New Health Risk Found in Public Pools

Public swimming pools are more dangerous than you might think, a new study suggests. When sweat and urine, among other organics, mix with the disinfectants in pool water, the result can be hazardous to health. The findings, announced this week, link the application of disinfectants in recreational pools to genetic cell damage that has been shown to be linked with adverse health outcomes such as asthma and bladder cancer.

Nuts Lower Cholesterol, Study Finds

A diet with nuts, including pistachios, significantly lowered total and LDL-cholesterol levels, in addition to triglycerides, a new study found. The finding, published earlier this month in the Archives of Internal Medicine, confirms other evidence that nuts can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, researchers said.

Surprising Skin Cancer Risk: Too Much Driving

Long hours behind the wheel may increase the risk of skin cancer, according to a surprising new study. Facial skin cancers were found to occur more often on the left-side — the side that's next to the window while driving — among a group of about 1,050 patients in Saint Louis. The findings were most significant for men. While the results show only an association (not a cause-effect link) and would need to be replicated in a larger population to be viewed as firm, they call attention to what might be overlooked by otherwise sun-conscious citizens — exposure to UV rays through the car window.

Surprising New Diet Tip: Lose Weight Quickly

The key to long-term weight loss and maintenance might be to lose weight quickly rather than gradually, at least in the initial stages of dieting, a new study suggests. More research is needed to determine the best approach, however.