(November 10, 2008 - Insidermedicine) From New Orleans - According to research presented at the meeting of the American Heart Association, an ingredient in herbal tea may lower blood pressure. In a study of 65 people who were prehypertensive or mildly hypertensive, those who drank three 8-oz cups of tea containing hibiscus each day saw their systolic blood pressure drop by 7.2 mm Hg, compared to 1.3 mm Hg among those who took placebo.

From California - According to research in the journal Autism, signs of autism may be apparent by 12 months of age. In a study of 66 one-year olds who were also assessed at 24 and 36 months, researchers found that behaviors such as unusual ways of playing with toys appeared to predict the development of autism. Children who went on to develop autism were much more likely to rotate, spin, and engage in unusual visual exploration of objects at 12 months of age than those who did not develop autism.

And finally, back to New Orleans - According to another study presented at the meeting of the American Heart Association, getting the flu vaccine may reduce the risk of blood clots. In a study of over 700 adults, researchers found that those who received the flu vaccine were 26% less likely to develop venous thromboembolism during the next year. The result was most pronounced among those under age 52, where immunization led to a 48% reduced risk of VTE.