Health Highlights: Oct. 10, 2008

"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 Newsreported.

"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 Newsreported. 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 Newsreported. 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

More than 80 percent of Europeans reject the idea of eating meat from cloned animals because they feel there's too little known about the long-term effects of eating it, according to a survey released Thursday by the European Union.

The survey of more than 25,000 people in all 27 EU member states also found that 58 percent of respondents felt that cloning animals for food production could never be justified. However, a large minority said animal cloning was OK in order to preserve rare species,Agence France Pressereported.

The findings provide "valuable insights into the attitudes of EU citizens toward the use of animal cloning technology for food production," said EU Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou.

The survey results will be considered along with other opinions from the European Group of Ethics and the European Food Safety Authority, she added.