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Asthma associated with both genetics and environmental exposures

While progress has been made in identifying genes associated with asthma, the disease is complex, and its development is likely dependent upon both genetics and environmental exposures, according to a leading expert presenting at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) in Miami Beach, Fla.

6 Nov 2009

Patients should bring up financial concerns with their doctors in view of high health insurance costs

As health insurers require people to base more treatment decisions on out-of-pocket costs, physicians should learn to talk to patients about money, according to researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

6 Nov 2009

FDA and FSIS announce joint public meeting to prevent foodborne illness

A joint public meeting focused on improving the system for tracing of food products and ingredients that are causing illness outbreaks or presenting other risks to the health of consumers was announced today by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

5 Nov 2009

Plant carotenoids are the most important source of vitamin A in the human diet

Carotenoids-fat-soluble plant compounds found in some vegetables-are essential to the human diet and reportedly offer important health benefits to consumers. Plant carotenoids are the most important source of vitamin A in the human diet; the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, found in corn and leafy greens vegetable such as kale, broccoli, and spinach, are widely considered to be valuable antioxidants capable of protecting humans from chronic diseases including age-related macular degeneration, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.

5 Nov 2009

Reuters examines how much of G8 agriculture investment is new

Three billion of the $20 billion that G8 leaders promised to invest in agriculture in developing countries "appears to be new money, diplomats and sources close to the matter said on Tuesday," Reuters reports. "Most of that new money, up to $2 billion, is coming from the United States, according to two sources, one on the donor side and one on the recipient side," the news service writes.

4 Nov 2009

Monsanto Biotechnology Research Center established in China

Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) announced today that it is opening its first research center in China, further demonstrating its commitment to forming technology collaborations in the country.

4 Nov 2009

Christian Science Monitor examines focus on combatting hunger

The Christian Science Monitor looks at one idea about why hunger is receiving a lot of attention in the international arena. Kanayo Nwanze, the Kenyan "who recently became president of the United Nations' International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) says globalization has made the hunger and rural poverty that always pulled on the heartstrings an international security issue," according to the publication.

3 Nov 2009

RESPOND program to improve global perspective on emerging diseases

Experts from the University of Minnesota will soon be on the frontlines working to help developing countries better respond to emerging animal diseases that pose a threat to human health.

31 Oct 2009

Natural disasters in India, Philippines affect rice supply, could have global implications

"A drought in India and typhoons in the Philippines have damaged large tracts of rice paddies, threatening to upset the fragile food market amid fears of shortages and riots, experts said Wednesday," the Associated Press/BusinessWeek reports.

29 Oct 2009

Also in Global Health News: Germany HIV/AIDS grant; Sumatra water situation; India's unlicensed doctors; land ownership, food security

The Organisation for the Coordination of the Struggle Against Epidemics in Central Africa (OCEAC) on Tuesday announced that the German government has granted $34 million to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in central Africa, Agence France-Presse reports.

28 Oct 2009

Syngenta Ventures makes equity investment in Metabolon

Syngenta Ventures announced today that it has made an equity investment in Metabolon, a privately-held U.S. biotechnology company focused on the use of metabolomics in research and diagnostics.

27 Oct 2009

FDA awards grants to boost food and feed safety initiatives

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced that it has awarded 83 grants in FY2009 totaling $17.5 million to state and local regulatory agencies to boost food and feed safety initiatives among federal, state, and local partners.

27 Oct 2009

Post-storm conditions in Philippines continue to threaten health

Filipinos are "struggling to live in flooded suburbs or crowded shelters one month after devastating rains began pounding the Philippines, and officials warn no quick fix is in sight," Agence France-Presse reports. According to the WHO, 1.43 million people, "mostly in and around Manila, continue to endure a dangerous existence living in flooded districts" (Morella, 10/26).

26 Oct 2009

Obama Administration applauded for highlighting importance of offering dairy products in schools

The International Dairy Foods Association applauded Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and the Obama Administration for highlighting the importance of offering more low fat milk and dairy products in schools.

24 Oct 2009

FDA to standardize front-of-package criteria, Smart Choices Program postpones active operations

The Smart Choices Program announced today that it will voluntarily postpone active operations and not encourage wider use of the logo at this time by either new or currently enrolled companies.

24 Oct 2009

USDA to have 'important but modest role' in U.S. global agriculture initiative, undersecretary says

As U.S. plans to fight world hunger take shape, the USDA is gearing up for an "important but modest role," in which the agency will follow directions from the State Department and developing countries, Rajiv Shah, undersecretary in charge of the USDA's research arm, said on Wednesday, Reuters reports.

23 Oct 2009

ADA supports IOM’s proposal on school nutrition programs

The American Dietetic Association welcomes a report issued Wednesday, October 21, by the Institute of Medicine encouraging federal school meal programs to adopt standards that increase the nutrition content and limit the calories in meals served to schoolchildren.

23 Oct 2009

ZyGEM and Phthisis Diagnostics to develop products for detecting infectious pathogens

ZyGEM Corp. Ltd. and Phthisis Diagnostics today announced that they have entered into an agreement to develop products enabling the detection of infectious pathogens in complex samples, such as stool, blood and water.

23 Oct 2009

Ethiopia requests emergency food aid for 6.2m people

Ethiopian Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development Mitiku Kassa on Thursday asked the international community for more than $121 million for emergency food aid for 6.2 million people, the Associated Press reports (10/22).

22 Oct 2009

BioCube completes initial phase development of environmentally safe decontamination system

Spring Creek Capital Corporation (OTCBB: SCRK), a Nevada corporation, announced today that one of its portfolio companies, BioCube, Inc., has completed the initial phase of the development of an environmentally safe decontamination system, utilizing an aerosol-based delivery method of aqueous solution.

22 Oct 2009

Agriculture News and Research

Asthma associated with both genetics and environmental exposures

Patients should bring up financial concerns with their doctors in view of high health insurance costs

FDA and FSIS announce joint public meeting to prevent foodborne illness

Plant carotenoids are the most important source of vitamin A in the human diet

Reuters examines how much of G8 agriculture investment is new

Monsanto Biotechnology Research Center established in China

Christian Science Monitor examines focus on combatting hunger

RESPOND program to improve global perspective on emerging diseases

Natural disasters in India, Philippines affect rice supply, could have global implications

Also in Global Health News: Germany HIV/AIDS grant; Sumatra water situation; India's unlicensed doctors; land ownership, food security

Syngenta Ventures makes equity investment in Metabolon

FDA awards grants to boost food and feed safety initiatives

Post-storm conditions in Philippines continue to threaten health

Obama Administration applauded for highlighting importance of offering dairy products in schools

FDA to standardize front-of-package criteria, Smart Choices Program postpones active operations

USDA to have 'important but modest role' in U.S. global agriculture initiative, undersecretary says

ADA supports IOM’s proposal on school nutrition programs

ZyGEM and Phthisis Diagnostics to develop products for detecting infectious pathogens

Ethiopia requests emergency food aid for 6.2m people

BioCube completes initial phase development of environmentally safe decontamination system

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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