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Scientists report frog skin contains new genera of antibiotics

Kissing a frog won't turn it into a prince except in fairy tales but frogs may be hopping toward a real world transformation into princely allies in humanity's battle with antibiotic-resistant infections that threaten millions of people worldwide. Scientists today reported that frog skin contains natural substances that could be the basis for a powerful new genre of antibiotics.

30 Aug 2010

Pen-size plasma sterilization device

Prof. Jiunn-Der Liao of Department of Materials Science and Engineering at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), Tainan, Taiwan, has led Post Doctorate Chih-Chiang Weng and a research team to develop a pen-size plasma sterilization device which can sterilize instruments and wounds by relying on the process of plasma sterilization.

25 Aug 2010

Health law continues to be embroiled in politics, though toned down

In a bid to rally support for the health overhaul among doctors, a White House official underscored both sticks and carrots the federal government is offering the health industry, Reuters reports: "Administration officials said the new law will provide doctors with information technology and incentives to improve the care they deliver, but only if they cooperate.

25 Aug 2010

First Edition: August 24, 2010

In today's headlines, a federal court judge blocks the Obama administration's stem cell policy. Meanwhile, state action related to health reform and health policy continues.

24 Aug 2010

Lower outdoor temperature associated with 2% increase in heart attack risks

Lower outdoor temperatures are linked to an increase in the risk of heart attacks, according to a new study by scientists at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).For the study (published in the British Medical Journal and released online today at bmj.com), the researcher, led by Krishnan Bhaskaran of LSHTM found that each 1°C reduction in temperature on a single day is associated with around 200 extra heart attacks.

11 Aug 2010

High levels of lead found in Mount Isa children: Study

According to a report published in the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA) yesterday, on average one child in the Queensland mining town of Mount Isa will exceed safe lead levels every nine days. The report also claimed that not enough was done to address the problem. MP Betty Kiernan has defended the measures taken to address this serious problem.

3 Aug 2010

Ten precautionary health tips for beachgoers, bathers

A yearlong beach study led by a team of University of Miami researchers suggests that swimmers at sub-tropical beaches face an increased risk of illness. The multi-disciplinary team examined the risk of illness that beachgoers face when exposed to recreational marine water at sub-tropical beaches with no known source of pollution or contamination.

29 Jul 2010

ProtAffin signs manufacturing contract with CMC Biologics for COPD drug PA401

ProtAffin AG, a biotechnology company developing a novel class of biopharmaceutical products that act by targeting cell-surface glycan structures, today announced it has signed a manufacturing contract with CMC Biologics' Danish operations, located in Copenhagen, Denmark for manufacture of its lead product PA401 for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The contract will cover manufacture and supply of PA401 for preclinical development and early clinical development in COPD and related respiratory indications.

27 Jul 2010

Study reveals no proof on link between cleaning products and breast cancer

Results of a new US study published today have looked at whether cleaning products are linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. They appear to show that women who say they used such products in the past are more likely to have breast cancer.

21 Jul 2010

Human impact on health of soil, and impact of unhealthy soil on society are intertwined, says LSU researcher

It may sound counterintuitive, but LSU Associate Professor of Chemistry Robert Cook has made a career out of studying the ways organic materials found in the environment, including soils, can either get dirty or stay clean. In fact, the National Science Foundation, or NSF, was so impressed with his efforts that the funding institute awarded Cook one of its most prestigious awards - the NSF CAREER award.

16 Jul 2010

i26 hyperimmune egg balances improper immune inflammatory response

Our immune systems are in a constant battle with foreign invaders to keep our bodies healthy. Outside forces like pollution, poor nutrition and new strains of disease keep our immune systems at an overly boosted or inflamed state, which affects energy levels, body and emotional health and overall quality of life. Through inflammatory immune cells, our bodies fight to defend us from this onslaught. Too few of these cells can result in illness, while too many could lead to a high immune response, resulting in heightened inflammation and collateral damage to the body's once-healthy tissues.

16 Jul 2010

Smokers exposed to wood smoke are at increased risk of COPD: Research

Smokers who are exposed to wood smoke, either through home heating and cooking or through ambient neighborhood pollution, are not only at increased risk of COPD, but are also more likely to have epigenetic changes in the DNA that further increase their risk of COPD and related pulmonary problems.

15 Jul 2010

Exposure to traffic-related air pollutants associated with reduced HRV: Study

In patients with pre-existing heart or lung disease, being exposed to high levels of traffic-related air pollutants is associated with reduced heart rate variability —a risk factor for sudden cardiac death, reports a study in the July Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, official publication of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

12 Jul 2010

American Lung Association welcomes U.S. EPA proposal to reduce power plant pollution

The cleanup of power plants is long overdue. Power plant pollution causes tens of thousands of premature deaths each year. These plants are major contributors to particulate pollution and ozone in the East and Midwest. The American Lung Association welcomes today's proposal by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reduce power plant pollution across 31 states.

7 Jul 2010

Exposure to carbon monoxide, air pollution does not increase preterm delivery risk

While pregnant women may worry about the effects of air pollution on their health and that of their developing child, exposure to carbon monoxide and fine particles in the air during pregnancy does not appear to increase the risk of preterm delivery or preeclampsia -- a serious condition that arises only during pregnancy -- according to results of a study headed by a University at Buffalo epidemiologist.

2 Jul 2010

UCLA study highlights traffic-related asthma flares in urban areas

A new academic study led by UCLA scientists has found that even brief exposure to ultrafine pollution particles near a Los Angeles freeway is potent enough to boost the allergic inflammation that exacerbates asthma.

2 Jul 2010

EDF praises New York State Assembly for passing legislation to reduce sulfur levels in heating oil

Environmental Defense Fund praised the New York State Assembly for passing legislation today to dramatically reduce sulfur levels in the commonly used #2 heating oil sold in the state. The State Senate passed the legislation last week and Governor Paterson is expected to sign it into law.

28 Jun 2010

Four new EVP grants awarded for interdisciplinary research to tackle environmental challenges

The Woods Institute for the Environment at Stanford University has awarded four new Environmental Venture Projects grants for interdisciplinary research aimed at finding practical solutions promoting global sustainability.

23 Jun 2010

EPA honors Merck and Codexis with Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award

Merck and Codexis, Inc. today announced that they have jointly been awarded the annual Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the development of a novel biocatalytic method for the synthesis of sitagliptin. In addition, a paper co-authored by Merck and Codexis scientists and published online June 17 in the peer-reviewed journal Science, details how an enzyme was systematically customized using Codexis technology to perform the key chemical step in the sitagliptin synthesis process.

22 Jun 2010

Bone samples act as the ultimate biomarker for environmental pollution: Researchers

Exposure to chemical pollutants is of growing concern to regulators, health workers, and environmentalist groups alike. Now, researchers in the US and Russia have demonstrated that samples of human bone can act as a biological marker for dozens of metals and toxic elements across the periodic table. They describe details in a study published in the International Journal of Environment and Health.

18 Jun 2010