Spanking harms kids, smoking harms brains

• Spanking and kids: There's no upside to spanking kids, says a research review that backs up what pediatricians and other experts have been saying for years. Kids who are spanked are more likely to become depressed, anxious and aggressive in childhood and adulthood.
• Smoking and men's brain health: Cigarettes aren't just bad for your heart and lungs -- they are bad for your brain. Middle-aged men who smoke show signs of c
  
  ognitive decline that would be expected in men who are ten years older, a new study finds. One possible explanation: Smokers' brains may get less vital blood, oxygen and nutrients.
• Defining dementia: Most people now diagnosed with early stages of Alzheimer's disease would not get that label under new diagnostic criteria, a new study suggests. Instead, most would be told they have "mild cognitive impairment" -- a change that some experts worry will cause confusion for patients and families.
• Labeling foods: Wal-Mart stores will start labeling certain store-brand foods and bins of produce as "Great for You" choices with a new green and white seal. The company is applying its own nutrition standards to decide which foods qualify.

Today's talker: Online dating is a popular and surefire way to identify lots of potential mates -- though not necessarily the love of your life. That's the conclusion of a report from psychologists who question the success claims of sites such as eHarmony, PerfectMatch and Chemistry. The scientists looked at matching systems similar to those used by the sites and concluded, as one co-author said, "there is no reason to believe that online dating improves romantic outcomes."