Health Highlights: Oct. 9, 2008

Oct. 10 -- Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay:

St. John's Wort May Help Treat Depression: Study

The herbal medicine St. John's wort could be a suitable alternative to drugs for treating depression, suggests a German study that included nearly 5,500 people suffering from mild to severe depression.

The researchers compared the effectiveness of St. John's wort, a placebo, and a number of antidepressants, BBC News reported.

"Overall, the St. John's wort extracts tested in the trials were superior to placebo, similarly effective as standard antidepressants, and had fewer side effects," said study leader Dr. Klaus Linde.

St. John's wort has been used for decades as an alternative medicine to treat depression or stress. It's believed it helps keep a mood-enhancing chemical called serotonin in the brain longer, BBC News reported.

"Using St. John's wort extract might be justified, but products on the market vary considerably," Linde noted.

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Energy-Saving Light Bulbs Can Redden Skin: Report

Ultraviolet emissions from some energy efficient compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs can cause reddening of the skin if people get too close for long periods of time, says the U.K.'s Health Protection Agency.

The agency is advising people to stay at least one foot away from CFL bulbs with exposed light coils, which emit UV light that's equivalent to being outside on a sunny day, BBC News reported. There is no danger of skin cancer, the agency emphasized.

It added that there are no UV concerns with enclosed CFL lights, where the coil is covered like a traditional light bulb.

The Health Protection Agency investigated the safety of CFL bulbs at the urging of groups that represent people with light sensitivity issues, BBC News reported. The research, believed to be the first to identify the problem, is due to be published in an academic journal.

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Most Europeans Oppose Meat From Cloned Animals