Japan's agriculture ministry on Monday is encouraging agricultural cooperatives and affiliated organizations to hasten the development of healthier food products.

Among the health products the ministry is promoting are tomatoes with higher than normal lycopene, a carotenoid that is believed to be a potent antioxidant and another is a giant rice germ that is rich in gamma aminobutyric acid, or GABA, which is said to help lower blood pressure.

Researchers have found a small synthetic compound that causes the self-destruction of cancer cells. The finding offers promise to effective anti-cancer treatment in the future.

Living cells contain a protein known as procaspase-3. When it is activated, the protein changes into the executioner enzyme caspase-3 and promotes programmed cell death, referred to as apoptosis.

According to a recent report by the Associated Press, several incidences have occurred in which swimmers have developed skin rashes after visiting several of the most famous natural springs across the state of Florida. State health officials plan to begin an investigation to determine the cause.

A Florida State Department of Health official declared that he believes these rashes have occurred because of a type of algae (Lyngbya wollei) that gains strength from pollution.

The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare of India, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss said, "Under the National AIDS Control program, Third Phase, a high intensity program has been launched with a total outlay of over [$258m], which will be spent in the next five years in HIV/AIDS control and management. Eighty percent of these funds will be used towards prevention."

In order to prevent discrimination against persons with AIDS, in having access to schools and hospitals, the federal government plans to introduce laws against stigma and discrimination surrounding AIDS.

Researchers at the University of Glasgow are investigating if a pint of cider could keep the doctor away.

English cider apples are known to have a high quantity of phenolics - antioxidants that are associated with prevention of stroke, heart disease and cancer. Researchers are now looking into whether these same benefits could be observed in cider drinkers.