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Health concerns have risen as more radiation leaks from a nuclear power plant in Japan. The plant was damaged by last week’s tsunami. Explosions and a fire have occurred. Officials advised people within 20 miles to stay indoors. Plant workers are trying to prevent further damage or a meltdown of the reactors’ fuel source. This could release much more radiation. One risk from escaping radiation is thyroid cancer. Potassium iodide pills can prevent the thyroid from absorbing radioactive iodine. The government has sent pills to evacuation centers as a precaution. Radioactive cesium is another concern. The whole body can absorb it. It also stays in the body and the environment longer than radioactive iodine. But cesium also is relatively heavy. If larger amounts escape, officials hope it will fall near the reactor or else be carried out over the ocean.

New research gives a hint about who might be most likely to prevent colorectal cancer by taking common medicines. Previous research has found a lower risk of these cancers in people who take aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen. These are common over-the-counter drugs. They relieve pain and fight fever and inflammation. But they do have side effects. Researchers want to know who might benefit most by taking them to prevent cancer. The new study looked at blood tests for women in a long-term health study. After tests were done, 280 women developed colorectal cancer. Their tests were compared with 560 women who did not develop cancer. Women who did develop cancer had higher blood levels of a protein called soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-2 (sTNFR-2). This protein shows up when there’s inflammation in the body.

Women who drink coffee may have a lower risk of stroke, new research suggests. The study included 34,670 Swedish women, ages 49 to 83. At the start of the study, they were asked how much coffee they drank. Researchers kept track of them for about 10 years. In that time, there were 1,680 strokes in the group. Women who drank coffee were less likely to have a stroke. Researchers adjusted their numbers to account for other differences between the two groups that could affect stroke risk. These included smoking, weight, high blood pressure and diabetes. Coffee drinkers still had a lower risk of stroke. The journal Stroke published the study online. The Associated Press wrote about it March 10.

A blood pressure drug may also help to fend off kidney problems for diabetics, new research suggests. Having diabetes increases the risk of developing kidney disease. One of the first signs is a small amount of protein in the urine. This is called microalbuminuria. The study included 4,447 people with type 2 diabetes. They did not have microalbuminuria when the study began. They were randomly assigned to take either a placebo or olmesartan (Benicar). This drug is called an angiotensin receptor blocker. It is used to lower blood pressure. Researchers kept track of people for 3 years. In that time, 8.2% of those taking olmesartan developed protein in the urine. The rate was 9.8% for those taking placebo pills. People taking the real drug also tended to develop the problem later. Their median time was 24 months, compared with 19 months for people taking the placebo.

Some sleep experts say people should shut off the TV, computer and other electronics an hour before bedtime. But very few Americans are heeding that advice, a survey shows. The National Sleep Foundation released its annual Sleep in America poll March 7. In all, 95% of those surveyed said they used an electronic device within an hour of bedtime at least a few times a week. About 63% said they don’t get enough sleep during the week. Experts say observing an “electronics curfew” and dimming lights can help people wind down and get ready to sleep. But the survey does not prove that the electronics use caused the loss of sleep. The survey found that 2 out of 3 people ages 30 to 64 watch TV before bedtime. People under 30 watch less late-night TV. They are much more likely to talk on a cell phone or send text messages before going to bed. HealthDay News wrote about the poll.

People think of a psychiatrist as someone sitting in a chair, listening to a patient on a couch. Increasingly, though, that image is a thing of the past, a New York Times article says. Now many psychiatrists don’t provide talk therapy. Instead, they talk to patients just long enough to see how they’re doing with their medicines. Then they write a prescription, adjusting as needed. The main reason for the change is insurance rates, the Times says. Psychologists and social workers charge less. And there’s no proof that psychiatrists do therapy better. So insurance companies pay the lower rates. A survey in 2005 found that only 11% of psychiatrists provided talk therapy to all patients, the Times says. Now they see many more patients, but briefly. Three 15-minute visits pay about $150, compared with $90 for a 45-minute talk therapy session.

Eating foods rich in potassium can reduce stroke risk, a new study finds. Researchers looked at information from 11 studies. They included 247,510 people. The studies asked people what they ate in the last day, or measured food intake in other ways. Follow-up lasted 5 to 19 years. The new study put together results from all of the studies. It found that people who ate at least 1.64 grams of potassium daily had a 21% lower risk of stroke. Their risk of heart disease also was lower, but not as much. That link may have been the result of chance. Potassium is found in fruits, vegetables, fish, poultry and dairy products. It is known to help lower blood pressure. It also may help to prevent the blood vessel damage that leads to stroke and heart disease, the lead researcher told HealthDay News. The Journal of the American College of Cardiology published the study.