WASHINGTON - MORTICIANS who use formaldehyde to embalm bodies have a higher risk of leukemia, researchers reported on Friday.

They found deaths from one particular kind of leukemia, myeloid leukemia, increased the longer the workers were involved with embalming. Their study of more than 400 funeral workers is the first to look carefully at the association, they reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

WASHINGTON - US REGULATORS are reviewing preliminary data suggesting patients taking Abbott Laboratories Inc's weight loss drug Meridia may have a higher risk of cardiovascular problems, the Food and Drug Administration said on Friday.

'The analysis of these data is ongoing and FDA is making no conclusions about the preliminary findings at this time,' the agency said in a statement.

WASHINGTON - US BOOKSTORE giant Barnes & Noble said on Friday it had sold out of its new electronic book reader, the 'Nook', and the next shipments would not be available until after the holidays.

'Nook continues to be the fastest-selling product at Barnes & Noble, and pre-orders have continued to exceed our expectations,' the company said in a statement.