Inherited obesity: A fat woman’s womb may nudge her children toward becoming obese later on

Scientists seek origins of obesity in the womb

NEW YORK — When Kathy Perusse had weight-loss surgery and shed 120 pounds, she may have done more than make her own life easier.

Virginia officials to study impact of increasing elk population; cattlemen worry about disease

Va. to size up impact of increasing elk population

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia game officials will study the consequences of increasing the number of Rocky Mountain elk in the state’s remote southwest corner, a move opposed by cattle farmers fearful of the spread of disease.

Seasonal swarms of Asian lady beetles bug even insect experts; infestations seen in US, Canada

Seasonal ladybug swarms pester even bug experts

ST. LOUIS — Pest-control specialist Gene Scholes even gets bugged by them — legions of ladybugs lately swarming his rural Missouri home and other stretches across the country, exploiting gaps in door and window seals for cozier climes inside.

Sudden death heart defect passed by sperm donor to 9 of his 24 children; one died at age 2

Sperm donor passed on sudden death heart defect

CHICAGO — A sperm donor passed on a potentially deadly genetic heart condition to nine of his 24 children, including one who died at age 2 from heart failure, according to a medical journal report.

Medco says it will run clinical trial to compare blood thinners Plavix and Effient

Medco plans to compare Plavix, Effient in study

NEW YORK — Medco Health Solutions Inc. said Tuesday it will compare the blood thinner Plavix, the world’s second-best selling drug, with the newer Effient.

Study finds cancer-linked virus in chronic fatigue patients but can’t prove it’s the cause

Study links virus to chronic fatigue syndrome

WASHINGTON — A virus recently linked to prostate cancer is a new suspect in chronic fatigue syndrome. Scientists tested blood from 101 patients and found two-thirds carried it.

California farmers fear tree-killing disease as insect advances on citrus country

Calif. citrus farmers fear tree-killing disease

2 Americans, 1 Israeli win Nobel for studies of the protein-making factories within cells

2 Americans, 1 Israeli win Nobel chemistry prize

NEW YORK — Two Americans and an Israeli won a Nobel Prize in chemistry Wednesday for creating detailed blueprints of the protein-making machinery within cells, research that’s being used to develop new antibiotics.

3 Americans win Nobel medicine prize for finding mechanism that protects chromosomes

3 Americans share Nobel medicine prize

NEW YORK — Three Americans won the Nobel prize in medicine on Monday for discovering how chromosomes protect themselves as cells divide, work that has inspired experimental cancer therapies and may offer insights into aging.

Excerpts: citation for 2009 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine

Excerpts from 2009 Nobel medicine prize

Excerpts from the citation awarding the 2009 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine to awarded to Americans Elizabeth Blackburn, Carol Greider and Jack Szostak. The Karolinska Institute says the trio was honored for research that has implications for cancer and aging research.

Recent winners of the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine

Recent winners of the Nobel Prize in medicine

Recent winners of the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine, and their research, according to the Nobel Foundation:

Research team releases draft of potato genome, could improve world’s most popular vegetable

International research team cracks potato genome

DETROIT — A global team of researchers has mapped the genetic code of the world’s most popular vegetable — the potato.

A world first: AIDS vaccine cuts the risk of HIV infection by 31 percent in big Thai study

A world first: Vaccine helps prevent HIV infection

BANGKOK — For the first time, an experimental vaccine has prevented infection with the AIDS virus, a watershed event in the deadly epidemic and a surprising result. Recent failures led many scientists to think such a vaccine might never be possible.

List of 2009 MacArthur Foundation ‘genius grant’ recipients

List of 2009 MacArthur Foundation grant recipients

The following 24 fellows each will receive $500,000 over the next five years from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation:

Authorities investigate rare possible plague-linked death of UC scientist; spread unlikely

Spread unlikely after possible plague-linked death

CHICAGO — There’s no sign of any spread after the rare, possibly plague-related death of a University of Chicago scientist, public health officials said Monday as federal authorities flew in to help investigate.

Paris rooftops, gardens become hives of activity for an unlikely pastime: beekeeping

Paris rooftops abuzz with beekeeping

PARIS — In the romantic city of lights, the bees are downright busy.

California community mourns loss of driven Yale graduate student who excelled in high school

Calif. community mourns loss of Yale grad student

PLACERVILLE, Calif. — When those who knew her talk about Annie Le, they do so in superlatives — best student they ever had, most dedicated volunteer, smartest teenager they’ve ever known.

Coughing may be a better sign than fever of when people can spread swine flu, studies suggest

Studies: Swine flu spreads long after fever stops

SAN FRANCISCO — When the coughing stops is probably a better sign of when a swine flu patient is no longer contagious, experts said after seeing new research that suggests the virus can still spread many days after a fever goes away.

Shower danger? People with weak immune systems may be vulnerable to bacteria from showerheads

Showerheads may harbor bacteria dangerous to some

WASHINGTON — In what may be the scariest shower news since Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho,” a study says showerheads can harbor tiny bacteria that come spraying into your face when you wash.

A day at the beach? Shower afterward. Sand, water can hold dangerous staph germs, study finds

Dangerous staph germs found at West Coast beaches

SAN FRANCISCO — Dangerous staph bacteria have been found in sand and water for the first time at five public beaches along the coast of Washington, and scientists think the state is not the only one with this problem.

Swine flu deaths more common in older children, says 1st CDC study of virus’ pediatric toll

CDC study: Swine flu deaths higher in older kids

ATLANTA — The first detailed study of U.S. children killed by swine flu found the outbreak differs from ordinary flu in at least one puzzling respect: It appears to be taking a higher toll on school-age youngsters than on babies and toddlers.

2 viruses threaten Michigan blueberry industry; scientists forced to destroy research plants

Blueberry virus strikes Michigan research center

DETROIT — The bloom could be off Michigan’s $124 million per year blueberry industry after two destructive viruses infected bushes in three locations.

Scientists say mosquito capable of spreading West Nile virus found in Switzerland

West Nile virus mosquito found in Switzerland

ZURICH — A mosquito capable of spreading the deadly West Nile virus to humans has been detected in central Europe for the first time, Swiss scientists said Friday.