Adults and children who experience breathing problems, such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath, can find out if asthma is taking their breath away through the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology's (ACAAI) nationwide asthma screening program. During the screenings, which are run by physicians who are asthma specialists, participants will answer a set of questions about themselves and their breathing problems. Asthma attacks often are triggered by allergens such as pollen, dust and animal dander, certain drugs and food additives, viral respiratory infections and physical exertion. Treatment usually includes allergen avoidance along with medications such as corticosteroids and other anti-inflammatories. For a list of asthma screening sites or to take the screening test, visit the ACAAI Web site at http://allergy.mcg.edu.

Novartis to cut price of new malaria drug for Africa

GENEVA — As drug makers come under fire in Africa for the high cost of their AIDS medicines, Swiss company Novartis AG said Thursday it has agreed to slash the price of a new drug against malaria, another disease haunting the continent. ''We'll offer it at a price at which we don't make any profit, but we won't make a loss either,'' said Novartis spokesman Felix Raeber, who added that the cost in the West was in the order of $40 to $50 for a full treatment. Malaria kills 1 million people annually, most of them African children under 5, the World Health Organization says. The disease has become resistant to other treatments in many countries. The drug is sold in some Western countries as Riamet.