Your Tuesday morning health roundup:
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Sexting and teens: More than one quarter of teens in a new survey say they have sexted -- sent out naked pictures of themselves. But the survey population consists entirely of 10th and 11th graders from seven Houston-area high schools, who might not be representative of all U.S. teens. Just a few months ago, another study, which relied on nationwide phone interviews of kids ages 10 to 17, found that just 2.5% in that larger age group admitted to appearing in or creating nude or nearly nude photos. But there's a chance some of those kids weren't honest on the phone. - Kitty litter and suicide: Is living with cats a mental health hazard? A new study raises that possibility. It finds a statistical link between suicide risk and infection with a parasite found in cat feces. But a lot more research is needed, experts say.
- Jehovah's Witnesses and transfusions: Jehovah's Witnesses seem to do at least as well as other patients after heart surgery, despite not accepting transfusions, a study shows. Among likely reasons: Before surgery, they take iron and vitamin B6 supplements-- steps that might help others avoid transfusions, researchers say.
Today's talker: If drunk bar patrons won't listen to reason -- or to friends trying to grab their car keys -- will they listen to a talking urinal cake? Michigan officials are about to find out. They are placing the attention-getting, motion-activated devices in 200 bar and restaurant urinals over the 4th of July holiday. When a man stands in front of the urinal, a woman's voice will ask if they've "had a few drinks or maybe a few too many," and suggest they grab a friend or a cab for a safe ride home. As one patron tells the Associated Press, "that would probably sober a person up a bit."
