A Food and Drug Administration advisory committee on Tuesday declined to recommend a drug intended to treat prostate cancer, after a report questioned its safety and effectiveness.

Abbott Laboratories presented Atrasentan, shelved under the name Xinlay, as a treatment for men with an advanced stage of prostate cancer that spreads to the bone. The FDA's Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee, however, voted unanimously against its recommendation.

A study from the American Cancer Society reveals improved treatments for chronic illnesses like heart disease and cancer have resulted in a drop in the U.S. death rate since 1970. But Americans today face increasing threats from obesity and smoking.

An analysis of annual U.S. mortality rates found deaths from all causes declined 32 percent from 1,242 deaths per 100,000 in 1970 to 845 per 100,000 people in 2002.

New research shows men who consume 35 or more alcoholic drinks per week are 45 percent more likely to experience atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm problem, than those who consume less than one drink per week.

Researchers say the same is probably true in women, but no firm conclusions could be reached because there weren't enough women classified as heavy drinkers in the study.

Al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden is reportedly in poor health and is seeking medical attention, says a U.S. officer in Afghanistan.

"Osama bin Laden is trying to obtain medical attention," Colonel Don McGraw, director of operations at the Combined Forces Command in Kabul, tells a group of reporters.

FEMA releases the official death toll for New Orleans as of Tuesday, bringing the reality home that the job of recovering bodies has just begun.

The count climbed to over 423, up drastically in 24-hours.