LS,
RN10 - April 2007
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Overfishing of sharks makes scallops vanish
With most of the great predatory sharks -- bull, great white, dusky and
hammerhead -- gone from northwest Atlantic waters, the rays and skates
the sharks normally feed on had a population explosion. With fewer
sharks around, the species they prey upon -- like cownose rays -- have
increased in numbers, and in turn, hordes of cownose rays dining on bay
scallops have wiped the scallops out.
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=scienceNews&storyid=2007-03-29T225804Z_01_N29193717_RTRUKOC_0_US-SHARKS-OVERFISHING.xml
Risk of Tuna stocks collapse
With a month to go before the start of the 2007 fishing season for
Mediterranean bluefin tuna, WWF is asking the European Union to hold
back half its fishing quota or watch the stock collapse. It also warns
of the danger of removing a top predator from the ocean with unknown
and potentially catastrophic impacts on species lower down the food
chain. Declining populations of bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean
could, for example, lead to a sharp increase in squid, which feed on
sardines.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/03/070330223539.htm
Long-term Aspirin Use Associated With Reduced Risk Of Dying In Women
Women who take low to moderate doses of aspirin have a reduced risk of
death from any cause, and especially heart disease-related deaths,
according to a report in the March 26 issue of Archives of Internal
Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=66239
UK experts demand more research on nanotech risks
Nanotechnology, which involves manipulating materials on an ultra-small
scale, has the potential to make better products in fields from
computing to cosmetics to fuel additives. More research is needed on
the potential health and environmental hazards of nanotechnology to
ensure public confidence in the fast-growing industry, British experts
said.
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=scienceNews&storyid=2007-03-28T192320Z_01_L27242595_RTRUKOC_0_US-NANOTECHNOLOGY-BRITAIN.xml
WHO And UNAIDS Recommend Male Circumcision As A Step Towards HIV
Prevention
In response to the urgent need to reduce the number of new HIV
infections globally, WHO and the UNAIDS Secretariat convened an
international expert consultation to determine whether male
circumcision should be recommended for the prevention of HIV infection.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/03/070328110815.htm
Migratory birds: Innocent scapegoats for the dispersal of the H5N1
virus
Ecologists of the Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat and of the
GEMI-CNRS in the Camargue (France), Michel Gauthier-Clerc, Camille
Lebarbenchon and Frédéric Thomas conclude that human commercial
activities, particularly those associated with poultry, are the major
factors that have determined its global dispersal.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-03/bpl-mbi032307.php
Trans fats linked to greater heart disease risk
Women with the highest levels of trans fat in their blood had triple
the risk of heart disease as those with the lowest levels. The main
source of trans fat in the diet is partially hydrogenated oils that are
plentiful in cookies, crackers, pastries and fried foods.
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=healthNews&storyid=2007-03-26T224622Z_01_FLE675358_RTRUKOC_0_US-TRANS-FATS.xml
http://www.brightsurf.com/news/headlines/29589/Higher_Trans_Fat_Levels_in_Blood_Associated_With_Elevated_Risk_of_Heart_Disease.html
EU drugs panel says Tamiflu benefits outweigh risks
Japanese health officials issued an alert over giving Tamiflu to
teenagers after a series of cases, including teen suicides, fueled
concerns the drug could induce psychiatric symptoms. No definite link
has been established between Tamiflu and the incidents in Japan, Rupp
said, and the warnings do not affect Roche's sales forecast of between
800 million and 1.2 billion Swiss francs ($662 million-$993 million) in
2007.
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=scienceNews&storyid=2007-03-23T152838Z_01_L23482956_RTRUKOC_0_US-TAMIFLU-EU-DRUGS-PANEL.xml
Europe-wide weather alarm system launched
Meteoalarm provides simple icon-based information on severe weather in
17 languages from a single web page, www.meteoalarm.eu. Today our
forecasting is not more than five or seven days, but an experiment
organized by the WMO will extend that to 15 days.
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=scienceNews&storyid=2007-03-23T173005Z_01_L23685617_RTRUKOC_0_US-WEATHER-EUROPE-SYSTEM.xml
Quitting smoking reduces risk of lung cancer mortality by 70 percent
New research from the Asia-Pacific region confirms that cigarette
smoking substantially increases the risk of dying from lung cancer in
both Australia/New Zealand (ANZ) and Asia, and importantly highlights
the continuing popularity of cigarette smoking across large parts of
Asia, including China, where the harmful effects of smoking are still
not widely appreciated.
http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2007/03/24/quitting_smoking_reduces_risk_of_lung_cancer_mortality_by_70_percent.html
WHO trying to get bird flu vaccine agreement
World Health Organization officials said on Tuesday they are
"scurrying" to reach an agreement that ensures developing countries
most at risk from an influenza pandemic will get the vaccines they
need. Indonesia has put the issue on the front burner by saying it will
only share samples of the H5N1 avian influenza virus if it has
guarantees they will not be used to make vaccines that will profit a
company or another country.
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=scienceNews&storyid=2007-03-20T193420Z_01_N20365001_RTRUKOC_0_US-BIRDFLU-AGREEMENT.xml
Video racing games may spur risky driving
Driving actions in these games often include competitive and reckless
driving, speeding and crashing into other cars or pedestrians, or
performing risky stunts with the vehicle. In short, most actions in
racing games imply a very high risk of having an accident or severe
crash in a highly realistic virtual road traffic environment.
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=scienceNews&storyid=2007-03-18T220249Z_01_N18240011_RTRUKOC_0_US-VIDEOGAMES-DRIVING.xml
http://news.scotsman.com/scitech.cfm?id=424212007
Caution urged on climate 'risks'
Two leading UK climate researchers say some of their peers are
"overplaying" the global warming message and risk confusing the public
about the threat.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/6460635.stm
Scientists show that nonfamilial cases of autism may result from
spontaneous genome deletions
The challenge of finding genetic risk factors for autism spectrum
disorders is the diversity of genes that are involved in cellular and
morphological processes responsible for 'normal' human social skills
and behavior.
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa003&articleID=5BC0C40A-E7F2-99DF-3A7012C0EC8C51A6
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/03/070315161043.htm
Soy found protective against localized prostate cancer
The largest study examining the relationship between the traditional
soy-rich Japanese diet and development of prostate cancer in Japanese
men has come to a seemingly contradictory conclusion: intake of
isoflavone chemicals, derived largely from soy foods, decreased the
risk of localized prostate cancer but increased the risk of advanced
prostate cancer.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/03/070315160803.htm
Phthalates now linked to fat, related health risks
Exposure to phthalates, a common chemical found in everything from
plastics to soaps, already has been connected to reproductive problems
and now, for the first time, is linked to abdominal obesity and insulin
resistance in adult males, according to a study by the University of
Rochester Medical Center.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-03/uorm-pnl031407.php
Serious concerns raised over Monsanto GM maize variety
Monsanto's genetically modified maize MON863, authorised for human
consumption since 2006, showed signs of liver and kidney toxicity in a
rat study, raising concerns about its safety.
http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/news/ng.asp?n=74954-monsanto-greenpeace-mon-gm-maize
http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=74954-monsanto-greenpeace-mon-gm-maize
http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/news/ng.asp?n=74981-monsanto-efsa-mon-toxicity-gm
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200703/s1878959.htm
Sleep Disorders Can Impair Children's IQs As Much As Lead
Exposure
UVa researchers have been studying sleep disturbances in children with
enlarged tonsils and adenoids for the past seven years. In a recent
study, they discovered that youngsters who snore nightly scored
significantly lower on vocabulary tests than those who snore less
often. According to Dr. Suratt, the vocabulary differences associated
with nightly snoring are equivalent to the IQ dissimilarities
attributed to lead exposure.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/03/070313144518.htm
Climate change pushes diseases north
Global warming is pushing northwards diseases more commonly found in
developing countries, posing a risk to the financial and physical
health of rich nations. "Following the bluetongue outbreak in Germany,
some meat markets in the country saw an annual drop of up to a third,"
Steve Sloan, chief executive of GALVmed said. "Wait until something
like Rift Valley Fever arrives, that brings death with it as well."
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=scienceNews&storyid=2007-03-09T140706Z_01_L09207874_RTRUKOC_0_US-AFRICA-DISEASE.xml
Regardless Of Global Warming, Rising Carbon Dioxide Levels Threaten
Marine Life
Ocean acidity is rising as sea water absorbs more carbon dioxide
released into the atmosphere from power plants and automobiles. The
higher acidity threatens marine life, including corals and shellfish,
which may become extinct later this century from the chemical effects
of carbon dioxide, even if the planet warms less than expected.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/03/070308220426.htm
Mercury contamination of fish warrants worldwide public warning
The health risks posed by mercury contaminated fish is sufficient to
warrant issuing a worldwide general warning to the public — especially
children and women of childbearing age-to be careful about how much and
which fish they eat. That is one of the key findings comprising "The
Madison Declaration on Mercury Pollution" published today in a special
issue of the international science journal Ambio.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-03/uow-mco030207.php
New Radio Program Examines Wireless Health Risks Recognizing the
Threat of Electromagnetic Radiation
In spite of the well-documented problems of EMF (Electromagnetic Field)
Radiation and its destructive effects on the human body, the use of
wireless networks is growing by leaps and bounds. Many communities are
planning citywide Wi-Fi systems. Sue Storm asks the question we all
need to ask ourselves about this new technology: "Are the consequences
worth the risk?"
http://prweb.com/releases/2007/3/prweb509440.htm
Cell phones unlikely to cause brain cancer
There were no significant associations observed with duration of use,
years since first use, cumulative number of calls, or cumulative hours
of use. No increased glioma risk was observed when analog and digital
phones were analyzed separately. There was, however, a trend toward
increased risk of glioma in people who used a cell phone for more than
10 years exclusively on one side of the head, which was on the same
side as the tumor. The association reached "borderline statistical
significance."
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?alias=cell-phones-unlikely-to-c&chanId=sa003
NASA can't pay for killer asteroid hunt
"NASA officials say the space agency is capable of finding nearly all
the asteroids that might pose a devastating hit to Earth, but there
isn't enough money to pay for the task so it won't get done. 'We know
what to do, we just don't have the money,' said Simon 'Pete' Worden,
director of NASA's Ames Research Center."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17473059/?GT1=9145
Using Lasers to Save Humanity from Asteroids
UAH Laser Science and Engineering Group (LSEG), headed by Dr. Richard
Fork, professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is conducting
research into characterizing and deflecting asteroids that may endanger
Earth.
http://www.redorbit.com/news/space/861755/using_lasers_to_save_humanity_from_asteroids/index.html
Study Raises Doubts About Lung Cancer Screening
Lung cancer screening with CT scans does not appear to save lives, and
it exposes people to serious risks of injury and even death from
needless surgery, researchers are reporting.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/06/science/06cnd-lung.html?ex=1330837200&en=35477d324c50eeea&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland
Borneo yields more than 50 new species
Borneo is under threat from severe deforestation while more than 52 new
species of animals and plants were identified on the island of Borneo
in 2006. The WWF says that these findings further highlight the need to
conserve the habitat and species of the world's third largest island.
http://www.999today.com/scienceandnature/news/story/4002.html
Risk of HIV transmission highest early in infection
Early infection accounted for nearly half of all transmission
occurrences in an HIV-infected population in the province of Quebec,
Canada. Transmission was analysed through phylogenetic analysis,
essentially drawing the virus’s family tree. The technique follows the
history of a virus as it spreads from one person to another by looking
at the evolution of viral genetic material in infected individuals.
http://www.brightsurf.com/news/headlines/29170/Risk_of_HIV_transmission_highest_early_in_infection.html
Corals that can fight global warming may one day help fragile reefs
While humans can survive large temperature fluctuations, such species
as corals are only comfortable within a 12-degree temperature range.
And rising global temperatures appear to be threatening their survival.
Although corals are near the base of the evolutionary tree, they are
complicated animals due to from different levels of symbiosis within a
coral, both with bacteria on the surface and algae in the interior.
Some corals show unusual resilience to the double threat [of pathogens
and warming seas], and we should look to these hardy corals for clues
that might enhance others.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-03/cuns-ctc030207.php
Benefits Of Breast-Feeding Might Outweigh Risk Of Vertical HIV
Transmission In Developing Countries
HIV-negative infants who were breast-fed by HIV-positive mothers from
birth up to age six months had increased rates of severe diarrhea that
resulted in hospitalization or death compared with infants who were
breast-fed for longer than six months.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=64041
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6507309.stm
http://www.brightsurf.com/news/headlines/29638/HIV_study_prompts_call_for_revision_of_breastfeeding_guidelines.html
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/03/070329195658.htm
Doctors Urged To Change The Way They Prescribe Pain Relievers For
Chronic Pain
Many doctors should change the way they prescribe pain relievers for
chronic pain in patients with or at risk for heart disease based on
accumulated evidence that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs), with the exception of aspirin, increase risk for heart attack
and stroke, according to an American Heart Association statement
published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/02/070227105559.htm
Whole-grain Breakfast Cereal Associated With Reduced Heart Failure
Risk
The analysis shows that those who ate a whole-grain breakfast cereal
seven or more times per week were less likely (by 28 percent) to
develop heart failure over the course of the study than those who never
ate such cereal. The risk of heart failure decreased by 22 percent in
those who ate a whole-grain breakfast cereal from two to six times per
week and by 14 percent in those who ate a whole-grain breakfast cereal
up to once per week.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/03/070302171407.htm
Pharmacist-driven Outreach Lowers Metabolic Syndrome Rates
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of cardiovascular disease and diabetes
risk factors including excess waist circumference, high blood pressure,
elevated triglycerides, low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)
and high fasting glucose levels. The presence of three or more of the
factors increases a person's risk of developing diabetes and
cardiovascular disease. Adults who met with pharmacists or pharmacy
students during a community outreach and screening project about
metabolic syndrome, returned four months later with lower risk factors
for heart disease.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/02/070228170434.htm
Sleep Apnea Increasingly Tied to Heart Risks
People with obstructive sleep apnea experience multiple breathing
interruptions while they sleep. This occurs when tissue in the back of
the throat collapses and blocks the airway. There is mounting data
indicating that the condition plays a potentially important, causative
role in cardiovascular disease.
http://health.yahoo.com/news/172656
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/03/070301081838.htm
Single Gene May Defend Bacteria From Antibiotics And Infection
Bacteria have two major enemies: antibiotic drugs and bacteriophage
viruses, which infect and kill them. Certain bacteria have gained a
gene that protects them from both toxic drugs and infectious viruses at
the same time.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/02/070227213956.htm
Experts say further study of past pandemics key to preparedness
Scientists and public health officials, wary that the H5N1 avian
influenza virus could trigger an influenza pandemic, have looked to
past pandemics, including the 1918 Spanish Flu, for insight into
pandemic planning. The studies of the 1918 influenza pandemic, which
killed some 50 to 100 million people around the globe, have so far
raised more questions than they answer.
http://www.brightsurf.com/news/headlines/29070/Review_of_1918_pandemic_flu_studies_offers_more_questions_than_answers.html
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/03/070301082002.htm
compiled by PBP
risk (-at-) sciencemedia.eu