National and International News
Transplant hospital celebrates milestone - Daily Mail 10/07/05
A leading transplant hospital has celebrated a major milestone, as the number of people saved by its pioneering work reached over 1,000.
Zimbabwean hunger striker 'unwell' - Daily Mail 10/07/05
A Zimbabwean hunger striker has been taken to hospital in a "very serious condition" after refusing food for more than 36 days, a doctor has said.
Hospitals treating blast victims - BBC Health News 10/07/05
Sixty-five people remain in hospitals after the bombings in London, many having had operations after losing limbs, and suffering burns.
Euthanasia 'motivated by cost' - Manchester Evening News 10/07/05
The Archbishop of Canterbury said he fears moves towards legalising voluntary euthanasia were being motivated by the need for cost-cutting in healthcare.
Now we need to find some answers - The Observer 10/07/05
Was the attack a failure of intelligence? In the strict sense of the word, yes. The aim of intelligence work is to prevent bomb attacks. The British services therefore failed. However, unless evidence of a clear misjudgment or error comes to light over the coming weeks, it is difficult to allege incompetence. Gathering intelligence is an inexact science that can only mitigate a threat, not eradicate it. Senior police officers and security service chiefs have always made this clear to politicians and the public.
Fight the flight - The Observer 10/07/05
Many supermarkets sell organic food flown in from overseas, but the best way to eat ethically is to buy local produce. Lucy Siegle stays close to home
Brain gains - The Observer 10/07/05
It's never too early to reel in the benefits of a diet rich in oily fish. Dr John Briffa explains how pregnant mums can give their unborn babies a head start
Superbug victim's family slam Blair - The Observer 10/07/05
When Ruth Wollacott met Tony Blair shortly before the general election, she was surprised to find that he was not the character she had imagined. He was neither smarmy nor false, and seemed genuinely concerned that her son had caught MRSA and nearly died at the age of 19.
Morning-after pill 'did not fuel a sex explosion' - The Observer 10/07/05
The decision to make the morning-after pill more easily available has not led to the feared increase in unsafe sex, research has found.
Hip, cool and cold - The Observer 10/07/05
Raw food, this season's hot chef and the return of teatime. Mimi Spencer reveals the new culinary trends of summer
What's in your basket? - The Observer 10/07/05
TV Pop Idol's Simon Cowell - the Californian lifestyle is all very well, but Dr John Briffa takes grave issue with scones, jam, Coke and Curly Wurlys
If MSG is so bad for you, why doesn't everyone in Asia have a headache? - The Observer 10/07/05
In the port city of Yokohama, south of Tokyo, there is a museum devoted entirely to noodle soup. It may be Japan's favourite foodie day out: one and a half million ramen fans visit the museum every year, and even on the wintry morning that I went the queue wound 50 yards down the street - young couples, mainly: cold, hungry and excited.
Summer daycare can cost 1,620 a child - The Independent 10/07/05
The cost of looking after a child during the six-week school summer break could be as much as 1,620, according to new research.
Brain reprogramming to 'cure' addicts - The Independent 10/07/05
The brains of drug users and alcoholics should be "reprogrammed" to cure them of their addictions, according to leading scientists.
Working women more likely to seek divorce - The Independent 10/07/05
They are powerful and influential in the workplace, so they are not going to take any nonsense at home. Working women are more than three times more likely to be divorced than their stay-at-home counterparts, research published this week reveals.
Doctors and nurses work around clock to save lives - The Independent 10/07/05
Exhausted hospital staff spoke last night about the harrowing job of treating the hundreds of casualties from Thursday's terrorist attacks in central London.
Early caesareans linked to baby breathing illness - The Sunday Times 10/07/05
PREGNANT women who choose to have early elective caesarean sections are placing their babies at risk of developing respiratory illness, a new study has found.
Clare doctor in new drug charges - The Sunday Times 10/07/05
PASCHAL CARMODY, the Clare doctor who was struck off the medical register for professional misconduct, is being prosecuted by the country’s medical watchdog for a second time.
Overuse of antibiotics by doctors 'is health risk' - The Sunday Times 10/07/05
IRISH doctors are being urged to reduce the amount of antibiotics they prescribe after a European survey found that they were being overused.
Girls take to surgery so they can face university - The Sunday Times 10/07/05
STUDENTS are resorting to breast surgery before starting university because they fear they will otherwise lack the confidence to meet new friends and succeed in their studies.
Synod prays after rejecting bill - Daily Mail 10/07/05
Members of the ruling body of the Church of England are to worship together at York Minster after a massive vote against a bill that would legalise voluntary euthanasia.
Smoking ban 'could boost pub trade - Daily Mail 10/07/05
No-smoking laws could boost pub trade, according to a survey which shows two thirds of people support a ban.
Call for free water for travellers - Daily Mail 10/07/05
Thirsty rail and air passengers should be given free cool water instead of being forced to buy expensive bottled supplies, a leading industry watchdog has said.
Red may trigger strawberry allergy - Daily Mail 10/07/05
Strawberries may be safer to eat for allergy sufferers if they were not red, scientists have revealed.
80 still in hospital but services begin to return to normal - The Guardian 09/07/05
Doctors operate through the night as authorities praise the efforts and teamwork of everyone involved in care
'My feet were black. Nicotine seemed to be coming out of every pore in my body' - The Telegraph 10/07/05
As the electrodes were attached to my forehead, I began to think that of all my attempts to quit smoking, this had to be the most ludicrous.
Cheers for the Queen at hospital that bore the brunt - The Telegraph 09/07/05
She arrived dressed in a lilac pink coat and white gloves, but the pastel shades were in stark contrast to the hard-edged message of defiance the Queen delivered to the terrorists yesterday.
Survey dismisses morning-after pill fears - The Telegraph 09/07/05
Unsafe sex has not increased since the morning-after pill was made available over the counter, researchers said yesterday.
Shipman: Sixth GP cleared - Daily Mail 08/07/05
A sixth doctor who signed cremation forms for serial killer Harold Shipman was cleared of professional misconduct.
Viagra 'can make you go blind' - Daily Mail 08/07/05
The US government warned that the anti-impotence drug Viagra could make you go blind.
Expert warns of 'mental wounds' - Daily Mail 08/07/05
The psychological wounds caused by the London bombs could affect the survivors long after their physical injuries have healed, a leading stress expert warned.
NHS heroes praised for response - Daily Mail 08/07/05
Tributes have been paid to the life-saving work of hospital staff who treated the casualties from London's terror attacks.
London blasts: The psychological effects - Daily Mail 08/07/05
People will be left with the feeling that "nowhere is safe" after Thursday's explosions in London, a psychologist said.
Baby joy for fertility expert - Daily Mail 08/07/05
A woman who has dedicated her life to helping couples have children proudly shows off her own wonder baby after undergoing treatment to make her "allergic" to her husband.
Dozens fight for lives in hospital - Daily Mail 08/07/05
Dozens of people were still battling for their lives in London's hospitals following the terror attacks which ripped through the heart of the capital on Thursday.
Charles hails British resilience - Daily Mail 08/07/05
The Prince of Wales has paid tribute to the "resilience of the British people" after the London terrorist attacks.
Queen issues defiant message - Daily Mail 08/07/05
The Queen gave a defiant message to the terrorists behind the London bombings: "They will not change our way of life."
Nasal surgery hope for migraine - BBC Health News 09/07/05
Nasal surgery might help alleviate severe migraine headaches for some patients, research suggests.
Test spots aggressive birthmarks - BBC Health News 09/07/05
A simple urine test may determine whether a birthmark is likely to develop into a threat to health.
Blast victims face more surgery - BBC Health News 09/07/05
Some of the blast casualties are expected to undergo more surgery over the weekend, doctors say.
Sixth doctor cleared over Shipman - BBC Health News 08/07/05
A sixth doctor who signed cremation forms for serial killer Harold Shipman in Greater Manchester has been cleared of professional misconduct.
Health problems for flood victims - BBC Health News 08/07/05
Many victims of the January floods which struck Carlisle are suffering health problem such as depression, a BBC survey has revealed.
Visa granted to boy without limbs - BBC Health News 08/07/05
A Tyneside-born charity worker has won a battle to get UK treatment for an African boy born without limbs.
Hewitt's 'bastard' rage - The Sun 09/07/05
HEALTH Secretary Patricia Hewitt yesterday branded the bombers "bastards".
Work in progress - The Guardian 09/07/05
Occupational psychologist Pearn Kandola is hosting a one-day conference aimed at human resources professionals seeking to promote diversity in their organisations. Baroness Usha Prashar will deliver the keynote address. Other speakers include Sarah Churchman of PricewaterhouseCoopers and Terry Day of London Underground. Gary Bowker from Income Data Services will provide an update on changes to the discrimination law.
Moral ties attached to US Aids cash - The Guardian 09/07/05
American aid agencies expressed concern yesterday over new rules imposed by the Bush administration making funding for the fight against Aids dependent on a pledge to combat prostitution.
Praise for hospital staff - The Guardian 09/07/05
Prince Charles spoke in admiration yesterday of the "extraordinary resilience" of the British people as he and Camilla met some of the injured in hospital.
Natural health therapist Emma Mitchell answers your questions - The Guardian 09/07/05
I'm 27, and for as long as I can remember I've had problems with my sinuses, ear infections, colds, itchy burning mouth, running nose, itchy ears. Am I allergic to something ?
Bed sharing raises risk of cot death - The Guardian 09/07/05
Sharing a bed with a very young baby significantly increases the risk of cot death, a study confirmed yesterday.
80 still in hospital but services begin to return to normal - The Guardian 09/07/05
Doctors operate through the night as authorities praise the efforts and teamwork of everyone involved in care
Next 48 hours are critical in battle to save lives - The Independent 09/07/05
Hospitals worked round the clock to save the most severely injured victims - and specialists said that the next 48 hours would be crucial.
Injuries will test surgeons to the limit - The Independent 09/07/05
The injuries caused by the blasts will tax the skills of the medical staff caring for the victims to the limit. Over the next couple of days the survival of the most badly hurt will hang in the balance.
St Mary's staff battle against exhaustion to treat victims - The Independent 09/07/05
Doctors at St Mary's Hospital were fighting exhaustion yesterday as they treated patients of the explosion at nearby Edgware Road Tube station.
Family jailed for torture of a girl they called Devil - The Times 09/07/05
THREE people who tortured an eight-year-old girl they accused of being a witch have been jailed at the Old Bailey.
Robot's roving hand - The Times 09/07/05
Breakthroughs, tips and trends ROBOTIC hands could soon be feeling women's breasts from the other side of the world. It's not a bizarre cybersexual fantasy but a new way to deliver expert cancer examinations.
Need to know - The Times 09/07/05
Claim The world is being taken over by left-handers. What you should know The Russian biological sciences doctor, Alexander Dubov, says that twice the proportion of left-handed babies are being born than a decade ago. (It's in Pravda, so it must be true.) He says that this is a good thing because the IQs of left-handers tend to be higher and, he argues, left-handed people are also significantly more likely to have extra-sensory powers.
Terror on the home front - The Times 09/07/05
Many children will be confused and frightened about the London bombings this week - what can parents say to reassure them?
A lack of chemistry - The Times 09/07/05
How do you know the tablets you take are real? Vivienne Parry reports on the counterfeit boom
Dr Copperfield: inside the mind of a GP - The Times 09/07/05
Virtual doc no match for personal touch "And so, ladies and gentlemen, in conclusion I'd like to say that patients need doctors mainly because we are able to provide them with a diagnosis of their condition. When they have one of those, the rest is easy."
Junk medicine: Mums need more bottle - The Times 09/07/05
My birth plan comprised one word, green-inked in large capitals: EPIDURAL. I've no interest in pain martyrdom and no hang-ups about Caesareans either. If an obstetrician decides to slice your abdomen open, isn't it more reasonable to suppose it's for your or your child's benefit than because he secretly fancies himself as Sweeney Todd's spiritual heir?
The bare essentials - The Times 09/07/05
Thousands will strip off for photographer Spencer Tunick, next Sunday. It helps them to feel better about their bodies, he tells Sharon Krum
Inside story: serious head injury: I'm a different person now - The Times 09/07/05
Brain damage from a car crash changed one woman's life - and personality, she tells Celia Brayfield
Do spas bully your body ... or heal your soul? - The Times 09/07/05
Money down the drain, says Hannah Betts; a slice of heaven, argues Julie Myerson. Two Body&Soul writers clash over splashing out - while you can have your say and win a pampering weekend
What makes a spa special? - The Times 09/07/05
So you've decided to ignore the argument that a pampering session is little more than a quick way to lose money and dignity - then what next? For first-time spa-goers it can be hard to know what to look for from the experience but here are a few pointers.
Single state of mind - The Times 09/07/05
Why are more of us ending up on our own? It could simply be because we've forgotten how to date, says Andrew G. Marshall
Agony aunt: Irma Kurtz: he's a fertility fascist - The Times 09/07/05
My husband and I have been married for eight years. We do not have a child as he didn't want one. Three months ago he announced that he wants a child before it is too late for him and, as I have passed my childbearing years, he wants a divorce. He is now trying to find someone to have children with. Separation and divorce is inevitable and he is putting the house on the market. Although I underdstand his motivation I have been in shock. Nothing can stop this.
Bodylicious: men's moisturisers - The Times 09/07/05
Henry Farrar-Hockley, the grooming editor of the men's magazine Esquire, picks the best moisturisers for men
Lunchtime fix: pampering pedicure - The Times 09/07/05
Attractive feet are a prerequisite of summer, particularly if you intend to show them off in flip-flops and sandals. But it's amazing how many of us think that we can get away with just a quick lick of nail polish and a buff with a nail brush. To make sure that you're putting your best foot forward - and for those more embarrassing problems such as calloused soles and crusty toes - Scholl is offering a Relaxing Chiropody Treatment in all its high street stores.
Sex matters with Dr Thomas Stuttaford and Suzi Godson - The Times 09/07/05
I'm a shy 21-year-old male student and I've never had a relationship; I'm afraid of sex. I'm not scared of commitment but of the consequences of sex. Help!
Over the counter: antihistamines - The Times 09/07/05
Brands Piriton, Clarityn, Zirtek.
These noises are a real pain - The Times 09/07/05
Dr Jane Collins, the Times paediatric consultant, answers readers questions My ten-year-old daughter has, for the past few years, complained of hearing noises in her head at the same time as having a severe headache. She finds this deeply disturbing. The GP referred her for hearing tests (her hearing is fine) and then to the social work department of a children's hospital as the GP is sure that it is psychological. My daughter has twice been to talk to the community psychiatric nurse and does not want to go back. But the problem appears to be getting worse. Any advice?
Busy doing nothing - The Times 09/07/05
Foxes and floods upset a rural idyll for idler Tom Hodgkinson. But the stress of putting down new roots also made him fit
Green's the new read - The Times 09/07/05
I'm a Vogue-loving fashion victim with a guilty conscience and I'd like to be more environmentally responsible. Should I cancel my subscription?
Home remedies: vinegar for sunburn - The Times 09/07/05
Our recent feature on home remedies struck a chord with our readers, with many of you sending in your favourites. Here, Gilli Stephens recommends lying in a bath of water with vinegar in it, for about 15 minutes, to relieve the heat and redness of sunburn.
Salad days: Peter Gordon recipes - The Times 09/07/05
CHICKEN, PRAWN AND MANGO SALAD Serves 4 1 large chicken, cooked 2 avocados 1 large mango 12-20 prawns (depending on size), peeled and cooked Large handful of pecan nuts, toasted 3 baby gem lettuces, leaves separated Bunch of watercress, thicker stems removed 2 tbsp lemon juice or cider vinegar 3 tbsp avocado oil Salt and freshly ground black pepper Handful of sprouts (mung bean or mustard cress)
The world on his plate - The Times 09/07/05
New Zealand chef Peter Gordon doesn't work out or do yoga. Instead, inspired by exotic cuisines - and his granny - he believes that good food is the way to good health
How to cheat at eating: quiche - The Times 09/07/05
Woulda ... TESCO FINEST QUICHE LORRAINE Fat 25.1g per 100g Salt 1g Price £1.99 per 400g quiche Verdict This is delicious with a really luxurious taste. Butter-enriched shortcrust pastry accounts for a third of the ingredients, while whipping cream makes up a further 24 per cent and bacon 18 per cent. Sadly, like all three varieties, it includes hydrogenated vegetable oil. It's definitely not a good choice if you're watching your waistline or your heart health, but it is the tastiest of the three. 330 calories per 100g
At your table: broad beans - The Times 09/07/05
Green, lean, fat-fighting machines There's something wonderful about running your thumb inside a silky, soft, fresh broad bean pod and collecting the really young, bright green beans. Nibble them on their own, just steamed for a couple of minutes and drizzled with a little olive oil and lemon juice, or add them to a light risotto with a little pancetta.
Get fresh: seasonal shopping list - The Times 09/07/05
Strawberries like bullets; peaches you break your teeth on - we're all familiar with fruit and veg which look perfect but have no flavour and are the texture of granite. It needn't be that way. Our new column, compiled by Rita Exner of the National Farmers' Retail and Markets Association (Farma), will help you to navigate the supermarket aisles and choose produce that tastes as good as it looks.
Slim chance of success - The Times 09/07/05
The urge to lose flab fast before appearing in a bikini can be overwhelming. But a crash course in the gym is a mistake, say fitness experts. Michele Kirsch discovers why quick fixes never work out
Breathing space: kites - The Times 09/07/05
Untangle your strings and reach for the sky Whether a total novice or a seasoned pro, kiting is a brilliant way to get out and about with all the family. Andy King, co-owner of the Kite Store, Europe's oldest kite shop, in Covent Garden, has chosen the best places to fly a kite.
Not just anybody: Sarah Wildor, 33 - The Times 09/07/05
How the fit and fabulous stay that way. Dancer Sarah Wildor stays on her toes with scalding hot baths and relaxes with a glass of red
Brazil to break Aids drug patent - The Times 09/07/05
BRAZIL is set to become the first country to break the patent on an anti-Aids drug in a move that is being watched in other developing nations tackling the medical condition and which could spark a trade war with the United States.
Cheers for the Queen at hospital that bore the brunt - The Telegraph 09/07/05
She arrived dressed in a lilac pink coat and white gloves, but the pastel shades were in stark contrast to the hard-edged message of defiance the Queen delivered to the terrorists yesterday.
Survey dismisses morning-after pill fears - The Telegraph 09/07/05
Unsafe sex has not increased since the morning-after pill was made available over the counter, researchers said yesterday.
Shipman: Sixth GP cleared - Daily Mail 08/07/05
A sixth doctor who signed cremation forms for serial killer Harold Shipman was cleared of professional misconduct.
Viagra 'can make you go blind' - Daily Mail 08/07/05
The US government warned that the anti-impotence drug Viagra could make you go blind.
Expert warns of 'mental wounds' - Daily Mail 08/07/05
The psychological wounds caused by the London bombs could affect the survivors long after their physical injuries have healed, a leading stress expert warned.
NHS heroes praised for response - Daily Mail 08/07/05
Tributes have been paid to the life-saving work of hospital staff who treated the casualties from London's terror attacks.
London blasts: The psychological effects - Daily Mail 08/07/05
People will be left with the feeling that "nowhere is safe" after Thursday's explosions in London, a psychologist said.
Baby joy for fertility expert - Daily Mail 08/07/05
A woman who has dedicated her life to helping couples have children proudly shows off her own wonder baby after undergoing treatment to make her "allergic" to her husband.
More fast food means more calories, fat, salt - Reuters 09/07/05
Rated 3 in Health; News; National and International News on Jul 9, 2005 at 05:11:57 GMT.
Girls who frequently eat fast food also consume significantly more fat, calories and sodium overall than girls who order fast food less often, study findings show.
Diabetes ups incontinence risk for older women - Reuters 09/07/05
More than half of postmenopausal women have had a recent episode of urinary incontinence, according to new research, and the severity of symptoms increases with a history of diabetes.
Heart failure major burden on U.S. health - Reuters 08/07/05
Findings from a study conducted in Worcester, Massachusetts, confirm that heart failure is an important cause of death and disability.
Targeted exercise may prevent hip fractures - Reuters 08/07/05
Exercise that targets a weak region of the hipbone may help prevent fractures, but simple walking will not, new research indicates.
If one antidepressant doesn't work, try another - Reuters 08/07/05
Not everyone with depression will respond to a particular antidepressant medication, but there's a good chance that a second or third choice will be effective, researchers have found.
Chronic anger, hostility may make you sick - Reuters 08/07/05
People who are hostile or angry for longer periods of time are more at risk of health problems, according to a review of recent literature on anger and health.
Shedding a pound may ease stress on arthritic knees - Reuters 08/07/05
For overweight people hobbled by knee arthritis, losing even one pound can diminish the stress the knees take with every step, a new study shows.
Surgery helps avoid amputations in diabetics - Reuters 08/07/05
People with diabetes face a high risk of having to have a foot or lower leg amputated, but timely surgery may prevent this. When bone inflammation -- osteomyelitis -- occurs in the foot and toes, surgery to remove dead areas and to restore circulation can spare more extensive amputations, according to a new report.
'Morning-after' pill doesn't increase unsafe sex - Reuters 08/07/05
Allowing 'morning-after' contraceptive pills to be sold over the counter does not increase their use, suggesting that easy availability does not lead to an upsurge in unprotected sex, British investigators report.
Asthma risk high for US-born Mexican American kids - Reuters 08/07/05
Children of Mexican descent who are born in the US are nearly twice as likely to develop asthma as those born in Mexico, according to a new report.
Attention to Africa's HIV/AIDS Epidemic Overshadows Problem in India, Other Countries, Lancet - Medical News Today 10/07/05
Although the World Health Organization last month in a progress report said that its... 3 by 5 Initiative likely will not meet the goal of delivering antiretroviral drugs to three million people by the end of this year, the announcement must not be allowed to eclipse other important findings from the report and make the initiative "synonymous with the mass of other Africa-focused anti-poverty efforts," an editorial published in the July 9 issue of the journal Lancet says. It is "dramatic" that 76% of the HIV-positive people who need antiretroviral treatment live in sub-Saharan Africa, but the statistic overshadows "the real hotspots of individual country burdens," the editorial says. For example, India has the second-highest number of people in need of treatment after South Africa, with about 735,000 people not receiving drugs, according to the Lancet. India's AIDS policy did not support the delivery of drugs through its public health care system until 2003, and medications still are available only in government-run hospitals in six of India's 28 states, the editorial says, concluding that an "imbalanced global strategy" -- rather than "lack of momentum" -- is the real threat to the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic (Lancet, 7/9). Financial Times
Report Saying Muslim Nations Must Do More To Fight AIDS Does 'Grave Disservice' To Battle, Opinion Piece Says - Medical News Today 10/07/05
Statements in a report released last month by the Seattle-based... National Bureau of Asian Research about HIV/AIDS epidemics in predominately Muslim countries "may be partly true for much of the Arab world but are clearly dubious in respect of most of Islamic Africa and nonsense when applied to Asia, where most Muslims live," International Herald Tribune columnist Philip Bowring writes in an opinion piece (Bowring, International Herald Tribune, 7/7). The report, titled "Behind the Veil of a Public Health Crisis: HIV/AIDS in the Muslim World," says leaders of many predominantly Muslim nations are ignoring potential HIV/AIDS epidemics and not acting to combat the disease, adding that "if leaders continue to ignore the problem, AIDS could debilitate or even destabilize some of these societies by killing large numbers of people in the 15- to 49-year age group." The report also says "political primacy of the Koran and weak or absent democracy" are impeding the fight against the disease in the region (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 6/30). However, the responses to HIV/AIDS in predominately Christian countries in sub-Saharan Africa have been "far behind" those of countries in the region with large Muslim populations, and denial of the epidemic among officials has been "far more stubborn" in democratic India than formerly authoritarian Indonesia, according to Bowring. "There is little to suggest that the region's Muslims have, as a group, been responding differently from its Christians either in terms of infection rates or denial," Bowring writes, concluding, "[T]o suggest that Muslim countries and peoples present particular problems in tackling AIDS appears not merely untrue but will do a grave disservice to the campaign against its spread" (International Herald Tribune, 7/7).
Malawi's 'Brain Drain' Crisis; Physicians for Human Rights Ad, Letter Highlight African Crisis, Financial Times Examines - Medical News Today 10/07/05
The Financial Times on Wednesday profiled the lack of medical workers in Malawi, a country that epitomizes the problem that "brain drain" causes for many of Africa's health care systems. There are only 100 doctors and 2,000 nurses for Malawi's 12 million people because many health care workers trained in the country now practice in developed countries, which pay higher salaries. Rich countries also provide better working conditions for doctors, as the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa has added a "heavy burden" to health care on the continent, the Times reports. In addition, many health care workers in Malawi have become sick with HIV/AIDS or have died. Nearly 15% of Malawi's adult population is HIV-positive. Some hospitals in Malawi have resorted to hiring retired medical workers to fill the gaps, according to the Times. Atta Gbary, the World Health Organization's Africa adviser on human resources and health, said the shortage of medical workers in Malawi means that when donors offer funds "it is impossible to use them because the people are simply not there to work anymore." According to Gbary, 23,000 medical workers leave Africa annually and there are only 800,000 medical workers working on the continent currently. Malawian Health Minister Hetherwick Ntaba said the country should require its medical workers to serve several years in the country after completing their training. He also said that foreign governments that employ medical workers from Malawi should compensate the country for the cost of training new doctors and nurses. The United Nations estimates that it costs $100,000 to train a specialist doctor in Africa (Jack, Financial Times, 7/6).
African Businesses Vital to HIV/AIDS Fight, Must Do More, Holbrooke Says - Medical News Today 10/07/05
African businesses could be major players in the fight against HIV/AIDS and need to scale up their responses to the disease, President of the... Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS and former U.N. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke said on Thursday, according to Reuters. Speaking while on a tour of the Cullinan diamond mine in South Africa, Holbrooke said diamond producer De Beers serves as a model for how businesses can help combat HIV/AIDS. The firm is one of the first companies to offer antiretroviral drugs to HIV-positive workers and their spouses, even after they leave their jobs. About 10% of its employees are HIV-positive. Holbrooke said that while big firms such as De Beers are better equipped to help fight the disease, smaller businesses face challenges because they have fewer resources (Macharia, Reuters, 7/7). GBC is releasing a "practical guide for business managers" on how small businesses can encourage staff members to undergo HIV testing, the SAPA/Mail & Guardian reports (SAPA/Mail & Guardian, 7/7). GBC representatives said some of the suggestions include urging small companies to join together to obtain better insurance rates, purchase condoms or medicines in bulk and share information on HIV/AIDS case management in the workplace (Reuters, 7/7).
Brazil in Last-Minute Talks With Abbott on Antiretroviral Drug Prices; Country Might Break Patent If No Agreement - Medical News Today 10/07/05
Brazilian health officials on Thursday held last-minute talks with... Abbott Laboratories on lowering the price of its antiretroviral drug Kaletra, giving the company until midnight to reduce the price before Brazil begins producing low-cost, generic versions of the medication, the Associated Press reports (Astor, Associated Press, 7/7). The Brazilian government last month announced that it would break Abbott's patent on Kaletra unless the company lowered the drug's price 42% to $1.17 per pill. Outgoing Brazilian Health Minister Humberto Costa on June 24 informed Abbott of the country's ultimatum regarding Kaletra, saying that under the World Trade Organization's intellectual property agreement, governments can approve the domestic production of generic versions of patented drugs during emergency public health situations if they fail to reach an agreement with the patent holder. Costa has said it would take about one year for Brazil to establish facilities to produce and test a generic version of Kaletra for efficacy and safety. Brazil also is negotiating price reductions for Merck's efavirenz and Gilead's tenofovir (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 7/6). Abbott on Thursday presented Brazil with a new proposal, which health ministers are reviewing and likely will respond to on Friday, according to BBC News (Kingstone, BBC News, 7/8). Saraiva Felipe on Wednesday was named to replace Costa as health minister. Felipe is expected to continue the pursuit of less-expensive antiretroviral treatment for the country's 170,000 HIV/AIDS patients (Associated Press, 7/7).
Annan Supports International Airline Ticket Tax To Finance HIV/AIDS Fight in Africa - Medical News Today 10/07/05
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Wednesday expressed support for a proposal to impose a tax on international airline tickets to fund the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa, the... Financial Times reports. Annan said a $1 to $2 additional charge per ticket would provide a constant source of supplementary income for the fight instead of requiring additional aid from the governments that already have given large contributions to the cause (White et al., Financial Times, 7/7). French President Jacques Chirac first proposed the idea of a small tax on airline tickets in January at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Chirac also proposed taxes on international financial transactions, aviation and maritime fuel, or capital movements in and out of countries that practice banking secrecy (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 1/31). Chirac said he hoped he and German President Gerhard Schroeder could give the plan "new impetus" at the Group of Eight industrialized nations summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, according to the Times. British Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown is seeking European support for the proposal, which he said could help fund his plan for a $100 billion International Finance Facility. The facility, which would aim to help Africa meet the U.N. Millennium Development Goals, would frontload development aid primarily through the purchase of bonds on the international market. However, some G8 members likely will oppose the tax, arguing it would further burden the airline industry, which is struggling with high fuel prices, the Times reports. At a meeting in May, finance ministers from the European Union -- particularly from countries dependent on tourism -- opposed the tax, which also has been criticized by the International Air Transport Association (Financial Times, 7/7).
G8 Leaders Reach Agreement on Increased Aid to Africa at Close of Summit - Medical News Today 10/07/05
Leaders from the Group of Eight industrialized nations on Friday at the close of the G8 summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, agreed to an immediate doubling of aid to Africa to $50 billion annually in order to fight poverty and disease on the continent,... BBC News reports. In the final communique, which is expected to be released on Friday, G8 leaders agreed to the aid target as well as proposals on international trade, universal access to HIV/AIDS treatment and debt cancellation for the world's poorest countries, according to British Prime Minister Tony Blair. "It isn't all everyone wanted, but it is progress," Blair said, adding, "All of this does not change the world tomorrow. It is a beginning, not an end" (BBC News, 7/8). Although Blair also has advocated that all G8 countries increase foreign aid commitments to 0.7% of their gross national incomes by 2015, that target is expected to be excluded from the communique (AP/CNN.com, 7/8). Although President Bush announced last week that he will seek to double U.S. aid to Africa from the $4.3 billion committed in 2004 to $8.6 billion by 2010, he opposed the 0.7% GNI target. According to anti-poverty advocates, Bush's goal of $8.6 billion by 2010 falls about $6 billion short of what is needed from the United States to meet Blair's proposal to increase aid to $50 billion by 2010 (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 7/7).
CDC Analysis Finds More States Adopting Smokefree Air Laws - Medical News Today 10/07/05
A journal article published today by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that from 1999 to 2004 a number of states adopted strong restrictions on smoking in private workplaces, restaurants and bars.
Heart Health Conference to promote heart plan for Europe - Medical News Today 10/07/05
Resulting in a plan to promote cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention measures across Europe, the European Commission's (EC) Heart Health Conference convened representatives of health ministries, national cardiac societies, and heart foundations, and was organised by the EC's Directorate General Health and Consumer Protection, and the Luxembourg Presidency in partnership with the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).
New gene scanning technology marks a major advance in disease research - Medical News Today 10/07/05
Gene scanning techniques developed by Professor Ian Day and colleagues at the University of Southampton, UK, are set to have a major impact on healthcare in the future.
Role of Serotonin in Modulating Circadian Rhythm - Medical News Today 10/07/05
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have determined how serotonin decreases the body's sensitivity to light and that exposure to constant darkness leads to a decrease in serotonin levels in the brain of fruit flies. These findings suggest that serotonin may play a role in maintaining circadian rhythm, as well as modulating light-related disorders such as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Senior author Amita Sehgal, PhD, Professor of Neuroscience at Penn and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Investigator, and colleagues report their findings in the July 7 issue of Neuron.
Cancer Research UK welcomes the publication of the new ONS Cancer Atlas - Medical News Today 10/07/05
Dr Lesley Walker, Director of Cancer Information at Cancer Research UK, says: "These statistics highlight the number of cancer cases and deaths that are preventable. They estimate that if every part of the UK had the same incidence and mortality rates as the healthiest areas, 25,580 cases and 17,450 deaths could be avoided.
Vietnam's High Abortion Rate, Lack of Sex Education Among Young People, Agence France-Presse Examines - Medical News Today 10/07/05
AFP/Yahoo! News on Thursday examined Vietnam's high abortion rate and the lack of sex education among young people in the country. According to the Vietnam Family Planning Association, the country has one of the world's highest abortion rates. About 1.4 million abortions are performed annually in the country, which has a population of 82 million. Gender inequality -- which increases the rate of sex-selective abortion -- and a lack of sex education and contraceptive use are the main causes of the high abortion rate, experts say. In addition, the average age sexual debut in the country has decreased from age 19 seven years ago to age 14.5 today, according to a survey by the National Committee for Population, Family and Children. Although the country has promoted contraceptives through various awareness campaigns, they are not widely used or well-understood by most Vietnamese people. As a result of these trends, some experts are calling for the government and organizations to cooperate in sex and gender education for young people in schools (AFP/Yahoo! News, 7/7).
Calcium-Rich Diet Prevents Bone Problems Caused by Contraceptive Use - Medical News Today 10/07/05
A calcium-rich diet can prevent the reduction of bone mass and therefore lessen the increased risk of osteoporosis that could be caused by the use of oral contraceptive pills, according to a study published in the July 5 issue of the... Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Reuters Health reports. Dorothy Teegarden of Purdue University and colleagues studied 135 women ages 18 to 30, 57 of whom took oral contraceptives. The participants were assigned either to their usual diet of less than 800 milligrams of calcium intake daily, a medium dairy diet of 1,000 to 1,100 milligrams of calcium daily or a high dairy diet of 1,200 to 1,300 milligrams of calcium daily (Reuters Health, 7/6). Over a one-year period, the study found an association between an increase in daily calcium intake and a positive percentage change in bone mass density at the hip and spine. In addition, the increased calcium intake prevented a negative percentage change in total hip and spine body mass density in women taking oral contraceptives, NutraIngredients-USA.com reports. Researchers recommended that physicians and public health professionals encourage young women, especially those taking oral contraceptives, to include the suggested levels of calcium -- about 1,000 milligrams daily -- in their diets. About 10 million U.S. adults suffer from osteoporosis, and an additional 34 million people have low bone mass, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. An estimated 80% of women have used oral contraceptives at some point in their lives (Halliday, NutraIngredients-USA.com, 7/7).
Constipation, a Serious & Distressing Problem for Cancer Patients Treated with Opioids - Medical News Today 10/07/05
Results of a new literature review presented at the MASCC/ISO* symposium show that the prevalence of constipation among cancer patients taking opioids is as high as 100% in some studies, even with laxative use (1).
Petition for increased EU funding sees decisive response from scientific community - Medical News Today 10/07/05
A petition launched by the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) and the European Life Sciences Forum (ELSF) calling for increased funding for research in the EU's Framework 7 budget has met with a rapid and decisive response from the scientific community.
Protein amplification in melanoma is possible drug target - Medical News Today 10/07/05
Researchers have pinpointed specific gene and protein over-production in metastatic melanoma, pointing the way to a possible new drug target, according to a study published in Nature July 7.
Computers - Poor placement does not compute in medical exam rooms - Medical News Today 09/07/05
Doctors "talking" to computer screens instead of patients during a physical exam is a problem easily cured, say researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine and the Regenstrief Institute, Inc.
Availability of vascular surgeons impacts amputation rate - Medical News Today 09/07/05
have a foot or leg amputated if they live in a region that has few vascular surgeons, according to a Rice University/Baylor College of Medicine study published in the July issue of the Journal of Vascular Surgery.
Lamivudine and Zidovudine combination tentatively approved by FDA/HHS, Generic AIDS drug - Medical News Today 09/07/05
The Food and Drug Administration within the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS/FDA) today announced the tentative approval of the fixed-dose combination drug product lamivudine and zidovudine tablets manufactured by Aurobindo Pharma Ltd. of Hyderabad, India. This fixed-dose combination product contains 150 milligrams of lamivudine and 300 mg of zidovudine in each tablet, and is the first generic version of the already-approved Combivir brand of the product manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. Because of the tentative approval by HHS/ FDA, this Aurobindo generic product will now be available for consideration for purchase and use outside the United States under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
Scientists link iron deficiency to Third World brain crisis - Medical News Today 09/07/05
Scientists at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK, have begun ground-breaking research to combat an alarming rise in brain damage in children living in the world's most polluted countries.
Extreme impact of global warming on Europe, new report - Medical News Today 09/07/05
Spaniards could be sunning themselves on British beaches and Greeks could be cruising down the Rhine if global warming patterns continue, a report revealed today.
AIDS is not a Problem for Africa Alone - Medical News Today 09/07/05
An Editorial in this week's issue of The Lancet comments that “Africa is not the only country struggling against AIDS.”
Acupuncture Offers Short-Term Benefit For Arthritis - Medical News Today 09/07/05
Results of a randomised trial in this week's issue of The Lancet suggest that acupuncture could reduce pain and improve joint functioning in the short-term for people with osteoarthritis of the knee.
Tuberculosis - Improvements To BCG Immunisation Programme, UK - Medical News Today 09/07/05
Changes to the BCG vaccination programme were announced today by the Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson.
Bioethics Journals Should Not Publish Industry-Funded Articles - Medical News Today 09/07/05
Industry-funded bioethics articles should not be published by journals, according to a Viewpoint published online yesterday (Thursday July 7, 2005) by The Lancet.
Viagra, Cialis and Levitra Get New FDA Labelling, Slight Risk of Eye Problems - Medical News Today 09/07/05
The Food and Drug Administration today approved updated labeling for Cialis, Levitra and Viagra to reflect a small number of post-marketing reports of sudden vision loss, attributed to NAION (non arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy), a condition where blood flow is blocked to the optic nerve.
Could Exercise Protect Older People From Hip Fracture? - Medical News Today 09/07/05
Certain types of exercise could protect against the steep increase in risk of hip fracture with age, suggests research in this week's issue of The Lancet. The risk of hip fracture rises exponentially with age, and may result from fragility of the femoral neck.
Vietnam to Begin Testing VIRA 38 Against the Bird Flu Virus (H5N1) - Medical News Today 09/07/05
PRB Pharmaceuticals and Lee's Pharmaceuticals announced today that Vietnam's Department of Animal Health will begin testing an animal version of VIRA 38 on their poultry flocks as part of a multi-national, avian influenza research collaboration. Other members of the group include laboratories and clinics at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Prince of Wales Hospital (Hong Kong), and Mahidol University, (Thailand).
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Chronic Back Pain - a Thing of the Past with Ergonomics - Medical News Today 09/07/05
Ergonomics Expert and founder of ErgoPro, Inc Wendy Young, is eliminating Repetitive Stress Injuries, one office worker at a time. As an Ergonomics Consultant, Wendy Young has been commissioned by such companies as: Exxon/Mobil, Shell Oil, and The Houston Chronicle to keep their employees more productive and injury free on the job. The “DIY” - Do It Yourself Network has looked to Wendy as their resident “Ergonomics Expert” helping to re-design a healthier home office on-camera. Health related radio shows across the United States have had Wendy on as a guest, spreading the word on the tremendous health benefits of Ergonomics and offering helpful tips to implement them.
African grey parrot comprehends numerical concept akin to zero - Medical News Today 09/07/05
A Brandeis University researcher has shown that an African grey parrot with a walnut-sized brain understands a numerical concept akin to zero - an abstract notion that humans don't typically understand until age three or four, and that can significantly challenge learning-disabled children.
Cholesterol and genes - Medical News Today 09/07/05
Why does it seem like some people can eat all the ice cream they want without increasing their cholesterol or gaining much weight, while others with high cholesterol have to watch their diets like a hawk? Because no matter what their lifestyle, people's genes play an overriding role in their cholesterol response.
How do cancer-preventing foods work? UIC researchers - Medical News Today 09/07/05
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago are unraveling the biochemical mechanism by which functional foods combat cancer.
Identical twins may have more differences than meet the eye - Medical News Today 09/07/05
Identical twins lose some fundamental similarities as they grow older, a new study reports.
Early prostate cancer screening may reduce mortality rate by 35% - Medical News Today 09/07/05
Early screening of prostate cancer in asymptomatic men may reduce their risk of death from metastatic prostate cancer by as much as 35 per cent, researchers from the University of Toronto have found.
Nearly Half of Doctors Say Patients Pressure Them to Prescribe Controlled Prescription Drugs - Medical News Today 09/07/05
More than forty percent of physicians do not ask about prescription drug abuse when taking a patient's health history and one-third do not regularly call or obtain records from the patient's previous (or other treating) physician before prescribing controlled, potentially addictive drugs like opioids, depressants and stimulants. An alarming 47.1 percent say that patients commonly try to pressure them into prescribing a controlled drug. These disturbing findings come at a time when the number of Americans who abuse controlled prescription drugs has nearly doubled from 7.8 million to 15.1 million from 1992 to 2003, according to a new report by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University entitled, Under the Counter: The Diversion and Abuse of Controlled Prescription Drugs in the U.S.
U.S. Should Adopt 'Peace Corps Approach' to Global AIDS Fight by Sending Doctors To Treat African Children, Editorial Says - Medical News Today 09/07/
The United States needs to adopt a "Peace Corps approach to AIDS" for Africa in which it sends its most talented medical professionals to the continent to treat children, a... Houston Chronicle editorial says (Houston Chronicle, 7/1). Pharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb and Baylor College of Medicine last week announced a $40 million initiative to treat children living with HIV/AIDS in developing countries by sending as many as 250 physicians to Africa for a two-year program to train local health care workers and treat HIV-positive children (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 6/27). Under this so-called "AIDS Peace Corps" -- which should be viewed as a "crucial diplomatic effort" -- U.S. doctors are expected to treat 80,000 African children over five years, beginning next summer in Burkina Faso, Lesotho, Swaziland and Malawi, the Chronicle says. Although Fitzhugh Mullan, a professor of pediatrics at George Washington University, proposed a similar approach for fighting HIV/AIDS in developing countries in April, the Bush administration "has not acknowledged his report," according to the editorial. BCM and BMS "have launched an admirable and decisive attack on pediatric AIDS clinic by clinic," the editorial says, adding that the administration "needs to follow them with fast and massive action -- country by country" (Houston Chronicle, 7/1).
No Broad U.S. Support for More Health Aid to Poor Countries; Support for Global AIDS Prevention Funding, Poll Shows - Medical News Today 09/07/05
Most US residents do not support boosting foreign aid to fight disease and improve public health in developing countries, according to a Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive health care poll, the... Wall Street Journal reports. According to the online survey, which Harris Interactive conducted June 23-27 among 2,547 adults in the United States, 43% of respondents said they believe the United States spends too much money on public health aid to foreign countries, while 21% said the government spends the right amount and 23% said the government does not spend enough. Thirty-six percent of respondents said the United States does not spend enough money on HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment funding for developing countries, 24% said they feel the government currently spends too much on HIV/AIDS abroad, and 25% said the United States spends the right amount on such efforts. In addition, 47% of respondents said that recipient countries should be able to decide how to spend grants to fight HIV/AIDS, while 32% said they believe the U.S. government should set conditions for donations, such as awarding aid only to countries that use the money for abstinence education instead of condom distribution programs. People who identified themselves as Democrats or Independents were more likely than Republicans to support unrestricted aid. Twenty-one percent of respondents said the United States should not give any money to HIV/AIDS prevention programs in other countries (Bright, Wall Street Journal,, 7/6).
Link Between Crystal Meth Use, HIV Transmission, Questioned by Toronto Health Experts - Medical News Today 09/07/05
HIV/AIDS agencies and health officials in Toronto say they are not certain there is a link between crystal methamphetamine use and HIV transmission, drawing criticism from their U.S. counterparts who say there is evidence that the drug makes people more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior, the... Toronto Star reports. Toronto Associate Medical Officer of Health Rita Shahin said it is too early to tie use of the drug to the city's HIV rate. Although the number of newly reported HIV cases in Toronto increased by about 50% to 614 in 2002, the number of new cases dropped slightly to 563 in 2004. "The jury is still out as to whether crystal meth is leading to riskier behavior than other drugs," Shahin said. John Maxwell of the AIDS Committee of Toronto said research conducted in Vancouver, Canada, showed young men who have sex with men and who used crystal meth were no more likely to have risky sex than MSM who used other drugs. "There's not been enough studies of crystal use among gay men" to definitively link the drug's use to HIV transmission, Maxwell said, adding, "Maybe we're being overly cautious, but we want to make sure we know what's going on in our city." As a result, Toronto has not launched any major awareness campaigns about crystal meth use increasing the risk of HIV transmission, the Star reports. Nick Boyce, ACT's harm reduction coordinator, said some MSM might use meth at parties to boost their confidence or to cope with depression, but frightening them with "aggressive" prevention messages is unproductive, according to the Star. "It just stigmatizes people and makes it harder to have an honest discussion about it," he said.
Increased U.S. Funding for HIV/AIDS, Malaria Good, But Should Go to Global Fund, Editorial Says - Medical News Today 09/07/05
President Bush and Congress deserve praise for their efforts to increase US funding to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria abroad, but the U.S. government should work to "loosen the strings ... that hamper the funding's effectiveness," a Des Moines Register editorial says. Specifically, the Bush administration "could do a better job" of spending its money by shifting funding from the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief to the Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to promote global partnerships to fight the epidemics, the editorial says. PEPFAR operates in fewer countries than the Global Fund and is "mired down in politics," including controversies over promoting abstinence versus condoms and FDA approval for the purchase of generic versions of antiretroviral drugs, according to the Register. The Global Fund incorporates governments, local communities, medical groups, religious organizations, and people affected by HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria in the fight against the diseases worldwide, the editorial says. The United States "deserves credit for stepping up AIDS funding in recent years," but "it could do more" on a global level, the editorial says, adding that Congress should approve Bush's proposal to spend $1.2 billion over five years to fight malaria in Africa. However, the money should go to the Global Fund, "the largest and best-organized player in fighting malaria," the editorial says (Des Moines Register, 7/6).
Phase I Trial of Italian HIV Vaccine Trial Successful, Researchers Say; Phase II To Test Vaccine in Africa - Medical News Today 09/07/05
Italian researchers on Tuesday announced they have completed a Phase I trial of an HIV/AIDS vaccine, with all volunteers producing HIV-specific antibodies,... Xinhuanet reports (Xinhuanet, 7/5). Barbara Ensoli, the lead researcher with the Istituto Superiore di Sanita, said, "The information we've gathered allows us to affirm that the vaccine is safe and well-tolerated in all subjects," adding, "We also had much better immunogenicity results than we expected, so we're going to move to Phase II ahead of schedule." Researchers began the trial in 2003, enrolling 47 volunteers at four clinics in Italy (Darlington, Reuters, 7/5). The volunteers -- 27 of them HIV-positive and 20 HIV-negative -- were given five vaccinations over five months. The Italian vaccine differs from other HIV/AIDS vaccines being tested worldwide because it targets TAT, a protein that allows HIV to replicate (Associated Press, 7/5). The researchers plan to conduct Phase II trials of the vaccine in Africa, but they said they need about $477 million to bring it to market by 2010 (Xinhuanet, 7/5). About 30 HIV vaccines are in clinical trials worldwide, but only a dozen have moved to Phase II, according to the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (Reuters, 7/5).
Bush Aims for Lower African Aid Targets, Blair Pushes for Increased Commitments at G8 Summit - Medical News Today 09/07/05
President Bush on Wednesday at a meeting of the Group of Eight industrialized nations in Gleneagles, Scotland, began advocating for reduced aid targets to fight poverty and disease in Africa, while British Prime Minister Tony Blair said he will continue to campaign for increased commitments from wealthy nations, the... AP/Las Vegas Sun reports. Blair, who is hosting the meeting, has been advocating for an immediate doubling of aid to Africa to $25 billion annually, with the goal of reaching $50 billion annually by 2010. He also is proposing that all G8 countries increase foreign aid commitments to 0.7% of their gross national incomes by 2015. Although Bush announced last week that he will seek to double U.S. aid to Africa from the $4.3 billion committed in 2004 to $8.6 billion by 2010, he opposes the 0.7% GNI target. According to anti-poverty advocates, Bush's goal of $8.6 billion by 2010 falls about $6 billion short of what is needed from the United States to meet Blair's $50 billion target for 2010. Therefore, the final G8 agreement on aid targets is expected to remove any references to the $50 billion aid target and instead focus on a general doubling of commitments from wealthy nations. Blair said that the final agreement was still being discussed (Crutsinger, AP/Las Vegas Sun, 7/6).
Editorials on Bush's Repeated Withholding of UNFPA Funding, Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health Report Summarizes - Medical News Today 09/07/05
Since 2002, the Bush administration has withheld $34 million annually in funding for the... United Nations Population Fund, saying that because the organization works in China, the fund indirectly supports the Chinese government's policy of coerced abortion to maintain its one-child-per-family population policy. The Bush administration bars U.S. funding for international groups that support abortion -- even with their own funding -- through direct services, counseling or lobbying activities (Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health Report, 1/12). Several newspapers recently have published editorials discussing the possibility that the Bush administration will continue to withhold funding to the agency. Some of the editorials are summarized below.
Nanotubes inspire new technique for healing broken bones - Medical News Today 08/07/05
Scientists have shown for the first time that carbon nanotubes make an ideal scaffold for the growth of bone tissue. The new technique could change the way doctors treat broken bones, allowing them to simply inject a solution of nanotubes into a fracture to promote healing.
Retina adapts to seek the unexpected, ignore the commonplace - Medical News Today 08/07/05
Researchers at Harvard University have found evidence that the retina actively seeks novel features in the visual environment, dynamically adjusting its processing in order to seek the unusual while ignoring the commonplace. The scientists report in this week's issue of the journal Nature on their finding that this principle of novelty-detection operates in many visual environments.
Child raising toughest on young grandmothers - Medical News Today 08/07/05
Age may work in reverse when it comes to raising grandchildren, suggests a University of Florida study that finds younger grandmothers in this role are depressed more often than their older counterparts.
Brazil's Threat To Break Antiretroviral Patents Harms Global AIDS Research, Treatment, Editorial Says - Medical News Today 08/07/05
Brazil's threat to break US drug companies' patents on antiretroviral drugs "amounts to international thievery and extortion" and "threatens to disrupt, not enhance, the worldwide treatment of AIDS," a... Chicago Tribune editorial says (Chicago Tribune, 7/6). Brazilian Health Minister Humberto Costa last month informed Abbott Laboratories that Brazil will break the company's patent on the antiretroviral drug Kaletra unless the company lowers the price of the drug 42% to $1.17 per pill. Under an existing World Trade Organization intellectual property agreement, governments can approve the domestic production of generic versions of patented drugs during emergency public health situations if they fail to reach an agreement with the patent holder (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 6/28). However, Brazil's claim for compulsory licensing is "bogus" because the country has a large economy and a low HIV prevalence rate, according to the editorial. "At stake is the integrity of patents and copyrights," as well as the future of HIV/AIDS treatment, because pharmaceutical companies will be less likely to invest in HIV/AIDS research if they "can be ripped off with impunity by foreign nations," the Tribune says. Brazil's threat "doesn't bode well for international trade, scientific research or the prospect of breakthroughs in the treatment of AIDS," the editorial concludes (Chicago Tribune, 7/6).
Role For Seroquel In The Treatment Of Bipolar Depression - Medical News Today 08/07/05
Published data shows Seroquel is efficacious in treating core symptoms of bipolar depression, including the reduction of suicidal thoughts
Postpartum Treatment Key for Depression - U of T Study - Medical News Today 08/07/05
The key to preventing postpartum depression may be individual support provided after birth by a health professional and tailored to a mother's needs, says a University of Toronto researcher.
G8 Leaders Expected To Discuss Increased Aid, Debt Relief for Africa During Summit - Medical News Today 08/07/05
Leaders from the Group of Eight industrialized nations this week during the G8 summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, are expected to reach agreements on proposals to increase aid to Africa and forgive the debt of the world's poorest nations, the... AP/ABCNews.com reports. During the summit, which begins on Wednesday, leaders likely will discuss a proposal from British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is hosting the meeting, to immediately double aid to Africa to $25 billion annually, with the goal of reaching $50 billion annually by 2010 (Crutsinger, AP/ABCNews.com, 7/6). Although most G8 governments have agreed on proposals to fight poverty and disease on the continent, there are differences among the Bush administration and other wealthy nations on the issue. Bush last week announced a $1.2 billion initiative targeting malaria in Africa and has promised to streamline the Millennium Challenge Account (Stevenson, New York Times, 7/6). He also pledged to double U.S. aid to Africa from $4.3 billion in 2004 to more than $8.6 billion by 2010 (AP/ABCNews.com, 7/6). However, Bush has repeatedly rejected proposals from anti-poverty advocates to increase U.S. foreign aid to 0.7% of the country's gross national income (New York Times, 7/6).
Northern Ireland must not be left behind on smoking ban - Medical News Today 08/07/05
Commenting on the confirmation that Wales will press ahead with a total ban on smoking in public places, BMA(NI) Public Health Committee Vice-Chairman, Dr Colin Hamilton, raised his concerns that Northern Ireland is in significant danger of being left behind.
NHS Direct may not have capacity to manage all out of hours calls, UK - Medical News Today 08/07/05
NHS Direct may not have sufficient capacity to manage out of hours care in England in the way the government envisaged, finds a study published in this week's BMJ.
AIDS Advocates, Property-Rights Advocates Disagree Over Brazil's Threat To Break Antiretroviral Patents - Medical News Today 08/07/05
Although many AIDS advocates and humanitarian groups are praising the Brazilian government for its announcement last month that it will break... Abbott Laboratories' patent on the antiretroviral drug Kaletra on Thursday unless the company lowers the drug's price 42% to $1.17 per pill, property-rights advocates and the pharmaceutical industry are saying the move is "government-sanctioned piracy" of intellectual property, the AP/Washington Times reports (Clendenning, AP/Washington Times, 7/4). Brazilian Health Minister Humberto Costa on June 24 informed Abbott of its ultimatum regarding Kaletra, saying that under the World Trade Organization's intellectual property agreement, governments can approve the domestic production of generic versions of patented drugs during emergency public health situations if they fail to reach an agreement with the patent holder. Costa has said it would take about one year for Brazil to establish facilities to produce and test a generic version of Kaletra for efficacy and safety, and Brazil also is negotiating price reductions for Merck's efavirenz and Gilead's tenofovir (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 6/28).
Cheshire and Mersey News
Ambulances missing emergency targets - Chester Chronicle 08/07/05
MERSEY Regional Ambulance Service (MRAS), which covers Cheshire, has missed a Government target for response times to emergency calls, according to recently released figures.
Mental patient in knife frenzy - Daily Post 08/07/05
A MENTAL patient stabbed a pub customer three times after walking out of his hospital ward.
Cumbria and Lancashire News
Young Barry saves his dad's life - Lancashire Evening Telegraph 08/07/05
A BOY is to be honoured for saving his father's life after he collapsed at home.
Health problems for flood victims - BBC Health News 08/07/05
Many victims of the January floods which struck Carlisle are suffering health problem such as depression, a BBC survey has revealed.
Greater Manchester News
Fluoride will open more floodgates [Letter] - Bolton Evening News 09/07/05
REGARDING fluoridation of our water. Has it escaped the notice of Brian Iddon and A Brooks that, if they get their way in slow poisoning us, will that then open the floodgates for others, such as osteopaths, to plead for calcium to be added to prevent brittle bone disease in our elderly, and folic acid for ease of pregnancies?
Euthanasia 'motivated by cost' - Manchester Evening News 10/07/05
The Archbishop of Canterbury said he fears moves towards legalising voluntary euthanasia were being motivated by the need for cost-cutting in healthcare.
Sixth doctor cleared over Shipman - BBC Health News 08/07/05
A sixth doctor who signed cremation forms for serial killer Harold Shipman in Greater Manchester has been cleared of professional misconduct.
Scientists link iron deficiency to Third World brain crisis - Medical News Today 09/07/05
Scientists at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK, have begun ground-breaking research to combat an alarming rise in brain damage in children living in the world's most polluted countries.
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