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Planned parenthood still a target, but benefiting from substantial lobbying effort

After the Senate cleared the two-week stopgap budget bill, both sides of the fight over Planned Parenthood funding continue their lobbying campaigns.

4 Mar 2011

Tougher smoking restrictions in South Australia

Smokers are in for tougher restrictions as smoking is soon to be banned in bus, tram and train shelters, at taxi stands and near playgrounds in South Australia. These new laws will also allow local councils and other bodies to have events declared smoke-free while cigarettes will no longer go on display in shops or service stations from January next year. Specialist tobacconists will have until 2015 to adjust to the new measures.

1 Mar 2011

Fake pot now illegal in U.S.

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1 Mar 2011

Bioanalysis accepted for coverage by EMBASE & Scopus

EMBASE is a premier online resource for biomedical literature, with over 24 million indexed records and more than 7,500 current, mostly peer-reviewed journals, EMBASE quickly and accurately delivers biomedical answers. Scopus is the largest abstract and citation database of research literature and quality web sources covering nearly 18,000 titles from more than 5,000 publishers.

1 Mar 2011

Survey finds social networking sites associated with one in five divorces in the US

If you're single, Facebook and other social networking sites can help you meet that special someone. However, for those in even the healthiest of marriages, improper use can quickly devolve into a marital disaster.

1 Mar 2011

Experts explores how sexuality and religion affect, influence young British society

Sexuality and religion are generally considered uncomfortable bedfellows. Now, for the first time, a team of researchers from Nottingham have carried out a detailed study around these issues and how they affect and influence the lives of British 18 to 25 year olds.

1 Mar 2011

U.K.'s DFID might reduce funding for FAO in light of 'patchy' performance

The U.K.'s Department for International Development on Saturday said it might reduce its contribution to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization if the agency does not improve its performance, Reuters reports.

1 Mar 2011

Opinions: Foreign aid budget cuts would negatively affect food, global health

The "hard truth is that if the United States doesn't keep its word" on a pledge to deliver $3.5 billion to the G20's $22 billion food security initiative for "vulnerable" developing countries, "no one else will," a New York Times editorial states.

1 Mar 2011

New research shows being mindful can ease fears of death and dying

Death can be terrifying. Recognizing that death is inescapable and unpredictable makes us incredibly vulnerable, and can invoke feelings of anxiety, hatred and fear. But new research by George Mason University psychology professor Todd Kashdan shows that being a mindful person not only makes you generally more tolerant and less defensive, but it can also actually neutralize fears of dying and death.

1 Mar 2011

Event marks ceremonial launch of U.N. Women

"After years of planning, fundraising and consultations, U.N. Women was officially launched Thursday," Inter Press Service reports, describing the expectations for the agency voiced by leaders gathered at the event. The ceremonial launch took place during a meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York, U.N. News Centre writes.

28 Feb 2011

U.S. food prices could rise up to 4%, USDA says

U.S. food prices will "rise as much as 4% this year, more than the 2% to 3% estimated last month, after a surge in prices for farm goods, the U.S. Department of Agriculture" forecast Thursday during the agency's outlook conference in Washington, Bloomberg/Los Angeles Times reports.

28 Feb 2011

Visualization techniques and action plan can improve food habits

If you want to improve the way you eat, the best way to do so is to both make an action plan and visualize yourself carrying it out, according to McGill researchers.

28 Feb 2011

Menthol cigarette makers & FDA in a legal debate over ban

Tobacco companies have decided to sue the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over a decision that has been made in regards to cigarettes. The companies include the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. as well as Lorillard, Inc., have sued the FDA over a decision that would potentially ban all cigarettes that contain a chemical known as menthol.

28 Feb 2011

Media examine effects, outlook of food price increases worldwide

"A rush by farmers to expand plantings in many parts of the world is raising expectations that food prices may retreat as early as the second half of this year if weather conditions remain favorable," the Wall Street Journal reports in a story examining how recent global developments could affect food price spikes.

25 Feb 2011

Advocates say ending violence against women must be top priority for U.N. women

Nearly three quarters of women's rights advocates say ending violence against women must be a top priority for U.N. Women, according to a report released Wednesday at the Commission on the Status of Women in New York, Inter Press Service reports.

25 Feb 2011

Researchers discover strong link between victimization experiences and substance abuse

A strong link between victimization experiences and substance abuse has been discovered by researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

25 Feb 2011

Michigan State University secures $7.9 million award to improve food security in Mozambique

Michigan State University has secured a $7.9 million award to improve agriculture and food security in Mozambique through increasing the African nation's agricultural productivity, creating economic opportunities and enhancing nutrition.

24 Feb 2011

Erik Parens to speak on behavioral genetics at Presidential Commission meeting

Hastings Center Scholar Erik Parens, PhD, will speak about behavioral genetics to the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues on Monday, February 28. The meeting kicks off the Commission’s examination of the ethical and policy issues raised by genetics and neuroscience. Topics will include the use of genetics, neuroscience, and neuroimaging for testing, research, diagnosis, risk identification, and health promotion. Parens was invited to discuss what he considers the most pressing ethical and social issues that behavioral genetics research raises.

24 Feb 2011

Toxic contamination of groundwater: South Australia residents warned

Australia’s Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has announced fears of groundwater contamination beneath up to 2000 homes. The EPA said that industrial activity at the former Hills Industries site in Edwardstown, south of Adelaide, caused dangerous materials - including a chemical known to cause cancer - to seep into the groundwater.

23 Feb 2011

Genetic testing should be conducted by qualified health professionals

In a letter to theFood and Drug Administration (FDA), the American Medical Association (AMA) today called for genetic testing to be conducted under the guidance of a physician, genetic counselor, or other genetics specialist. The letter was sent to the Molecular and Clinical Genetics Panel of the FDA's Medical Devices Advisory Committee regarding direct to consumer genetic tests prior to the panel’s hearings on the topic, scheduled for March 8 and 9.

23 Feb 2011