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Surprising levels of mercury in Cincinnati's Brood-X cicadas

Think twice before you eat one of Cincinnati's Brood-X cicadas. That's the warning from researchers at the University of Cincinnati College of Engineering, who have found surprising levels of mercury in these insects.

1 Jun 2004

Thirty-five countries now face serious food shortages

Thirty-five countries now face serious food shortages, including two dozen in Africa, according to a report released by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).

1 Jun 2004

Advertising campaigns do little, if anything, to dissuade teenagers from using drugs

Expensive government advertising campaigns, which play an important part in the national drug strategy, do little, if anything, to dissuade teenagers from using drugs, according to a study by University of Florida researchers.

1 Jun 2004

Microbes in your gut could be cause of allergies

Allergies making your life miserable? Tired of popping antihistamines like candy? Can't go anywhere without your inhaler? The real problem may not be your stuffed-up head. It could be the microbes in your gut.

1 Jun 2004

36 percent of Americans are using complementary and alternative medicines

A new, comprehensive government survey, released by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), reveals that 36 percent of Americans are incorporating complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) into their health care regimen.

1 Jun 2004

China alone has nearly one-third of the world's smokers

One year ago, the 192 Member States of the World Health Organization unanimously adopted the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, the first public health treaty ever negotiated under the auspices of WHO. Since then, 118 Member States have signed the FCTC, including China in November 2003.

1 Jun 2004

Tobacco use and obesity more common among less educated and lowest income Americans

As America observed World No Tobacco Day today, the American Legacy Foundation released a new analysis showing America's most disadvantaged populations are carrying the burden of two major public health epidemics -- smoking and obesity.

1 Jun 2004

Marijuana use does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of developing oral cancer

Contrary to previous research findings that have suggested a link, marijuana use does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of developing oral cancer, according to a large, population-based study led by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

1 Jun 2004

Double-punch approach to vaccine design more effective

A study revealing new information about how viral proteins move between cells and alert the immune system suggests that a double-punch approach to vaccine design would make them more effective.

1 Jun 2004

NSW, Australia smoking ban on the cards

In the next few weeks, the NSW Cabinet will debate whether to ban smoking in all NSW pubs and clubs. New York, California and Ireland have banned smoking in licensed venues, and New Zealand and Norway will bring in bans next year. We can make it happen in NSW too.

1 Jun 2004

Daily reduction in the flexibility of blood vessels maybe why heart attacks occur in the early morning

Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered a daily reduction in the flexibility of blood vessels, which may help explain why heart attacks and strokes occur most frequently in the early morning hours. The findings are published June 1 in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

1 Jun 2004

West Nile set to explode in summer 2004

Experts predict the continued spread of West Nile virus this summer, with the potential for serious outbreaks in numerous states, including California.

1 Jun 2004

Where you live may increase risk factors for asthma

Along with the usual risk factors for asthma such as smoking and poverty, researchers have added another factor that may contribute: a neighborhood where people live in fear.

1 Jun 2004

Gay men casual about HIV

One in three HIV positive gay men don't know they are infected with the virus, suggests a large community study in Sexually Transmitted Infections.

1 Jun 2004

New research institute will tackle health inequalities

A major new research institute at Cardiff University aims to improve the nation’s health through a range of projects which will directly inform policy-makers in Wales and beyond.

1 Jun 2004

How we pass our genes to our children

An Oxford-led team of researchers has found out more about what happens during recombination, the process by which the genetic information you inherited from your mother and father is mixed up to make a sex chromosome to pass on to your offspring.

1 Jun 2004

New UK HIV infection data

In the first three months of 2004, 1389 new diagnoses of HIV infection in the UK were reported. This brought the cumulative total to 62,709 since surveillance began in 1982.

1 Jun 2004

Fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo will affect HIV patients

Fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) town of Bukavu - adjacent to the border with Rwanda - near the end of May has caused an MSF team there to seek refuge in the nearby UN compound.

1 Jun 2004

World’s first personal portable alarm protects against fire, carbon monoxide, theft and intrusion

Vale of Glamorgan based Innovationisus Ltd is preparing for the launch of the ‘Buddy’, the world’s first personal portable alarm designed to protect against the dangers of fire, carbon monoxide, theft and intrusion.

1 Jun 2004

The new European Health Insurance Card explained

The European Health Insurance Card has come into circulation today (1st June 2004). The aim of the card is to simplify procedures for accessing the healthcare system in another Member State.

1 Jun 2004