Health & Science

Tuesday, June 7th 2011 - 00:55 UTC
EU aid for farmers hurt by fresh produce slump triggered by E-coli outbreak

European Union farm ministers will try on Tuesday to agree financial aid for fruit and vegetable producers whose sales have been hit by an E.coli outbreak that has so far claimed at least 22 lives in Europe and triggered a scare in fresh produce consumption.
Friday, June 3rd 2011 - 18:01 UTC
Penguins’ winter huddle clusters are all the time on motion to keep warm

The mystery of how penguins stay warm while they huddle has been revealed by an international team of scientists. Emperor penguins survive the tough Antarctic winters by forming tightly packed clusters - but scientists have pondered how penguins on the outside stay as cosy as those in the centre.
Friday, June 3rd 2011 - 17:58 UTC
Deadly new strain of E.Coli has been detected in 12 countries, including US

The deadly new strain of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) (E.coli) that is capable of spreading from person to person has now been detected in at least 12 countries, the World Health Organization said on Friday.
Thursday, June 2nd 2011 - 08:36 UTC
Argentina bans smoking in public places; forbids advertising of tobacco companies

The Argentine Lower House passed a law that bans smoking in public spaces and forbids advertising, promoting and sponsoring tobacco companies and forces manufacturers to include warnings on the back of all cigarette packs detailing the harmful effects of smoking on health.
Wednesday, June 1st 2011 - 10:33 UTC
The unstoppable march of the tobacco giants

By Emily Dugan - The following piece from The Independent on Sunday describes how in spite of the World NO tobacco Day (May 31) the industry ruthlessly exploits the developing world and makes huge profits even when smoking in the richer countries has been falling sustainedly.
Tuesday, May 31st 2011 - 22:51 UTC
WHO scientists suggest cell phones be classified as “possibly carcinogenic”

A working group of 31 scientists from 14 countries meeting at the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) said a review of all the available scientific evidence suggested cell phone use should be classified as “possibly carcinogenic”.
Tuesday, May 31st 2011 - 08:18 UTC
Germany plans to shut all nuclear reactors by 2022 and double renewable energy to 35%

Germany plans to shut all nuclear reactors by 2022, Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling coalition announced Monday, in a policy reversal drawn up in a rush after the Fukushima disaster in Japan.
Tuesday, May 31st 2011 - 07:22 UTC
WHO celebrates NO Tobacco Day and recalls 2003 milestone convention

On World No Tobacco Day (31 May), the World Health Organization (WHO) celebrates the successes of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in the fight against the epidemic of tobacco use. At the same time, WHO recognizes that challenges remain for the public health treaty to reach its full potential as the world's most powerful tobacco control tool.
Monday, May 30th 2011 - 00:41 UTC
“Fish pedicure” in the UK fuels health and animal welfare concerns

One of the fastest-growing beauty treatments in Britain, fish pedicures – during which tiny toothless carp smooth down feet by eating dead skin – has come under new scrutiny from health experts and animal rights campaigners, reports the Sunday UK media.
Friday, May 27th 2011 - 02:00 UTC
OIE declares the world free of rinderpest, one of the deadliest cattle diseases

The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) declared rinderpest, one of the deadliest diseases of cattle and of several other animal species, eradicated from the surface of the earth.