infection Chlamydia if it was offered to all.

Obesity raises risk for hip surgery GENEVA, Switzerland, May 9 (UPI) -- Obesity increases hip osteoarthritis risk and makes treatment with a total hip arthroplasty harder, a Swiss study finds.

Elderly in nursing homes more depressed TERRE HAUTE, Ind., May 9 (UPI) -- Elderly in long-term care are more likely than those in home-care settings to be prescribed anti-depressants and to self-report depression, a U.S. study said.

Mammogram, not biopsy, for breast lesions SEATTLE, May 9 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers say a woman with benign-looking breast lesions should not get not a biopsy but a follow-up mammogram.

Moms: Managing career easier than family MELVILLE, N.Y., May 9 (UPI) -- Working mothers say managing their career is a piece of cake next to their managing family, a U.S. survey indicates.

Effective ways to help quit smoking WASHINGTON, May 9 (UPI) -- The U.S. Public Health Service has identified new counseling and medication treatments that are effective for helping people to quit smoking.

Young Europeans use alcohol to get sex LIVERPOOL, England, May 9 (UPI) -- Teens and young adults in Europe drink and take drugs as part of deliberate sexual strategies, researchers say.

Study: Fight HIV with male circumcision BOSTON, May 9 (UPI) -- Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, prevention programs in Africa should promote male circumcision and discourage multiple partners, U.S. researchers say.

High fat diet linked to prostate cancer HOUSTON, May 9 (UPI) -- Men who ate diets low in saturated fat after having the prostate removed to treat cancer had better survival rates, a U.S. study said.

Victim often knows sexual attacker DURHAM, N.H., May 9 (UPI) -- A University of New Hampshire study shows that the vast majority of incidents of unwanted sex on campus are perpetrated by someone the victim knows.

Class Socratic method develops thinking STOCKHOLM, Sweden, May 8 (UPI) -- Classroom "Socratic seminars" used on a regular basis with more and more voices heard develop thinking, Swedish researchers said.

Vitamin D makes kidney disease less deadly SEATTLE, May 8 (UPI) -- A U.S. study suggests treatment with vitamin D may reduce the risk of death from kidney disease.

Adult stem cells safe in gene therapy DAVIS, Calif., May 8 (UPI) -- Human bone marrow-derived stem cells used in gene therapy do not cause the development of tumors or leukemia, U.S. researchers said.

Stable homes mitigate post-divorce harms MANSFIELD, Ohio, May 8 (UPI) -- Children in unstable family situations after their parents divorce fare worse as adults than children in stable post-divorce situations, a U.S. study said.

Caring for family can make women poor WASHINGTON, May 8 (UPI) -- In addition to giving flowers on Mother's Day, children may want to make a contribution to a mother's individual retirement account, a U.S. group suggests.

Obesity linked to increased dementia risk BALTIMORE, May 8 (UPI) -- An analysis of the data of several studies shows a clear association between obesity and an increased risk for dementia, U.S. researchers say.

Ultrasound first, not CT, for appendicitis HAIFA, Israel, May 8 (UPI) -- Color Doppler ultrasound, not computed tomography, or CT, should be the first test for adults with suspected acute appendicitis, an Israeli study said.

Restaurant tobacco ban halts teen smoking BOSTON, May 8 (UPI) -- Teens in towns that ban smoking in restaurants are less likely to become longtime smokers, a U.S.study found.

Pregnant women discriminated against WASHINGTON, May 8 (UPI) -- U.S. studies suggest pregnant women face judgments and discrimination when applying for jobs.

New carbon nanotube technology reported COVENTRY, England, May 8 (UPI) -- British scientists say they've created a technology that can produce carbon nanotubes that instantly form a highly sensitive, ready-made electric circuit.

Gambling a problem for many U.S. youth BUFFALO, N.Y., May 8 (UPI) -- Gambling is widespread among U.S. adolescents and young adults ages 14 through 21, a University at Buffalo Research Institute on Addictions study reveals.

Study shows how one man lived to age 114 BARCELONA , Spain, May 8 (UPI) -- A Mediterranean diet, a temperate climate, little stress and regular physical activity most likely explain why a Spanish man lived to age 114, researchers say.

New guidelines favor anti-depressants MANCHESTER, England, May 7 (UPI) -- The British Association of Pharmacology new treatment guidelines favor anti-depressants over cognitive behavioral therapy for depression.

Bereaved offspring at risk for PTSD PITTSBURGH, May 7 (UPI) -- Children of a parent who died suddenly have three times the risk of depression than those with living parents, a U.S. study finds.

Kidney disease rougher for blacks BETHESDA, Md., May 7 (UPI) -- Kidney disease worsens in one-quarter of African-Americans despite high blood pressure treatment, a U.S. study said.

CDC: Sleep lack linked to obesity, smoking ATLANTA, May 7 (UPI) -- People who got less than six hours of sleep are more likely to be obese, physically inactive, smokers and alcohol users, a U.S. government report said.

New Clorox disinfectant kills both MRSAs OAKLAND, Calif., May 7 (UPI) -- The Clorox Co. says its Clorox Pro Quaternary All-Purpose Disinfectant Cleaner kills germs including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.

Online virtual lives, school shooting link PORTLAND, Ore., May 7 (UPI) -- Being unable to distinguish the boundaries between virtual lives online and real life may contribute to a rash of school shootings, a U.S. researcher says.

Saliva HIV test gives results in minutes MONTREAL, May 7 (UPI) -- A saliva test could help speed up detection of human immmunodeficiency virus, or HIV, Canadian researchers say.

No employee turnover after smoke-free law LEXINGTON, Ky., May 7 (UPI) -- Restaurants that ban cigarette smoking haven't experienced increased employee turnover, a University of Kentucky study finds.

Nature, nurture key in teen alcoholism NIJMEGEN, Netherlands, May 7 (UPI) -- A Dutch study of twins finds a genetic link to early alcoholism, but also notes the role of environmental factors after drinking begins.

Study: Dementia linked to short arms BALTIMORE, May 7 (UPI) -- Having shorter arms can increase the risk of developing dementia, U.S. researchers found.

Waterpipes, hookahs, common on campus RICHMOND, Va., May 7 (UPI) -- Tobacco smoking with waterpipes, or hookahs, is common on college campuses across the country, a U.S. researcher says.

Why symmetry is sexy, across cultures STIRLING , Scotland, May 7 (UPI) -- Facial symmetry is sexy because it advertises genetic quality, Scottish researchers suggest.

Few infant/mom interactions during TV NEW YORK, May 6 (UPI) -- Infants exposed to television and video in poor homes tend to have limited verbal interactions with their mothers, a U.S. study indicates.

Tobacco sells in India despite ad ban NEW DELHI, May 6 (UPI) -- Although tobacco ads are banned in India, Indian youth are smoking now more than ever, U.S. researchers said.

Some with cancer suffer from PTSD COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 6 (UPI) -- Past mood/anxiety disorders put cancer patients at risk of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, a U.S. study says.