Roundup of the Day's Health News

Aug. 28 -- In the medical file today:

Keeping the Beat

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new pacemaker-like system described as the first device designed primarily to fight heart failure. About 650 thousand Americans might benefit from the device. Read more.

Hello Cat, Goodbye Mosquito

Researchers at Iowa State University say that catnip may repel mosquitos even more effectively than it attracts cats. Oil in the catnip plant is apparently ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than the chemical used in many insect repellents. Read more.