New Zealand Cancer Society’s sunscreen fails

Consumer NZ announced last week that tests of the Cancer Society sunscreen SPF 30+ Trigger Spray showed it significantly failed to meet the SPF claim. – The New Zealand’s Commerce Commission has asked the Cancer Society, New Zealand for information about the alleged failure of one its sunscreen products, and what the society is doing about the problem.

Environmental toxins cause early onset puberty in girls

Certain environmental toxins may disrupt the normal growth and hormonal development of girls, and lead to early onset puberty in girls. – Although scientists have speculated over the negative effects of environmental toxins for years, new data suggest that certain environmental toxins may disrupt the normal growth and hormonal development of girls.

Tattooing improves DNA vaccine response

DNA-vaccination via tattooing induces stronger humoral and cellular immune responses than intramuscular delivery supported by molecular adjuvants. – Tattooing is a more effective way of delivering DNA vaccines; a tattoo can be more than just a fashion statement ? it has potential medical value, according to an article published in the online open access journal, Genetic Vaccines and Therapy.

DNA sequencing found virus killing transplant recipients in Australia

DNA sequencing establishes high throughput genetic sequencing as powerful tool for pathogen discovery; technology enables improvements in screening for transplant safety. – In the first application of high throughput DNA sequencing technology to investigate an infectious disease outbreak, link the discovery of a new arenavirus to the deaths of three transplant recipients who received organs from a single donor in Victoria, Australia in April 2007.

New hope for hepatitis C sufferers

Adelaide scientists will lead a $2 million five-year project to develop new vaccines and explore better treatment options for hepatitis C sufferers. – University of Adelaide virologists Dr Michael Beard and Dr Karla Helbig will work with colleagues from the University of NSW to develop new strategies to treat and prevent hepatitis C, which infects more than 170 million people around the world.

Adverse reactions linked to Botox use, warns FDA

Ongoing safety review of Botox, Botox Cosmetic and Myobloc taking place in US. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today notified the public that Botox and Botox Cosmetic (Botulinum toxin Type A) and Myobloc (Botulinum toxin Type B) have been linked in some cases to adverse reactions, including respiratory failure and death, following treatment of a variety of conditions using a wide range of doses.

In Vitro Fertilization Research Centre in AIIMS, India

Indian Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss inaugurated a test tube baby (IVF) centre at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), India. – The Indian Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, dedicated to the Nation the first state of the art In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Research Centre established at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

Ban use of bisphenol A in baby bottles

Environmental health groups call for immediate moratorium on bisphenol A in baby bottles, food and beverage containers. Baby bottles leach toxic chemical, according to new U.S. and Canadian Study. – Dozens of state and national environmental health organizations in the U.S. and Canada are calling for an immediate moratorium on the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in baby bottles and other food and beverage containers, based on the results of a new study that demonstrates the toxic chemical BPA leaches from popular plastic baby bottles when heated.

Cannabis smoking a major cause of gum disease

Heavy cannabis smoking has been identified as a major cause of gum disease in a study involving researchers from the University of Otago, King’s College in London, Duke University and the University of North Carolina in the USA. – Heavy cannabis smoking has been identified as a major cause of gum disease, and responsible for more than one-third of the new cases of gum disease by age 32, revealed in a study.

Strong genetic influence on childhood obesity

Evidence for a strong genetic influence on childhood adiposity despite the force of the obesogenic environment. – A British study reveals that obesity in children is not only because of lack of exercise and wrong dietary habits, but there is a strong genetic influence amongst other factors that lead to childhood obesity.

Health Newstrack