- Hepatitis drug deaths in Japan
Twenty people have died since 1994 and 188 others have become ill from side effects of a hepatitis drug produced in Japan, Japan's Ministry of Health and Welfare said. The prescription drug, known generically as "shosaikoto," is based on a traditional Japanese herbal remedy.
- Easing of beef ban could start within months
A two year ban on exports of beef from the UK seems certain to be eased within months after European Veterinary experts gave unexpectedly strong support to a scheme certifying that herds are free of BSE or "mad cow disease".
- Elections cast a shadow over bio-diversity law
The fate of the much-awaited bio-diversity legislation hangs in the balance because of the political developments. Official circles apprehend that though the draft bill is ready to be placed in Parliament, the enactment may be inordinately delayed as the new government may choose to take a fresh look at the …
- Gene to breast cancer
An international group of scientists claimed to have found a new gene related to both breast and lung cancer. In the journal Oncogene, the researchers wrote that the gene, known as BAP1, functions with another gene linked with breast cancer called BRCA1. Dr Frank Rauscher and his colleagues at Philadelphia's …
- Fat is demon in our diet
Fat is the demon on our diet, supposedly packing in the calories and predisposing us to heart attacks. But at least the original devil would spread the smell of sulphur to announce his presence, our modern tormentor is dark to the senses. Fat, says experts, has no taste. All we …
- Collins named first female shuttle commander
Astronaut Eileen Collins will become the first woman to command a Space Shuttle when Columbia launches on the STS-93 mission in December 1998. During the five day mission, the crew will deploy the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility Imaging System, which will conduct comprehensive studies of the universe.
- Waking up to earthquakes
Apart from the Indian subcontinent slipping under the Tibetan plateau at the rate of 21 mm every year, there are also five faults within the Kathmandu Valley capable of producing major earthquakes. The geological structure of Kathmandu makes it further vulnerable. Many observers have "linked the soil conditions of Kathmandu …
- ONGC meet on technology
A large-number of delegates from the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited participated in the three-day "Technology meet-1998 " organised in the Doon Valley by the ONGC to discuss technology upgradation strategies.
- Designing a drug for anorexia
The first clues on how to design drugs to treat anorexia nervosa could be available by the end of a year. An American professor has vowed that by then this team will have identified at least one of the genes that he claims predispose women to anorexia. He says this …
- US troops in Gulf to have anthrax vaccinations
US Defense Secretary Willaim Cohen has decided that the 36,000 US troops in the Gulf should undergo anthrax vaccinations as a "prudent action," the pentagon announced on Tuesday. The decision to vaccinate all the men and women in uniform was made in December , but the program wasn't expected to …
- Most baby friendly hospitals here
Malaysia now has the largest number of baby friendly hospitals in the world, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Malaysia is the third country in the world where all its government hospitals implemented the concept. This made Malaysia, the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to be accredited the …
- L&T, GVK among 8 in fray for Bangalore water supply project
Humes Industries of Malaysia, Thames Water and Biwater of the United Kingdom, GVK Industries, Mahindra & Mahindra, Bovis India and Larsen & Toubro are among the eight shortlisted for the Rs 2,000 crore Bangalore water supply project. A total of 13 bids were received for the project late last year, …
- Survey finds Chinese families smaller
As China's population continues to grow slowly, Chinese family size is shrinking rapidly. A survey conducted by the Beijing based China Mainland Marketing Research Co suggested that in early 1997, families of Chinese have on average 3.7 members. The corresponding figure for 1994 was around 3.87.
- China strengthens control over imports of wastes
China has reined in the once-serious phenomenon of import of harmful wastes, thanks to the efforts made by the country's various inspection organs. In 1997 these organs inspected a total of 5.66 million tons of imported wastes, of which 99.59 percent proved harmless.
CJD claims 10, say official data
The new variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, linked to BSE or mad cow disease, killed 10 people in the UK last year-the same number as in 1996-the Department of Health said.
- 5th Pak census work begins 7 years late
The gigantic exercise of compiling Pakistan's fifth census, which has been delayed by seven years, began across the courtry today, including in areas known as "Azad Kashmir" .
- Markers on the road to avoiding illness
Anyone listing key technologies for the next century would put genomics and computer chips near the top. Recently the two have been brought together, in the form of DNA chips or gene chips - a combination that is poised to revolutionise medical research and diagnois. In the US, both President …
- Sound gain for medical students
MedSim, an Israeli company is selling an ultra sound simulator to help medical students who have always had a tough time learning the art of ultrasound diagnostics. Developed by four former Israeli Air Force pilots who adapted flight simulator technology, UltraSim gives medical students and technicians in training hands-on experience …
- Jaundice spreading in Durg
If the Municipal Corporation does not take immediate measures, it is doubted that the outbreak of Jaundice will take almost every citizen of Durg in its grip. Here it is worth mentioning that Jaundice spreads only due to polluted water.
