Doctor's Orders: Mar. 21, 2005

MALARIA'S RISING DEATH TOLL

There were an estimated 515 million cases of the deadliest form of malaria in 2002, according to a new study in Nature--50% more than earlier estimates. Malaria kills at least a million people a year, mostly children.

HIDDEN SECRETS OF TATTOOS

There's more to tattooing than pinpricks. The first detailed analysis of tattoo inks, presented at the American Chemical Society meeting last week, found copper, iron, lead, lithium, chromium and strontium. Rub-ons, anyone?

FIGHT BAD BREATH WITH YOGURT

Plain yogurt can sweeten your breath, according to a study presented to the International Association for Dental Research. Eating yogurt daily for six weeks reduced levels of offensive compounds produced by bacteria in the mouth 80%.