The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill authorizing $48 billion over the next five years to help treat and prevent AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria around the world. The measure, which will triple funding for these three diseases, is now sent to President George W. Bush, who is expected to sign it into law.

The amount authorized for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the successful U.S. global AIDS program, is $18 billion more than what Bush had requested. It would replace and expand the current $15 billion program started by the President in 2003. That act expires at the end of September

The U.S. Senate passed a crucial bill on Wednesday that will triple funding for AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria around the world. Backed by President Bush, the plan received a 80-to-16 vote to authorize $48 billion over the next five years.

The amount authorized is $18 billion more than what Bush had requested. It would replace and expand the current $15 billion program started by the President in 2003. That act expires at the end of September

A study by the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research released Tuesday said keeping a daily food diary helped overweight people lose weight twice as much as those who did not keep a record of what they ate.

According to Victor Stevens, senior investigator at Kaiser, the food diary provides the dieter an awareness of what he is taking in, which could track the source of extra calories

McDonalds has been a favorite whipping boy of health buffs and nutrition experts, with its French fries and Quarterpounders being blamed for obesity among Americans. A Virginia man, however, credits the fastfood outlet for his losing about 80 pounds.

But Chris Coleson, who was 278 pounds in December, did not gorge on McDonald's fattening offers. Rather, he feasted on the hamburger chain's healthy menu such as salads, wraps and apple dippers, less the caramel sauce

A University of Adelaide researcher is embarking on a project that could help solve iron deficiency-the world's biggest nutritional deficiency problem.

According to a statement from the university, Dr. Alex Johnson has been awarded funds to work with the Bill Gates-funded HarvestPlus Challenge program. His research looks to increase the iron content in rice and other grains