Health & Science

Thursday, January 24th 2013 - 07:55 UTC
“Biotic” additives nutritionally feasible as growth promoters in animal husbandry

Research in Brazil has revealed that so-called 'biotic' additives are nutritionally feasible replacements for growth promoters and the animal husbandry indices of animals treated with these additives were similar to those of animals fed the normal rations and the use of additives contributed to improvements in the meat quality.
Wednesday, January 23rd 2013 - 09:27 UTC
Climate change devouring Andean glaciers and source of fresh water for millions

Climate change has shrunk Andean glaciers between 30% and 50% since the 1970s and could melt many of them away altogether in coming years, according to a study published on Tuesday in the journal Cryosphere.
Wednesday, January 23rd 2013 - 09:15 UTC
West Indies doctor appointed new director for WHO Americas Region

The World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board, currently holding its 132nd session in Geneva, has appointed Dr Carissa Etienne as the new Regional Director for WHO's Americas Region (WHO/AMRO), following her nomination by the Regional Committee for the Americas in September 2012.
Wednesday, January 23rd 2013 - 08:10 UTC
FAO and UNEP launch campaign to reduce global food loss and waste

United Nation agencies launched Tuesday a campaign to reduce global food loss and waste, which currently amounts to 1.3 billion tons a year, more than four times what would be needed to solve the world’s hunger crisis.
Friday, January 18th 2013 - 00:20 UTC
Dengue fastest growing tropical disease; represents ‘pandemic threat’, says WHO

Dengue is the world’s fastest-spreading tropical disease and represents a “pandemic threat,” infecting an estimated 50 million people across all continents, the World Health Organization (WHO) said this week.
Tuesday, January 15th 2013 - 22:00 UTC
Cuba admits 51 cholera cases in Havana; travel warnings from UK and US

Cuba's Public Health Ministry on Tuesday acknowledged 51 new cases of cholera in the capital Havana amid growing concerns about the illness' spread and disappointment in the diplomatic community over the government's lack of transparency.
Monday, January 14th 2013 - 06:38 UTC
Major victory for President Morales: UN accepts “coca leaf chewing” in Bolivia

Bolivia will again belong to the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs after its bid to rejoin with a reservation that it does not accept the treaty’s requirement that “coca leaf chewing must be banned” was successful Friday. Opponents needed one-third of the 184 signatory countries to object, but fell far, far short despite objections by the US and the International Narcotics Control Board.
Monday, January 14th 2013 - 06:24 UTC
Flu outbreak forces New York State to declare a public health emergency

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a public health emergency Sunday, giving pharmacists permission to administer flu vaccinations to more people as officials seek to stem the worst flu outbreak in that state in several years.
Wednesday, January 9th 2013 - 18:19 UTC
Paraguay admits defeat to dengue and declares national epidemics alert

The mosquito transmitted dengue disease can’t be eradicated, but only controlled at least this tropical summer admitted Paraguayan health officials after extending the national epidemics alert to the whole territory of the landlocked country.
Tuesday, January 8th 2013 - 20:06 UTC
Top animal health organization calls on countries to lift ban on Brazilian beef

The head of the World Animal Health Organization (OIE) called on countries that are banning Brazilian beef imports, following a case of mad cow disease last month, to lift restrictions as soon as possible, saying they were not justified.