Health
Closer to solving the Tasmanian Devil cancer mystery
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As we’ve reported on before, Tasmanian devils could be wiped out by a rare – and mysterious – form of cancer. Scientists have now made progress in solving that mystery, and host Jeb Sharp speaks with one of them. Download MP3
Smoking ban in Vietnam
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Many Americans will wake up tomorrow and pledge to give up cigarettes. It’s a traditional New Year’s resolution — something individuals vow to do on their own. In Vietnam, January first brings a new national effort to control smoking. A new law takes effect tomorrow that bans smoking in many public places — schools, factories, libraries, offices, hospitals, on public transportation. And a year from now, the government plans to extend that ban to bars and restaurants. It’s a big change for a country with one of the highest smoking rates anywhere. The World’s Mary Kay Magistad reports from Hanoi. Download MP3
Shroud reveals evidence of ancient leprosy
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DNA evidence from an ancient burial shroud found in Jerusalem reveals the earliest proven case of leprosy. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with a member of the team that studied the shroud — James Tabor, professor of religious studies at the University of North Carolina.
New Beginning in South Africa’s AIDS battle
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South Africa has the largest number of HIV-infected people on the planet. In a widely welcomed speech to mark World Aids Day, South Africa’s president, Jacob Zuma, pledged a new beginning. The World’s Jason Margolis has the story. Download MP3
HIV positive soldiers
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The BBC’s Karen Allen reports on a unit of HIV-positive South African soldiers which is now being allowed to participate in international peacekeeping operations.
Mammograms around the world
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Most women should start regular breast cancer screening at age 50, not 40, according to new guidelines released in the US. The new guidelines have unleashed a heated debate and caused confusion for women and their doctors. International guidelines also call for screening to start at age 50. Jeb Sharp talks with David Dershaw, Director of Breast Imaging at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Swine flu endangers Amazonian tribe
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Swine flu has hit one of the largest isolated indigenous groups in the Amazon. The government in Venezuela has sealed off part of the country to stop swine flu devastating the Yanomami tribe of Indians. Seven members of the tribe have been killed and a thousand are believed to have caught the flu. Survival International is London-based indigenous rights group. We speak with Fiona Watson, research and field director for Survival International, about the situation. Download MP3
Ukraine takes drastic measures against swine flu
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Ukraine’s government is responding aggressively to swine flu. But as Brigid McCarthy reports from Kiev, its aggressive stance may be more about politics than prevention.
H1N1 flu shot ambivalence in Europe
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US health authorities are encouraging Americans to get their H1N1 flu shot. Authorities in Europe are less enthusiastic. And Europeans are losing interest. Many people in Germany and Spain are reluctant to get a vaccination. Gerry Hadden reports. Download MP3
US view of swine flu vaccine
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Anchor Marco Werman speaks to Dr. Jay Butler, director of the 2009 Influenza Vaccine Task force at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for a US perspective on the H1N1 flu vaccine.
Cancer transferred from mother to fetus
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A 28 year-old woman in Japan has helped scientists to answer an important medical question. The woman had cancer and that cancer was transferred to her baby. It’s the first conclusive case that scientist have studied where cancer was passed from pregnant mother to child. Doctor Anthony Ford is with the Institute of Cancer Research. He was on the team of scientists studying his case. We speak with Dr. Ford. Download MP3AIDS vaccine test results
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The World’s Laura Lynch reports that scientists who conducted an AIDS vaccine trial in Thailand say the results showed the vaccine cut the risk of infection by as much as a third. At least some scientists see the results announced today as encouraging.
AIDS researcher on vaccine news
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Anchor Marco Werman speaks about todays AIDS vaccine news with Jon Cohen, author of “Shots in the Dark: The Wayward Search for the AIDS Vaccine.”
Health care reform and illegal immigrants
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Download MP3The World’s Matthew Bell does some fact checking on claims (and counterclaims) that illegal immigrants would be excluded from government health benefits under the health care reform plans being debated in Washington.
Foreign lessons in hospital efficiency
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Download MP3Containing health-care costs is a key goal of reform efforts. The World’s Katy Clark reports on the work of Eugene Litvak, a Russian who works with US hospitals on ways to increase efficiency, improve patient care, and cut costs.
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