California limits salmon fishing SACRAMENTO, May 10 (UPI) -- California officials said salmon fishing in the Central Valley will be limited this year to a small stretch of the Sacramento River.

Vaccine falls short in fighting flu NEW YORK, May 10 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers said survey results show last year's flu vaccine fell far short, compared to past years, in keeping people from getting the virus.

Respiratory issues rise after Katrina WASHINGTON, May 9 (UPI) -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said complaints of respiratory illness among Gulf Coast children increased after Hurricane Katrina.

Sands of Sahara moved slowly COLOGNE, Germany, May 9 (UPI) -- A German geologist said layers of sediment in the bottom of a lake in the Sahara suggest the region dried up gradually over thousands of years.

Teen marijuana use linked to depression WASHINGTON, May 9 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers said recent data suggest teens use of marijuana to cope with depression may lead to more serious mental illness.

NYC ambulance would preserve bodies NEW YORK, May 9 (UPI) -- New York is considering equipping a new ambulance to preserve bodies until families can be contacted about possible organ donation.

Early abortions considered for GP clinics BRITAIN, England, May 8 (UPI) -- The British government said it is considering allowing early-stage abortions in health centers and doctors' offices.

Flame retardant found in falcon eggs SAN FRANCISCO, May 8 (UPI) -- California researchers said high levels of flame retardant have been found in the eggs of peregrine falcons living in urban areas.

Diagnostic test targets tumor source PALO ALTO, Calif., May 8 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers are looking at a new genomics-based diagnostic test developed to determine the origins of hard-to-identify tumors.

UPI NewsTrack Health and Science News WASHINGTON, May 8 (UPI) -- Robots may someday operate without doctors … ESA, NASA to share space achievement award … Method found to make tumors easier to kill … Caution urged for kids' anti-obesity drugs ... Health/Science news from UPI.

Caution urged for kids' anti-obesity drugs CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 8 (UPI) -- U.S. medical scientists are urging caution in giving children anti-obesity drugs, saying the medications might interfere with neural development.

Speedier cancer radiation therapy created BIRMINGHAM, Ala., May 8 (UPI) -- The University of Alabama at Birmingham says it has become the first U.S. medical facility to offer a speedier cancer radiation therapy called "RapidArc."

ESA, NASA to share space achievement award PARIS, May 8 (UPI) -- The Ulysses observatory, a U.S.-European mission, has won an international award for the scientific productivity of the spacecraft, now orbiting the sun.

Robots may someday operate without doctors DURHAM, N.C., May 8 (UPI) -- U.S. engineers say the world is moving closer to the day when robots will perform surgery with minimal or no guidance from a doctor.

Mercury levels: Lower, yet still hazardous CHICAGO, May 8 (UPI) -- A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency study shows mercury releases from products declined between 1990 and 2005, but remained at dangerous levels.

Saturn's atmosphere 'waves' to Earth PASADENA, Calif., May 8 (UPI) -- U.S. space agency scientists say they've observed a wave pattern, or oscillation, in Saturn's atmosphere that's only visible from Earth every 15 years.

Study: Developing neurons fight to survive BALTIMORE, May 8 (UPI) -- U.S. neuroscientists say they have discovered how body tissue aids new peripheral nerve cells to kill neighboring nerves.

Scientists propose super-supercomputer BERKELEY, Calif., May 8 (UPI) -- Three U.S. government scientists are proposing to improve climate change predictions by creating a kind of super-supercomputer.

Method found to make tumors easier to kill ST. LOUIS, May 8 (UPI) -- U.S. medical scientists have found a vulnerability they say can be used to make cancer cells easier to heat and radiate and, therefore, easier to destroy.

Students to call long distance to the ISS WASHINGTON, May 8 (UPI) -- Students from New York and California will make a really long long-distance phone call next week to speak with an International Space Station's crew member.

Stressed seaweed might make cloudy skies OBAN, Scotland, May 8 (UPI) -- British-led scientists say they've discovered the presence of large amounts of seaweed along coastal areas can influence the Earth's climate.

NASA tests lunar breathing system HOUSTON, May 8 (UPI) -- The U.S. space agency says one of the first tests involving human subjects in support of its return-to-the-moon Orion Project has been completed.

New Alzheimer's target identified SAN FRANCISCO, May 8 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they've found modulating enkephalin peptide activity in the brain might reduce the cognitive deficits of Alzheimer's disease.

NASA starts artifact loan project WASHINGTON, May 8 (UPI) -- The U.S. space agency has announced the start of a new artifact loan program for museums, planetariums and other organizations.

Hormone used to treat reperfusion injury MANHASSET, N.Y., May 8 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they've used the hormone Ghrelin to block organ injury after intestinal ischemia-reperfusion, a common surgical problem.

Ed Weiler becomes NASA's science chief WASHINGTON, May 8 (UPI) -- The U.S. space agency said Ed Weiler, interim chief of its science directorate, has been named the directorate's permanent director.

Platypus genome provides evolution insight BATON ROUGE, La., May 8 (UPI) -- U.S. and British researchers say an analysis of platypus DNA holds potential for advances in human disease prevention.

Men suffer from postpartum depression WASHINGTON, May 8 (UPI) -- A U.S. psychologist said a study of fathers who suffer postpartum depression suggests the condition can hurt child development.

Climate change puts koalas at risk CANBERRA, Australia, May 8 (UPI) -- An Australian scientist contends global warming is putting the country's koala population at serious risk.

Meningitis vaccine boosts immune response HONOLULU, May 8 (UPI) -- Swiss-based Novartis says clinical trials show its new Menveo vaccine is effective in preventing four types of meningitis.

Telescopes search for signals from space MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., May 7 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists, searching for signs of life from faraway planets, are building hundreds of radio telescopes in Northern California, their leader says.

Etruscan tombs uncovered in Italy ROME, May 7 (UPI) -- Italian archaeologists say they've found more than two dozen tombs in the Etruscan burial grounds at Tarquinia north of Rome.

Ottawa student creates 'flu glue' OTTAWA, May 7 (UPI) -- An Ottawa high school student who devised a molecule to which flu viruses adhere Wednesday won a national student biotechnology competition.

UPI NewsTrack Health and Science News WASHINGTON, May 7 (UPI) -- New ESA satellite starts operations … Study: Anesthetics may curb nerve regrowth … MIT building low-cost solar concentrator … New way to heal tracheal injuries created ... Health/Science news from UPI.

Study: U.S. honey bees in dramatic decline STATE COLLEGE, Pa., May 7 (UPI) -- The Apiary Inspectors of America says the United States has seen a dramatic decline in the number of managed honey bee colonies since 1980.

Project seeks to raise diabetes awareness PRINCETON, N.J., May 7 (UPI) -- A coalition of U.S. advocacy and business organizations has announced a project to increase awareness of diabetes risk factors.

New superbug genome sequenced BRISTOL, England, May 7 (UPI) -- British medical scientists announced Wednesday they have sequenced the genome of a newly emerging superbug known as Steno.

Study: Anesthetics may curb nerve regrowth AUSTIN, Texas, May 7 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists using a worm model say they've found nerves can regenerate up to 12 times faster when they are severed without the use of anesthetics.

U.S. plans two large-scale CO2 projects WASHINGTON, May 7 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Energy says it has awarded more than $126.6 million for its fifth and sixth large-scale carbon sequestration projects.

New ESA satellite starts operations PARIS, May 7 (UPI) -- The European Space Agency says its GIOVE-B satellite transmitted its first navigation signals Wednesday.

New way to heal tracheal injuries created CANBERRA, Mass., May 7 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they've created a technique that can heal airway injuries produced by events such as smoke inhalation and long-term intubation.

NASA-TV to televise ISS cargo ship arrival HOUSTON, May 7 (UPI) -- The U.S. space agency says it will televise the arrival of an unpiloted cargo spacecraft when it docks at the International Space Station.

Researchers gather autistic-related DNA MONTREAL, May 7 (UPI) -- Canadian and U.S. scientists say they're creating an autistic DNA database involving cases in which there is only one family member with autism.

MIT building low-cost solar concentrator CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 7 (UPI) -- A team of Massachusetts Institute of Technology students is building a prototype power concentrator with a goal of revolutionizing the solar energy field.

Suicide prevention campaign said effective CLEVELAND, May 7 (UPI) -- U.S. medical researchers said they've determined a suicide-prevention media campaign increased the number of people seeking help for their suicidal crises.

Blount-brand clam chowder is recalled WASHINGTON, May 7 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the voluntary recall of Blount-brand New England clam chowder because of a labeling error.

Younger children develop eating disorders LONDON, May 6 (UPI) -- British officials say an increasing number of children under the age of 10 are being hospitalized with eating disorders and self-inflicted injuries.

Airline carbon emissions on the rise LONDON, May 6 (UPI) -- U.S. and European Union researchers say airline emissions of carbon dioxide are 20 percent higher than previously estimated.

Leaf photo could be world's oldest LONDON, May 6 (UPI) -- A U.S. researcher says a photogenic drawing of a leaf could be the world's oldest photograph.

Report: Medical tourism numbers overstated NEW YORK, May 6 (UPI) -- A U.S. consulting firm says the number of people who travel outside their country for medical treatment is lower than marketers report.