Harvard Health Content API

Scientists have found a rare gene mutation that they say allows two women to function well with only six hours of sleep a night. The mother, who is 69, and her 44-year-old daughter both go to bed about 10 p.m. The mother gets up at 4 a.m. and her daughter half an hour later. The rest of their family gets more sleep. Researchers found that both women have a mutation in a gene called DEC2. This gene is involved in regulating the body’s clock. Researchers said they have not found anyone else with this gene mutation so far. The study appeared in the journal Science. The Associated Press wrote about it August 14.

Some people with migraines and depression may share genes that increase their risk of both conditions, a study suggests. Researchers used data on 2,652 people who were part of a long-running study. All were descendents of 22 couples in the Dutch town of Rucphen. About 25% of those with migraines also suffered from depression. Only about 13% of those without migraines were depressed. The link was even stronger for those who had migraines with aura. An aura is a flash of light or other visual change that occurs before a headache starts. Researchers concluded that 56% of migraine cases were linked to genes. For migraines with aura, 96% were linked to genes, they said. The journal Neurology published the study online. HealthDay News wrote about it January 13.

Pain in the legs could be a sign of a dangerous blood clot. But it’s often not diagnosed and treated in time, U.S. health officials say. They have started a campaign to spread the word about this problem. A blood clot in the leg is called deep vein (or venous) thrombosis, or DVT. A clot can kill if it moves into the lungs. This is called a pulmonary embolism. Such clots kill about 100,000 Americans each year. The new campaign includes a report from the surgeon general and booklets aimed at both patients and doctors. The Associated Press wrote about it September 15.

U.S. drug regulators say we need a better way to tell women and their doctors about the risks of specific drugs during pregnancy. Therefore, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants to scrap the current system, which gives each drug a letter grade. Drugs are grouped according to what research shows about their safety. The FDA wants to get rid of the letter grades. Instead, labels would have more information on pregnancy risks. The labels would say whether the research was done in people or animals. They also would say whether a drug is considered risky only during part of a pregnancy. The Associated Press wrote about the proposal May 29.

Some people with multiple sclerosis (MS) don’t get diagnosed right away. This is more likely if they also have other conditions, a new study finds. The study used files for more than 9,000 MS patients. MS was found 1 to 10 years later in people who also had other conditions. These included high blood pressure, high cholesterol and mental, artery or joint problems. People who were obese or smoked also were diagnosed later. The authors said the other problems may have been blamed for symptoms of MS. HealthDay News wrote about the study October 29. It was in the journal Neurology.

About 8 out of 10 large U.S. companies are trying to help their workers better manage long-term health conditions, a survey has found. That’s an increase from half of the companies the year before. Some employers are providing personal health coaches or on-site clinics. Some are waiving copayments for some drugs. People with diabetes, heart disease and other conditions account for a large share of health insurance costs. Keeping these workers healthier can reduce costs. McClatchy-Tribune Information Services wrote about the trend April 3.

People being treated for colon cancer who also take aspirin may cut their risk of death by nearly 30%, a study suggests. The study focused on nearly 1,300 people with colorectal cancer. All were involved in one of two larger studies. Their health had been tracked for an average of 12 years. All had surgery for colon cancer. Some had chemotherapy. Of the whole group, 549 used aspirin regularly. About 15% of them died of colorectal cancer. Of the 730 people who didn’t use aspirin, 19% died. Researchers said more study was needed. The ideal study would randomly assign people with colon cancer to take or not take aspirin. Aspirin can lead to side effects. It can cause bleeding in the stomach or intestines. The study appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine. The Associated Press wrote about it August 12.

Tiotroprium (Spiriva) does not keep chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) from getting worse over time, a large study has found. But the drug does improve symptoms. The study included nearly 6,000 people with COPD. They were assigned to receive either tiotroprium or a placebo once a day. In four years, the disease got worse at the same rate in both groups. This was measured by the amount of air that can be exhaled in one minute. But people who got tiotropium did feel less shortness of breath. They also were less likely to end up in the hospital. The New England Journal of Medicine published the study online. HealthDay News wrote about it October 5.

Face masks are everywhere in Mexico City as people try to protect themselves from swine flu, the Associated Press says. The government has handed out millions of them. But U.S. officials say there’s little evidence that they help to prevent the spread of flu. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not advised the public to use them. Some experts say masks might even cause harm. This could occur if people who wear them fail to take other precautions such as washing hands often.

Two drugs are a bit better than others for major depression, a new study concludes. Researchers used data from more than 100 studies. They looked at benefits, side effects and cost of 12 newer drugs. Researchers concluded that sertraline and escitalopram were slightly better than the others. Sertraline is sold as Zoloft and generics. Escitalopram is sold as Lexapro, Cipralex and other brands. The study was published online by the journal Lancet. The Associated Press wrote about it January 29.