Health & Science
Health & ScienceChinese scientists confirm new bird flu strain jumped from chickens to humans
Chinese scientists have confirmed for the first time that a new strain of bird flu that has killed 23 people in China has been transmitted to humans from chickens. In a study published online in the Lancet medical journal, the scientists echoed previous statements from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Chinese officials that there is as yet no evidence of human-to-human transmission of this virus.
Uruguay GM lambs which have a luminescence reaction when exposed to UV conditions
Uruguay has a ‘flock’ of nine six-month ‘brilliant’ lambs which behave as any other sheep but are really genetically modified and are planned to help with medicine research. They were born in a farm belonging to the Animal Reproduction Institute of Uruguay (Irauy) a non profit organization connected to the Genetically Modified Animals Unit from the Pasteur Institute, a branch in Montevideo of the renowned French scientific organization.
New bird flu strain in China “one of the most lethal” warns WHO
A new bird flu strain that has killed 22 people in China is “one of the most lethal” of its kind and transmits more easily to humans than another strain that has killed hundreds since 2003, a World Health Organization (WHO) expert said on Wednesday.
New strain of bird flu has capacity to mutate rapidly; could become transmissible among humans
The new strain of bird flu that has killed 17 people in China has been circulating widely “under the radar” and has acquired significant genetic diversity that makes it more of a threat, warned scientists.
US researchers develop super powerful micro-batteries
United States researchers claim to have developed the world's most powerful batteries that can jump-start a dead car and recharge your phone in the blink of an eye.
Europe austerity measures are impacting on healthcare and increasing xenophobia
Austerity measures are impacting European Union healthcare services and causing an increase in xenophobia, warn the humanitarian group Doctors of the World this week highlighting Spain as a potential hotspot.
Bishop from Thatcher’s birthplace warns about the cost of the funeral, ‘a mistake’
The Bishop of Grantham has spoken out about the scale and cost of Margaret Thatcher's funeral. The Rt Rev Tim Ellis, from Baroness Thatcher's birthplace in Lincolnshire, has called the millions likely to be spent a “mistake”.
Bird flu reaches Beijing; first case outside east China which has reported 51 infections
Chinese capital Beijing reported on Saturday its first case of a new strain of bird flu, state news agency Xinhua said, the first time it has been found in a human outside of eastern China.
US report shows more E.coli in urban waterways runoff areas than from animal production facilities
Studies by the United States Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientist Mark Ibekwe suggest that in some parts of California, pathogens in local waterways are more often carried there via runoff from urban areas, not from animal production facilities
One in three adults in the Americas suffers from high blood pressure, says PAHO
At least one in three adults in the Americas has high blood pressure, or hypertension, the number-one risk factor cardiovascular disease and death throughout the world. Hypertension is believed to affect nearly 1 billion people worldwide.
