Pet Doors Opening at Assisted Living Centers

THURSDAY, July 24 (HealthDay News) -- When the elderly woman first arrived at Brooke Grove Retirement Village in Sandy Spring, Md., some of the staffers were skeptical when they saw she had brought her cat along.

  Health Tip: Reduce Pesticide Exposure

(HealthDay News) -- Pesticides can help keep your home free of insects, rodents and other unwanted visitors, but exposure to these products can pose serious health risks.

  Health Tip: Evaluate Your Diet

(HealthDay News) -- If you don't carefully monitor your diet, here are a few warning signs that you should, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:

  Sleep Needs May Decline With Age

THURSDAY, July 24 (HealthDay News) -- The reason healthy adults sleep less in their 60s than they did in their 20s might simply be because people need less sleep as they age, new research suggests.

  Smokers Struck by Influenza Face Higher Mortality Rates

THURSDAY, July 24 (HealthDay News) -- In experiments with mice, U.S. researchers have discovered why viral infections have more severe consequences in smokers than in nonsmokers. For example, smokers with influenza are more likely to die than nonsmokers with influenza.

  Worm Study Challenges Prevailing Theory of Aging

THURSDAY, July 24 (HealthDay News) -- Aging may be part of your genetic plan, not the result of wear-and-tear on your body, a new study of worms suggests.

  Soy Linked to Low Sperm Count

WEDNESDAY, July 23 (HealthDay News) -- Eating half a serving of soy food a day lowers sperm concentrations and may play a role in male infertility, particularly in obese men, Harvard University researchers report.

  Intestinal Gluten Receptor Is Gateway for Celiac Disease

THURSDAY, July 24 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers believe they have finally answered a basic question about the cause of celiac disease -- where in the body does the wheat protein gluten enter one's system?

  Drug Holds Promise Against AIDS

THURSDAY, July 24 (HealthDay News) -- New research offers more evidence that a new AIDS drug brings significant benefits to patients who have failed other treatments.

  Studies Link Circadian Rhythm, Metabolism, Longevity to One Protein

THURSDAY, July 24 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers report today the identification of a new cog in the machinery of the molecular clock that controls mammalian circadian rhythms.

  Gene Mutation for Eye Disorder Found

THURSDAY, July 24 (HealthDay News) -- A genetic mutation that causes a congenital eye movement disorder called Duane syndrome has been identified by American and U.K. researchers, who said the finding may improve understanding of how the visual system develops.

  Gummy Bears Join Cavity Fight

THURSDAY, July 24 (HealthDay News) -- Gummy bears with the sugar substitute xylitol may help prevent tooth decay in children, according to a U.S. study.

  Clinical Trials Update: July 24, 2008

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

  Health Highlights: July 24, 2008

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

  Antidepressant Scripts Up 16 Million Over 3-Year Period

THURSDAY, July 24 (HealthDay News) -- Between 2002 and 2005, the number of prescriptions filled for antidepressant drugs increased from 154 million to 170 million, according to a report released Thursday by the U.S. government.

  HIV Patients Living Longer

THURSDAY, July 24 (HealthDay News) -- Since 1996, the life expectancy of HIV patients in developed countries taking antiviral therapy has increased more than 13 years, and deaths have dropped by almost 40 percent, researchers report.