5 International Story Lines To Follow

China's Coming-Out Party

Long known for their autocratic Communist party, most of the 1.3 billion Chinese people are hoping to make these Olympics their coming-out party. They have spent $40 billion in Games-related construction and millions more in funding national sports programs. The official Beijing Games logo - a figure with arms extended out - shows the Chinese are willing to welcome the world. And the official slogan - One World, One Dream - seems to hint they want to be viewed more than being a global economic giant. But China's human rights issues are still omnipresent, and its censorship and control during the Games will likely be felt by a world media accustomed to Western standards. ...more

August 5, 2008

Indoor-Tanning Industry Spreads Half-Baked Health Claims

Shades of Lucky Strikes! The people who promote indoor tanning want you to believe that putting your body into their version of a big Easy Bake Oven is good for you and will protect you from vitamin D deficiency. ...more

May 27, 2008

Flu Vaccine Getting Overhaul After This Year's Missteps

Next year's flu vaccine is getting a complete overhaul to provide protection against three new and different influenza strains - hopefully better protection than this year's version. ...more

February 22, 2008

Global Campaign Seeks To Crush Spread Of Smoking

One billion people may die of tobacco-related illness this century, almost all of them in developing countries, the World Health Organization warned Thursday as it rolled out an unprecedented global campaign to limit the spread of smoking. ...more

February 8, 2008

Small Steps Make Great Strides In Extending Life, Study Finds

To get an extra 14 years of life, don't smoke, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, exercise regularly and drink alcohol in moderation. ...more

January 9, 2008

Tropical Virus Kills Italian Man

An unusual virus known as chikungunya sickened at least 200 people and contributed to the death of a man in northeastern Italy this year, marking the first time the tropical virus has caused a disease outbreak in a temperate climate, researchers reported this month. ...more

December 29, 2007

Graveyard Shifts Linked To Cancer

Like UV rays and diesel exhaust fumes, working the graveyard shift soon will be listed as a probable cause of cancer. ...more

November 30, 2007

Time Change Takes Extra Toll

Oh, the light! The autumn light! Is there anything more glorious than a fall day, awash in the sun's low-slung amber rays? ...more

November 4, 2007

Abortions Just As Likely Where Outlawed, Study Says

Women are just as likely to get an abortion in countries where it is outlawed as they are in countries where it is legal, according to research published Friday. ...more

October 12, 2007

Gates Foundation To Give $280 Million In TB Grants

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced Tuesday that it would give $280 million for research and development of tuberculosis vaccines, diagnostic tests and drugs - its largest package of TB grants. ...more

September 19, 2007