Healio Minute Nov. 5, 2012: Familiar RA culprits, smoke-free fallout, osteoporosis "education"

What just happened in medicine and why do you care?

Smoking and obesity's greatest "hits": Add rheumatoid arthritis

Healio.com/Rheumatology: Genetic factors play a role but two familiar culprits crash the party. Read more.

Smoke-free laws do more than clear the air

Healio.com/Cardiology: Rapid decrease in heart attacks and hospitalizations follow close behind. Read more.

Hold on ... shouldn't we consider osteoporosis?

Healio.com/Orthopedics: Powerful clinician reminders don't have to be novel, just well-timed and patient-specific. Read more.

Prenatal alcohol use and brain plasticity

Healio.com/Pediatrics: Brains of affected children found lacking in critical ability to remodel based on experience. Read more.

From the "We Could Have Guessed" Department...

Healio.com/Optometry: Teens rate contact lenses higher in "appearance, satisfaction and activities," but one surprise: Eyeglasses held their own with contacts in the "happiness" rating. Read more.