Health Headlines - March 28

New Compound May Prevent Allergies, Study Finds

A new chemical compound, part-cat and part-human, may provide an end to misery-making cat allergies, U.S. researchers reported on Sunday.

AIDS Virus Destroys Immune Cells Fast-Studies

Within days of infection, the AIDS virus destroys more than half of the immune cells that might recognize and help fight it -- a finding that may force a re-evaluation of how to tackle the deadly infection, two teams of U.S. researchers reported Sunday.

N.Korea Confirms Bird Flu Outbreak

North Korea Sunday confirmed a bird flu outbreak at two chicken farms in the capital Pyongyang and said the farms slaughtered and buried hundreds of thousands of chickens infected by the disease.

Anti-Vaccine Sentiment Plagues Nigeria

Accusations by Islamic preachers that vaccines are part of an American anti-Islamic plot are threatening efforts to combat a measles epidemic that has killed hundreds of Nigerian children, health workers say.

Eating Disorders Crossing the Color Line

The common perception is that eating disorders afflict only white women, especially upper- and middle-class women. While those are the most reported cases, specialists believe all socio-economic and ethnic groups are at risk.

MD Linked to First 'Test-Tube Baby' Dies

Dr. Georgeanna Seegar Jones, who helped develop the program that led to America's first "test-tube baby," has died. She was 92.

Researchers Pursue Promising Cervical Cancer Vaccine

With news of a promising vaccine to protect against cervical cancer, it's possible the great work of the late Dr. George Nicholas Papanicolaou may fade in the not-too-distant future.

Promising Ovarian Cancer Drug Under Study

More than two dozen centers across the United States are enrolling about 60 ovarian cancer patients who are in remission to test whether an investigational drug called A6 can prevent disease recurrence.

Ebola-like virus deaths rise in Angola, travel warning issued

Another young woman died of the Ebola-like Marburg virus in Angola, officials said, as the death toll in the deadly outbreak rose to almost equal the most serious outbreak ever recorded.

Family abandons quest to keep Schiavo alive

Protesters opposed to allowing a brain-damaged woman die challenged police and blocked entry to a Florida hospice after Terri Schiavo's parents asked the opponents to go home.

Cancer fears limit Hong Kong air crews' New York trips

Airline Cathay Pacific has limited air crews' flights on the non-stop Hong Kong-New York route after it was found the journey could increase the likelihood of cancer, a report said.

Indian patent law could prove a tonic for Bangladesh drug firms

Pharmaceutical firms in Bangladesh are hoping a new Indian patent law banning Indian companies from manufacturing cheap generic drugs could prove a tonic for their exports.

Japan confirms 16th case of mad cow disease

The Japanese government has confirmed the nation's 16th case of mad cow disease in a female Holstein raised in the northern island of Hokkaido.