Bear Bile Chemical Could Help Keep Hearts in Rhythm
A synthesised compound which is also found in bear bile could help prevent disturbances in the heart's normal rhythm, according to research published in the journalHepatology by a team from Imperial College London.
Withdrawal from Heavy Cigarette Smoking Associated With Brain Imaging Changes in Regions Related to Mood Regulation
Findings from a brain imaging study may provide clues for why some individuals with heavy cigarette-smoking habits experience depressed mood upon withdrawal from smoking, according to a report in the August issue ofArchives of General Psychiatry, one of theJAMA/Archives journals.
Restoring Blood Flow After a Heart Attack: Nanostructure Promotes Growth of New Blood Vessels, Mimics Natural Protein
Tissue deprived of oxygen (ischemia) is a serious health condition that can lead to damaged heart tissue following a heart attack and, in the case of peripheral arterial disease in limbs, amputation, particularly in diabetic patients.
New Sensor Promises Rapid Detection of Dangerous Heavy Metal Levels in Humans
Work by University of Cincinnati researchers to create a sensor that provides fast feedback related to the presence and levels of heavy metals -- specifically manganese -- in humans is published in the August issue of the journal, Biomedical Microdevices.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
ENDOSULFAN
Endosulfan is an off-patent organochlorine insecticideand acaricide that is being phased out globally. Endosulfan became a highly controversial agrichemical[1] due to its acute toxicity, potential forbioaccumulation, and role as an endocrine disruptor. Because of its threats to human health and the environment, a global ban on the manufacture and use of endosulfan was negotiated under the Stockholm Convention in April 2011. The ban will take effect in mid 2012, with certain uses exempted for 5 additional years.[2] More than 80 countries,[3] including theEuropean Union, Australia and New Zealand, several West African nations,[4] the United States,[5][6]Brazil[7] and Canada[8] had already banned it or announced phase outs by the time the Stockholm Convention ban was agreed upon. It is still used extensively in India, China, and few other countries. It is produced by Makhteshim Agan and several manufacturers in India and China.
USES
Endosulfan has been used in agriculture around the world to control insect pests including whiteflys,aphids, leafhoppers, Colorado potato beetles andcabbage worms.[9] Due to its unique mode of action, it is useful in resistance management; however, as it is non-specific, it can negatively impact populations of beneficial insects.[10] It is, however, considered to be moderately toxic to honey bees,[11] and it is less toxic to bees than organophosphate insecticides.[12]
HEALTH EFFECTS
Endosulfan is one of the most toxic pesticides on the market today, responsible for many fatal pesticide poisoning incidents around the world.[35] Endosulfan is also a xenoestrogen—a synthetic substance that imitates or enhances the effect of estrogens—and it can act as an endocrine disruptor, causing reproductive and developmental damage in both animals and humans. Whether endosulfan cancause cancer is debated. With regard to consumers intake of endosulfan from residues on food, the Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations has concluded that long-term exposure from food is unlikely to present a public health concern, but short term exposure can exceed acute reference doses.[36]
Endosulfan use in the US in pounds per square mile by county in 2002. (From [1])
USES
Endosulfan has been used in agriculture around the world to control insect pests including whiteflys,aphids, leafhoppers, Colorado potato beetles andcabbage worms.[9] Due to its unique mode of action, it is useful in resistance management; however, as it is non-specific, it can negatively impact populations of beneficial insects.[10] It is, however, considered to be moderately toxic to honey bees,[11] and it is less toxic to bees than organophosphate insecticides.[12]
HEALTH EFFECTS
Endosulfan is one of the most toxic pesticides on the market today, responsible for many fatal pesticide poisoning incidents around the world.[35] Endosulfan is also a xenoestrogen—a synthetic substance that imitates or enhances the effect of estrogens—and it can act as an endocrine disruptor, causing reproductive and developmental damage in both animals and humans. Whether endosulfan cancause cancer is debated. With regard to consumers intake of endosulfan from residues on food, the Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations has concluded that long-term exposure from food is unlikely to present a public health concern, but short term exposure can exceed acute reference doses.[36]
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
SCIENCE UPDATES
1.Decoding the Disease That Perplexes: Scientists Discover New Target for Multiple Sclerosis
ScienceDaily (Oct. 25, 2010) — Scientists are closer to solving one of the many mysteries of multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating diseases, thanks to a recent study conducted at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. The research revealed a previously unknown connection between two ion channels, which, when misaligned, can cause the many bizarre symptoms that characterize the condition.
2.Shy Trout Size It Up
ScienceDaily (Dec. 6, 2010) — Personality is not just a feature unique to humans and pets. Scientists at the University of Gothenburg (Sweden) have revealed that also brown trout have individual characters and show different personalities.
3.Power Grid of the Future Saves Energy
ScienceDaily (Dec. 7, 2010) — Green energy too comes out of the electricity socket, but to get there it has to travel a long journey -- from wind turbines in the North Sea or regional solar, wind and biogas power plants. On the way to the consumer lots of energy is lost. New electronic components will change things in future.
4.Daily Aspirin at Low Doses Reduces Cancer Deaths, Study Finds -- But Caution Urged
ScienceDaily (Dec. 7, 2010) — A daily low dose of aspirin significantly reduces the number of deaths from a whole range of common cancers, an Oxford University study has found.
ScienceDaily (Oct. 25, 2010) — Scientists are closer to solving one of the many mysteries of multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating diseases, thanks to a recent study conducted at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. The research revealed a previously unknown connection between two ion channels, which, when misaligned, can cause the many bizarre symptoms that characterize the condition.
2.Shy Trout Size It Up
ScienceDaily (Dec. 6, 2010) — Personality is not just a feature unique to humans and pets. Scientists at the University of Gothenburg (Sweden) have revealed that also brown trout have individual characters and show different personalities.
3.Power Grid of the Future Saves Energy
ScienceDaily (Dec. 7, 2010) — Green energy too comes out of the electricity socket, but to get there it has to travel a long journey -- from wind turbines in the North Sea or regional solar, wind and biogas power plants. On the way to the consumer lots of energy is lost. New electronic components will change things in future.
4.Daily Aspirin at Low Doses Reduces Cancer Deaths, Study Finds -- But Caution Urged
ScienceDaily (Dec. 7, 2010) — A daily low dose of aspirin significantly reduces the number of deaths from a whole range of common cancers, an Oxford University study has found.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
WOMEN WHO OWNS THE SUN THE MIGHTIEST PLANET
(AFP) - After billions of years the Sun finally has an owner -- a woman from Spain's soggy region of Galicia said Friday she had registered the star at a local notary public as being her property.
Angeles Duran, 49, told the online edition of daily El Mundo she took the step in September after reading about an American man who had registered himself as the owner of the moon and most planets in our solar system.
There is an international agreement which states that no country may claim ownership of a planet or star, but it says nothing about individuals, she added.
"There was no snag, I backed my claim legally, I am not stupid, I know the law. I did it but anyone else could have done it, it simply occurred to me first."
The document issued by the notary public declares Duran to be the "owner of the Sun, a star of spectral type G2, located in the centre of the solar system, located at an average distance from Earth of about 149,600,000 kilometers."
Duran, who lives in the town of Salvaterra do Mino, said she now wants to slap a fee on everyone who uses the sun and give half of the proceeds to the Spanish government and 20 percent to the nation's pension fund.
She would dedicate another 10 percent to research, another 10 percent to ending world hunger -- and would keep the remaining 10 percent herself.
"It is time to start doing things the right way, if there is an idea for how to generate income and improve the economy and people's wellbeing, why not do it?" she asked.
Angeles Duran, 49, told the online edition of daily El Mundo she took the step in September after reading about an American man who had registered himself as the owner of the moon and most planets in our solar system.
There is an international agreement which states that no country may claim ownership of a planet or star, but it says nothing about individuals, she added.
"There was no snag, I backed my claim legally, I am not stupid, I know the law. I did it but anyone else could have done it, it simply occurred to me first."
The document issued by the notary public declares Duran to be the "owner of the Sun, a star of spectral type G2, located in the centre of the solar system, located at an average distance from Earth of about 149,600,000 kilometers."
Duran, who lives in the town of Salvaterra do Mino, said she now wants to slap a fee on everyone who uses the sun and give half of the proceeds to the Spanish government and 20 percent to the nation's pension fund.
She would dedicate another 10 percent to research, another 10 percent to ending world hunger -- and would keep the remaining 10 percent herself.
"It is time to start doing things the right way, if there is an idea for how to generate income and improve the economy and people's wellbeing, why not do it?" she asked.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
SCIENCE UPDATES
1.Researchers Uncover Culprits in Life-Threatening Clotting Disorder
December 4, 2010 — Individuals with a potentially life-threatening condition predisposing them to blood clots, or thrombosis, might someday receive therapy to prevent the condition.
2.More Efficient Polymer Solar Cells Fabricated
December 4, 2010 — Researchers have developed a process for fabricating more efficient polymer solar cells. They discovered a textured substrate pattern that allows deposition of a uniformly thin light-absorbing layer.
3.Preterm Infants May Need a Boost to Protect Against Invasitve Pneumococcal Disease
December 4, 2010 — A new study suggests that preterm infants may not be fully protected against invasive pneumococcal disease under the current United Kingdom immunization .
4.Vitamins Identified as Key Nutrient Which May Promote Harmful Algal Blooms in Coastal Waters
December 4, 2010 — Harmful algal blooms, which negatively affect coastal ecosystems, public health, economies and fisheries around the world, may be promoted by vitamins B-1 and B-12 according to new .
5.Under Suspicion: Painkiller Ziconotide Could Increase Suicidal Ideation
December 4, 2010 — The active agent ziconotide, the synthetic toxin of the cone snail, was acclaimed a safe alternative to morphine when it was introduced six years ago.
December 4, 2010 — Individuals with a potentially life-threatening condition predisposing them to blood clots, or thrombosis, might someday receive therapy to prevent the condition.
2.More Efficient Polymer Solar Cells Fabricated
December 4, 2010 — Researchers have developed a process for fabricating more efficient polymer solar cells. They discovered a textured substrate pattern that allows deposition of a uniformly thin light-absorbing layer.
3.Preterm Infants May Need a Boost to Protect Against Invasitve Pneumococcal Disease
December 4, 2010 — A new study suggests that preterm infants may not be fully protected against invasive pneumococcal disease under the current United Kingdom immunization .
4.Vitamins Identified as Key Nutrient Which May Promote Harmful Algal Blooms in Coastal Waters
December 4, 2010 — Harmful algal blooms, which negatively affect coastal ecosystems, public health, economies and fisheries around the world, may be promoted by vitamins B-1 and B-12 according to new .
5.Under Suspicion: Painkiller Ziconotide Could Increase Suicidal Ideation
December 4, 2010 — The active agent ziconotide, the synthetic toxin of the cone snail, was acclaimed a safe alternative to morphine when it was introduced six years ago.
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