Scientists decipher genome of fungus that can cause life-threatening infections
In a project that already has benefited animportant field of biomedical research, scientists have deciphered thegenomes of two closely related strains of Cryptococcus neoformans, afungus whose importance as a human pathogen has risen in parallel withthe HIV/AIDS worldwide epidemic and the increased use ofimmunosuppressive therapies.The study, posted online January 13 in Science Express, rev...Essential mangrove forest threatened by cryptic ecological degradation
The recent killer tsunami has highlighted once more the importance of coastline protection. In natural conditions, this function is taken up by mangroves, forests thriving at the edge of land and sea that are ecologically and socio-economically important for local people in tropical countries on all continents. Using biology, geography, hydrology, socio-economic interviews, and 18th-century histo...Simple drug has the potential to save many lives threatened by malaria
A simple drug, given to children with severe malaria before they reach hospital, has the potential to save many lives, say researchers in this week's BMJ. C...Poaching, logging, and outbreaks of Ebola threaten central African gorillas and chimpanzees
Experts call for $30 million action plan to save mankind's closest relatives An action plan drafted by more than 70 primatologists and other experts who met in B...Acid water in East Java threatens biodiversity and local welfare
She went to investigate the local ecology. Yet during her field work on East Java, Dutch biologist Ansje Lohr became increasingly involved with the local residents, whose harvests failed and whose health was deteriorating due to extremely acidified and polluted river water. Lohr has recently received a second grant to help the Javanese population. Lohr's Ph.D. study was part of a larger pr...Biodiversity threatened as forests become 'islands' of green, UW professor says
America's national forests are beginning to resemble "islands" of green wilderness, increasingly trapped by an expanding sea of new houses, a UW-Madison forestry researcher reports at the 90th annual Ecological Society of America (ESA) meeting in Montreal, Canada. The widening circle of development around forests such as the Cleveland National Forest in Southern California is serving to...New UK Policy Threatens The Flexible Working Scheme
The British Medical Association (BMA) said that the financial crisis would put an end to the new scheme, which helps the lady doctors wanting to work part-time after childbirth. // This scheme comes under the National Health Center (NHS). But ministers are posing a threat to stop the scheme and transferring the powers to the regional health bosses. This move was taken mainly...Food May Trigger Life-Threatening Asthma
For the first time, food allergy -- especially to peanuts -- has been shown to be a major cause of life-threatening asthma in children. Asthma attacks are the most common reason for children to be hospitalized, say Dr. Graham Roberts from St. Mary's Hospital in London and a team of experts. Despite great strides in treatment, death due to childhood asthma has not dropped. Roughly 50 child...The Use Of Invasive Treatment For Life Threatening Heart Conditions Questioned
A new study shows invasive procedures do not necessarily improve survival rate for patients hospitalized for life-threatening heart conditions.// Researchers studied more than 28,000 patients in 14 countries who were hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome between April 1999 and March 2003. Most patients were admitted to hospitals with cardiac catheterization facilities and underwent m...Baking Soda Treatment for Life-Threatening Asthma
Baking soda as it is commonly known may be a treatment for life-threatening asthma (LTA) in children, according to a study // conducted in 17 children. These children were treated with intravenous administration of sodium bicarbonate to reduce the acidity of the blood which is a common problem in LTA. It was seen that in 17 children with LTA who were treated with sodium bicarbonate ther...Doctors Threaten To Quit Over Abortion Drug
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) may end up losing as many as over 200 doctors, over the stance of the group with regard to the RU486 which induces abortion. // The Catholic doctors who are from Queensland are of the view that the anti-abortion Health Minister Tony Abbott should not be deprived of his powers when it comes to deciding upon individual applications made by women in A...