Jakarta- South-East Asian nations are working together to deal with swine flu amid fears the disease could spread to the region, the Association of South-East Asian Nations
(ASEAN) said Thursday. "I am now also coordinating with all ASEAN ministers of health in order to provide the necessary cooperation and support," ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan said in a statement.

Taipei - Taiwan Wednesday celebrated its first victory in its fight to rejoin international organizations after it was allowed to re-join the World Health Organization (WHO) as an observer. The breakthrough is regarded as the result of improved Taipei-Beijing ties and pressure from the United States, Japan, the European Union and Taiwan's 23 diplomatic allies and may pave the way for Taiwan's return to other international organizations.

WHO Secretary-General Margaret Chan invited Taiwan's health minister Yeh Chin-chuan to attend the 62nd World Health Assembly (WHA), opening in Geneva on May 18.

Geneva - Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche announced Wednesday that it had increased its preparedness level in response to the World Health Organization (WHO) decision to raise the pandemic influenza alert by one level to phase 4. Roche, in a statement, said it was working with "the WHO and governments around the world to make the oral anti-viral medication Tamiflu available to patients in need."

Tamiflu, produced by Roche, has been deemed to be effective against swine flu.

The company said that to date it had filled 220 million treatment courses of the drug ordered by governments.

Washington, April 29 : A new study has suggested that dairy is better than calcium carbonate when it comes to promoting bone growth and strength.

In the study, researcher Connie Weaver found that the bones of rats fed non-fat dry milk were longer, wider, more dense and stronger than those of rats fed a diet with calcium carbonate.

Weaver said the study is the first direct comparison of bone properties between calcium from supplements and milk.

Washington, April 29 : A new study has found that peripheral arterial disease (PAD) of the legs, in which the arteries become blocked with plaque and blood supply to the legs is reduced, is often overlooked in patients with known heart disease.

Early detection of PAD is important because it can limit the ability to walk and exercise, it may place patients at greater risk for limb loss and it increases the chance of having a heart attack or stroke.

Washington, April 29 : A simple blood test can offer valuable support to healthcare in the fight against malaria, scientists at Karolinska Institute have found.

According to their study, the rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for malaria infection could help ensure that a greater number of patients receive the right treatment at no extra cost for the healthcare services.