Health & Science

Friday, June 5th 2015 - 06:12 UTC
Flibanserin or “Viagra for women” closer to FDA approval: concern about side effects

A tiny pink pill touted as “Viagra for women” got a reluctant nod from the United States Food and Drug Administration panel, bringing the first medical treatment for female sexual dysfunction one step nearer to coming on the market.
Tuesday, June 2nd 2015 - 06:01 UTC
Canadian tobacco companies ordered to pay 12bn dollars for failing to warn health risks

A Canadian court has ordered three tobacco companies to pay 15.5bn Canadian dollars ($12bn), the largest award for damages in the country's history. The plaintiffs were Quebec smokers who said the firms failed to warn them of health risks associated with smoking.
Friday, May 29th 2015 - 09:22 UTC
WHO calls for action against illicit tobacco trade on World No Tobacco Day

Eliminating the illicit trade in tobacco would generate an annual tax windfall of 31 billion dollars for governments, improve public health, help cut crime and curb an important revenue source for the tobacco industry. Those are the key themes of World No Tobacco Day on May 31 when the World Health Organization will urge Member States to sign the Protocol to Eliminate the Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products.
Friday, May 22nd 2015 - 08:48 UTC
Caribbean epidemiologic alert following reports of Zika virus in Brazil

Following reports of suspected Zika virus in Brazil, the health ministries of several Caribbean countries have issued advisories for the mosquito borne viral disease.On Thursday, the Jamaica Health Ministry issued an epidemiological alert after the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) noted the potential spread of this arbovirus across territories where the vectors (Aedes) are present.
Wednesday, May 20th 2015 - 05:27 UTC
Japanese airbag maker Takata admits defects forcing the recall of 34m vehicles

Japanese airbag maker Takata has said that mechanisms in the airbags of almost 34 million cars are defective. It will lead to the largest recall in US automotive history, affecting models from 11 carmakers. . The number is double previous estimates for faulty air bags from the manufacturer.
Tuesday, May 19th 2015 - 01:53 UTC
Monsanto hits back with global campaign: “food is more than just a meal, it's love”

As the seed and chemical maker Monsanto woos Swiss agrochemicals firm Syngenta, the US company is also is trying to win over consumers in key international markets, rolling out social media and marketing campaigns.
Monday, May 4th 2015 - 14:16 UTC
Avian flu in the US: third state declares state of emergency

State of Iowa Governor Terry Branstad declared a state of emergency due to a rapidly expanding avian flu outbreak, saying the entire state was at risk from the spread of the disease.
Saturday, May 2nd 2015 - 10:46 UTC
“World closer than ever to wipe out polio, but no victory declaration yet”

The world is closer than ever to being able to wipe out polio, international experts said, with zero cases of the crippling disease recorded across all of Africa this year and fewer than 25 globally.
Thursday, April 30th 2015 - 10:08 UTC
Only 34 countries with plans to fight threat of antibiotic resistance, says WHO

Only 34 countries have national plans to fight the global threat of antibiotic resistance, meaning few are prepared to tackle “superbug” infections which put even basic healthcare at risk, the WHO has said. In a survey of government plans to tackle the issue, the World Health Organization said only a quarter of the 133 countries that responded were addressing the problem.
Tuesday, April 28th 2015 - 20:53 UTC
Pepsi changes artificial sweetener over consumer concerns about its safety

A controversial artificial sweetener is being removed from Diet Pepsi in the US amid consumer concerns about its safety. Aspartame-free cans of the drink will go on sale from August in America, but not in Britain. However regulators in the UK and the US insist aspartame is still safe to use in soft drinks.