Health & Science

Tuesday, February 20th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Australia's summer crop production slashed 60%

Australia's summer crop production is forecast to fall by nearly 60% in 2006-07 as most of the main growing areas in southern Queensland, northern New South Wales and the Riverina remain in the grip of drought, the February issue of ABARE (Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics) Australian Crop Report reveals.
Thursday, February 15th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
United Nations launches new radiation warning symbol

A skull and crossbones, a running person and radiating ionizing waves, all on a deep red triangle, joined other more common warning symbols today as part of a United Nations effort to reduce needless deaths and serious injuries from accidental exposure to large radioactive sources such as food irradiation and cancer therapy equipment.
Wednesday, February 14th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Dengue outbreak: UN forecasts “difficult year”

The entire Latin America region needs to take preventive measures to prepare for what promises to be a “difficult year” for dengue fever following an outbreak of the mosquito-borne infection in Paraguay, United Nations health officials have warned.
Wednesday, February 14th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
British, Hungarian bird flu outbreaks linked

Tests on H5N1 bird flu viruses found in Britain and Hungary showed they were genetically almost identical and the most likely transmission route was from poultry to poultry, Britain said yesterday.
Wednesday, February 14th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
UN hails 40 anniversary of Latam nuclear-weapon-free zone

The historic pact of Latin America and the Caribbean States to maintain a nuclear-weapon-free zone, the first-ever of its kind, has withstood the test of time and should spur greater efforts to rid the world of these arms, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday in honoring the 40th anniversary of the landmark agreement.
Wednesday, February 14th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Where do rich countries' children fare worse? US & UK

United States and Britain ranked at the bottom of a U.N. survey of child welfare in 21 wealthy countries that assessed everything from infant mortality to whether children ate dinner with their parents or were bullied at school.
Wednesday, February 14th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
UN aid to 200.000 Bolivians victims of El Niño floods

In the wake of an appeal by the President of Bolivia for international assistance, United Nations agencies are stepping up aid to people in the country devastated by flooding, hail and freeze which have affected 200,000 and killed more than 20.
Monday, February 12th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Chile faces “aging population” challenge

Chile's birth rate has dropped substantially from 3.5% in 1962 to just 1.6% today. And with the country's “baby boom” generation (1957ÃÂ¢€”1962) turning grey, Chile could face a future crisis of social care and pension payments.
Monday, February 12th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Several cases of dengue fever on Easter Island

Three new cases of Dengue Fever (DF) were reported last weekend on Easter Island, a Chilean outpost in the South Pacific. Two men and one woman, both native islanders, were found to be infected with the disease.
Sunday, February 11th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
British tycoon offers price $ 25 million to clean up atmosphere

As if offering flights to space and recently hosting his own reality show were not enough to get British billionaire Sir Richard Branson the publicity he so richly affords, this week he has gone over the heads of environmental leaders everywhere to offer a US$ 25 million prize for the first scientist who can invent an economically viable way to clean carbon from Earth's atmosphere.