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New antidotes for organophosphates are needed to prepare for chemical attacks in the West

Organophosphates are a group of organic compounds containing phosphorus, some of which are used as pesticides. Organophosphates have also been used in chemical weapons and nerve gas attacks, such as the sarin attack in Japan.

18 Nov 2004

Researchers find that berries inhibit growth of harmful intestinal bacteria

A research project carried out by VTT Biotechnology and the University of Helsinki has found that cloudberries and raspberries contain a phenol, ellagic tannin, that inhibits the growth of intestinal bacteria.

2 Nov 2004

Selling paracetamol and other painkillers in smaller pack sizes has slashed rates of suicide

Selling paracetamol and other painkillers in smaller pack sizes has slashed rates of suicide and damage to the liver from paracetamol poisoning, concludes a study on bmj.com this week.

29 Oct 2004

Lead exposure can hinder recovery from a brain injury

Lead exposure at a young age can hurt the brain's development and cause learning and behavioral problems. It may also interfere with recovery from a brain injury.

25 Oct 2004

Black Sea coastal area of Turkey is prone to bouts of an unusual type of food poisoning from "mad" honey

The researchers detail 19 patients who all required emergency care in 2002 after eating local Turkish honey. The patients, whose ages ranged from 22 to 61, all had symptoms of nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, slowed heart rate and fainting. Four of them had also sustained head injuries after falling.

21 Oct 2004

UK agencies stepping up action to protect the public's health following continued outbreaks of Salmonella Enteritidis

The UK Health Protection Agency (HPA) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) are stepping up action to protect the public's health following continued outbreaks of Salmonella Enteritidis (other than phage type 4) since 2002, many of which have been linked to Spanish eggs used in the catering trade.

14 Oct 2004

Infections among injecting drug users are a growing public health concern in the UK

New figures published by the UK's Health Protection Agency show that infections among injecting drug users (IDUs) are a growing public health concern.

13 Oct 2004

Research shows C. botulinum uses SONO to detect nitric oxide

A deadly bacterium's defense against a mortal molecular enemy illuminates the origins and structure of a vital protein involved in human cell signaling, University of Texas Medical School scientists report in Science Express.

8 Oct 2004

Health Protection Agency investigates national outbreak of salmonella

The UK's Health Protection Agency, together with colleagues in the NHS and Local Authorities, has been carrying out an investigation into a national outbreak of Salmonella.

5 Oct 2004

New technique offers efficient blood cleansing

Blood poisoning is fatal in almost half of all cases. Patients could be helped by efficient blood cleansing. Scientists are working on a new technique that will quickly and effectively retrieve toxic substances from the vital fluid without altering the blood count.

4 Oct 2004

Scientists develop rapid-fire tests for botulinum toxin

Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a pair of rapid-fire tests for botulinum toxin, a feat that could underpin new technologies to thwart bioterrorism and spur the development of agents to blunt the toxic action of the world's most poisonous substance.

29 Sep 2004

Vietnam veterans had higher death rates in the first five years after discharge

Vietnam veterans had higher death rates in the first five years after discharge than veterans who did not serve in Vietnam, according to a 30-year follow-up study published in the September 27 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

26 Sep 2004

Ireland’s alcohol related problems cost in excess of €2.65 billion

According to the Second Report of the Strategic Task Force on Alcohol (STFA), Ireland’s alcohol related problems continue to increase and in 2003 cost Irish society in excess of €2.65 billion.

22 Sep 2004

Salt Association hits back at “Sid the Slug” campaign

The Salt Manufacturers Association has lodged a complaint with the Advertising Standards Authority over the use of a cartoon slug to front a new £4 million salt restriction campaign.

20 Sep 2004

Lead poisoning in children may be a bigger public health issue in the UK than is currently appreciated

Britain's Health Protection Agency is warning that lead poisoning in children may be a bigger public health issue in the UK than is currently appreciated, and more research needs to be done to establish the exact threat.

14 Sep 2004

Inhaled nitrite spray may help babies diagnosed with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn

Scientists from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center and the Loma Linda University School of Medicine have found that use of an inhaled nitrite spray may help babies diagnosed with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN).

13 Sep 2004

$10.3 million biodefense contract to tackle salmonella, typhoid fever and monkey pox virus

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has received a $10.3 million biodefense contract from the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Agents (NIAID) to identify the proteins that regulate the bacteria that cause salmonella poisoning and typhoid fever, and the monkey pox virus.

12 Sep 2004

Botox injections to treat children with cerebral palsy

Botox injections are best known for reducing wrinkles on the face. However, experts at Loyola University Health System are finding new ways to use the injections in children with cerebral palsy, with most benefit in patients who are younger than 5 years old.

12 Sep 2004

Mucus on the skin of rainbow trout may be a possible source of new medicines to fight infectious diseases

The slippery mucus on the skin of rainbow trout is being studied by scientists as a possible source of new medicines to fight infectious diseases, according to research presented Monday at the Society for General Microbiology’s 155th Meeting at Trinity College Dublin.

7 Sep 2004

Why more than 70 per cent of child poisoning cases involve medications

"Although deaths are now rare, poisoning still remains a prime cause of hospitalisation in children under five," Professor Ozanne-Smith said. "Also, the rate of poisoning in this age group is increasing in Victoria, and we need to find out why."

17 Aug 2004