CHICAGO (Reuters) - A slight difference in a person’s genetic code could determine whether they respond to a grueling round of treatment for hepatitis C infection or not, U.S. researchers said on Sunday.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - AstroTurf LLC, a leading maker of artificial grass for athletic fields, has agreed to a stringent new lead-safety standard in California that virtually eliminates traces of the hazardous metal from its products.

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Liver transplantation “holds increased risk” in adults who are very thin or very obese before surgery, research shows.

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Just weeks after quitting smoking, women show major reductions in several markers of inflammation associated with heart disease risk, new research shows.

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Chronic exposure to outdoor air pollution seems to reduce lung function in otherwise healthy adults, a study suggests.

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The number of Americans hospitalized for osteoporosis-related fractures and other injuries has climbed 55 percent since 1995, a U.S. government report finds.

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Older adults in developing countries who regularly eat fish seem to have a lower risk of dementia, a new study suggests.

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Most generally healthy adults starting an exercise program do not need to see their doctor first, researchers say.

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Two existing drugs used to treat osteoporosis may be effective in killing influenza viruses, including the new H1N1 swine flu and the H5N1 bird flu viruses, researchers in Hong Kong have found.

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - As much of the most vocal debate over the U.S. health reform bill focuses on non-existent “death panels,” a new study suggests that many people in charge of making decisions for incapacitated, very sick people are usually not convinced by what doctors say anyway.