KATU - News - Healthcast

New gene therapy halts 2 boys' rare brain disease

French scientists mixed gene therapy and bone marrow transplants in two boys to seemingly halt a brain disease that can kill by adolescence.

Diet Detective - Tips For Leaner Abs and a Leaner Life

Can you really trim belly fat from your body? The Diet Detective answers.

WHO: Swine flu virus is top strain worldwide

In some countries, swine flu accounts for up to 70 percent of the flu viruses being sampled, said Dr. Keiji Fukuda, WHO's top flu official.

Old method of heart bypass better than 'off-pump'

It seemed like a great idea — doing bypass surgery while the heart is still beating, sparing patients the complications that can come from going on a heart-lung machine. Now the first big test of this method has produced a surprise: Bypass has fewer problems and is more successful done the old way.

FDA launches plan to curb accidental overdoses

The Food and Drug Administration is launching a program to try and prevent millions of accidental drug overdoses that occur each year due to medication errors, misuse and other problems.

Officials: Swine flu confirmed in Iowa cat

The swine flu virus has been confirmed in a cat treated at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Officials: Swine flu confirmed in cat for first time

The swine flu virus has been confirmed in a cat treated at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Officials said Wednesday it's the first known case of the virus to be diagnosed in a cat.

Low cholesterol may prevent some prostate cancers

Men may protect more than their hearts if they keep cholesterol in line: Their chances of getting aggressive prostate cancer may be lower, new research suggests.

New vaccine offers hope in Africa's malaria battle

A vaccine that appears to be able to prevent the disease in about 50 percent of children, is now undergoing the final stage of testing.

Poor countries see troubling rise in breast cancer

International cancer specialists meet this week to plan an assault on a troubling increase of breast cancer in developing countries, where nearly two-thirds of women aren't diagnosed until it has spread through their bodies.