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Osteoporosis is fast becoming one of the nation's leading health care problems. NPR's Alison Richards has part two of her series on the disease. She reports on two things that could prevent osteoporosis: increasing calcium intake and increasing vigorous exercise. The calcium issue is tricky, because our bodies are programmed to absorb only a small amount of the calcium we take in. And our more sedentary lifestyles make it hard to get all the weight-bearing exercise we need.

NPR's Gerry Hadden reports traditional Indian medicine men in the southern state of Chiapas, Mexico, are trying to stop transnational companies from what they call bio-piracy -- making off with medicinal plants from the region and then taking out patents for any pharmaceutical potential. The Mayans say that such drug prospecting does not benefit Indian communities. The companies and some scientists say they stand to lose billions of dollars and perhaps the chance to cure deadly diseases.

NPR's Chris Arnold reports on some entrepreneurs who expect major innovations in the way electricity is generated. One venture capital firm, Nth Power, is investing in new technologies that may produce more efficient, cleaner energy. Founders Maurice Gunderson and Nancy Floyd believe that deregulation of electrical utilities has great potential for everything from hydrogen fuel cells, to natural gas refrigerators that can cool food and heat houses at the same time.

NPR's John Nielsen reports on the man believed to be the mastermind behind one of the world's largest animal smuggling rings: Anson Wong. Wong was indicted in 1996 after he supplied undercover agents with hundreds of black market reptiles, including Komodo Dragons. He was arrested two years ago in Mexico, and now is in U.S. custody.

Steve Tripoli of member station WBUR reports on the introduction of car sharing programs in Boston and other cities around the country. In Cambridge, Massachusetts, for example, customers pay a yearly fee and hourly and mileage charges. In return, they get access to "common cars" when they need them. Car sharing companies have also been started in San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, and Chicago, and more are likely, if the concept becomes profitable. So far, it isn't.

NPR's Kathleen Schalch reports the U-S has announced that it ready to resume normal trade with Vietnam. The two countries almost had an agreement a year ago, but the Vietnamese government balked at the fine print. This time, the former combatants appear ready to do business. The motivation for the two sides? US investment in Vietnam lags far behind European countries and Japan. Despite tentative steps to open up to the world, Vietnam remains a very poor country.

NPR's Adam Hochberg reports from Perquimans County, North Carolina, a rural area that's trying to stimulate its economy by attracting retiring Baby Boomers. Studies show that a retiree can bring as much money to a local economy as three factory jobs. But some experts warn that while the senior dollar may provide short term economic help, as retirees age, they can become more of a burden than a boon.

Nick Wood reports from the town of Mitrovica in northern Kosovo, that NATO-led peacekeepers seized control of the dilapidated Trepca mining complex today, prompting angry protests from local Serbs. The United Nations administration in the province said it was closing the mines as a health measure, because the Trepca smelters were spewing out toxic fumes. The head of the UN administration, Bernard Kouchner, said an international consortium plans to renovate the mines and eventually reopen the facility.

Phil Ittner reports from Moscow that the Russian navy is frantically trying to save more than 100 sailors trapped on board a submarine lying on the bottom of the Barents Sea in Russia's arctic north. The boat fell 480 feet to the sea floor Sunday, during naval exercises. A spokesman for the Russian navy's general staff said the accident could have been caused by a collision with a foreign submarine, although he gave no evidence for this.

NPR's Mike Shuster reports from Arusha, Tanzania, that President Clinton has arrived there to lend American support to efforts to end Burundi's civil war. He met with former South African President Nelson Mandela, who has been trying to broker a Burundi peace, as well as with Burundi leaders. But five hard-line Tutsi groups boycotted the accord between Hutus and Tutsis that Clinton saw signed today.