New bird flu victim had no contact with poultry, China says Dec 31, 2005, 14:49 GMT Beijing - A woman who died last week from H5N1 avian influenza had no known contact with poultry and seldom ate poultry meat, Chinese state media said on Saturday. ....more

HealthWrap: Alcohol bigger threat to women Jan 3, 2006, 22:47 GMT WASHINGTON, DC, United States -- In a double twist on conventional wisdom, a new study suggests women are actually less sensitive to alcohol than men but are more vulnerable to problems alcohol abuse causes like cirrhosis of the liver, mental decline and heart disease. ....more

Studies: Statins don`t reduce cancer risk Jan 3, 2006, 22:47 GMT WASHINGTON, DC, United States -- Two independent studies have found that the cholesterol-lowering class of drugs called statins does not reduce the risk of cancer, casting doubt on previous studies suggesting the drugs could ward off the disease. ....more

Health and Science News Roundup Jan 3, 2006, 21:10 GMT Worms Survived Shuttle Crash Deforestation May Spread Malaria Pill Tied to Sexual Desire Children`s Risk Triple in Suv Rollovers ....more

Deforestation may spread malaria Jan 3, 2006, 17:05 GMT LIMA, Peru -- Scientists say they have found a link between deforestation and the spread of malaria in the Peruvian Amazon. ....more

Radical changes called for in mental health provision Jan 3, 2006, 16:29 GMT Open discussion on mental health problems and a radical overhaul of services is needed to improve mental health care, a report has said. ....more

Adverts 'lead to younger drinking' Jan 3, 2006, 16:28 GMT Young people who are exposed to adverts for alcohol are more likely to drink more at an earlier age, researchers have said. ....more

Mother`s love to help uninsured youths Jan 3, 2006, 22:55 GMT CONCORD, NH, United States -- A new state bill up for a vote this week would make it harder for health insurers to deny full coverage to college students who -- covered under their parents` policies -- want to take medical leave. ....more

Boycott of secretive drug trials sought Dec 31, 2005, 0:54 GMT BOSTON, MA, United States -- The editor of the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine called on doctors who engage in clinical trials to boycott studies sponsored by pharmaceutical companies that do not fully live up to the spirit of legal requirements to register such research efforts. ....more

Medicare will drive health sector in 06 Dec 31, 2005, 0:50 GMT WASHINGTON, DC, United States -- The new Medicare Part D prescription-drug benefit will be a major driver of the health-insurance sector in 2006, market analysts predicted, and certain health plans are already emerging as the front runners. ....more

Rx benefit rich source of data Dec 29, 2005, 21:51 GMT BOSTON, MA, United States -- Next week Medicare`s prescription-drug benefit -- with an estimated 21 million enrollees so far -- goes into effect amid controversy and confusion, but health-policy experts say the new benefit will not only save seniors thousands of healthcare dollars, it is also likely to become a major source of information on how well drugs are working in patients. ....more