Healthcare

State -- U.S. scientists say they're using songbirds to gain insight into how the human brain functions, which may help treat speech disorders and related diseases.

Minnepolis -- U.S. medical scientists say they've discovered a molecular chemical might help protect the hearts of Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients.

Bethesda -- The National Institutes of Health says it is developing a public database of information about the availability of genetic test providers.

Arlington -- The Infectious Diseases Society of America is urging a global commitment to develop 10 new antibiotics by 2020 as drug-resistant bacteria proliferate.

Philadelphia -- A U.S. oncologist is urging an improvement in technology designed to detect cells that break away from tumors and spread throughout the body.

Washington -- The U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service says some Canadian-produced dried meat products exported into the United States may be contaminated with bacteria.

Ottawa -- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning people not to consume some Frontier-brand seasonings and spices because of possible contamination.

Kathleen Sebelius, the United States Health and Human Services Secretary, said Tuesday that she is pretty sure the House of Representatives will pass health care legislation by this weekend. Sebelius is encouraging senior Americans to call their Congressmen in support health care legislation.

Detriot -- U.S. cardiologists say they have found the drug regadenoson safe and effective for use in heart transplant patients during cardiac nuclear stress tests.

Washington -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Tuesday ordered Glenmark Generics and Konec Inc. to stop marketing unapproved nitroglycerin tablets.