Reuters Health eLine A daily look at the top consumer-oriented health-related news stories. Nasal allergies may affect infants too NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A new study adds to evidence that infants and toddlers are not too young to develop nasal allergies, particularly if their parents have a history of the bothersome condition. Half of 'untreatable' asthma cases may be treatable NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Good news for kids with treatment-resistant asthma: Their breathing troubles just might be treatable. Group urges flu shots for all healthcare workers NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Flu shots should be mandatory for all healthcare workers, a U.S. medical association said Wednesday, noting in a statement that such a mandate was "necessary and long overdue." Nasal allergies may affect infants too NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A new study adds to evidence that infants and toddlers are not too young to develop nasal allergies, particularly if their parents have a history of the bothersome condition. Higher heart risk seen in younger African Americans NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - African Americans are known to have a higher rate of heart disease and stroke than whites, and a new study suggests that those excess risks emerge at a relatively young age. Short sleep ups future obesity risk in young kids NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Young children who don't get enough sleep may be at greater risk of becoming overweight or obese later on, new research shows. Half of 'untreatable' asthma cases may be treatable NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Good news for kids with treatment-resistant asthma: Their breathing troubles just might be treatable. Mystery eye problem at dairy show caused by cow urine SYDNEY (Reuters Life!) - The cause of a mystery eye ailment that struck about 50 visitors to a dairy pavilion at an agricultural show in Australia has been traced -- to cow urine. Judge refuses to lift ban on government stem cell funds WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. judge refused on Tuesday to lift a ban on federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research despite Obama administration warnings it would set back key research and cost more than a thousand jobs. Statins linked to lower rheumatoid arthritis risk LONDON (Reuters) - Israeli scientists have found a significant link between taking cholesterol-lowering statin drugs like Lipitor or Crestor and a reduced risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Group urges flu shots for all healthcare workers NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Flu shots should be mandatory for all healthcare workers, a U.S. medical association said Wednesday, noting in a statement that such a mandate was "necessary and long overdue." Report says obesity surgery can save health costs LONDON (Reuters) - Providing surgical treatment for people who are morbidly obese could save British taxpayer-funded health services and the wider economy hundreds of millions of pounds a year, leading surgeons said on Wednesday. EU agency poses new questions on Avandia LONDON (Reuters) - The European Medicines Agency said it was asking GlaxoSmithKline additional questions about its diabetes drug Avandia before giving a final verdict later this month on whether it should stay on the market. US asks appeals court to stay stem cell funding ban WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Obama administration on Wednesday asked a U.S. appeals court for an emergency stay that would lift the ban on federal funding of research involving human embryonic stem cells. New Alzheimer's approach may sidestep early snags CHICAGO (Reuters) - A new Alzheimer's compound kept toxic clumps from forming in the brains of mice, without causing side effects seen in similar drugs, U.S. researchers said on Wednesday. Drug co. paid writers to promote hormone therapy CHICAGO (Reuters) - Drugmaker Wyeth used ghostwriters to play up the benefits and downplay the harm of hormone replacement therapy in articles published in medical journals, a U.S. researcher said on Tuesday.