July 18, 2009

Scientists assess flooding and damage from 2008 Myanmar cyclone
Tropical cyclone Nargis made landfall in the Asian nation of Myanmar on May 2, 2008, causing the worst natural disaster in the country's recorded history - with a death toll that may have exceeded 138,000.
Obesity raises risk of complications in pregnancy, study shows
Expectant mothers who are obese are much more likely to suffer from minor complications such as heart burn and chest infections during pregnancy, a study suggests.
Argonne Develops Program for Cyber Security 'Neighborhood Watch'

Obesity Raises Risk Of Complications In Pregnancy, Study Shows

Researchers Help Set Security Standards For The Internet

Bacteria in mother's mouth risk to fetus
Researchers in Cleveland say they're studying ways to stop common bacteria found in a mother's mouth from harming an unborn child. Case Western Reserve University is funding the study with a five-year, $1.85 million grant from the National Institutes of
Q&A: Threatened Species Have Some Friends
Extract not available.

July 17, 2009

Invasive Species Threaten Critical Habitats, Oyster Among Victims
A study of oyster reefs in a once-pristine California coastal estuary found them devastated by invasive Atlantic Coast crabs and snails, providing new evidence of the consequences when human activities move species beyond their natural borders. Led
Five Hypertension Genes Found in Black Americans (HealthDay)
HealthDay - FRIDAY, July 17 (HealthDay News) -- Federal researchers have identified five genetic variants associated with high blood pressure in black Americans that could hopefully become targets for therapy to prevent and treat this major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
Ship helmsman sentenced to 10 months for oil spill (AP)
AP - The helmsman of a cargo ship that set off a major environmental disaster in the San Francisco Bay was sentenced Friday to 10 months in prison.
Wildlife crisis worse than economic crisis ? IUCN
Life on Earth is under a serious threat. World leaders fail to reverse the trend by 2010 despite commitments made in 2002. Yahoo StumbleUpon Google Live Technorati Scoop del.icio.us Digg Sphinn Furl Reddit The latest analysis of the IUCN Red List of
Invasive Species Threaten Critical Habitats
A study of oyster reefs in a once-pristine California coastal estuary found them devastated by invasive Atlantic Coast crabs and snails, providing new evidence of the consequences when human activities move species beyond their natural borders. Led by
Bt brinjal: No outstanding bio-safety issues
Agri-Biz & Commodities- Bio-tech & Genetics Web Extras- Horticulture/Fruits & Vegetables Our Bureau After the fibre crop Bt. Cotton, genetically-engineered food crops look set for more action, with Bt. Brinjal (eggplant) and golden rice
Hardware problem blamed on NASA satellite crash (AP)
AP - A piece of rocket hardware failed to separate during the launch of a NASA climate satellite earlier this year, causing it crash back to Earth, according to an accident summary released Friday.
NASA cites hardware problem in satellite crash
A piece of rocket hardware failed to separate during the launch of a NASA climate satellite earlier this year, causing it crash back to Earth, according to an accident summary released Friday.
Concerns raised as L.A. looks at Google Apps
Security and privacy concerns have been raised over a multimillion-dollar proposal by Los Angeles to tap Google Inc.'s Internet-based services for government e-mail, police records and other confidential data.
Coffee and Health - is it good or bad
Is coffee good or bad for your health? There are some health risks and some health benefits for coffee drinkers.The Harvard Women’s Health Watch in its article weighs the pros and cons of this popular beverage and eases the concerns of moderate coffee drinkers. The conclusion is: if you are the moderate drinker - a few cups a day - coffee is a safe beverage that may even offer some health benefits. Studies show that the risk for type 2 diabetes is lower among regular coffee drinkers, coffee may reduce the risk of developing gallstones, discourage the development of colon cancer, improve cognitive function, reduce the risk of liver damage in people at high risk for liver disease, and reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease.On the other hand coffee does have modest cardiovascular effects such as increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, and occasional irregular heartbeat that should be considered, etc. But, the negative effects of coffee tend to emerge in excessive drinking. So you can enjoy in your coffee, but it is best to avoid heavy consumption. 
Successful New Treatment For Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Reduces Long-term Risks

Circumcising Men With HIV Did Not Protect Women, Trial Stopped Early
Early results of a trial in Uganda showed that circumcising men with HIV did not protect their female partners, and as circumcision does not benefit men who already have HIV the trial was stopped early to avoid further risk to the female participants.
Circumcising Men With HIV Did Not Protect Women, Trial Stopped Early
Early results of a trial in Uganda showed that circumcising men with HIV did not protect their female partners, and as circumcision does not benefit men who already have HIV the trial was stopped early to avoid further risk to the female participants.
Boston Arm Of Multi-City Study To Focus On Sexual Health, HIV Risk Among Black Gay, Bisexual Men
Boston-based Fenway Health and the Multicultural AIDS Coalition "have launched the recruitment phase of a new study aimed at learning more about the sexual health of black gay and bi[sexual] men and finding effective strategies for HIV prevention within the black gay community," Bay Windows reports.
Children Of Undocumented Parents Of Mexican Origin May Be At Higher Developmental Risk

Advances seen in treatment of knee ligament injury
New surgical techniques are helping to improve treatment of a lesser-known type of knee ligament injury, according to a research review.The ligament in question is called the posterior cruciate ligament, or PCL—a band of strong tissue that connects the shinbone to the thighbone and prevents the shinbone from moving too far backward.When it comes to knee injuries, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) gets most of the attention, as ACL tears are far more common. However, the PCL can be torn when a heavy force strikes the front of the knee—if, for instance, the knee hits the dashboard in a car accident, or an athlete falls hard onto a bent knee. 

July 16, 2009

McClancy Seasoning Co. Voluntaritly Recalls Alba Instant Non-Fat Dry Milk Products and Various Alba Snack Shake Mixes Because of the Possible Presence of Salmonella - (US Food & Drug Administration)
McClancy Seasoning Co. announced that it is recalling Alba Instant Non-Fat Dry Milk (25.6 oz), Alba Instant Non-Fat Dry Milk (9.6 oz), Alba Creamy Milk Chocolate Snack Shake Mix (6 oz), Alba Double Fudge Royale Snack Shake Mix (6 oz), Alba Smooth Vanilla Bean Snack Shake Mix (6 oz) and Alba Strawberry Banana Snack Shake Mix (6 oz). These products contain instant non-fat dry milk supplied by Plainview Milk Products Cooperative, which is voluntarily recalling this ingredient because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. For the complete recall notice, please go to http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm171024.htm
Study Demonstrates Benefits of ‘Healthy Kids’ Program
A program that provides health care coverage to uninsured kids saved Los Angeles County health facilities more than $37 million in uncompensated costs over the past three years, according to an analysis led by USC community health expert Michael Cousineau.The findings appear in the July issue of the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice. Using data provided by Los Angeles County, the authors analyzed how the Healthy Kids program has affected use of ambulatory care services in safety net hospitals and health centers over a three-year period.More than 40,000 children in Los Angeles County—many of whom are ineligible for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program or Medicaid due to family income or immigration status—have been enrolled since the program launched in 2003. The Healthy Kids program currently operates in nearly 30 California counties and has linked more than 85,000 children statewide with health insurance coverage.
Kesso Foods, Inc. voluntarily recalls8 oz. and 16 oz. Kesso Foods Low fat All Natural Plain 2% Greek Thick Yogurt Because of The Possible Presence of Salmonella in An Ingredient Obtained from Plainview Milk Products Cooperative - (US Food & Drug Administration)
Kesso Foods, Inc. of East Elmhurst, NY is voluntarily recalling 8 oz. and 16 oz. Kesso Foods Lowfat All Natural Plain 2% Greek Thick Yogurt. The affected product has a “SELL BY” date up to and including August 10, 2009. For the complete recall notice, please go to http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm172433.htm
Alzheimer's Disease: Disclosing Genetic Risk Does Not Cause Psychological Distress
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have shown that disclosing genetic risk information to adult children of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) who request this information does not result in significant short-term psychological distress.
Many People Can Cope With Knowing They Have Alzheimer's Risk
Many people who discover that they have inherited a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's can cope with the news, especially if they receive the it through genetic counseling: they may experience depression or anxiety at first, but it does not last long, according to a new study from the US.
Mayo Clinic Study Finds Earliest Evidence Of Memory Decline In Middle-Aged People At Genetic Risk For Alzheimer's Disease
Memory lapses that occur with normal aging are a source of worry for many who fear Alzheimer's disease. Now a new Mayo Clinic-led study published in the July 16 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that the carriers of a common genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease begin to have memory declines in their mid-50s, far earlier than previously thought.
GM crops risky
Extract not available.

July 15, 2009

Chang Farm Recalls Soy Bean Sprouts Because of Possible Health Risk - (US Food & Drug Administration)
Chang Farm, River Road, Whatley, MA is issuing a voluntary recall of Soy Bean Sprouts produced by Chang Farms, with the specific sell-by date of July 17, 2009 because of the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. For the complete recall notice, please go to http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm172034.htm
Accident prediction models with random corridor parameters