- GEF to fund national biodiversity project
In a bid to fill in the gap due to the absence of legal protection to India's biological resources and traditional knowledge systems, the Global Environment facility (GEF) has decided to fund a national biodiversity project to explore sustainable use and valuation of biodiversity and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) requirements. …
- Mad cow inquiry starts in England
An appeals court judge opened a formal inquiry into the UK government's handling of mad cow disease and said he couldn't meet his deadline of reporting at the end of the year. Justice Nicholas Phillips said he would be asking Prime Minister Tony Blair for an additional six months.
- Typhoid epidemic may break out in Ghaziabad
With the number of typhoid and para-typhoid cases rising in Ghaziabad, experts have not ruled out the possibility of the disease spreading to Delhi. This was stated by Dr S.K. Agarwal of the medicine department at the Maulana Azad Medical College. He said Delhiites should avoid taking food outside even …
- More diseases
Rising global temperature could bring more than floods and severe weather. They may allow for the wider spread of tropical illness like dengue fever, scientists warned. Researchers at the John Hopkins University in Baltimore used computers to model the general circulation of the earth's weather patterns and checked changes against …
- Assam Health Establishment Act to be amended
The Government of Assam has initiated steps to amend the Assam Health Establishment Act, 1993, in order to incorporate specific penal provisions to take action against the nursing homes responsible for violation of the provisions of the Act, said the Health Minister Dr Kamala Kalita.
- Hospital charges being raised
The state Cabinet will take up tomorrow a proposal to hike charges in government hospitals and polyclinics by 25 to 100 per cent.
- A genetic fondness for nicotine
Smokers who cannot quit may have a gene that makes them enjoy the nicotine in tobacco too much, researchers at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center have found.
- Two Canada provinces push for C$12bn dam
The provincial governments of Quebec and Newfoundland are expected to announce that they will proceed with formal negotiations to develop a US$8.2bn hydroelectric power project capable of generating at least 3,100MW.
- Firm admits link to organ sales of slain Chinese
A German company has announced that it is abandoning its half interest in a kidney dialysis center in Guangzhou, China, admitting that Chinese military officials had probably made it an unintentional accomplice in the selling of organs from executed prisoners to wealthy foreigners.
- Blood pressure drugs and suicide
Calcium channel blocker drugs used to control high blood pressure and angina may cause depression and lead to suicide, Swedish doctors warn. Dr. Arne Melander and colleagues at Malmo University Hospital in Sweden said two studies showed a significant correlation between the drugs that work by blocking calcium from entering …
- Depression is a family affair
Depression is a family affair, in more ways than one. Not only does depression in one family member affect everyone else, depression in one or both parents greatly increases the risk that their children will also become depressed or develop other emotional disorders. The finding came to light in a …
- Convention of trade in dangerous chemicals and pesticides
More than 100 countries are expected to conclude negotiations this week on a legally binding Convention on International trade in hazardous chemicals and pesticides. The interngovernmental meeting started in Brussels and will finish on Saturday, 14 March, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) …
- Vijayawada cancer prone
Chances of the occurrences of cancer is high in Vijayawada if the positive and negative effects of the earth's radiation are not eliminated, according to the chairman of the Institute of Engineers CH Venkateswarulu. The institute had organised a week long building materials exhibition from March 1 in the city.
- Congress asked to clear smoking law
President Bill Clinton launched a campaign on Saturday to pressure Congress to move quickly to approve tobacco legislation intended to end "the epidemic" of teen smoking. Noting that there were less than 70 working days left before Congress adjourns, Mr Clinton urged legislators to pass comprehensive bipartisan legislation as soon …
- Fat-free beer will target dry states
A fully owned subsidiary of the German beer giant Steinker, chronicle International Inc, is all set to launch its beer in India on March 15 through marketing franchise Anchor Beverages Limited (ABL). The beer, with less than three per cent alcohol content, will target the consumers of other rival brands …
- Cosmic puffery
The recent discovery of an anti-gravity force, which is causing the universe to expand at an accelerated rate, if confirmed, shall provide a delightful testemonial to the power of the human mind to grapple with the unthinkable.The roots of the "discovery" go back to Albert Einstein's formulation of general relativity(editorial).
- Haryana may soon relax prohibition
The ruling Haryana Vikas party-BJP combine is under pressure to review the prohibition policy, which is being considered in political circles as one of the factors responsible for the combine's dismal performance in the Lak Sabha election.
- DMA rejects draft bill
The Delhi Medical Association has rejected the Delhi government's draft bill requiring doctors to re-register clinics every five years after due verification by an inspector.
