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Household shampoos, detergents and cleaning agents form NDMA: Scientists

Scientists are reporting evidence that certain ingredients in shampoo, detergents and other household cleaning agents may be a source of precursor materials for formation of a suspected cancer-causing contaminant in water supplies that receive water from sewage treatment plants. The study sheds new light on possible environmental sources of this poorly understood water contaminant, called NDMA, which is of ongoing concern to health officials.

27 May 2010

Carbon dioxide and other gases from air traffic to become significant source of global warming

The first new projections of future aircraft emissions in 10 years predicts that carbon dioxide and other gases from air traffic will become a significant source of global warming as they double or triple by 2050. The study is in ACS' Environmental Science & Technology, a semi-monthly journal.

27 May 2010

WFP looks to improve aid delivery in volatile environments, BMJ News reports

BMJ News examines how the World Food Program has started consulting with members of the business, humanitarian and military sectors in an effort to ensure aid reaches the world's hungry, particularly those in regions hit by natural disasters or other volatile environments.

27 May 2010

East African examines 10-year research program to address agriculture, food security, climate change in rural areas

The East African examines the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security program, a 10-year research collaboration between the Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research and the Earth System Science Partnership that aims to help rural communities address these issues (Butunyi, 5/24).

26 May 2010

Kidney Health Week, experts criticise government inaction

Kidney Health Week is being observed at Broken Hill Hospital this week by the Broken Hill Health Service. As a part of this the residents will receive complete kidney check ups including blood pressure and blood sugar and advice regarding kidney health.

26 May 2010

Shah to discuss U.S. role in global agriculture at Food Security Investment Forum in Bangladesh

USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah will arrive in Bangladesh on Tuesday to participate in the Food Security Investment Forum and other meetings, All Headline News reports (5/23).

25 May 2010

Dole Nutrition Handbook recognized with prestigious Living Now Book Award

Dole Food Company, Inc. is pleased to have received the prestigious Living Now Book Award for the Dole Nutrition Handbook: What You Need to Eat And How To Live For A Longer Healthier Life. The gold medal award is the top honor in the competition's Nutrition & Diet category. On Earth Day each year, the Jenkins Group - an organization dedicated to promoting books that enrich readers' lives in Earth friendly ways - presents the Living Now Book Awards to honor "books for better living."

24 May 2010

NIH issues new conflict of interest guidelines for researchers

New NIH guidelines, proposed Thursday, are intended "to prevent financial conflicts of interest among [40,000] researchers who receive federal funding, a move long sought by watchdogs of scientific research concerned about the influence of the drug industry and others," The Washington Post reports.

24 May 2010

Lancet examines efforts to reform USAID

A Lancet World Report article examines the decision to restore USAID's policy department as part of broader reform efforts at the agency.

24 May 2010

Economist features special report on water

In a special report on water the Economist examines the causes of and growing concerns over increasing scarcity around the world.

24 May 2010

Feed the Future Guide for Obama administration's food security plan released

The "full details of how the money will be spent" has not yet been released, but the guide said the initiative would aim to increase "access to products such as fertilisers and new technology, including agriculture biotechnology," the Financial Times reports.

24 May 2010

Drug and alcohol experts to take part in T2010 conference

In August 2010, researchers and experts on drugs, alcohol and medicines will take part in the T2010 conference, the tri-annual meeting of the International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety (ICADTS). This year's meeting is being hosted by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

21 May 2010

Washington State Department of Health shows smoking inside homes drops by 61% since 2000

New research released today by the Washington State Department of Health shows the number of people smoking inside homes in our state has declined by 61 percent since 2000. The drop is more than double the overall decline in adult smoking during the same period.

21 May 2010

NCCA to host innovative lifelong learning arts programs in San Francisco

Ever wondered why creativity and learning are so important for the older brain? National Center for Creative Aging (NCCA) will answer this question and highlight innovative lifelong learning arts programs at the "NCCA-MetLife Foundation Creativity Matters: Lifelong Learning Through the Arts" symposium.

21 May 2010

Study investigates firearm fatalities among under age youths

Over three-quarters of youths under age 15 who die in firearm accidents are shot by another person, usually another youth, according to new research from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH).

21 May 2010

African 'green revolution' should focus on small farmers, U.N. report says

Investments in agricultural technology should be directed to Africa's smallholder farmers in an effort to increase food security after decades of low funding, the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said in a report on Wednesday, Reuters reports (Lynn, 5/19).

21 May 2010

Meat pies meatier than before: Choice report

Consumer alert group “Choice” tested 20 frozen meat pies available in supermarket chains nationally. They found that at present meat pies contain more meat than they did four years back. To qualify as a meat pie, the product should be at least 25% meat as per the guidelines from 2007. Coles home brand was the only brand that failed to meet the content standard. Australians spend more than $127 million and eat 18,500 tonnes of meat pies every year.

20 May 2010

realbuzz.com suggests tips to reinvigorate your regime

As the summer approaches do you make the most out of our time off? Do you maximise your lunch hour and time off after work? How do you revitalize yourself to make sure you feel on top of the World? Many of us forget about the small things that can instantly change the way you feel and only involve minimum impact and cost. realbuzz.com the healthy active living website suggests a few small ways to reinvigorate your regime.

20 May 2010

FDA Transparency Task Force releases 21 draft proposals for public comment on agency disclosure policies

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Transparency Task Force today released 21 draft proposals for public comment on public disclosure policies aimed at helping consumers, stakeholders, and others understand how the agency operates and makes decisions. The Transparency Task Force will review the comments and decide which proposals to recommend for implementation.

20 May 2010

Novartis to pay additional $250 million for gender discrimination inflicted on 5,600 working women

After delivering a unanimous verdict against Novartis on all counts and awarding 12 former Novartis sales reps $3.36 million in compensatory damages yesterday, a New York jury today delivered a stronger dose of the same medicine. Announcing the amount of punitive damages to be awarded, the jury determined that Novartis must pay an additional $250 million for the gender discrimination it inflicted on 5,600 working women in the class. The case was the largest gender discrimination matter ever to go to verdict in the U.S.

20 May 2010