Asia acts but helpless if deadly bird flu occurs

Richer Asian nations may be arming themselves to fight off a feared bird flu pandemic, but experts say such a scourge would be almost…    

Whooping cough outbreaks reported in US hospitals

Three hospital outbreaks of whooping cough occurred in 2003 among healthcare workers and patients, officials at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention…    

Heavy metals warning for ayurvedic herbs is a distraction from the real threats to your health

The headlines were recently ablaze with warnings about Ayurvedic herbal products. A survey of such herbal remedies sourced from India and Pakistan found that…    

UnitedHealth in plan for low-cost health insurance

U.S. insurer UnitedHealth Group will participate in a program to sponsor an array of low-cost health insurance options to extend health coverage to uninsured…    

ConocoPhillips, US reach Clean Air Act settlement

The U.S. Department of Justice said on Thursday ConocoPhillips, the largest domestic refiner, will pay a $4.5 million fine and spend $525 million to…    

Antibody curbs late anthrax illness, in rats

Synthetically produced antibodies that target a component of the anthrax toxin may reduce illness and death due anthrax exposure, even after shock has set…    

Bill would restrict cold pills to fight ‘meth’

Americans wanting to buy many common cold medicines would have to go to a drug store and ask the pharmacist under legislation introduced on…    

Quit smoking or quit your job, U.S. company says

The owner of a Michigan company who forced his employees to either quit smoking or quit their jobs said on Wednesday he also wants…    

Glucose not sole risk for diabetic nerve problem

Many patients with diabetes develop numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in their hands or feet, a condition called diabetic neuropathy. While good control of…    

Pregnancy outcomes worsening for diabetic women

Women with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk for several poor pregnancy outcomes compared with the general population, and with women who have…    

Secret ingredient for elderly romance

A mystery chemical isolated from the sweat of young women seems to act as a romance booster for their older counterparts.

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Middle-age spread owes a lot to genes - study

Middle-aged men may be able to lay a hefty share of the blame for their expanding bellies on their parents, study findings suggest.

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New treatment relieves men’s chronic pelvic pain

Chronic inflammation of the prostate can lead to constant pain that is hard to treat, but a new approach seems to hold out promise.…    

Bruise patterns may point to child abuse

Some patterns and locations of bruising are suggestive of abuse and warrant further investigation, researchers in Wales report.

Bruising is the commonest…    

Unsafe sex not main reason for syphilis outbreaks

Syphilis epidemics are primarily driven by the cyclical nature of the disease rather than changes in sexual behaviour, according to the results of a…    

Red Cross raises record $1.2 bln in tsunami aid

The Red Cross federation, the world’s biggest humanitarian group, said on Wednesday it had raised a record $1.167 billion in just 30 days for…    

Many black Americans may believe in HIV conspiracy

A sizable number of African Americans believe in various HIV conspiracy theories, and it may be deterring some men from using condoms, a…    

Radiation seeds may be enough for prostate cancer

Implanting tiny radioactive “seeds” in the prostate, a treatment called brachytherapy, may be all that is needed to combat low-risk forms of prostate cancer,…    

Chirac proposes international tax to fight AIDS

French President Jacques Chirac on Wednesday proposed the creation of an international tax to help fight AIDS, saying such a measure could raise $10…    

Thinning bones linked to Alzheimer’s risk

People with low bone mineral density (BMD) are at increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, researchers report. Low BMD is also associated with…    

700,000 AIDS patients get drugs, funds short

The number of AIDS patients receiving life-extending drugs in poor countries has jumped to 700,000 from 440,000 six months ago, U.N. agencies said on…    

Return to sport possible after temporary paralysis

Athletes who have suffered spinal injuries severe enough to make them temporarily lose feeling in their limbs can sometimes safely return to their sport,…    

Fearing bird flu, HK stocks up on drug Tamiflu

Health authorities in Hong Kong want to double their stocks of Tamiflu, a drug known to be effective in fighting deadly bird flu, which…    

Britain’s Brown to promise $1.8 bln for vaccines

British finance minister Gordon Brown will propose on Wednesday giving $1.8 billion over the next 15 years to a campaign to get life-saving vaccines…    

Did Britain’s “Dr Death” kill even more patients?

A public inquiry into how a British family doctor murdered over 200 mostly elderly patients will reveal on Thursday whether he claimed another 137…