And research has shown a link between aspirin use and the disease Reye's syndrome. Children’s doctors say patients up to age nineteen should not take anything containing salicylatic products when sick with high temperatures.

FAITH LAPIDUS: Experts say most people should not take aspirin for disease prevention without first talking to a doctor because there are risks to taking aspirin. Some researchers have even said that some people get little or no protection from aspirin. So research continues on one of the oldest and most widely used drugs in the world.

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BOB DOUGHTY: This SCIENCE IN THE NEWS was written by Jerilyn Watson and Christopher Cruise. Our producer was June Simms. I’m Bob Doughty.

FAITH LAPIDUS: And I'm Faith Lapidus. Join us again next week for more news about science in Special English on the Voice of America.