Japanese women are getting skinnier, particularly women in their 20s: As the U.S. obesity rate rises, Japanese women are thinner than ever. Public health experts say they are too skinny, slowing their rates of metabolism, lowering birth weights and experiencing higher death rates. l Washington Post

Nearly one-third of deliveries are Caesarean-sections: The rate for C-sections has been rising for the past 11 years.  The surgery adds risk, recovery time and expense to births. l New York Times

The American public trusts doctors, hospitals and health policy researchers to reform health system: Republican leaders are only marginally more trusted than pharmaceutical firms. The Democrats don't fare much better. l USA Today

Food additive may be contaminated with salmonella: The FDA is recalling 30 different food products because of concerns over hydrolyzed vegetable protein, or HVP. l Wall Street Journal

Errors in report slows progress of climate bill: The U.N. report contained errors in the calculation of the impact of climate change. Public support for legislation is declining. l Boston Globe

Monsanto's genetically-modified cotton isn't warding off pests: The pink bollworm is killing engineered cotton in India, much to the concern of the company. l STLtoday.com

Bacteria in digestive tract linked to cancer, diabetes and other diseases: Mapping the genes of the bacteria and then attacking the bacteria may lead to cures. l Reuters

NASA working on plan to retain pieces of the space exploration program: At the urging of some Congressional members, the space agency is developing an alternative budget. l Wall Street Journal