RadioMD News... I'm John Byrd.

A breakthrough new blood test for pregnant women can now reliably detect disorders like Down's syndrome in the fetus stage, say researchers. Progress in the area has been developing rapidly with tests for other genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis also becoming available.

Tea has been widely cited as a beverage with health benefits, and it is, but there apparently is such as thing as "too much of a good thing." Doctors have warned that massive tea consumption can lead to kidney failure. A cup or two per day is the recommended maximum. Good to know with iced tea season on the way.

And... have you ever been startled by a sudden "banging" noise just before falling asleep, only to find there's no apparent source for the noise? No, you're not imaging things. It's actually your brain having a "hiccup" as it shuts down for the night, say scientists. Although totally harmless, it can be scary. And the phenomenon has a name; it's called "exploding head syndrome." That name is almost as scary as the syndrome.

For RadioMD News, this is John Byrd. Hear health talk interviews with top experts at RadioMD dot com.