Fifty-one year-old Ramon Sepulveda accomplished his inspirational goal of completing 12 marathons in 12 months when he ran across the finish line at the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon this weekend.

Sepulveda, who seven years ago was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), initially took up running in order to maintain his active lifestyle and fight the effects of the unpredictable disease. He began his seven year-long marathon challenge in order to inspire other MS patients to lead active, fulfilling lives, despite the disease.

Romania and Turkey began the slaughter of thousands of domestic fowl Sunday, as a precaution against the spread of bird flu, after both countries confirm their first cases of the disease over the weekend.

In western Turkey, military police set up roadblocks at the entrance of a village near Balikesir. A two-mile radius was quarantined as veterinarians and other officials began destroying poultry at two turkey farms.

Both Democratic and Republican Senators are accusing the Bush administration of downplaying the health hazards of the toxic conditions left by Hurricane Katrina.

While Environmental Protection Agency officials warn of serious health hazards from bacteria, chemicals and metals in the region's floodwaters and sediment, they haven't weighed-in on New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin's push to reopen the city.

A controversial Swiss clinic, which has helped 453 people die over seven years, has plans to open an office in Britain. According to British newspaper, The Independent, the company Dignitas has begun discussions about setting up a British branch.

The move comes as Britain's most senior church leaders are mounting a concerted campaign to stop politicians from legalizing assisted suicide. Up to 70 peers and Anglican bishops are set to speak in a major debate in the House of Lords tomorrow.

A study released Sunday in the online issue of Nature Genetics reveals that a team of international researchers discover that a specific gene on chromosome 15 regulates inflammation, a finding with implications for a wide range of disorders, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer's, and infections.

"Practically every common disease involves an inflammation component," says John Blangero, Ph.D., a scientist at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research in San Antonio and the paper's senior author.