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People on the Atkins diet average the same weight loss after a year as those on other regimens, according to two new studies in the Annals of Internal Medicine. According to researchers' findings, concerns that the Atkins diet raises cholesterol appear to be unfounded -- people in the study had about the same cholesterol levels whether they pursued Atkins or the low-fat regimen. NPR's Richard Knox reports.

Genetic tests can spell out an individual's risk of certain diseases. But when there is no cure, making the decision to learn one's genetic heritage is complex. NPR's Joe Palca talks with a Columbia University scientist about the choice she made when faced with the genetic test for Huntington's disease.

This year has been marked by a series of confrontations around the Eucharist in Catholic churches. In January, the archbishop of St. Louis announced he would deny communion to John Kerry, because of Kerry's support of abortion rights. Earlier this month, a bishop in Colorado said that any Catholic politician who supports abortion rights, stem cell research, euthanasia or same-sex marriage is not eligible to receive communion. And in several U.S. cities this coming Sunday, a group of gay Roman Catholics are planning to stage a protest during Mass. The protesters intend to wear rainbow sashes, opening declaring their sexual orientation. In Chicago, Cardinal Francis George has told priests to deny communion to anyone wearing one of the sashes. Commentator James Martin, a Jesuit priest, says that even the threat of denying communion goes against the meaning of the ritual.

U.S. forces move closer to one of Shiite Islam's most sacred sites, the Imam Ali shrine in the city of Najaf. Militiamen loyal to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr engage in fierce firefights in the vast cemetery surrounding the shrine with U.S. troops backed by tanks. There are reports the shrine may be damaged by the fighting. NPR's Eric Westervelt reports from Baghdad.

Many American officials and foreign policy experts say the United States has no choice but to stay in Iraq until a stable government is in place. They say pulling out too soon could cause a civil war, create a breeding ground for terrorists and damage American credibility. Now some experts across the political spectrum are challenging that view. NPR's Mike Shuster reports.

At a Maryland middle school, 25 children hone their comedy skills for a spring show. The comedy club might provide a blueprint for similar programs at other schools. NPR's Neda Ulaby reports.

Independent groups producing political advertisements hoping to influence the 2004 presidential election are now more prolific than ever. By one count, there have been more than 50 such ads so far, mostly from groups allied to the Democrats including MoveOn.org and The Media Fund. Now GOP-leaning groups are also joining the fray. NPR's John McChesney reports.

In a series of upcoming speeches -- the first scheduled Monday at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pa. -- President Bush will outline his Iraq policy. Washington insiders have their own views about how the president should make his case. NPR's Don Gonyea reports.

In the first of several speeches attacking President Bush's national security policies, Sen. John Kerry accused the president of failing to create an adequate multinational coalition to support efforts in Iraq. But Kerry's criticisms seemed constrained to many, a fact that analysts attribute to Kerry's effort to win swing voters by avoiding a hard-line stance. Hear NPR's David Welna.

The Washington Post reports new pictures and short videos show prisoners being physically and sexually abused at Abu Ghraib last year. According to the paper, sworn statements from detainees describe a range of abuse more brutal than previously reported. Several hundred prisoners at Abu Ghraib were freed Friday. Hear NPR's Eric Westervelt.