A new test for tuberculosis could revolutionize the way the disease is diagnosed and treated. The test is faster and more accurate, and can predict whether a person's disease is resistant to antibiotics. Cesarean section rates will keep rising, as about 1 of every 3 new moms gives birth this way, says a large study. Other research finds that women with BRCA gene mutations may benefit from having healthy ovaries removed. The surgery reduced their risks of breast and ovarian cancer. In drug news, a weight-loss drug raises the risks of heart attacks and strokes in people who already have heart disease.

From Iowa farms to a Texas Army base, this week's news touches on many topics. The federal government continues investigations into infected chicken eggs that have sickened more than 1,300 Americans. The nation's largest Army base is overtaxed by soldiers who need mental health counseling and other treatment. For the first time, researchers have coaxed a human cornea to heal itself. A mouse study shows that a common drug for rheumatoid arthritis may show promise in preventing Alzheimers disease.

A recall of eggs that may be tainted with salmonella grew this week to 380 million. U.S. health officials said hundreds of people have become sick in 4 states. A study published this week found that people with terminal illness may live longer if they receive care to improve their quality of life. Other research found that tai chi may help fibromyalgia and that 1 out of 5 U.S. teenagers has some hearing loss. Shrimp season began this week in the Gulf of Mexico. U.S. food safety officials said that fish and shrimp are free of oil from the recent spill and safe to eat.

The most aggressive form of staph infection has declined in U.S. hospitals, a study released this week found. The study looked at infections caused by bacteria known as MRSA. Infections that invade body organs dropped 16% since 2005. U.S. regulators said this week that tiny filters implanted in veins can come loose and cause harm in the body. The filters are designed to trap blood clots so they can't reach the lungs. The World Health Organization said this week that the H1N1 flu pandemic is over. The virus is still making people sick, but numbers are much lower. Another new study found that a big waist increases the risk of death even for people with a normal weight. Researchers also published details of a human salmonella outbreak linked to tainted pet food.

People whose hearts pump less blood are more likely to have smaller brains, research released this week suggests. It's unclear whether this is an early sign of future dementia. Another study found that high cholesterol in early adulthood increases your risk of having calcium deposits in your arteries by your 40s. These deposits are a good predictor of future heart disease. A comparison study of diets also was released this week. Low-carb and low-fat diets had equal results for weight loss in a 2-year period. But people who followed the low-carb diet ended up with higher "good" cholesterol, or HDL. A proposal released this week called for new U.S. rules on medical devices. The rules would clarify which devices can go through a shorter review. But device makers would have to provide more safety information.

Two types of CPR work equally well, research released this week concluded. And bystanders who report someone collapsing are more likely to use CPR if a dispatcher tells them how, the studies found. The Associated Press wrote this week about several new studies on blood storage issues. They will look at whether transfusions of blood stored more than a week or two lead to more problems than newer blood. An agency of the United Nations reported that there's a big gap this year in funding world HIV and AIDS programs. Some countries have reduced donations because of economic problems.

An international AIDS conference produced much news this week, including good news on prevention. In a study, a vaginal gel containing an anti-AIDS drug reduced new infections in women by up to half. The World Health Organization said more people infected with HIV are getting treatment. But it's still far below the need. An expert panel said this week that the drug Avastin should not be used for breast cancer. They said its approval for this use should be revoked because longer-term studies show it doesn't help women live longer. A group of doctors for women released new guidelines this week. They said most women with a prior cesarean section should be given a chance to attempt a vaginal birth.

A panel of experts this week endorsed keeping the diabetes drug Avandia on the market. The group did call for more restrictions or stronger label warnings. The government this week released rules that require insurance policies to cover preventive care with no out-of-pocket cost. The White House also announced a new campaign to prevent and treat HIV and AIDS. Research published this week found that a new drug, lorcaserin, helps people to lose weight and appears to be safe. Another study published this week found that doctors don't always turn in colleagues who are impaired or incompetent.

A group of experts said this week that some women under 60 may need routine tests for osteoporosis. This would apply to women who have a high risk of the disease because of factors other than age. A new government report found that the U.S. colon cancer screening rate has increased. Mammogram screening remained steady. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new device this week to help people with advanced macular degeneration. The tiny telescope is implanted in one eye to enhance central vision. Other new research found that starting the school day early improves teens' alertness and mood.

A group of experts said this week that some women under 60 may need routine tests for osteoporosis. This would apply to women who have a high risk of the disease because of factors other than age. A new government report found that the U.S. colon cancer screening rate has increased. Mammogram screening remained steady. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new device this week to help people with advanced macular degeneration. The tiny telescope is implanted in one eye to enhance central vision. Other new research found that starting the school day early improves teens' alertness and mood.

A large study released this week shows more heart problems and stroke among people who take a popular diabetes drug. The study compared rosiglitazone (Avandia) to a similar drug. Other new research found that statin drugs may not help healthy people live longer, even if they have a high risk of heart disease. Many women who have surgery for breast cancer stop taking the drugs that help to prevent it from coming back, another study found. The American College of Sports Medicine had some advice this week for cancer survivors. The group urged them to exercise, even while treatment continues.

Researchers said this week that a technique using stem cells has restored sight for people with chemical burns to their eyes. Another study found that children don't have a higher risk of cancer if their mother lived near a cell-phone tower while pregnant. A group that regulates medical education has proposed shorter hours and more supervision for new doctors. And a judge has approved a settlement of health claims related to the World Trade Center disaster. The suit was filed by people involved in rescue and cleanup at the site.

Prescription drugs now send as many Americans to the emergency room as illegal drugs. So U.S. health officials say in a report released this week. Researchers reported this week that tranexamic acid, or TXA, can save lives after accidents. The drug helps to stop bleeding. An expert panel said U.S. food guidelines should recommend a much lower limit on sodium in the diet. Also this week, a panel of American and U.S. advisers released its report on cleaning up the effects of Agent Orange from the Vietnam War. The project would take 10 years and $300 million.

Cancer studies released at a major conference dominated the week's news. Researchers reported on two new drugs that helped people with melanoma or lung cancer. Another study looked at treatment for early-stage breast cancer. It found that many of these women do not need to have lymph nodes removed. Government researchers also released a study this week on same-day surgery centers. They found lapses in infection control at many centers.

Ten minutes of brisk exercise triggers changes in metabolism that last for an hour, researchers said this week. Another study found that daily checks at home help people to get their blood pressure under control. Two studies based on government surveys reported this week on risky behavior among teens. One study reported that more teens are using the rhythm method for birth control. The other found that 1 teen out of 5 abuses prescription drugs.

Regulators have received hundreds of complaints about children's cold medicines in the last month, the Associated Press reported this week. Johnson & Johnson recalled the drugs April 30. Americans are controlling high blood pressure better than they were 20 years ago, researchers reported. But they are more likely to have the condition. A healthy-food advocacy group said this week that products that recently reduced trans fats are healthier than they were before. A study found that rural children are just as likely to die from gun shots as city kids. And the main U.S. group of children's doctors said that swim lessons are fine for toddlers.

Research released this week found that fathers as well as mothers can have postpartum depression. Another study found a higher risk of attention disorders for kids exposed to more pesticides. A report from environmental groups said that nearly all U.S. canned food contains the chemical bisphenol A. The groups urged pregnant women to avoid canned food. Other researchers reported a large increase in children with resistant staph infections. Hospital cases have jumped 10-fold in the last decade, the study said.

A new study released this week suggests that sickle cell anemia may damage the brain. It found that people who have lived into middle age with the disease tend to have lower IQ scores. Federal regulators this week stopped a plan to sell a gene test kit in drugstores and announced a recall of bracelets containing cadmium. This is a toxic metal.

Researchers reported this week that human growth hormone may help athletes sprint faster and that a new procedure may help people with hard to control asthma. There was also news about cancer among young U.S. adults. One study found that mammograms of women under 40 rarely find cancers. But they often find something abnormal-looking that calls for further tests. Another study found an increase in cancers of the lower stomach among young white adults. Rates among other groups have fallen.

U.S. drug regulators this week approved the first vaccine treatment for cancer. Provenge fights advanced prostate cancer. Researcher reported this week that bad health habits may shorten your life by 12 years, that vitamin E may help a common liver condition, and that sigmoidoscopy can reduce colon cancer deaths. A group of major food companies said they will cut back on salt in their products. And U.S. health officials said record numbers of people got seasonal flu shots last year.

Sugar and salt both made the news this week. Researchers reported that a high sugar intake may lead to worse levels of blood fats such as HDL cholesterol. A group of experts called for the U.S. government to set limits on salt in processed foods. Other research concluded that two drugs both help to prevent breast cancer and that online games don't improve brain power. A review of U.S. deaths from H1N1 (swine flu) found that anti-flu drugs saved lives among pregnant women.

About 1 out of 4 cardiologists sometimes order an invasive test because of malpractice fears, a study released this week says. Other new research concluded that many people with mild dementia can drive safely. And two new reports gave different numbers on how many women die worldwide in childbirth. This week the Associated Press also reported on health legislation pending in 28 states. The bills would expand the role of nurse practitioners.

Large doses of vitamins do not prevent preeclampsia. This problem occurs in about 8% of pregnancies. The condition includes high blood pressure, leg swelling and protein in the urine. And Lithium treatment does not help people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease). In some good news, researchers say breastfeeding could save about 900 babies a year in the United States. The estimate was based on other research that shows breastfeeding reduces the risk of asthma, type 1 diabetes and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Only 12% of mothers feed their babies only breast milk for 6 months. That's what experts recommend. Many smokers have severe lung disease and don't know it. About 1 out of 5 people in a recent study had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Most had not been diagnosed. Medicare patients are getting a costly, complicated form of back surgery, though a simpler, cheaper surgery would be fine. Researchers looked at people who had a painful squeezing, called stenosis, in the lower back. Use of the cheaper surgery dropped while the costly one rose 15-fold from 2002 to 2007. Brisk walking may lower women's risk of stroke. A study of women 45 and older who walked at any pace for at least 2 hours a week had a 30% lower stroke risk.

H1N1 flu is still around and people should consider getting vaccinated, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu cases are increasing in the Southeast, even as spring weather appears. In the past week, Georgia has reported 40 hospitalizations for flu-like illness. H1N1 does not appear to follow the usual pattern of flu outbreaks. Seasonal flu is more common in cold weather, but H1N1 was first identified in April 2009. In the United States, infections appeared to peak in late October and early November. H1N1 vaccine is still available. About 86 million Americans have been vaccinated.

U.S. drug officials asked doctors this week to stop giving children the Rotarix vaccine. The vaccine prevents rotavirus infection. Doses have been contaminated with bits of DNA from a pig virus, officials said. In other news related to babies, the American Academy of Pediatrics said most babies should get a vitamin D supplement. People across the country will see nutrition facts on menus as a result of the health care reform bill passed this week. The law will apply to larger chain restaurants. Experts urged women this week to take simple steps that could reduce their risk of breast cancer by one-third. The key is to eat less, drink less alcohol and exercise more, they said.

Greatly reducing blood pressure and certain blood fats (lipids) doesn't reduce diabetics' risk of a heart attack, researchers said this week. But aggressive treatment of high blood pressure did reduce strokes, a study concluded. Other new research found that quitting smoking can improve artery health within one year. Another study showed that gene tests can help doctors prescribe the right dose of the blood thinner warfarin. This can prevent hospital trips for bleeding or strokes. Researchers reported that cancer costs have tripled in the last 20 years. And a Veterans Affairs hospital in Philadelphia was fined $227,500 this week. The fine was for giving the wrong dose of radiation to 97 men with prostate cancer.