Health & Science

Saturday, August 31st 2013 - 18:54 UTC
Major change in US drugs policy: allows recreational cannabis on a ‘trust but verify’ approach

President Barack Obama's administration ceded ground last week in the US war on drugs, saying it will not dispute the legalization of recreational marijuana in Colorado and Washington states. The decision was swiftly hailed by campaigners for the legalization of a substance that, under federal law, remains a Schedule One controlled substance on a par with heroin.
Thursday, August 29th 2013 - 02:13 UTC
Australia calls on sheep farmers to test rams for ovine brucellosis

Australia Livestock Health and Pest Authorities (LHPA) are encouraging all sheep producers to test their rams for ovine brucellosis, following recent positive tests that the disease might be spreading throughout the country.
Thursday, August 29th 2013 - 02:06 UTC
USDA confirms an outbreak of PEDV in the United States for the first time

The US Department of Agriculture has confirmed that porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV) has been identified in the United States for the first time through testing at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory.
Wednesday, August 28th 2013 - 00:18 UTC
Cuba reports cholera outbreak with 163 cases, mostly in Havana

Cuba has reported a new cholera outbreak with 163 cases, 12 of whom are tourists, though no deaths were mentioned, according to a bulletin from the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO. The update from 23 August is based on information provided by epidemiological authorities on the island.
Monday, August 26th 2013 - 08:25 UTC
Rising sea temperature will reduce krill growth habitat in Antarctica

Antarctic krill are usually less than 6 cm in length, but their size belies the major role they play in sustaining much of the life in the Southern Ocean. They are the primary food source for many species of whales, seals, penguins and fish.
Thursday, August 22nd 2013 - 23:22 UTC
Leaker Manning reveals he is a female and should be addressed as Chelsea

Bradley Manning, sentenced to 35 years in military prison for the biggest breach of classified US documents in US history, said in a statement he is female and wants to live as a woman named Chelsea.
Thursday, August 22nd 2013 - 23:18 UTC
Brazil confirms contract of 4.000 Cuban doctors to work where local professionals don’t want to go

Brazil's foreign minister on Thursday denied that the government's plan to hire 4,000 Cuban doctors to work in isolated areas has any “ideological aspect.” The decision “was taken to improve public services and has no ideological motivation of any kind,” Antonio Patriota told a congressional committee.
Friday, August 9th 2013 - 04:28 UTC
Argentina has begun distributing free a state-produced version of Viagra

Argentina has begun distributing a free state-produced version of the erection-boosting drug Viagra for the first time, in a move intended to curb its misuse, health authorities announced Thursday.
Wednesday, August 7th 2013 - 17:13 UTC
World’s largest dairy producer faces scare over contaminated products with botulism bacteria

New Zealand's government has stepped up efforts to contain the fallout from a scare over contaminated products made by dairy giant Fonterra. Officials have been sent to Fonterra facilities in New Zealand and Australia to oversee the flow of information.
Monday, August 5th 2013 - 20:00 UTC
London witnesses serving and cooking of the world’s first lab-grown beef burger

A corner of west London saw culinary and scientific history made on Monday as scientists cooked and served up the world's first lab-grown beef burger.