Automatically updated at 09:06 AM

Week-on, week-off cycling of AIDS drugs can keep patients healthy, reduce side effects and cut costs, study says
WASHINGTON (AP) It may be possible for AIDS patients on a powerful drug combination to take weeklong medication vacations and still control HIV, while cutting costs by half and reducing serious side effects, a study suggests.

Man found incompetent to stand trial in stabbing of health care worker
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) A mentally ill Cranston man accused of stabbing his caseworker to death during a home visit has been found unfit to stand trial at this time.

Health group targets pregnant smokers in new ad campaign
WASHINGTON (AP) It is estimated that at least 13 percent of pregnant women smoke, but health advocates hope a new ad campaign will help them kick the habit.

Week-on, week-off cycling of AIDS drugs can keep patients healthy, reduce side effects and cut costs, study says
WASHINGTON (AP) It may be possible for AIDS patients on a powerful drug combination to take weeklong medication vacations and still control HIV, while cutting costs by half and reducing serious side effects, a study suggests.

Health chief: Vehicles parked near trade center shouldn't be returned
NEW YORK (AP) More than 900 vehicles towed from the World Trade Center site after the Sept. 11 terrorist attack will likely never be returned to their owners, the city health commissioner said Monday.

U.S. government proposes bar codes on medication to prevent drug errors
NEW ORLEANS (AP) The federal government is proposing that supermarket-style bar codes be required on the packaging of all hospital-administered prescription medicines to help prevent deadly drug errors.

Two mental health experts say church bombing suspect faked having a bad memory
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) Two mental health experts testified Monday that a former Ku Klux Klansman appeared to fake poor memory during tests on his competency to stand trial in a 1963 church bombing that killed four black girls.

Medical teams prepare for the worst during Olympics
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) To prepare for the 2002 Winter Olympics, Dr. Scott Hansen brushed up on the usual stuff, such as emergency communications and medical triage.

FREEHOLD: medical problems.
Robert Abbot, 49, a 25-year teacher, was the first to be sent to jail after answering yes when asked about defying the order and saying he didn't intend to return to work Tuesday.

Week-on, week-off cycling of AIDS antiviral drugs can keep patients health, reduce side effects and cut costs, study says
WASHINGTON (AP) An on-and-off medication cycle in which AIDS patients take a powerful drug combination for a week and then stop for a week may be able to control HIV, reduce side effects and cut costs in half.

U.S. government is proposing bar codes on medication to prevent drug errors
NEW ORLEANS (AP) The federal government is proposing that supermarket-style bar codes be required on the packaging of all hospital-administered prescription medicines to help prevent deadly drug errors.

Scientists Using Gene Chips Identify Unique Form of Leukemia; Find Could Lead to Drugs for Lethal Infant Cancer
BOSTON, Dec. 3 (AScribe Newswire) -- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute scientists have discovered that a rare but lethal blood cancer that strikes infants in their first year is a genetically distinct type of leukemia that might someday be treatable with designer drugs specifically targeted to it.

Environmentalists, Home Builders Create 'Builders for the Bay'; Unique Partnership to Balance Development, Health of Chesapeake Bay
To: National Desk, Environment Reporter

Web Medical Records Offered Free to NY Rescuers
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A company that provides access to medical records through the Internet has offered its service free to all members of the New York City fire and police departments and their families in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.

Bill Gates Prescribes Microsoft for UK Health
LONDON (Reuters) - Techno-billionaire Bill Gates hits Britain this week to work some Microsoft (MSFT.O) magic on its health service and inspire the computer whizzes of the future.