Farmed salmon, cloned animals, Cloning research, Mad Cow (17) Flu, Flu shots, vaccines (pros and cons); The Common Cold (85) GMOs (genetically modified organisms) (30) Pesticides, Herbicides (4)

SARS Attacks! (206) West Nile Disease & Mosquito Control; Bird Flu, Avian Flu (14) World Health (3)

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$5-million gift aimed at stem-cell research *
A Toronto foundation giving the Robarts Research Institute a $5-million boost for stem-cell research wants the money to trigger more backing for London researchers. [More]

'Hamburger disease' treatment in the works *
Researchers are testing a new treatment that could save children from the ill effects of ingesting E. coli bacteria often found in undercooked burgers. [More]

* Good bacteria helps ease symptoms of ulcerative colitis *
According to Canadian research published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology July 2005, a severe inflammatory disease of the colon, ulcerative colitis often produces bloody diarrhea and is associated with an increased risk of colon cancer. [More]

. . .and a southern escape from isolation *
A Brazilian park, encircled by farmland, was more like a jail than a haven for the mighty jaguar. SHAWN BLORE details the innovative solution -- travel corridors to link it with other reserves [More]

13 West Nile cases suspected in Saskatchewan *
The number of probable human cases of West Nile virus in Saskatchewan rose to 13 Tuesday from nine Monday. [More]

44 Oil Spills Found in Southeast Louisiana *
More than 500 specialists are working to clean up 44 oil spills ranging from several hundred gallons to nearly 4 million gallons, the US Coast Guard said in an assessment that goes far beyond initial reports of just two significant spills. [More]

A $1,000 checkup *
With the public health-care system squeezed and patient rosters ballooning, private clinics are offering premium services for a fee, writes MARINA JIMENEZ. But is it worth shelling out cash to determine the elasticity of your eyeballs? [More]

A bone-marrow lottery win (Mackwood) *
Very few international donors gave to Canadians -- those deemed a perfect match. They are lottery odds and we inexplicably won. [More]

A difference between humans, apes *
Humans have lost the ability to make a certain sugar that our closest animal relatives produce, so when we consume it in milk and red meat, our immune system views it as an invader. ANNE McILROY reports. [More]

A disease to fight famine? *
Feeling hungry, but aren't tempted to eat? Want instead to start running and keep chugging as long as you can? [More]

A few scientists of note *
In science, respect is sometimes measured by how much other people talk about you. Well, maybe not talk, but "cite" -- as in include a reference to your work in a footnote. [More]

A guide to the facts of a deadly disease *
In Canada, 10,000 cows have been tested for BSE in the decade since the last case. All were cleared. [More]

A healthy read *
Health news has never been of more interest -- and it has never been more complex. Each day brings fresh studies and reports that seem to contradict each other at an ever-accelerating pace. [More]

A hip replacement from the horse's mouth *
Horse teeth, if you get close enough to have a good look, are brown. That's because the enamel that makes human teeth shiny and white is covered with a bone-like layer called cementum... [More]

A little poison may not be a dangerous thing *
A controversial theory called hormesis is picking up support in scientific circles. It holds that radiation, toxic chemicals or lack of food can be good for you in small doses or for short periods. ANNE McILROY reports. [More]

A northern passage to safety ... *
The death toll on a stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway was so alarming that Banff National Park built a series of overpasses and underpasses to allow animals to cross. MARK STEVENSON reports [More]

A puzzling new disorder strikes middle-aged men *
American scientists say they have discovered an enigmatic new neurodegenerative disease, one that primarily affects grandfathers of boys with the most common form of mental retardation. [More]

A U.S. epidemic *
The U.S. Center for Disease Control is reporting that as of Aug. 26, there are 1,355 reported human cases of West Nile Virus in the United States, with 19 deaths reported. Why are the media not warning Canadians about travel to the United States? [More]

A victory for South Africa's martyr-in-chief *
In the continental AIDS crisis, Africans have been shocked to find themselves fighting not just Western drug companies, but one another. STEPHANIE NOLEN, The Globe's new Africa bureau chief, recounts an AIDS drama with that rarest of things, a happy ending. But at great cost: Activist Zackie Achmat nearly lost his life. His old African National Congress comrade, President Thabo Mbeki, had to sacrifice his pride. Their standoff lasted nearly five years [More]

A West Nile primer *
Who is in danger of getting sick and how do you protect yourself? ANNE McILROY supplies some answers [More]

A year late, Ontario readies West Nile test *
A leading-edge West Nile test that Ontario is expected to have ready for this summer was actually slated to be completed more than a year ago. [More]

Aborted fetuses used in fertility treatment *
Fetal ovarian tissue could relieve shortage of human eggs, Israeli scientists maintain [More]

Access to care for HIV/AIDS African goal *
Those being treated only tiny proportion of continent's 30 million victims, UN says [More]

Activists sue U.S. over orcas' status *
Killer whales on Canada's endangered list but lack same protections south of border [More]

Actor tests HIV positive, porn filming suspended *
California's multibillion-dollar adult pornographic film industry ground to a virtual halt yesterday after a popular actor tested positive for the virus that causes AIDS. [More]

AIDS 'superinfections' on the rise *
Evidence is growing that "superinfection" with more than one strain of HIV may be more common than previously thought, which could complicate efforts to make a vaccine, experts said Monday at an international AIDS conference. [More]

AIDS doctor agrees to quit practice after sex allegations *
A well-known doctor in the gay community who helped found one of the first AIDS support organizations in Canada has avoided a disciplinary hearing by agreeing never to practise medicine again. [More]

AIDS rate among U.S. gays on rise, CDC reports *
The number of gay and bisexual men diagnosed with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, climbed for the third consecutive year in the United States in 2002, fuelling fears the disease might be poised for a major comeback in this vulnerable group. [More]

AIDS-surgeon case to be probed *
Quebec physicians body concerned about actions of those overseeing MD. [More]

Ain't no ocean deep enough *
Extinct volcanoes far below the sea are magnets for marine life, some of it new to science. But even at that depth, nothing is safe from fishing boats equipped with sophisticated tracking technology, ALANNA MITCHELL reports [More]

Air Supply Air Purifier *
Ideal for use in a closed environment (elevators, office cubicle, airplane travel). [More]

Alberta and BC ripe for West Nile virus *
Unseasonably warm, dry weather in Alberta and British Columbia has created the perfect conditions for a serious outbreak of West Nile virus, warned a Harvard Medical School expert yesterday. [More]

Alberta confirms first West Nile case *
Alberta has its first case of West Nile virus in a human, health officials confirmed Tuesday. [More]

Alberta magpie province's first West Nile case *
A magpie found near Camrose, southeast of Edmonton, has tested positive for the West Nile virus, becoming the province's first ever case, officials said yesterday. [More]

Alberta researchers reeling from grizzly bear slaughter *
The internationally famous research by two Canadian naturalists showing that grizzly bears in the snow-swept Russian wilderness can live peacefully with humans has ended in a brutal tragedy, The Globe and Mail reports. [More]

Alzheimer's maze starts to unwind *
Teenager Sharon Moalem suspected his grandfather's Alzheimer's was linked to a buildup of iron in his brain. Years later, he proved it. [More]

Angelina Jolie's conservation project approved *
Cambodia has approved a forest conservation project funded by Tomb Raider star Angelina Jolie. [More]

Antarctic 'ozone hole' reaches record size *
The ozone hole over the Antarctic this year has reached the record size of 28 million square kilometres set three years ago, the United Nations' weather organization said Wednesday. [More]

Antismoking groups blast McLellan *
Health Minister is undermining tobacco control, coalition complains [More]

Ape diet a cholesterol-buster, researcher says *
Study finds it as effective as popular drug [More]

Appetite-curbing hormone found to cut calorie intake 30 per cent *
Scientists have discovered a potential bonanza for the diet industry: a naturally occurring hormone that appears to dramatically reduce the urge to eat [More]

Approval of peanut-allergy drug could protect millions against allergic reactions *
Researchers are raving about a new drug, TNX-901, that could turn life-threatening allergic reactions to peanuts into a thing of the past. [More]

Aquatic pit bull threatens U.S. waterways *
Predatory snakehead native to Russia and China may alter ecological balance. [More]

Arsenic in King George III's hair contributed to bouts of madness *
A study revealing high concentrations of arsenic in a sample of King George III's hair is published in this week's issue of The Lancet. The authors believe the presence of arsenic in the King's hair contributed to his unusually severe and prolonged bouts of madness. [More]

Attitude to health care improving, survey says *
One year after the unveiling of Roy Romanow's landmark report on medicare, Canadians' gloom over the health system is beginning to lift as considerably fewer voters express anxiety about the future. [More]

B.C ordered to pay costs of sex change *
Province erred in failing to reimburse plaintiff for his operation, tribunal finds [More]

B.C. clinic defends fees for surgeries *
Controversy heats up over breach of rules as private centre says system must change [More]

B.C. doctors agree to forgo pay raise. . . for now *
B.C. doctors voted 89 per cent in favour of a three-year contract with the government that holds the line on wage increases for two years and guarantees patients there won't be any strikes or work disruptions. [More]

B.C. health-care workers walk out *
British Columbia's health-care system teetered near chaos after thousands of hospital workers walked off their jobs and onto picket lines yesterday, forcing the cancellation of thousands of procedures, from hip replacements and hernia operations to CT scans and ultrasounds. [More]

B.C. outbreak not SARS, UN health body confirms *
The has concluded that a respiratory disease that swept through a Vancouver-area nursing home this summer is not SARS. [More]

B.C. pledges $2.8-million to fight chronic diseases *
The B.C. government is giving doctors extra help in caring for patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, congestive heart failure and asthma. [More]

B.C. SARS mystery remains *
A respiratory outbreak near Vancouver this summer was not caused by the SARs virus, follow-up testing has confirmed. But rather than being a source of relief, the findings are bringing to the fore serious questions about why Canada's premier laboratory raised the SARS alarm in the first place. [More]

Babies teach chemists the secret of soft skin *
It's vernix, a coating formed in the womb, and a synthetic version is on the way. [More]

Baby teeth prove rich stem-cell source *
The Tooth Fairy may have to leave a little more cash: US researchers have found that baby teeth are rich in stem cells and may provide an alternative source of raw material for promising but controversial research on cells taken from human embryos. [More]

Back to the garden: A travel feature by Doug Alexander *
The plant-filled Eden Project has become one of England's most popular attractions. [More]

Barb Tarbox, 42: Anti-smoking crusader dies *
Cancer victim Barb Tarbox spent her last months travelling across Canada to deliver a powerful anti-smoking message to thousands of teenagers. [More]

Battling new bugs *
Lydia Dotto (Outbreak: The Climate Connection -- Aug. 30) gave an excellent account of the effects of environmental, climatic and ecosystem change on the risks of infectious diseases. [More]

BC Association of Optometrists: Pregnant women blind to vision problems *
According to the B.C. Association of Optometrists, mothers-to-be are unaware of blurred vision from hormones, water retention... [More]

Bedbugs: coming soon to a single-family home near you *
This week, the University of Toronto released a research bulletin by urban entomologist Tim Myles confirming that local homeless shelters are infested with bedbugs ... [More]

Better reporting seen as reason for increase *
The rate of concussions among National Hockey League players has soared six-fold in the past 15 years, according to a new study. But the numbers may be due as much to increased awareness as to an actual increase in injury, the researchers caution. [More]

Big payoff in preventing diabetes, researchers say *
The 3.6 per cent of Saskatchewan residents who have Type 2 diabetes account for 15 per cent of all health-care spending in the province, according to new research that underscores the economic impact of the swelling obesity epidemic. [More]

Biovail drug campaign causes dilemma in U.S. *
Prescription payment for 'research' study [More]

Biovail says research and others say conflict *
Should doctors be paid to prescribe certain drugs? Most patients and specialists in medical ethics would probably argue they should not, because doing so might pose a conflict of interest, and cause them to prescribe drugs that might not be as effective. But what if the doctor in question is involved in a research trial? Shouldn't he or she be compensated for collecting data on the drug? [More]

Black henna ink unsafe, Health Canada warns *
The ingredient para-phenylenediamine, or PPD, in black henna temporary tattoo ink and paste is unsafe and shouldn't be used, Health Canada has warned. [More]

Blackout: People short of breath hard hit *
Seventy-six-year-old Jean Lund of Kitchener, Ont., coughed and wheezed in the sweltering heat Thursday evening in her small powerless apartment. [More]

Blood officials knew in '81 of hep-C test, memos show *
Senior officials at the Canadian Red Cross knew in 1981 that a test was available that could prevent transmission of some cases of hepatitis C through blood transfusions, according to newly obtained documents. [More]

Blood system still needs watchdog *
In the final report of the 1997 Commission of Inquiry on the Blood System In Canada, Justice Horace Krever described the systematic shortcomings and missed opportunities that led to the tragedy of transfusion-transmitted HIV in the early 1980s. [More]

Blood-testing device sidelined by SARS *
Patient trials of Star Trek-style analyzer on hold while hospitals deal with crisis [More]

Books on epidemics: Spread the word *
With the SARS fever sweeping the nation, The Globe's ANDREW NIKIFORUK takes a look at books that offer both horror and hope [More]

Boost home-care services, new health report urges *
The current approach to home care in Canada -- using it to get people out of hospital sooner after surgery rather than to provide long-term support for patients with chronic-health problems -- is "misguided" and inefficient, a new report says [More]

Brain-wasting disease confirmed in N.B. woman *
A New Brunswick woman died in hospital from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, health officials in Moncton announced on Wednesday. [More]

Breast cancer up 24 per cent in latest HRT study *
The medical complications associated with hormone replacement therapy continue to mount -- and mount and mount. [More]

Breast-cancer risk may rise with use of antidepressants *
Taking antidepressant drugs could lead to a "modest" increase in the risk of developing breast cancer, a Canadian study suggests. [More]

BSE in ALTA: Meat is safe, experts say *
The risk is too tiny to worry about, researchers declare [More]

BSE tests on first herd prove negative *
At least 140 more animals will be slaughtered and examined for mad-cow disease in the coming days, health officials say, as the hunt for the cause of the disease enters a new phase. [More]

BSE: Huge costs and mistakes led to crisis of confidence *
Tough steps, including mass slaughter, are now having an effect in battling BSE [More]

BSE: Seek and ye shall find *
If Canada tests widely for BSE, another case will turn up. Can we convince consumers that this means the system works? asks doctor VIVIAN McALISTER [More]

Burning issues in Texas *
the end of summer passes, many Canadians are tempted not so much to seize the day as embrace the sun. While an understandable instinct, we also should appreciate the sun-borne ills a long winter protects us against [More]

Bye-bye bees *
While honey and honey products account for only a small fraction of the nation's agriculture, 140 billion commercially raised honeybees are responsible for pollinating about $20 billion worth of crops, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics. [More]

Caesareans linked to stillbirth next time around *
A massive study in Britain has found that women who have had a Caesarean section run double the risk of a late-term stillbirth on their next pregnancy. [More]

Calgary Health Region fights legionella bacteria *
Specialized water treatment units are being installed at all Calgary-region hospitals after the discovery of the potentially deadly legionella bacteria at a second city health centre. [More]

Call of the city lures vets to pet practice *
Bulwark of disease control in livestock may be threatened as graduates shun rural areas [More]

Can Jack Sprat eat no fat? *
Britain launches a drive to slim down amid growing fears of 'obesity epidemic' [More]

Can the health system control its infections? *
Anyone wondering why Canada needs some national oversight for its health system need look no further than a new study on the woeful state of infection control in hospitals. [More]

Canada can carry much more *
Canadian firms stand ready to manufacture affordable AIDS drugs. The WTO has even relaxed its patent rules. So why won't the PM give the green light? demands lawyer RICHARD ELLIOTT [More]

Canada joins global pact against use of tobacco *
Amid cheers and clapping, representatives of more than 190 countries approved the world's first public health treaty yesterday in Geneva. It is aimed at controlling and diminishing tobacco use. [More]

Canada ranked fourth in health spending *
Canada now has the fourth-highest level of health spending in the world, trailing only the United States, Germany and Switzerland, according to newly released data. [More]

Canada's child cancer shame *
About 1,300 children and teenagers are diagnosed with cancer in Canada each year -- the commonest cause of disease-related death in our children. [More]

Canada's drug policies 'parasitic,' U.S. says *
Interview with FDA head sparks debate on issue of reliance on American research [More]

Canada's global AIDS funding criticized *
Ottawa's contribution to the fight against global AIDS is pitifully small, international AIDS activists charged yesterday, as the G8 summit ended with no new announcement on Canadian funding. [More]

Canada's handling of BSE assessed *
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said Monday it is bringing a team of international experts to Canada later this week to assess the agency's handling of the mad-cow investigation. [More]

Canada's national pest *
Beavers are industrious. Maybe too industrious. They are wreaking havoc throughout the country, cutting down trees and flooding land with their dams. MARTIN MITTELSTAEDT reports on the not-so-lovable rodent [More]

Canada's Oral Health Report Card *
The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) issued its official Gingivitis Call-to-Action during Listerine Gingivitis Week. Canadians ranked surprisingly poorly! [More]

Canada's results mixed in health survey *
Survival from heart attacks poorest among five nations studied. No country's system proved superior. [More]

Canada, U.S. float air quality projects *
On the first smog-alert day of 2003 for southern Ontario, federal Environment Minister David Anderson announced several pilot projects aimed at improving air quality. [More]

Canada-U.S. gap in health grows *
Costs three times more south of border [More]

Canada: Get ready to defend affordable drugs *
As more Americans buy drugs on-line, our prices will be pressured to mirror theirs, say JILLIAN CLARE COHEN and ALAN CASSELS [More]

Canadian doctors suffering from burnout: study *
Almost half of Canadian doctors who responded to a questionnaire about their mental health are so exhausted, cynical and stressed that they suffer from "advanced stages of burnout," the Canadian Medical Association says. [More]

Canadian drugs not prescription for U.S. health ills *
Amid growing public anger over escalating prescription drug costs, why not simply allow Americans to freely shop in countries such as Canada, where prices are up to 80 per cent cheaper? [More]

Canadian Health Care: It helps to be rich *
Health and well-being require more than just doctors, hospitals and prescriptions, says ROY ROMANOW [More]

Canadian lung transplants double in a decade *
The number of lung transplants in Canada have doubled since the first patients underwent the then-risky surgery in the 1980s, and recipients are surviving longer afterwards, a new study shows. [More]

Canadian team maps chromosome *
Canadian researchers have completed a detailed map of Chromosome 7 -- the country's main contribution to the Human Genome Project -- discovering dozens of disease genes along the way, including those linked to autism. [More]

Canadians believe they are serving up the right recipe for a healthy diet, poll reveals *
According to a new poll, healthy meals and vitamins are more popular choices than the fast food take-out window. [More]

Cancer costing Canada billions *
The disease burdens individuals with expensive treatments and missed work, and hurts the economy. [More]

Caring for chronically ill can kill, new study says *
Everyone knows that caring for a chronically ill loved one is stressful, but new research shows that the unrelenting demands of caregiving can be so stressful that it damages the immune system and can also cause premature aging. [More]

Carotenoids linked to lower rate of prostate cancer *
The dietary carotenoid lycopene, which gives tomatoes and watermelon their red colour, has been associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer in western countries where the nutrient is often consumed in tomato sauce, pizza and ketchup. [More]

Cataracts not just an old-age problem: BC Optometrists *
Many parents are not aware that cataracts can occur in newborns and children, warns the BC Association of Optometrists. [More]

CDC: West Nile doubles again in U.S. *
West Nile virus activity has again doubled, now affecting more than 1,400 people in the United States, federal officials said Wednesday. [More]

Celebrating the siesta: Most of us already know that a good nap is the best cure *
Don't be shy about nodding off. I'll understand; you're only making sure you're going to be as alert as possible for that pivotal, wind-up paragraph at the end [More]

Child , 2 seniors, die as flu bug spreads *
This year's flu, expected to be the worst in decades, is hitting children so hard that infectious-disease specialists are urging parents to consider having them vaccinated. [More]

Children can suffer hardened arteries, study says *
Researchers in Finland and the United States have shown for the first time that hardening of the arteries -- a classic sign of heart disease -- can begin in childhood. [More]

Children may outgrow peanut allergies: study *
Children with peanut allergies may outgrow their allergy over time, says a new study published in the July issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. [More]

Children's Aid closes suspected case of Munchausen's syndrome *
The Children's Aid Society of Ottawa has closed its case against a mother who had been suspected of having Munchausen's syndrome by proxy, an attention-seeking affliction marked by making well children sick, sometimes to death. [More]

Children's allergies overestimated, study finds *
Up to 30 per cent of parents believe their children have food allergies when in fact only between 4 and 8 per cent of children do, a report in the Canadian Medical Association Journal says. [More]

China lifts ban on animals linked to SARS *
The ban, which involved 54 types of wildlife, lasted for five months [More]

Chlorine fingered in surge of Paris asthma *
Chlorine used to disinfect indoor swimming pools could be one of the causes behind an astonishing surge in childhood asthma in developed countries in the past few decades, a new study indicates. [More]

Cholesterol drugs may do harm, doctors say *
Cholesterol-lowering drugs may do more harm than good, according to a group of drug specialists at the University of British Columbia. [More]

Chrétien Brothers link worlds of science and politics *
Michel Chrétien has been influential in shaping the PM's legacy of revitalizing university research [More]

Citizens asked to help control mosquitoes *
Officials want property owners to remove water to fight West Nile [More]

Cleaning instructions complex, hospital says *
Firm that built prostate-test device says human error, not its manual, to blame. [More]

Climate change could wipe out warm-water crabs *
Even a small change in climate could wipe out some species of warm-water crab, a scientist is warning. Ironically, their cold-water-loving peers may actually be more capable of weathering such a change. [More]

Climate change may bring 'supercanes,' experts say *
Hurricanes are one of nature's most powerful and frightening storms, but some experts worry that they could become even more fearsome in the decades ahead because of global warming. [More]

CoEnzyme Q10 reduces oxidative damage to nerve cells *
CoEnzyme Q10 may have a potential benefit as a therapeutic intervention for neurodegenerative diseases. [More]

Cold, fungus killed fish, not pollution or disease *
Scientists have ruled out pollution and disease as the cause of the massive fish kill on the lower Saint John River last month. [More]

Collateral damage of a drug war *
When it comes to the "war on drugs," Canada's stance is not unlike its position on the war in Iraq: We're not the United States. Our government supports needle exchange, has recommended the legalization of marijuana, and is allowing the first trial use of prescription heroin in North America. [More]

Committee favours prison needle exchange *
The Commons Health Committee has come out in favour of needle-exchange programs for drug users within federal prisons in an effort to curb high rates of HIV and hepatitis C infection among inmates. [More]

Committee wants more money for AIDS strategy *
[More]

Companies pay for injuries at home *
Injuries that people suffer at home cost U.S. employers about $38-billion (U.S.) a year, a study by the Home Safety Council says. [More]

Companies struggle to end growing threat of trans fats *
Voortman Cookies Ltd. may be one of the first companies to eliminate trans fats from its products, but others are also scrambling to tackle the issue, which one leading public-health expert has called the "biggest food-processing disaster in history." [More]

Computer use, stress linked to RSI increase *
About 2.3 million Canadian adults suffer from repetitive-strain injuries, and almost one-third of them live in chronic pain, according to Statistics Canada. [More]

Court overturns ruling on McClean Lake project *
The Federal Court of Appeal has overturned a ruling that cast into doubt the licence for waste management at the McClean Lake uranium mine and mill in northern Saskatchewan. [More]

Creatine helps brain, researchers discover *
Dietary additive used by athletes to build muscle may aid memory [More]

Cruise ship hit by virus skips Canada *
A cruise across the North Atlantic, which was supposed to include a stop in Canada, was cut short yesterday after more than 300 passengers and crew members became sick with a highly contagious stomach virus... [More]

Customized cures *
New drugs could soon offer personalized treatment for cancer, reports PATRICIA YOUNG [More]

Cut cholesterol without leaving the kitchen *
A healthier diet can reduce cholesterol levels radically in a very short time, almost as effectively as a routinely prescribed drug, researchers in Toronto have demonstrated. [More]

Daily pill could boost heart health, doctors say *
The creation of a one-size-fits-all pill that combines six heart medications could reduce the number of heart attacks and strokes by more than 80 per cent if everyone over the age of 55 took it, a team of British doctors said yesterday. [More]

Danger on the frontier *
Let's stop plans to run roads into some of Canada's last pristine watersheds, says environmental activist DAVID MacKINNON [More]

Decoding of SARS virus reveals animal origins *
The prime viral suspect behind the worldwide SARS outbreak is a measly microbe of no more than 10 genes that began its life in an animal long ago, mutating millions of times before picking up the power to infect people... [More]

Depression commonly untreated: report *
Major depression is common in Canada but largely untreated, a new report from Statistics Canada suggests [More]

Diabetic neuropathy brings silent threat of amputation *
1000 British Columbians suffer diabetes-related amputations each year; the British Columbia Association of Podiatrists is warning BC's 200,000 people living with diabetes that it's what they can't feel that can hurt them. [More]

Did FDR suffer from Guillain-Barré syndrome? *
A new examination says there's a 75-per-cent chance FDR suffered from Guillain-Barré syndrome. [More]

Did you hear the one about the frontal lobe? *
Here is one more reason to dread getting older. Canadian researchers have found that as we age, we have more trouble getting jokes. [More]

Diet comparable to statin drugs in lowering LDL cholesterol *
A new study published in the Feb 2005 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has found that the regular intake of certain foods may lower cholesterol as effectively as statin drugs. [More]

Dieting with dad *
Teenage boys have never been so overweight. Now, at a men-only weight-loss clinic, some are counting calories with help from their fathers, writes TRALEE PEARCE [More]

Discovery could lead to BSE test, vaccine *
Canadian researchers have made a discovery that could lead to a diagnostic test or even a vaccine for mad-cow disease and other illnesses caused by tiny rogue proteins known as prions. [More]

Discovery could save threatened ocean life *
For the first time since scientific study of the world's oceans began, researchers have discovered a predictable series of gathering spots for key species of travelling sea life, a find that means scientists now understand how to save these species from extinction. [More]

Discovery may ease risks of cancer treatment *
Canadian researchers are working on a breakthrough in what can be the most perilous period of a cancer patient's life -- the time after chemotherapy and radiation, when the immune system has been so weakened that it can no longer resist infection. [More]

DIY dentistry *
LAURA LIND enters a brave new world of preventive oral hygiene aimed at helping people say goodbye to their dentists forever. Now, if only her toothache would go away . . . [More]

Doctor loses licence after promising cancer cure *
MD who charged $30,000 in advance can continue to practise pending appeal [More]

Doctors propose magic bullet for heart *
A single pill combining six heart medications could avert more than 80 per cent of heart attacks and strokes if heart patients and everyone over 55 took it, British scientists said Thursday. [More]

Doctors recommend more tests for colon cancer *
Every man and woman over the age of 50, including those at low risk, should be screened for colorectal cancer, according to new guidelines published by the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology. [More]

Doctors urge routine fat checks on children *
From the seemingly slim to the truly chubby, all children should have their body-mass index measures evaluated yearly as part of efforts to identify and prevent obesity, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. [More]

Doctors Without Borders helps AIDS patients *
As South Africa prepares a plan to treat the epidemic, people are already being assisted with free drugs from the group. [More]

Does West Nile imperil your children? Maybe not *
Despite our modern scientific knowledge, doctors are often operating in the dark [More]

Doing battle with mad-cow disease *
Once again, a deadly disease has attracted unfavourable international attention to this country. The world will take note of our response to the latest challenge: a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, mad-cow disease) in Alberta. Canada must pass this critical inspection. [More]

Don't blame the backpack *
The first study to examine schoolbags and back pain finds an unexpected cause for kids' complaints. ANDRE PICARD reports [More]

Don't Bogart those police dollars *
Decriminalizing marijuana will free up resources to fight real crime, says crime analyst SAMUEL PORTEOUS [More]

Drop in childhood cancer linked to folic-acid intake *
Adding folic acid to processed foods results in a 60-per-cent reduction in the incidence of neuroblastoma, a deadly childhood cancer, a Canadian study says. [More]

Drug advertising bad for medicare, CMA says *
Allowing direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs in Canada would be a bonanza for the media, generating an estimated $360-million a year in new ads. [More]

Drug may harm liver, asthma patients warned *
The maker of the asthma drug Accolate is advising patients using it and their doctors to be on the lookout for signs of liver problems, after reports of adverse reactions. [More]

Drug tests favour sponsor's product, study says *
Drug testing funded by the pharmaceutical industry is four times more likely to show results favouring the sponsor's product than publicly funded research, a new report has found. [More]

Dutch make pot a prescription drug *
Pharmacies to sell medical marijuana to the chronically ill in 'historic step' [More]

Dying children lack care, expert says *
Dying Canadian children aren't getting the care they need because of insufficient training and society's unwillingness to confront the issue of terminally ill children, a child-care expert said yesterday. [More]

Dyslexia treatable, new program shows *
After three weeks, reading was improved, brain activity resembled usual patterns [More]

Early tests point to West Nile in N.B. *
Preliminary tests on a man in his 60s indicate New Brunswick could have its first confirmed case of West Nile virus, the province's chief medical health officer said Monday. [More]

Earthsave Canada presents Taste of Health 2007 *
The "Taste of Health 2007" is Vancouver's earth-friendly vegetarian food & lifestyle festival that takes place Saturday, September 29 and Sunday, September 30, 2007 in Vancouver, BC. [More]

Ebola vaccine could stop outbreaks *
U.S. government researchers said yesterday they had developed a vaccine that protected monkeys against Ebola virus with a single dose, offering a new way to stop an outbreak of the deadly disease. [More]

Ebola-like illness reported in Sudan *
Health authorities in southern Sudan have reported 15 cases, including four deaths, of a mystery illness similar to deadly Ebola hemorrhagic fever, the World Health Organization said Friday. [More]

Eighty more people sue over N.S. steel mill *
Another 80 people are joining a lawsuit against Nova Scotia and a Crown corporation over alleged personal injuries and property damage resulting from Canada's worst toxic-waste site [More]

Electronic health records offer big payoff *
Remarkably, the provinces and federal government have come together on a plan, under the leadership of an organization called Canada Health Infoway, to transform the health care system using information technology. [More]

Environment: The killing fields *
This weekend, Canadians pull out the stops in pursuit of the perfect lawn. But does their secret weapon in the war on weeds know the difference between friend and foe? MARTIN MITTELSTAEDT on the case against 2,4-D [More]

Epilepsy gene identified by Canadian-led team *
A gene responsible for a deadly form of epilepsy affecting teenagers has been identified by an international research team led by Canadians [More]

EU commits $1-billion to battle against disease *
The international fight against the world's most vicious diseases received a major boost yesterday when the European Union and France both promised major new donations to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. [More]

Exercise lowers risk of breast cancer: study *
Moderate exercise, such as brisk walking 30 minutes a day, can reduce a woman's risk of developing breast cancer by almost 20 per cent, according to new research [More]

Experts demand rules on drugs for children *
Regulations used for adults do not apply... [More]

Experts meet for avian-flu talks *
Gathering in Rome aims to help nations affected by disease, prevent its spread. [More]

Experts prescribe national health team *
A blue-ribbon panel studying the fallout from the SARS crisis will recommend that Ottawa spend hundreds of millions of dollars on public health, including a national disease centre that could quickly co-ordinate responses to health emergencies, sources have told The Globe and Mail. [More]

Exxon oil spill still ravaging Alaska sound *
15 years after disaster, wildlife continues to be poisoned by subsurface residue. [More]

Facts say bodychecks, not pucks, harming young hockey players *
Nearly two in three serious injuries suffered by young hockey players are the result of bodychecks -- far more than the combination of stick and puck injuries, data from Ontario hospital emergency rooms suggest. [More]

Farm lifestyle linked to fewer allergies *
Growing up around farm animals may protect children from allergies and asthma, a Canadian study presented to the American Thoracic Society says. [More]

Father looks to inquest for better 911 systems *
The father of a man who died after collapsing during a hockey game says a public inquest this week could help prevent future deaths by exposing possible weaknesses in New Brunswick's 911 response system. [More]

Faulty gene for bowel disease found *
Canadian discovery, made public today, will help sufferers of painful Crohn's, researchers say. [More]

FDA forces foods to reveal trans fat *
Trans fat hasn't got the attention its infamous cousin — saturated fat — earned through warnings and labels, but that is about to change. After 10 years of debate, the U.S. government is requiring food labels to reveal exact levels of the artery-clogging substance. [More]

Fear factor: So just how big a risk is SARS? *
Severe acute respiratory syndrome is an international bug of mystery. By hitching a ride with travellers, it has caused thousands of cases around the world -- so many, in fact, that it has been dubbed the most significant outbreak ever spread through air travel. [More]

Fear of new diseases runs high, poll finds *
Half of Canadians -- 49 per cent -- expect the country will face an increase in infectious diseases in the years to come, suggests a new opinion poll. [More]

Feet place first in downhill performance, say BC podiatrists *
Foot imbalance, other conditions greatly affect snowboarders, skiers [More]

Few fear spread of contagion *
Citizens confident public-health workers, governments will contain SARS, mad-cow [More]

First whale harpooned in Icelandic hunt *
Icelandic whalers harpooned their first minke whale in 14 years yesterday, the marine scientist in charge of the controversial hunt said. [More]

Flick mosquitoes away, researchers say *
Flicking away mosquitoes may be better than swatting the bloodsucking insects, which can risk infections if their body parts are smashed into human skin, researchers say. [More]

Flu forces special measures *
Two hospitals in Southern Ontario are taking SARS-like precautions to cope with outbreaks of influenza, the latest sign of an unusually severe flu season striking nationwide. [More]

Flu season strikes early in West *
Flu season has hit Canada early, clogging emergency rooms in Edmonton and prompting calls from health officials across the country for people to get immunized as soon as possible. [More]

Flu strain striking young children *
The answer to your first question is six months... [More]

Flu threat puts parents on alert *
One child dies in Peterborough from bug... [More]

Fluid spills from controversial tests fuel concerns for Atlantic coast sea birds *
Hundreds of litres of kerosene and mineral oil have been spilled in waters off Nova Scotia during seismic tests, raising concerns that the controversial practice could harm sensitive marine life. [More]

Folic acid crucial for mothers, research suggests *
Canadian researchers have made a startling discovery about the benefits of folic acid. The nutrient, which is added to foods to prevent neural-tube defects such as spina bifida, also appears to prevent one of the most common forms of childhood cancer. [More]

Frito-Lay knocks chips off the trans-fatty block *
In a sign that the movement against trans-fatty acids is growing in both size and influence, snack-food giant Frito-Lay Canada Inc. will announce today that all of its products will be free of trans fats by this summer. [More]

Fueling the Future: It's oil over now *
More than one wag has smartly suggested that the best solution to our energy mess lies in burning studies on the subject. Such tomes are, after all, as thick as logs and as cheap as paper. [More]

G8 retreating from disease commitments, activists say *
Signs indicate leaders ready to back away from pledges to aid ill in poor countries [More]

Garber Gastronomic: What's happening to our food? *
A report from the Institute of Food Technologists Annual Meeting and Food Expo, Las Vegas, July 2004. [More]

Genetic damage linked to chemical found in chips *
A compound common in potato chips, French fries and many other foods can cause genetic damage in animal cells even in very low levels, a new study has found. [More]

Genome decoding completed *
An international consortium of scientists announced Monday that it has completed the map of the human genetic code to an accuracy of 99.99 per cent and said the accomplishment opens a new era for biology and medicine. [More]

Get health council going, worried Romanow urges *
A proposed national council on health care could fall by the wayside if it takes the provinces and Ottawa much longer to negotiate it, Roy Romanow said yesterday. [More]

Get real: Nuclear is in your future *
A highly biased opinion from the chairman of the Canadian Nuclear Association [More]

Getting to the issue of the heart *
An irregular heart beat is more common among men but much more hazardous when it occurs in women, according to the first major study to examine gender differences in the ailment. [More]

Global AIDS epidemic still spreading, UN says *
The HIV/AIDS epidemic continues its devastating march across the globe, with more deaths and infections this year than ever before, according to a United Nations report released yesterday. [More]

Global warming linked to high asthma rates *
Kids in U.S. inner cities hit hard by smog and increased pollen, study finds. [More]

Go ahead — have some fries *
Pass the fries. Researchers say new findings about genetic mutations caused by a compound in French fries, potato chips and other foods are not worrisome enough to warn people off some of their favourite snacks. [More]

Golf really is for the birds *
At the risk of irritating the environmental activists out there, here is some fascinating research coming to the annual meeting of the American Ornithologists' Union next month: It seems the game is good for birds. [More]

Golfing for the planet *
For those who crave a way to slow global warming, but would like to enjoy themselves in the process, U.S. scientists have two words of advice: Play golf. [More]

Grass is greener with global warming, study says *
The planet is growing greener because climate changes have made it easier for plants to get the water, sunlight and temperatures they need, according to a study released yesterday. [More]

Groups against spraying to fight adult mosquitoes *
Spraying chemicals to kill adult mosquitoes could worsen the outbreak of West Nile virus this summer, a new national coalition of environmental and health groups said yesterday. [More]

Happy Father's Day *
It may not qualify as rocket science, but new research out of the United States suggests that dads fare less well on Father's Day than moms on Mother's Day. Nonetheless, stoic fathers end up happier than mothers with what they do get. [More]

Harmful industrial pollutants up by 20 per cent *
Despite major efforts by government and industry to control pollution, releases of dangerous chemicals into Canada's environment were 20 per cent higher in 2001 than in 1995, three major environmental groups say. [More]

Healing Powers: All about Adam *
ALEXANDRA GILL meets a 16-year-old kid from BC who offers distant-healing treatments through his website -- and counts rocker Ronnie Hawkins among his patients. [More]

Health Canada delays smallpox vaccinations *
Health Canada has postponed plans to vaccinate about 500 health-care workers against smallpox because of legal concerns involving compensation in case of adverse reactions, the CBC reported yesterday. [More]

Health Canada dope stinks, patients say *
Cannabis emptor: Medical marijuana called disgusting, weak and ineffective [More]

Health Canada launches West Nile phone line *
The toll-free line is 1-800-816-7292. Information on the virus can also be found on the Health Canada Web site at www.westnilevirus.gc.ca. [More]

Health charter to get nod *
Dozens of leaders from Canada's business community are expected to endorse today a charter dealing with mental health and addiction. [More]

Health council finally coming, PM says *
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien says his government will soon announce the establishment of a much-awaited health council designed to keep a watch on the performance of the system. [More]

Health council must weigh benefit and harm of medicine *
Some provincial governments have resorted to remarkable political posturing rather than sign on to the national health council recommended in the Romanow report. Fortunately, it now appears that Ottawa will forge ahead with or without support from B.C., Alberta and Ontario. [More]

Health funding top education *
University costs push private outlays up as more students seek degrees, diplomas. [More]

Health of B.C. firefighters a growing concern *
The Kelowna fire is no longer advancing into this Okanagan city, but it's still burning out of control and taking its toll on the health of firefighters. [More]

Health officials baffled as West Nile cases cluster in Saskatchewan *
By any known method of predicting West Nile virus infections, Saskatchewan should not be the epicentre of the disease this year, health officials say. [More]

Health problems hit children of Russia *
Falling standards make care in Soviet era seem like good old days, MARK MacKINNON finds [More]

Health-card probe leads to potential fraud cases *
A probe into a health-card scam in Quebec found enough "troubling" evidence to pursue the investigation into numerous potential fraud cases, according to a preliminary report. [More]

Healthy fare or field trips? *
Fast-food contracts bring extra revenue, but student health remains a concern for Canada's cash-strapped schools. [More]

Healthy to the core *
Trying to navigate your way through the trend-obsessed fitness world? This season, writes LEAH McLAREN, many trainers are returning to the basics, but with a new buzzword: core training [More]

Heart disease to strike teens, conference hears *
Today's children face a future of heart disease, potentially as early as their late teen years, if parents and policymakers don't urgently address the exploding problem of childhood obesity, a U.S. cardiovascular expert warned yesterday. [More]

Help for psychopaths? *
Having successfully trained healthy volunteers and paralyzed patients to control their brain waves, Dr. Niels Birbaumer began wondering if he might be able to help psychopaths.

It is not an obvious next step, until you consider that people who learn how to control their brain waves are actually directing an increased flow of blood to specific areas of the brain. That's what Dr. Birbaumer found when he used neuroimaging equipment to take pictures of the brains of his patients at work. [More]

High anxiety *
Nervousness, panic and shyness are now part of the most-diagnosed group of mental illnesses -- and drug companies just happen to have an array of products to treat them. Is marketing the tail wagging this dog? ANNE McILROY investigates how anxiety became the new depression. [More]

Hospital germs kill thousands, research finds *
Inadequate infection-control measures result in 8,000 to 12,000 deaths each year [More]

Hospitals slow to embrace office technology *
New software can cut surgical waiting list [More]

How thin is too thin? *
Lara Flynn Boyle's rake-thin frame alarms even the most die-hard fashion fan, but don't doubt for an instant that thin isn't in, DEBORAH FULSANG says [More]

How to West Nile-proof your kids *
A point-form guide. [More]

HRT nearly doubles heart attack risk in first year *
Women who take hormone replacement pills after menopause nearly double their risk of heart attacks during the first year of treatment, a landmark study concludes. [More]

Huge debt burdening graduates of medical schools *
When Benjamin Hoyt married a fellow medical resident last month, the joyous event was tempered ever so slightly by stark financial reality. "Between the two of us, we have $212,000 in debt," Dr. Hoyt said [More]

Human impact delaying ice age, study finds *
Earth's current climate may last for at least another 15,000 years, barring any effects from human intervention, according to a new study of Antarctic ice published in the latest issue of the journal Nature. [More]

Humans produce ozone, researchers find *
Created by immune-system antibodies, the gas may cause respiratory problems [More]

Hundreds mark 10-year anniversary of Clayoquot Sound protest *
Hundreds of people who were arrested at a massive logging protest on Vancouver Island in 1993 returned to the area for a reunion of sorts on Saturday. [More]

Ibuprofen, ASA lauded in cancer study *
Regular use of many over-the-counter painkillers every day can dramatically reduce the risk of breast cancer in post-menopausal women, a new study indicates. [More]

If you smoke and drink, beta-carotene may give you cancer *
Smoking and drinking alcohol may reverse the anti-cancer effect of beta-carotene, according to a new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. [More]

Illnesses associated with pesticide exposure at schools increased significantly in children from 1998 to 2002 *
The rate of new illnesses associated with pesticide exposure at schools increased significantly in children from 1998 to 2002, according to an article in the July 27 issue of JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association. [More]

IMI sticks with redesigned test *
Launches tape-based skin cholesterol exam [More]

In favour of kissin' cousins *
One of the great mysteries of biology is the one that Charles Darwin supposedly resolved: the origin of species. Darwin argued that useful traits would arise through mutation and then be selected in a natural setting. The end result would be a new species. [More]

Infectious diseases are a call to action *
Over the past five years, successive waves of infectious diseases have shocked the nation with their unexpectedness and broad impact, and the decreasing intervals between the outbreaks make these events even more concerning. [More]

Inspectors await more results of mad-cow testing *
As the search for the origins of an Alberta cow diagnosed with mad-cow disease widens, officials from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Thursday that test results expected back today could be delayed. [More]

Insulation may be doing more than you think *
When you talk about insulation you tend to think about it keeping the cold out and the heat in. Do you ever think that it may be contaminating the indoor air quality of your home? [More]

Invaders at the gate *
From snakehead fish in Maryland to zebra mussels in the Great Lakes, invasions by foreign species are a growing problem. [More]

Invasion of the Great Lakes *
This week, a Commons committee warned of an ecological 'meltdown' because so many non-native species are converging on the mighty habitat. MARK STEVENSON travels the waterway to examine the damage they have caused [More]

Investigators narrow mad-cow search *
Alberta's baffling case of mad-cow disease may never be solved, officials said yesterday as they tried to pinpoint the cow's DNA profile to determine whether the infection spread. [More]

Is it true that high-dose Vitamin E could increase all-cause mortality? *
After reviewing a draft of the full paper, which will be published in January 2005, we believe the research is flawed, and we see little or no evidence to support the authors' conclusions. [More]

Is that neglected office plant hazardous to your health? *
Now that smoking and strong colognes have been banned from a number of Canadian workplaces, attention has turned to the ubiquitous office plant. [More]

Isolation period extended in BC *
New Westminster hospital closes a floor, puts suspected cases off-limits for 12 days [More]

It'll grow back *
Scientists are studying newts, starfish and even some mice, all of which can regenerate lost or damaged body parts, reports ANNE McILROY. The question is, can they teach humans a genetic trick or two? [More]

It's a snail parasite vs the West Nile mosquito *
With the peak season for the West Nile virus upon us, many people reach for a fly swatter to kill those pesky mosquitoes, but Manfred Rau, a McGill University parasitologist, reaches for a snail instead. [More]

Italy confirms 108th case of mad cow *
The Health Ministry confirmed Italy's 108th case of mad cow disease Thursday, saying a four-year-old cow from a breeding farm in Pordenone had tested positive [More]

Japan's beef with Canada *
We brushed off their fears and insulted them. Not great tactics, says political scientist WENRAN JIANG [More]

Joanne Rowlings and PMS hormone instincts are right: It turns out sinful dark chocolate is healthy *
If you justify gobbling chocolate by saying it's good for your health, new research shows you should choose dark rather than milk chocolate. And don't drink a glass of milk with it. [More]

Keep an eye on your fries *
That medium-sized serving may pack more -- or fewer -- calories than fast-food chains claim, STEPHEN STRAUSS discovers [More]

Key owl biologist quits B.C. rescue program *
Birds are doomed because politicians put logging first, expert tells government. [More]

Kimberly-Clark to introduce Huggies Convertibles *
Kimberly-Clark Corp. is expanding its Huggies diapers line with new Huggies Convertibles diaper-pants, a product that can be put on like pants or used like a traditional diaper. [More]

Kremlin's decree sows seed of discontent *
Scientists fear rare plant species won't survive move to new location [More]

Landmark study proves Oral-B® Power Toothbrush technology superior *
Rotation Oscillation Toothbrushes Proven More Effective Than "Sonic" Technology [More]

Latest death at B.C. facility adds to puzzle around virus *
Medical experts say symptoms of illness not severe enough to be defined as SARS [More]

Laughter: the best medicine? *
Members of the world's 1,500 laughing clubs believe we can guffaw our way to good health, reports STEPHEN STRAUSS. Skeptics say the joke may be on them... [More]

Lead, cadmium in food, environmental group says *
The typical Canadian diet has been criticized for being too rich in calories, but a report warns of another weighty food problem to worry about: elevated amounts of two heavy metals. [More]

Legionnaires bacteria found in Calgary hospital *
Potentially deadly bacteria that cause Legionnaires' disease were found in a hospital patient who was suffering from pneumonia, a health official said yesterday. [More]

Legionnaires' outbreak shuts McCain factory *
A McCain Foods Ltd. French fries plant in France halted production yesterday after Legionnaires' disease was discovered in its cooling system, amid an outbreak that has killed 10 people. [More]

Lepers and lovers in a dangerous time *
This is a story about an uncommon love flowering in an unlikely place, in a time of sanctions and war. [More]

Leprosy blight persists despite low-cost cures *
The scourge of humanity for millenniums, leprosy is now an almost entirely curable disease. [More]

Let natives handle Luna, international groups say *
Organizations in 10 countries are asking federal Fisheries Minister Geoff Regan to abandon the plan to capture Luna the orca. [More]

Life without spring's dalliances *
A neighbour of mine passed by the other day as I was shovelling the smog away from our front walk. We live not very far from Queen's Park and the clouds of toxic fumes that are produced by the army of leaf-blowers and gas-powered lawn mowers, and the idling tour buses by which our provincial government advertises its environmental and energy policies to anyone reckless enough to be out-of-doors during a smog alert, tend to settle in pretty heavily during the summer months. Fortunately, when the air gets really thick -- as it did the other day -- I can shove the condensed poison that falls from the sky into a dozen or so plastic garbage bags and ship everything off to Michigan. You'd think that several million years of evolution might have produced a more sophisticated waste-disposal program, but this is Toronto. We're a patient bunch. (Go Leafs, go.) Things take time. [More]

Long-term vitamin E use slows cataract development *
The April 2005 issue of the journal Archives of Opthalmology reports that long- term use of vitamin E supplements and an increased intake of the B vitamins thiamin and riboflavin are associated with a reduction in the progression of cataracts. [More]

Look who's driving the green agenda *
Auto workers are not generally thought of as being in the vanguard of environmental protection. So it's a surprise that the Canadian Auto Workers union (CAW) is proposing one of Canada's most promising revolutions in environmental policy in years. [More]

Low vitamin B12 levels increase birth defect risk *
A recent study published in the July issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology investigated B vitamins and homocysteine as risk factors for children born with spina bifida... [More]

Mad cow hunt moves south *
Investigators revealed Wednesday the search for the birth farm of the original mad cow has now expanded into the United States. [More]

Mad cow vaccine in works *
A neurologist at the University of Toronto says a vaccine for mad cow disease could be a year away. [More]

Mad-cow fears spread to Saskatchewan *
The search for the origin of the Alberta cow that became Canada's first case of mad cow disease in a decade spread to neighbouring Saskatchewan on Wednesday. [More]

Mad-cow hits Alberta *
A case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, better known as BSE or mad-cow disease, has been found in Alberta, federal Agriculture Minister Lyle Vanclief said Tuesday. [More]

Mad-cow panic more harmful than disease itself *
We've seen this movie before. And we should assume that the rerun will be ugly indeed, both for Canadian agriculture and the broader economy. When human health is at issue, however tiny the risk, cooler heads do not prevail. [More]

Mad-cow quarantine grows *
northern Alberta cow infected with mad cow disease was stumbling and unable to stand before it was shipped off for slaughter, says the farmer who owned the animal. [More]

Major strides made on West Nile vaccine *
A vaccine developed from a strain of the West Nile virus has shown promising signs that it could eventually be used to protect humans from the deadly disease. [More]

Man admits he started massive wildfire *
After accidentally starting a massive wildfire with a cigarette, Mike Barre says he rushed from door to door, frantically trying to help with the start of an evacuation that eventually forced thousands from their homes. [More]

Man recovering from flesh-eating disease *
The condition of a man who survived a bout with flesh-eating disease was upgraded from stable to good on Thursday. [More]

Margaret Wente: Buy Canadian, eat a steak *
Every year, from February to April, Wayne Goodfellow practically lives in the barns. That's calving season, and he has to check the barns every two hours around the clock. "Once we had eight or nine calves in a 12-hour shift," he told me. He claims he functions well without sleep. [More]

Mbeki's new tune *
South Africans had cause to celebrate this past weekend, after the government finally reversed its much-maligned policy against giving drug treatments to AIDS patients. [More]

McLellan backs disease-centre plan *
Ottawa, provinces expected to spend $1-billion a year to secure public health [More]

MDs will dispense marijuana *
Federal plan will see doctors distributing discount cannabis from their offices [More]

Mea culpa: We marketers helped make your kids fat *
Marketing techniques could aid the battle against obesity, say professors KARL MOORE and LAURETTE DUBÉ [More]

Medicine delayed is medicine denied *
Amid the debate on health-care reform, U.S. influence on Canadian pharmacare policy, and Common Drug Review, there has been a roaring silence around what should be at the absolute heart of the matter: patients who need prescription medication to maintain their basic quality of life? [More]

Mercury exposure linked to high rate of hospitalization for cerebral palsy *
Males in Sarnia, Thunder Bay, Cornwall face five times more risk, researcher says. [More]

Michigan furious over Canadian company's chemical spill *
A Canadian chemical company faced angry residents and officials in Macomb County, Mich., as many demanded to know why they weren't told sooner of toxic chemical spills that contaminated a river and water supply. [More]

Milk can help girls lose weight, study says *
Weight-conscious adolescent girls have a better chance of losing their flabby midriffs if they ditch soft drinks in favour of milk, a preliminary U.S. study presented at an obesity conference suggests. [More]

Minister defends ER staff over patient's 'room' *
Admitting the incident was "very troubling," provincial Health Minister Colin Hansen nonetheless defended emergency staff at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria for placing a 60-year-old woman patient in a storage room. [More]

Miracle birth signals male moms? *
It may be every woman's fantasy, and a nightmare for the typical man: creating a male mom. [More]

More West Nile cases detected *
Signs the West Nile virus is on the rise in Canada were evident in several provinces on Friday. [More]

Mother sues MDs after HIV passed to newborn *
An Ontario woman is suing her doctors because they did not offer to test her for the AIDS virus during her pregnancy and she passed it on to her newborn child. The case is the first of its kind in North America and will have a trial date set this summer. [More]

Move to decriminalize pot draws criticism *
Saying that "most Canadians" believe that marijuana laws are outdated, the government on Tuesday unveiled legislation that will reduce penalties for possessing small amounts of the drug. Below certain quantities, possession will no longer be treated as a criminal offence. [More]

Multivitamin Use Before Pregnancy Reduces Risk of Pre-term Births *
A study published in the November 2004 issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology found that the use of multivitamin supplements by women prior to becoming pregnant was associated with fewer pre-term deliveries. [More]

My right to eat myself silly: a fresh feast of folly *
"There are practically no cases of radioactive watermelons this year." [More]

Mystery B.C. virus claims another victim *
A mysterious respiratory ailment in Surrey, B.C., that has raised fears the world may be seeing a new SARS outbreak appears to have claimed another life. [More]

Mystery illness hits more troops *
Two more soldiers overseas have come down with serious pneumonia, bringing the unexplained cases to 17, the U.S. Army said Monday. [More]

N.Z. man may have human form of mad-cow *
New Zealand health officials said yesterday they were investigating if a farm worker had an aggressive type of brain-wasting illness caused by eating beef infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy, also known as mad-cow disease. [More]

National health council eagerly sought, poll finds *
The federal government should ignore the concerns of some provinces and create a national health council right away, according to a strong majority of Canadians in a recent poll. [More]

New cancer gene discovered *
An international team of researchers, including several from British Columbia, has discovered a new gene for breast and ovarian cancer they believe may be a missing link between hereditary and sporadic forms of breast cancer. [More]

New hope from an unknown vitamin *
Preliminary research links a substance called PQQ with enhanced fertility, reports ANNE McILROY [More]

New look at hep C deal urged *
Martin unclear whether his government will reopen 1998 compensation package. [More]

New oil helps lower cholesterol, study says *
A new blend of cooking oil developed by Canadian researchers could turn French fries into diet food. But you may not be able to get it in Canada. [More]

New research could end whale hunt *
Industry wiped out many more mammals than was previously believed, study shows [More]

New technique lets MRI scanner see individual cells *
Canadian researchers have found a way to use ordinary hospital MRI scanners to see individual white blood cells, a discovery that could lead to the earlier diagnosis of diseases such as cancer and multiple sclerosis. [More]

Next PM must implement health report, Doer says *
Manitoba's Premier says the next prime minister of Canada has to put every part of the Romanow report on health care into effect. [More]

Nice try, Dr. Suzuki, but we're addicted to energy *
God bless David Suzuki. Canada's cuddliest environmental crusader, a man who has combined science and media savvy to achieve saintly status among greenies everywhere, is back with more instructions on how to fix the planet. [More]

Nivea looks to ward off premature aging with new body night cream *
This spring, Nivea intends to extend the nightly skin care regimen to the entire body with the launch of Nivea Body Renewal Night Cream. [More]

No blood recall, officials say *
Alberta donations will stay in system despite high level of West Nile cases. [More]

Noise Pollution: Why a songbird decided to change its tune *
Scientists have wondered for years whether the noise from cars, trucks, planes and other machinery is harmful, especially to wildlife [More]

Not all instruments sterilized, MD says *
Medicine's highest level of disinfection primarily used for surgical devices. [More]

Not providing marijuana endangers the sick: lawyer *
The federal government is endangering the lives of seriously ill Canadians by forcing them into the black market to obtain marijuana for medicinal use, Ontario's highest court was told yesterday. [More]

Nothing to fear but fear itself *
A vote to permit stem-cell research is a vote to alleviate suffering, says former MP REGINALD STACKHOUSE [More]

Nutrition lessons from The Simpsons? *
Research suggests that kids who imitate Bart -- and avoid eating like Homer -- are developing healthy lifestyle habits, STEPHEN STRAUSS reports. [More]

Obesity implicated in gum, tooth disease *
Everybody knows that excess weight is bad for your heart, but new research shows that packing on those extra pounds can rob you of your smile and give you stinky breath too. [More]

Obesity rates double, Canadian figures show *
The prevalence of obesity among Canadian women has doubled over the last 15 years, new data show. For men it has more than doubled. [More]

Omega-3s without the risk *
I have spent my career promoting the health benefits of good food choices to my patients and readers. I have spent years encouraging people to be informed about fats. Most people now know (or should know!) that our bodies need fat and that there are good fats and bad fats. [More]

Once strip-mined, twice shy *
Cancun showed that the Third World doesn't buy all the West's promises. Now one Argentine city wonders if a Canada-U.S. mining firm's plans may turn out to be the pits . . . [More]

Ontario assails West Nile scientist *
The Ontario government tried yesterday to discredit the scientist who had been working on a West Nile virus test more than a year ago as it announced that the same test will now be ready for this mosquito season. [More]

Ontario mum on beef hazard alert *
Few details released about shutdown, recall at Aylmer, ON, slaughterhouse [More]

Ontario prepares West Nile battle plan *
In a bid to fight the expected return of the mosquito-borne West Nile virus, the Ontario government will require municipalities to prepare plans to spread larvicide on suspected breeding sites in populated areas, Premier Ernie Eves announced yesterday. [More]

Ontario reports first West Nile case this year *
Canada has its first probable case of West Nile virus of the 2003 season, Ontario officials announced Thursday. [More]

Opinion: What are you smoking, Canada? *
The issue of decriminalizing marijuana is first and foremost about safeguarding kids and Canada should be attentive to the threat that marijuana poses to youth. [More]

Orca successfully reunited with kin *
Scientists confirm orphaned killer whale accepted by its aunts and grandmother [More]

Organ transplant abroad: one person's ordeal *
Controversial bid to avoid long queue in Canada results in complications... [More]

Ottawa failing to report inactive TB, auditor says *
The federal government does not tell public health officials about refugee claimants with inactive tuberculosis, whose infection could be activated and contracted by others, Auditor-General Sheila Fraser reported yesterday. [More]

Ottawa fears revolt on embryo legislation *
Senior government officials are growing increasingly fearful of a back-bench uprising that threatens to scuttle a long-awaited bill regulating the controversial use of human embryos for medical research [More]

Ottawa man tests positive for West Nile virus *
An Ottawa man has tested positive for West Nile virus, health officials said yesterday, the second confirmed case in Canada this summer. An investigation is under way to determine where the patient, an elderly man being treated in hospital, was infected. [More]

Ottawa plans disease centre *
SARS spurred need for central agency to lead in emergencies, McLellan says [More]

Ottawa set to sell its medical marijuana *
The federal government is going to share its stash of marijuana, selling the drug to hundreds of critically ill Canadians at bargain prices. [More]

Ottawa should proceed with council: Romanow *
The federal government should move unilaterally on creating a national health council if it can't get provincial consensus, Roy Romanow says. [More]

Our beef is with bureaucrats *
For years, our food industry regulators relaxed amid lax monitoring and the mantra that mad-cow couldn't happen here, says author ANDREW NIKIFORUK [More]

Out of the blue, a gift of life *
Sheryl Wymenga looks perfectly sane and healthy, for a woman who has just flown halfway across the continent to give away a chunk of her innards to somebody she met on the Internet. [More]

Over-detection a pitfall of yearly prostate tests *
Study focuses on incidence of cancer [More]

Overbrushing harmful, study confirms *
Scrubbing can damage teeth and gums [More]

Overhead, so what? Medicare needs competition *
Last Thursday, the New England Journal of Medicine published an article stating that administrative costs of health care in the United States are higher than those in Canada: $1,059 (U.S.) in the United States versus $307 (U.S.) in Canada. [More]

Owl groups place hopes on Ottawa *
B.C. environmentalists to test new law designed to save endangered species [More]

Pack bug repellent, camp parents asked *
Officials say West Nile risk to children extremely low, but revise some programs. [More]

Patient in Toronto may have West Nile *
Public-health officials are investigating at least one suspected case of West Nile virus in a patient at North York General hospital, The Globe and Mail has learned. [More]

Patients seek relief on price of medical pot *
Last September, Russell Barth sent a friend out with $300 to buy him a bag of marijuana that he hoped would help alleviate the pain he suffers from fibromyalgia. [More]

Peanut-allergy vaccine offers sufferers hope *
A vaccine that seems to help tone down the body's overreaction to peanuts may offer the first real hope of protecting children with peanut allergies, U.S. researchers say. [More]

Penicillin may prevent strokes *
A Canadian study links antibiotic use to radically lower rates of heart disease [More]

Philippines restricts foreign kidney trade *
New law ensures outsiders do not outbid citizens for desperately needed organs [More]

Physicians' body puts heat on Net pharmacies *
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba wants the province to bring in legislation to find and discipline doctors who sign prescriptions without seeing patients. Such a move would likely spell the end for Manitoba's Internet pharmacies, which have made millions and created hundreds of jobs by selling drugs south of the border. [More]

Pill using spider venom would combat impotence *
Chilean researchers said yesterday they aimed to develop a new pill to combat impotence that would have the added bonus of being a male contraceptive, based on experiments with the venom of black-widow spiders. [More]

Planning to travel without insurance? Don't get sick *
The whole reason you go on holiday is to get away from complexities like buying travel medical insurance. [More]

Pneumonia patients at risk years later: study *
People who survive pneumonia have a markedly greater chance of dying in the three years following their complete recovery, researchers have found. [More]

Polluters can be sued, court says in precedent-setting decision *
Governments may seek compensation for environmental damage, judges rule. [More]

Pollution looms, minister warns China *
Pollution could kill substantial numbers of children if China goes ahead with an extraordinarily ambitious plan to quadruple its economy by 2020, Environment Minister David Anderson warned Chinese students yesterday. [More]

Program to track childhood cancer gutted *
The federal government has gutted a program that tracked childhood cancer rates, delays in diagnoses and treatment outcomes in what some say could have a huge impact on care. [More]

Project to study cows' production of methane *
A project looking for ways to reduce the amount of methane gas cows put out began in New Brunswick this weekend. [More]

Prostate cancer drug shows promise, risk *
Scientists have discovered the first drug that promises to prevent prostate cancer, but deciding who should use it won't be easy: Sexual side effects aside, it may actually increase aggressive tumours in some men. [More]

Prostate screening mixed blessing, study suggests *
Annual screening for prostate cancer in men over 55 is a mixed blessing, according to a new study. [More]

Protect against summer's parade of pests *
Mosquitoes, ticks, black flies and spiders -- summer's parade of pests have made their debut. With fears of West Nile virus and other diseases, cottagers can do several things to protect themselves against insect intruders. [More]

Provinces delay medicare watchdog *
President of CMA fears governments plan to use agency as bargaining chip [More]

Psychological effects of SARS strong, study says *
While 42 Canadians have died of SARS since March, countless more continue to feel the psychological effects of the new pneumonia-like disease. [More]

Pulling the goalie a winning strategy: Masturbate and cut risk of prostate cancer, study finds *
Frequent masturbation, particularly in the 20s, helps prevent prostate cancer later in life, according to new research. [More]

Quebec teenager wins top science-fair prize *
Cancer-therapy entry beats 1300 others [More]

Quebec, Ontario tackling West Nile virus earlier *
A worker stamped through bogs of stagnant water in the suburban woods of Montreal yesterday in a new, 21st-century rite of spring in Canada: the destruction of potentially deadly mosquito larvae. [More]

Quigley prepares for NEXT cough/cold season with new products *
The Quigley Corp. recently introduced a "Cold-Eeze" moisturizing nasal spray that contains its zinc gluconate ingredient as well as an aloe vera gel. [More]

Race for flu shots depletes firm's reserves *
The world's largest manufacturer of the flu vaccine reported yesterday its cupboards are bare after the Canadian government bought up its remaining doses to replenish the country's stocks. [More]

Real-life toxic drama hits TV's 90210 school *
Brockovich's firm files class-action suits on behalf of sick Beverly Hills students. [More]

Recent findings on lycopene and prostrate cancer *
A recent study from Harvard Medical School on over 47,000 men from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS) showed that there was a significantly lower risk of developing prostate cancer in men with the highest intake of lycopene... [More]

Reeve's optimism renewed in Israel *
Actor Christopher Reeve said Wednesday that his optimism about recovering from a catastrophic spinal injury has been boosted by meeting disabled Israelis and the country's cutting-edge medical researchers. [More]

Repetitive strains break down our bodies *
Here is a litmus test for anyone over the age of say, 30. At any social or professional gathering, announce you have this horrible neck/shoulder/back ache that just won't go away. [More]

Research could lead to a cure for BSE and CJD *
British researchers have prevented and reversed a chronic brain-wasting illness in lab mice, a major scientific breakthrough that could lead to a cure for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans or bovine spongiform encephalopathy in cattle. [More]

Researchers aim to reconstruct mummy *
Even 2300-year-old female Egyptian mummies can't avoid the burning mortality issue of the day: Did she die of SARS? [More]

Researchers identify possible fat protein *
The identification of a new protein on fat cells may help doctors tackle the growing scourge of obesity, McGill researchers said Thursday. [More]

Residents clean up in hygiene study *
SARS outbreak spurs hand washing [More]

Rising breast-cancer risk tracked *
Extended-family research finds women born before 1940 have less risk. [More]

Risky salmon *
Re: Farm-raised Salmon Called Cancer Danger (on-line edition, July 30). [More]

Rocket fuel in produce from U.S. spurs tests *
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says it plans to start testing winter lettuce and other fruits and vegetables imported from California to check whether they are contaminated with dangerous levels of a rocket-fuel component. [More]

Romanow: the prognosis (Shirley Douglas comments) *
We're on the path to two-tier health care, says SHIRLEY DOUGLAS, daughter of medicare's founder. [More]

Rural trees suffer more from ozone, study finds *
Pollution needs time to 'cook' in heat, sun, then drifts downwind from urban areas [More]

SARS and Death's sting *
The SARS uproar has deflected attention from another nasty newcomer, whose sneak attack last year killed just as many Canadians. No one really knows what the West Nile virus will do this summer, JOHN ALLEMANG reports, but the overburdened health-care system badly needs a break [More]

SARS ruled out in nursing home deaths *
SARS has been ruled out as the cause of an illness at a Vancouver-area nursing home. [More]

SARS test proves promising *
Next step will be to determine how to get same results from living patients [More]

SARS-like illness dwindles in B.C. *
The outbreak of a SARS-like illness at a British Columbia health care facility is dwindling, but the mystery surrounding what the illness was continues. [More]

SARS-like virus puts lab on edge *
Life almost normal again at Winnipeg research facility, but vigilance remains [More]

SARS: Disease update *
adapted from the Health Canada Web site... [More]

SARS: US experts eye Toronto regimen *
U.S. health experts swept into Toronto last night to conduct an external audit on how the city has handled SARS.

Every detail, down to how to remove masks and gloves after treating SARS patients, must be studied, said Dick Zoutman, a scientist advising officials about it. [More]

Satellite to collect data on ozone layer *
Effects of CFCs ban purpose of research [More]

Scientists eye drug. Fast action on SARS *
A SARS vaccine could be mere months away, but getting it approved, manufactured and distributed to Canadians may prove more of a challenge, says a health researcher who is developing ways to prevent the disease. [More]

Scientists probe death of whales *
Something is killing the giant mammals off Nova Scotia -- and toxin suspected [More]

Scratch one menopause myth *
A new study disputes the widely held notion that menopause makes women scatterbrained and forgetful. [More]

Shipping-lane change to protect whales *
Canada's birthday this year will bring an unusual gift to one of the world's most critically endangered whales: a long-sought change in international shipping lanes in the Bay of Fundy that scientists hope will help keep the massive marine mammals from playing on a marine superhighway. [More]

Signs of West Nile in Alberta show virus extending its range *
Five provinces confirm disease in birds; no human cases known so far this year [More]

Six new probable cases of West Nile suspected *
new probable cases of West Nile virus have surfaced in Saskatchewan, bringing the total number of people infected in the province to nine, health officials announced last night. [More]

Skin cancer cases on the rise *
Skin cancer cases on the rise have dermatologists urging Canadians to avoid the sun. [More]

Smart-home scenario coming soon *
An elderly man suffering from the early stages of Alzheimer's disease turns on the stove and then wanders out of his kitchen... [More]

Smokers get hooked quickly, study says *
Those first few drags may be the deadliest: Nicotine is such a powerful drug that teenagers can become addicted to it after smoking just one or two cigarettes, according to a groundbreaking study. [More]

Smoking in movies influences teens: U.S. study *
Youngsters who watch movies in which actors smoke a lot are three times more likely to take up the habit than those exposed to less smoking on-screen, a new study of American adolescents suggests. [More]

SOCIAL STUDIES -- December 1, 2003 *
A DAILY MISCELLANY OF INFORMATION BY MICHAEL KESTERTON. [More]

SOCIAL STUDIES -- December 3, 2003 *
A DAILY MISCELLANY OF INFORMATION BY MICHEAL KESTERTON. [More]

SOCIAL STUDIES -- December 4, 2003 *
A DAILY MISCELLANY OF INFORMATION BY MICHAEL KESTERTON. [More]

SOCIAL STUDIES -- November 21, 2003 *
A DAILY MISCELLANY OF INFORMATION BY MICHAEL KESTERTON [More]

SOCIAL STUDIES -- Wednesday, September 17, 2003 *
A DAILY MISCELLANY OF INFORMATION BY MICHAEL KESTERTON [More]

Some like it hot -- but a robin in the Arctic? *
The glaciers are melting. The growing season is getting longer. Creatures are turning up in places where they really don't belong. It's time to stop doubting that global warming is the culprit, MARTIN MITTELSTAEDT reports. Happy Earth Day. [More]

Source of Alberta's mad cow a mystery *
Another 650 animals on five Alberta farms were marked for slaughter Tuesday as investigators pressed on with their search for the parents of an animal that tested positive for mad-cow disease. [More]

Sources of dioxin *
When it comes to dioxin, although we need to limit our animal-fat consumption, we also need go beyond beef and start looking at the burger box, too (Girls Urged To Limit Dioxin-Laced Foods -- July 3). [More]

Spread the word: Fear and coughing in Hong Kong *
Canadian novelist CHARLES FORAN has been a Hong Kong resident for two years. He returned there from a trip this week to a panicked place of closed schools, food hoarding and Hello Kitty medical masks. 'Hong Kongers,' a neighbour sighs, 'they go crazy sometimes' [More]

Star Canadian sports surgeon leaving for U.S. in frustration *
A renowned Toronto surgeon who has fixed shoulders for the likes of Blue Jays slugger Carlos Delgado and Maple Leafs winger Gary Roberts is leaving for the United States, saying he is frustrated at the underfunded health system. [More]

Starved deer spark outrage *
From the moment he stepped through the gates of the deer farm, Elliot Chubak knew exactly what had happened. He could smell it. "It smelled like rotten, rotten flesh," he said. "It was just horrible, just sickening." [More]

Statscan survey details obesity rates *
We are the fit and we are the fat.

The latest health survey from Statistics Canada shows that a region near James Bay in Northern Quebec has the highest population of obese people, at around 47 per cent, while residents of British Columbia's scenic East Kootenay region can lay claim to being the most physically active. [More]

Stem cells trigger organ regeneration *
Canadian researchers have discovered that stem cells can prompt a damaged organ to regenerate. [More]

Stem-cell drug may help hearts *
Patients show increased use of tissue after suffering serious attacks [More]

Still hope for folate to prevent birth defect *
Fortifying foods such as flour and pasta with folic acid has dramatically reduced the rate of children with devastating birth defects, including spina bifida. [More]

Stink over skunk blows over in B.C. *
A rabid skunk found sick in Stanley Park earlier this month, prompting health officials to issue a public warning, was infected by a bat. [More]

Stressing prevention *
At MDS Nordion, employees get more than Band-Aid wellness programs. 'People have to feel that you care' [More]

Stri-Dex launches fruit-fortified acne fighter *
Stri-Dex announces a new acne-fighting cream formula infused with fruit extracts and vitamins. [More]

Student stress no higher than in 1995, study finds *
They've had to fight harder for a spot in university. Their tuition fees have escalated along with their personal debt with each passing year. So it would be expected that today's university student would be more stressed than ever before. [More]

Study backs use of deet on young children *
Parents anxious to protect their children against West Nile virus may be able to safely use deet more frequently than Health Canada recommends, a medical article rushed to print yesterday suggests. [More]

Study disparages plans for hydrogen-fuelled cars *
-spirited individuals hoping to do their part to save the environment by buying hydrogen-fuelled cars next year are in for expensive and rude surprises, a study by a Canadian and a U.S. scientist says. [More]

Study links aspirin to pancreatic cancer *
U.S. researchers have found evidence that long-term use of aspirin increased the risk of pancreatic cancer in a large group of women. [More]

Study links hypertension, blood-vessel inflammation *
New research suggests that high blood pressure is an inflammatory disease caused, at least in part, by an overstimulation of the immune system. [More]

Study links obesity levels in parents and children *
But genetics not as dominant a factor as imitation of poor lifestyle choices. [More]

Study of herpes may slow spread of AIDS *
Research will examine whether treating the infection could cut HIV transmission [More]

Study rejects smoking-ban cost concerns *
Bylaw affecting Ottawa's bars, restaurants has not curtailed sales, researchers say [More]

Study says echinacea has no effect on kids *
The popular herbal medication echinacea has been found no more effective than a placebo in treating children with a cold, a new study shows. [More]

Sun-allergic family to have case reviewed *
A South African family whose members suffer a genetic allergy to sunlight won a reprieve in their fight to stay in Canada. [More]

Sunshine vitamin (D) helps prevent MS *
A Harvard study shows that women can reduce their risk of multiple sclerosis by 40 per cent simply by consuming the recommended daily dose of Vitamin D. [More]

Sweeping flu strain not targeted by annual shot *
Canadians are facing a miserable flu season with the early and unexpected arrival of a particularly nasty strain of the virus that was not targeted in this year's shots. [More]

System failed toddler, jury says *
Paramedics short on training for children, coroner's jury concludes in boy's death [More]

Tainted-blood victims still waiting for aid *
Tainted blood victims who were excluded from a 1998 compensation package should be able to collect some of the $800-million surplus in the fund, advocates say. [More]

Taming the automobile in Montreal's core *
City cordons off 10 downtown blocks in symbolic attempt to combat pollution [More]

Tattoo-parlour customers warned of hepatitis risk *
Health inspectors have shut down an east-end tattoo parlour and warned former customers to contact Toronto Public Health, as they could have been exposed to HIV or hepatitis B or C. [More]

Tell your friends about Earth Hour *
Here's a way you can show your support for environmental awareness. [More]

Test touts good Italian cholesterol *
U.S. researchers have used a synthetic version of "good cholesterol" to almost magically reverse the effects of one of the most common forms of heart disease. [More]

Tests leave Hemosol in critical condition *
Results of U.S. trials for the firm's blood substitute threaten the biotech's very survival, LEONARD ZEHR writes [More]

Tests of diabetes product 'positive,' ConjuChem says *
ConjuChem Inc. has reported "positive preliminary results" from four continuing Phase I/II clinical trials for its compound to treat Type 2 diabetes. [More]

Tests reveal no further sign of mad-cow *
Tests done on cattle from a quarantined herd in Alberta have come back negative, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced Wednesday, and the remaining cattle will be released from quarantine. [More]

The battle to suppress a strong health council *
When Roy Romanow issued the report of his royal commission on health care last November, the recommendation that shone brightest was for a national health council. [More]

The case of the missing ducks *
A huge drop in the population of scaups and scoters is baffling biologists. The answer may lie in Canada's western boreal forest. ALANNA MITCHELL reports on efforts to unravel the mystery [More]

The condom barrier *
Why won't people talk about HIV in the African and Caribbean communities? [More]

The downside of medical testing *
If you are like most people, you've probably had a medical test recently. We are all inundated with advice to get more tests, whether it's from a partner, a parent, a health advocacy group or a caregiver. Testing makes us feel better, suggests that we are getting to the bottom of things. [More]

The eagles have landed *
The raptors have staged a comeback in the southern Great Lakes area from the DDT days, when they were almost wiped out. But they aren't living as long as they should. MARTIN MITTELSTAEDT explores the reasons why [More]

The gift of dyslexia *
They may take longer to learn to read, but dyslexics outshine the rest of us in skills such as spatial perception. ALANNA MITCHELL examines a new movement that's taking the stigma out of the condition [More]

The gospel according to Woody *
'My god is nature,' says actor, vegan and committed eco-activist Woody Harrelson, whose message of organic living is on full display in the documentary Go Further [More]

The greening of Jean Chrétien *
In the past year, the Prime Minister has gone from being on par with George Bush to being a parks-creating, Kyoto-embracing paragon, says DAVID BOYD [More]

The lessons of diet doctor doom *
What's supposed to make you stronger can be a killer. HEATHER MALLICK explains why health's high command is cursed. [More]

The nintendonitis generation feels PC pain *
Addicted to video games and the Web, children are showing symptoms of injury. [More]

The numbers show we're a nation of big, fat liars *
Canada might be a much fatter and fib-prone nation than anyone ever realized. New research suggests that more than two-thirds of Canadians are overweight, not less than half, as commonly reported. [More]

The Oceans in Crisis *
Newfoundland isn't the half of it. This week's scientific bombshell reveals that all the world's oceans are emptying of fish, ALANNA MITCHELL writes. But the cod fishery is the worst-case scenario -- and to deny that, experts say, is sheer idiocy... [More]

The soup that sparked a shark hunt and gang war *
An ancient luxury, fin that gives good 'face' now a must at wedding banquets, business dinners in Asia [More]

The Viagra effect: a rise in AIDS for the 50-plus set? *
It makes for an intriguing scenario, one worthy of a moralistic movie of the week: Aging Casanovas, powered by Viagra, cutting a swath across the retirement homes and brothels of the nation and coming face to face with the stark reality of sex in the post-AIDS world. [More]

The voracious world of viruses *
We've had antibiotics to fight bacteria for over 50 years, but little progress has been made against the more insidious viral infections. It may be that the only thing we can rely on is our own immune system. ANNE McILROY reports [More]

The wonder drug *
A century ago, ASA arrived on the market as a quick remedy for pain and fever. Apparently, it does much, much more, including helping to prevent heart attacks, breast cancer and Alzheimer's. The Globe's ANNE McILROY reports [More]

The young, hockey and the bodycheck *
Are Canada's young people paying for the national obsession with hockey -- in debilitating head injuries? [More]

Third Canadian dies of West Nile complications *
A Manitoba man has died from West Nile virus and an underlying medical condition, provincial health authorities announced Thursday [More]

Three BC farms quarantined over mad-cow *
Three farms in British Columbia have been added to a widening cattle quarantine by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, as part of an effort to contain the spread of mad-cow disease in Canada. [More]

Three key provinces abandon medicare watchdog *
The prospects for a proposed federal-provincial health council appeared bleak yesterday, as Alberta Premier Ralph Klein declared his province was withdrawing its support. [More]

Tight ties put vision in danger, study says *
Casual observers know all too well that some neckties are hard on the eyes. [More]

Time to rethink tonsillectomies? *
Back in the 1960s and 1970s, getting your tonsils removed was a rite of passage -- as was the week of frozen drinks and ice cream that typically followed the operation. [More]

To sleep, but not too much *
Never mind what your mother told you about needing a solid eight hours sleep. [More]

Tongue transplant proves successful *
Doctors in Vienna have carried out the first successful tongue transplant on a human being, the hospital where the surgery took place said yesterday. [More]

Too much water may be fatal, track group says *
Too much of a good thing can kill you, as marathon runners are beginning to find.

The good thing is drinking water. U.S. Track and Field is changing its guidelines for endurance athletes, after recognizing that drinking too much water may be as harmful as not drinking enough. [More]

Tooth and nail *
Welcome to the dental spa, where orthodontic ails are pampered away. [More]

Toronto stinks, literally: Smog alert expected to stay in effect today *
Provincial power demands spiked yesterday as residents of Southwestern Ontario suffered through their third smog alert of the year. [More]

Torontonians happier, study suggests *
Torontonians, it should cheer you up to know: You are happier than Montrealers! [More]

Tory platform that would replace Kyoto accord fails to address main cause of global warming *
The statement: "Carbon dioxide does not cause or contribute to smog, and the Kyoto treaty would do nothing to reduce or prevent smog." -- Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, Barrie, Ont., June 9. [More]

Tourism economy feels pinch as trips cancelled *
Hollywood star Catherine O'Hara decided to take a pass. And so did the thousands of cancer researchers who decided against coming to Toronto for their annual convention. [More]

Treat heart disease with exercise, MDs told *
Regular physical activity can outperform costly drugs and surgery, study concludes. [More]

Treatment a potential blockbuster *
Vasogen's therapy to reverse inflammation offers hope to patients with congestive heart failure, LEONARD ZEHR writes [More]

Tufted puffins feared on the decline *
The tufted puffin could be in serious trouble if the world gets any hotter, researchers say. [More]

TV worse than chocolate for fat kids *
Children who watch more than three hours of television a day are 50 per cent more likely to be obese than kids who watch fewer than two hours, according to new Canadian research to be published Thursday in the International Journal of Obesity. [More]

U.S. cases of West Nile triple in a week *
The number of West Nile virus cases in the United States has tripled since last week and will likely top last year's record total, a U.S. health official said yesterday in the latest warning of the mosquito-borne disease. [More]

U.S. drug boycott threat called 'ridiculous' *
It's inconceivable that multinational drug companies will stop shipping pharmaceuticals to Canada as part of a political battle to break the back of Canadian Internet pharmacies that supply American consumers, industry sources say. [More]

U.S. revamps food pyramid *
For the first time ever, the U.S. is recommending a change from this OLD version of "the Food Pyramid." [More]

U.S. team performs three simultaneous transplants *
Johns Hopkins University surgeons performed three simultaneous kidney transplants in a complex piece of medical choreography that had nurses rushing organs in labelled coolers among six operating rooms. [More]

Unclogging the heart debate: Do cholesterol pills help or harm? *
For the past three years, Melvyn Mould has been taking a medication to keep his cholesterol under control. [More]

Unfit young could face heart attacks *
Fat, sedentary Canadians will likely suffer more illness than parents, study suggests. [More]

Untie nurses' hands: SARS is a full-time fight *
Registered nurses in Ontario want to regain control of their practice. Who can blame them? They're trying to make the most of an impossible situation created by years of misguided policy decisions by the Ontario government and health-care employers. [More]

US vows to support global anti-smoking treaty *
The United States said it would support a global anti-smoking treaty fully at this week's world health meeting, startling observers by dropping its objections to the pact, which included concern about banning advertising. [More]

Use of medical imaging shows big increase *
First in-depth look at MRI, CT scans reveals distribution, wait periods and access vary widely. [More]

Vaccine for West Nile set for human trials *
North America braces for another potentially devastating outbreak of West Nile virus this summer, the first clinical trial of a vaccine for humans is set to begin in Kansas. [More]

Vaccine protects monkeys against Ebola virus *
U.S. government researchers said yesterday they had developed a vaccine that protects monkeys against Ebola virus with a single dose, offering a new way to stop an outbreak of the deadly disease. [More]

Vancouver injection clinic opens for addicts *
With the kind of hype normally reserved for a Hollywood movie premiere, Vancouver has opened North America's first legal shooting gallery for drug addicts. [More]

Vancouver nursing-home ailment not SARS *
A mysterious respiratory ailment that has broken out at a Vancouver-area nursing home is not caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome virus, public-health officials said yesterday. [More]

Vegging Out *
No longer the sole orbit of middle-aged ex-hippies, fanatical animal-rights activists, anemic health nuts and flaky movie stars, vegetarianism today is embraced by a wide assortment of people. And they are being converted younger than ever... [More]

Viagra may face stiff competition *
The U.S. government has approved the sale of a second pill to treat erectile dysfunction, setting the stage for a fierce battle with Viagra in the billion-dollar-plus impotence market. [More]

Virus-plagued ocean liner declared safe for cruise *
The ocean liner Regal Princess, the passengers of which were stricken with a contagious stomach virus, was scheduled to depart yesterday for a 20-day voyage to New England and Canada after being sanitized from top to bottom. [More]

Vitamin D may prevent tooth loss *
Periodontal disease is a common chronic inflammatory disease and a major risk factor for tooth loss. [More]

Vitamin E, beta-carotene do little for heart: study *
Vitamin E and beta-carotene pills are useless for warding off major heart problems, and beta-carotene, a source of vitamin A, may be harmful, an analysis of key studies has concluded. [More]

Vitamin pills may not reduce risk of key diseases *
But it's okay to take them, task force says [More]

Voice of America: SCIENCE IN THE NEWS *
Our subject this week is medical transplant operations... [More]

VSM on cutting edge of safer brain surgery *
MEG machines offer top accuracy in treating tumours, damaged areas. [More]

Want a virus-proof computer? Animals may provide a clue *
When a deadly new virus, such as Ebola or SARS, hits a human population, it never kills everyone it infects. Some people have immune systems that eventually adapt and overpower the invader. [More]

War of the dandelions *
Try telling some homeowners they can't use pesticides anymore... (Note: This is a distinctly "Toronto" problem; BCers are much more recycling and environment conscious, and more eager to embrace a no-GMOs, no-smoking policy, et alia.) [More]

Was that trademark smile the first sign of Alzheimer's? *
Until his death this week, former U.S. president Ronald Reagan was the world's most famous Alzheimer's sufferer. "I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life," he wrote in his poignant farewell message to Americans when he was first diagnosed at 83. [More]

Watchdog hopeful defines mandate *
Blueprint for national health council calls for accountability, transparency. [More]

We've pushed nurses to the edge *
Thanks are not enough. Let's cure this crucial profession's sick work environment, says ANDRÉ PICARD [More]

Weary Djamshid arrives at Sick Kids cardiac unit *
A nine-year-old Afghan boy whose ailing heart has captured the affections of Canadians looked weary yesterday as he arrived at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children after braving a five-hour ambulance journey from Ottawa. [More]

Wee nightcap may scare sandman away *
A new Canadian study suggests downing a few bedtime nightcaps can trigger more tossing and turning than blissful repose. [More]

Weird and wacky foot facts *
Podiatrists poke fun with weird and wacky foot facts -- but ask British Columbians to take foot health seriously, especially during Foot Health Awareness Week, May 13-19. [More]

Well-being and Breast Care *
They used to avoid it, but now masseurs are focusing attention on the breast -- for health reasons, writes JESSICA JOHNSON [More]

West Nile arrives in B.C. *
British Columbia reported its first probable case of West Nile virus Thursday, although officials say the woman involved was most likely infected while travelling in the United States. [More]

West Nile called factor in second Ontario death *
An elderly Ottawa man died yesterday of complications from the West Nile virus, becoming the second person in Canada to die from an illness stemming from the disease in as many days. [More]

West Nile case confirmed in Saskatchewan *
Saskatchewan has confirmed Canada's first domestic case of West Nile virus in a human this year. [More]

West Nile case confirmed in Toronto area *
The Greater Toronto Area has its first human case of West Nile virus this year, a 54-year-old Markham man who has tested positive for the disease. [More]

West Nile cases *
A breakdown of human West Nile cases for 2003 as of yesterday, drawn from reports issued by provincial Ministries of Health in Canada and by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (figures include probable and confirmed cases) [More]

West Nile cases exceed 400 in Saskatchewan *
The number of human cases of West Nile virus in Saskatchewan has cracked the 400 mark. [More]

West Nile cases jump dramatically in the U.S. *
West Nile virus cases have tripled since last week, a top U.S. health official said Thursday, warning that this year may surpass last year's record numbers. [More]

West Nile confirmed in New Brunswick birds *
Two more cases of West Nile virus have been confirmed in New Brunswick birds, health officials said yesterday. The dead crows were discovered in Memramcook and Moncton. [More]

West Nile fears spark blood drive *
Canadian Blood Services has launched an unprecedented national drive to stockpile red blood cells in case West Nile virus develops in humans before a screening test is available. [More]

West Nile found in crow in Ottawa *
The discovery of the carcass of a crow in Ottawa not far from Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's residence and Parliament Hill is increasing concern that the deadly West Nile virus is hitting Canada earlier this year than in the past. [More]

West Nile hits Prairies hard *
Donated blood recalled in Saskatchewan as virus strikes the West, spares the East [More]

West Nile present across country *
West Nile virus is present across the country and will inevitably infect Canadians before the mosquito season is over. [More]

West Nile screening of blood begins *
In a bid to allay public fears about West Nile virus, Canadian Blood Services announced yesterday that it has begun to screen some of its blood products for the disease. [More]

West Nile severity easing, experts say *
West Nile virus is present across the country and will inevitably infect Canadians before the mosquito season is over. [More]

West Nile solution: Kill them all *
There's a sure way of avoiding the sometimes deadly virus. Use biotechnolgoy to wipe out all the mosquitoes that carry it. STEPHEN STRAUSS looks at the methods [More]

West Nile victims sue Ontario government *
'Counting dead birds was not enough' [More]

West Nile virus continues its western sweep *
Manitoba finds first case, Saskatchewan lists more as disease extends its reach [More]

West Nile virus fight to employ larvicide *
Facing the impending West Nile virus threat, at least half a dozen Ontario municipalities plan to use chemical agents to kill mosquito larvae, some of them before Victoria Day. [More]

West Nile virus found in donated blood *
Routine screening of blood donations detected Alberta's first provincially contracted case of the West Nile virus in a human, health officials said yesterday. [More]

West Nile Virus: No spray of hope *
Massive insecticide spraying of adult mosquitoes won't stop West Nile virus, says pesticide expert BARRIE WEBSTER. Let's get them when they're young [More]

West Nile-virus fears build, tests abound *
Doctors expect the year's first human case to appear between now and early August [More]

Whales once numbered in millions *
Some types of whales were far more common that is typically thought before the hunting frenzies of the 19th and early 20th centuries began to wipe them out, a pair of geneticists said Thursday. [More]

Where are the big cats? *
Trips to Australia often include excursions to view kangaroos and wallabies, but not safaris to observe lions, tigers and leopards. The reason is simple: The big cats aren't there. [More]

WHO approves anti-tobacco accord *
The World Health Organization adopted a sweeping anti-tobacco treaty Wednesday in an unprecedented global push to regulate a product it says kills half of its regular users. [More]

WHO nears anti-tobacco treaty *
The World Health Organization gave preliminary approval Tuesday to a landmark anti-tobacco treaty. [More]

WHO official targets global eradication of polio *
David Heymann, an epidemiologist with the World Health Organization, was thrust into the limelight when he was charged with stopping SARS. His reward for succeeding is even more daunting: Finish the job of eradicating polio by 2005. [More]

WHO sends virologist to study B.C. virus *
The World Health Organization has sent top virologist Dr. Katrin Leitmeyer to Canada to join other experts in their examination of a mysterious SARS-like virus that swept through a British Columbia Lower Mainland nursing home. [More]

Why did the fish miss the boat? *
Scientists and lawyers both know the devil is in the details. Last week, when Environment Minister David Anderson announced the historic first update to Canada's official list of endangered species, details about the process of protection threatened to bedevil our best intentions. [More]

Will energy goals be tonnes of hot air? *
The federal government has challenged each and every Canadian to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions from their personal activities by one tonne per year by the end of the decade. Last week, a bevy of ministers came together to announce $1-billion in federal money to sweeten the pot for these little individual acts of conservation. [More]

Will kill 670 minke whales next year, Norway says *
Norway said yesterday it plans to kill 670 minke whales next year in its controversial commercial hunt, a slight decline from this year's quota of 711. [More]

Winnipeg syphilis cases worry authorities *
A syphilis outbreak in Winnipeg is getting worse. The regional health authority says it has identified 22 cases since the outbreak began in January. [More]

Woman fined in B.C. for illegal dump *
A 60-year-old woman was sent to jail for 21 days and her company fined $640,000 for years of dumping refuse illegally in Burns Bog, an environmentally sensitive area on the outskirts of Greater Vancouver. [More]

Woman, 27, dies in Italy from illness linked to BSE *
Italy recorded its first death from the human version of bovine spongiform encephalopathy when a 27-year-woman from Sicily died in a hospital in the northern city of Milan yesterday, a hospital official said. [More]

Workers ignore company wellness programs *
Few employees take advantage of corporate wellness programs even though one-quarter are aware that their employers offer them, a new survey says. [More]

WTO seals deal on cheap drugs *
The World Trade Organization on Saturday sealed its agreement to allow poor countries to import cheap copies of patented drugs for killer diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. [More]

Young patients push stroke rehabilitation to new frontier *
"Before 1995, when clot-busting drugs were introduced, there was absolutely no treatment for stroke" [More]

Secondary Sites:
'Mom' -- Man awakes from 19-year coma *
Terry Wallis, who had been in a coma since a 1984 car accident, regained consciousness last month to the surprise of doctors and the delight of his family, including his mother, who heard his first word in 19 years. [More]

A good month to be born *
Are you alive because of the time of year your great-grandmother was born? We're not talking about anything astrological, but what appears to have been seasonal rhythms in human reproduction in Canada toward the end of the 19th century. [More]

A horse is a horse, of course *
Scientists in Italy say they have created the world's first cloned horse, raising the possibility of a sequel to the next Seabiscuit or a carbon copy of Kentucky Derby champion Funny Cide. [More]

A new generation of couch potatoes *
Preschoolers getting only fraction of exercise needed, report finds, putting them at risk of adult obesity. [More]

A ray of hope for a nation riddled by AIDS *
Lower drug prices, enlightened policies and an innovative doctor work wonders [More]

A tiny pinprick, a deadly outcome *
Health-care workers launch campaign to prevent needle-stick deaths and injuries. [More]

Africa's HIV babies given hope *
For Stephanie Jones, the babies offer proof -- 300 of them born during the past 18 months at Coronation Hospital in a rough area of Johannesburg. [More]

AIDS virus traced back to monkeys *
The ancestry of the virus that caused the AIDS epidemic has been traced to two strains of virus found in monkeys in Africa. [More]

Alberta consumers buy up cheap beef *
Alberta feedlot owners set up shop in two provinces Friday and sold hamburger for just over $2 a kilogram in an effort to get the beef industry moving despite the mad cow scare. [More]

Alternative tub scrubbing formula (environmentally friendly) *****
This battub cleanser uses non-toxic ingredients, leaving your bathroom clean and your conscience clear. [More]

Animals always pay *
If we have to slaughter cattle en masse because of mad-cow fears, will we think about their suffering? asks law professor RONALD SKLAR [More]

April's lost years *
On her way to visit her wedding photographer, April Ferguson was hit by a car. When she came out of her coma, she couldn't remember being engaged. What do you do when the past is as uncertain as the future? HEIDI STASESON reports [More]

B.C safe-injection site wins police immunity *
North America's first sanctioned injection site for illegal drug-users could be up and running by September, after Health Canada yesterday granted the proposed venue an unprecedented exemption from police action. [More]

B.C. doctors mull action against province *
The provincial government is being accused of once again reneging on an agreement and stealing money from doctors. [More]

Baby-boomer Alert: Headaches may increase as eyes age *
You've had perfect vision your whole life, but now, in your 40s or 50s, your eyes are feeling tired, burning or stinging and you're getting headaches. Welcome to the wonderful world of presbyopia, says the B.C. Association of Optometrists. [More]

Backed against a wall *
Kate Hansen can't remember exactly how long it's been since she was able to stand up straight. She thinks the last time was around 15 years ago. [More]

Blood & Guts: A Short History of Medicine: Grand rounds *
Although I have not the slightest expertise in matters medical, I come from a family replete with doctors, dentists and nurses, do not flinch at the sight of blood and take great pleasure in an hour immersed in the internal intricacies of The Merck Manual of Medical Information . [More]

Bono argues with Bush over AIDS spending *
Bono, the Irish rock star and social activist, said Tuesday he had a "good ole row" with President Bush over global AIDS funding. [More]

Buy your own doctor *
Toronto human-resources consultant Lori Sone-Cooper has the kind of family doctor you and I can only dream of. Unlike the rest of us, she never has to cool her heels in the waiting room. She can always get an appointment right away, and the doctor is never in a rush. [More]

Canada to change beef slaughtering practices *
Canada's beef industry must change its slaughtering practices by removing material from cattle that may transmit mad cow disease, federal Agriculture Minister Lyle Vanclief said Friday. [More]

Canada's UN ranking drops *
Just when Canadians started feeling good about themselves over winning the race to play host to the 2010 Winter Olympics, the United Nations has pulled Canada down a few notches on its annual quality-of-life ranking. [More]

Canadian may hold key to identifying Chilean blob *
Large lump of flesh could be the remains of a giant octopus or a decaying whale [More]

Celebrate Environment Week at Generation 2010 *
Come and Enjoy a Two-Day, Free Family Festival at Science World -- June 6th and 7th, 2003, Vancouver, BC [More]

Childhood cancer hurts adult survivors *
Nearly half of all survivors of childhood cancer develop significant physical and mental health problems in adulthood, according to new research. [More]

Cloned embryo implanted in woman, scientist says *
A Kentucky fertility specialist said Saturday he had implanted a cloned human embryo in a 35-year-old woman — a claim met with scepticism by many scientists. [More]

Come and See What Generation 2010 Will Be... *
An initiative culminating in a fun-filled festival to inspire children and families in British Columbia to strive for excellence in sport and sustainable energy practices by leveraging the Energy and the Passion of the 2010 Olympic Winter and Paralympic Winter Games. [More]

Computers replace petri dishes in biological labs *
A few years ago Jim Roehr, a senior scientist at Aventis, found himself wasting precious hours chasing down members of his drug research team just to collect their latest findings. [More]

Crossing the border to fill a prescription *
Canada's cost controls on prescription drugs are either a beacon of fairness or a dangerous scheme to shirk the expense of drug research, if you believe the rhetoric in last month's U.S. House of Representatives debate on how to regulate pharmaceutical imports. [More]

Discovery announces Irwin 'Crikey' fund, while other tributes pour in *
Discovery Communications says it will establish a fund in honour of Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, while other celebrity tributes pour in. [More]

Doctors tout traditional remedies *
But their work is stymied without financial backers, STEPHANIE NOLEN reports. [More]

Don't gamble with our drug prices *
U.S. big pharma is putting its big bucks on the line to try to influence Canadian health policy and we have much to lose if they win this one, writes drug-policy researcher ALAN CASSELS [More]

DuPont Develops New Natural Insect Repellent *
DuPont takes up the organic banner against competitors (such as Monsanto Corp) with an innovative use for commonplace catnip. [More]

Exam stress and the cruellest month of the year *
Exam stress is getting worse for students, writes CAROLINE ALPHONSO...but relief may be just a stick of gum away... [More]

Farmed salmon more toxic than wild variety *
Farm-raised salmon contain substantially higher levels of PCBs and other potentially cancer-causing industrial pollutants than their wild counterparts, a new study has says. [More]

Fat: the next tobacco *
Kraft's decision this week to become more calorie-conscious shouldn't have come as such a big surprise, ALANNA MITCHELL reports. The health campaigner who cost the big cigarette companies billions has turned his attention to what's on the menu. The battle is on [More]

Fats linked to breast cancer *
Those derived from animals, not plants, raise the risk of disease, new study finds [More]

Fitness in young adults helps stave off diabetes *
Risk factors for heart disease, stroke can't just be blamed on aging, study says. [More]

Flu in Nunavut closes schools *
Influenza in Nunavut is causing school closings, cancellations of public hearings and grocery-store clerks to wear masks. [More]

France in the hot seat *
The record-setting heat wave that swept across much of Europe in the first half of August caused thousands of deaths and widespread economic damage. But only in France did it turn into a national disaster, sparking public outrage over government inaction and ineptitude and raising serious questions about cherished French institutions. [More]

Gary Gallon, 58 *
Environmental radical became known for putting pressure on government, corporations [More]

Glen Hillson: Early AIDS patient succumbs, age 51 *
Glen Hillson's long, courageous fight is over. One of the first patients diagnosed with the then-mysterious and terrifying AIDS virus in the early 1980s, Mr. Hillson stared death in the face for more than 20 years, until it seemed he would never succumb. [More]

Global vitamin program to reduce infant mortality *
A Canadian-backed global plan to add vitamins to food should result in an immediate reduction in infant mortality and crippling diseases, its organizers say. [More]

Greening Canadian politics *
Is there a new political force in the making? Led by a former Progressive Conservative who preaches fiscal prudence, Canada's Green Party is on the move... [More]

Grocer Today magazine *
The industry "bible" for grocers and grocery managers. [More]

Health Canada readies release of dope manual *
Draft version of document shows patients to receive warnings against marijuana use [More]

Health care: We have a plan *
Margaret Wente has it exactly right when she quotes Dr. Gerard McKenzie, with approval, as saying, "All the incentive for the hospital is to not treat patients. [More]

Heart disease killing women, study finds *
Despite its reputation as a man's problem, heart disease now kills significantly more women than men, according to a new international study. [More]

Heat blamed for dozens of deaths across Europe *
Head of French emergency doctors cites weather for toll in Paris region; glaciers melting in Alps [More]

Hepatitis outbreak prompts onion warning *
Consumers are urged to not eat raw green onions due to a U.S. outbreak of hepatitis A that has been traced to the vegetable. [More]

Higher risk of dementia linked to HRT *
Post-menopausal women who take hormone replacement therapy have twice the risk of developing Alzheimer's as those who do not, according to new research. The combination of estrogen and progestin also increases the risk of women suffering from stroke, a related study found. [More]

How to find health information Websites you can trust *
Here -- according to The Canadian Health Network -- is the best way to protect yourself when seeking health advice and qualified information online. [More]

Human cannibalism was once common, prion gene suggests *
Early humans may have regularly dined on each other. That is the unappetizing conclusion of British researchers who have discovered that a gene that protects against prion diseases -- infectious diseases that can be spread through eating contaminated flesh -- is found in people all over the world. [More]

Human-to-human monkeypox jump suspected *
Officials are investigating whether two Wisconsin health care workers may have contracted monkeypox from patients, in what would be the first known transmission of the virus from one human to another in the United States. [More]

Illnesses traced to Aylmer meat plant *
Some people in the Windsor, Ont., area who ate meat processed by a slaughterhouse that the province shut last week have reported stomach ailments, the official directing the investigation into Aylmer Meat Packers Inc. says. [More]

Imprisoned physicist allowed to refuse medication *
A brilliant physicist who has spent four years in a pyschiatric institution rather than submit to forcible medication has won his bid to refuse drug treatment. [More]

Indian companies to fight tuberculosis in workplace *
Indian companies such as Reliance Industries Ltd. and the Aditya Birla Group have formed an alliance to help prevent the spread of tuberculosis among their employees in a country where one in every three people carries the disease. [More]

Insulin-cell transplant spares teen life of pain *
New Brunswick girl first Canadian child to undergo operation for rare condition. [More]

Iranian twins don't make it *
Pair die within 90 minutes of each other [More]

Ireland curbing liquor ads *
Ireland will restrict advertisements and wants to slap health warnings on alcoholic beverages in hopes of deterring heavy drinking by teenagers, Prime Minister Bertie Ahern announced Monday. [More]

It's scrap, not junk *
In biology, nothing has been more dismissive than the term applied to upwards of 95 per cent of DNA whose purpose doesn't seem to be to produce any of the proteins -- think insulin or adrenaline -- every organism needs to grow and thrive. [More]

Jury rules in favour of IBM *
In a major victory for the electronics industry, a jury decided Thursday that IBM Corp. was not responsible for the cancers that developed in two former employees at a disk drive plant. [More]

Kraft to help fight obesity *
Kraft Foods Inc. announced Tuesday it will take steps including a cap on portion sizes and the elimination of in-school marketing to help fight obesity. [More]

Largest Arctic ice shelf breaks up, wiping out unique ecosystem *
The largest Arctic ice shelf is beginning to rip itself apart, 4,500 years after it first began forming. [More]

LEIDA FINLAYSON 1971-2003 *
The project was the brain-child of a therapist who suggested it would provide a diversion during cancer treatment [More]

Liberal deal aims to foil rebel MPs *
The federal government has gone around its rebellious back bench to strike a bargain with the New Democratic Party for support on a controversial bill regulating human reproductive technology. [More]

Malaria: 'Forgotten epidemic' rears head *
Shivering and sweating feverishly, Felicia Egbuchue took the malaria medicine her doctor prescribed. Although it had cured her in years past, this time it didn't. She was rushed to the hospital and hooked up to an intravenous drip. [More]

Man wins reduced conviction in AIDS case *
A Newfoundland man who had repeated unprotected sex with his girlfriend after he had been diagnosed with HIV cannot be convicted of aggravated assault, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled yesterday. [More]

Manitoba considers ban on all workplace smoking *
Manitoba could become the first province to ban smoking wherever people work, indoors or out, with no ifs, ands or butts. [More]

Massive forest fire approaching B.C. border *
A massive forest fire approaching the edge of the B.C.-Washington state border could spread into the province in a few days, a U.S. fire information officer said Thursday. [More]

McNeil Consumer Healthcare introduces new Tylenol 8 Hour *
McNeil Consumer Healthcare has introduced its latest line extension to the Tylenol analgesic brand in the U.S. [More]

MDs balk at dispensing marijuana *
Doctors fret over burglaries, being hassled by patients to release the drug [More]

Mentally ill often go without help, Statscan says *
More than 2.6 million Canadians suffered from mental illness or dependence on drugs or alcohol during the past year, according to Statistics Canada data. But only about a third of those suffering from the conditions received professional help, the research reveals. [More]

Merit found amid video-game mayhem *
Violence aside, researchers argue skills can be gained by playing regularly [More]

More Ontario hospitals report lapses in disinfecting instruments *
The list of Ontario hospitals coming clean about disinfection lapses lengthened again yesterday, as Brantford General announced that it was recalling 328 patients for HIV and hepatitis tests. [More]

Morgentaler launches suit against New Brunswick *
Henry Morgentaler is launching a court battle in an effort to make the New Brunswick government pay for abortions at his Fredericton clinic. In papers filed in the New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench this month, Dr. Morgentaler claims women in the province are being denied full access to abortions. [More]

Movie noise: Turn that fish down *
It's not the death of Bambi's mother that scares kids these days -- it's the noise level of movie soundtracks, which can spike louder than a jackhammer or a live rock show, LUMA MUHTADIE writes [More]

N.B. patient had rare illness, autopsy reveals *
CJD case may be linked to 1992 operation but not to mad-cow disease, doctors say. [More]

New study drives nail in coffin of HRT therapy *
Estrogen-progestin pills may cause an aggressive form of breast cancer and make it harder to find tumors until they have reached a later, less-curable stage, according to one of the biggest, most authoritative analyses yet. [More]

Nicotine's good side *
Studies suggest the substance can help with Parkinson's, schizophrenia and Alzheimer's, but researchers are in no way recommending that you take up smoking. SIMON SMITH reports [More]

OPP begins Aylmer meat probe *
Consumers warned to avoid products [More]

Osteoporosis linked to lack of estrogen-regulating protein *
British scientists experimenting with mice believe they may have found why post-menopausal women often suffer from osteoporosis. [More]

Parasite may pose a risk to blood supply *
A parasitic infection that is common is Latin America is threatening the U.S. blood system, and Canadian officials say they are evaluating the risk it poses here. [More]

Peanut allergies: In a nutshell *
Confused about peanut allergies? ANDRÉ PICARD sifts through the research [More]

Pesticide panic zaps the facts *
Which is worse: brain cancer in children, or dandelions in the grass? [More]

Poultry disease threatens Thailand's exports *
Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra invited foreign reporters to join his cabinet for a chicken lunch yesterday as he tried to soothe public fears after an outbreak of poultry cholera. [More]

Pregnant women urged to avoid ginseng *
Pregnant women are being advised to avoid ginseng after scientists in Hong Kong discovered that rat embryos developed abnormally when exposed to a root ingredient of the popular herbal remedy. [More]

Province of Ontario launches West Nile plan *
With the battle against SARS far from over, Ontario health officials launched a plan yesterday to head off a return this year of West Nile virus... [More]

PSA prostate blood test overrated, study says *
The widely used PSA blood test, designed to look for early signs of prostate cancer, misses 82 per cent of tumours in men under 60, a study released yesterday says. [More]

Que. tech firm hits new high *
U.S. regulator approves TSO3's device for sterilizing equipment in hospitals [More]

Rats gorge on birds *
Scientists plan mass poisoning [More]

Reefer madness *
Canada's Health Minister may need to take a little of her own medicine, says PAUL SULLIVAN [More]

Research debunks ideas on life support *
Conventional wisdom has it that a patient's age, severity of illness and the amount of organ damage are the key factors to be considered when decisions are made in hospitals to withdraw life support [More]

Research pans tomato extract *
Better eat the whole tomato. New research suggests that men who take a tomato extract called lycopene to ward off prostate cancer would be better off eating the entire fruit -- or even pizza with tomato sauce. [More]

Researchers cultivate decaf beans *
Decaf brew from a coffee plant that has been genetically modified to produce beans with very little caffeine could one day come to a coffee shop near you. [More]

Revlon Realistic relaxer systems now feature formulas for Hispanic women *
Great news for curly-haired people! [More]

Safe drug-use site saves lives, study says *
Operators of a medically supervised heroin-injection trial in Australia say the results of its first major evaluation should encourage supporters of a proposed similar trial in Canada. [More]

SARS virus has staying power, studies show *
Can lurk on plastic surfaces, survive cold, linger in human feces for days, experts say. [More]

School officials trade grease for granola *
Spurred by child-obesity data, a handful of cafeterias are taking junk off the menu [More]

Shape of proteins holds key to treating diseases *
The key to treating many deadly diseases -- including cancer and Parkinson's disease -- may lie in finding drugs to block the errant proteins that can wreak havoc in the human body. [More]

SOCIAL STUDIES -- May 28, 2003 *
The average food molecule in Canada travels 2,000 kilometres from its point of origin before hitting a grocery cart," says Canadian Geographic magazine. [More]

SOCIAL STUDIES -- Thursday, September 4, 2003 *
A DAILY MISCELLANY OF INFORMATION BY MICHAEL KESTERTON [More]

Social Studies -- Yip Yap *
Yip yap. A U.S. company, Chomp Inc., has developed a canine breath mint. [More]

Something new under the sun *
Maybe all those chemicals in sunscreen aren't good for you. ANNE McILROY tells how Canadian scientists have figured out how to keep them off your skin [More]

Spanking parents may be unaware of force *
Every about-to-be-spanked child who has heard a parent piously pronounce "this hurts me more than it hurts you" can today reply, "Not according to modern science, it doesn't." [More]

Stanley Park Fall-out is not just the trees *
The Vancouver Park Board's Manager of Communications -- our old friend, Joyce Courtney -- gives evalu8.org a candid, insider view of some of the stresses associated with the devastation wrought in Stanley Park by recent storms. [More]

Statins 'may cut dementia risk' *
Scientists have found further evidence that taking commonly used cholesterol-lowering statins may protect against dementia and memory loss. [More]

Study explains disease, dementia link *
Canadian scientists have discovered why people infected with AIDS lose their memories and co-ordination, according to a new study that also outlines a promising way to prevent those signs of dementia. [More]

Summertime health report: About Hot Dogs and Cool Cats *
As the August heat swelters in most parts of the planet, it's enough to make you want to stay inside with the air-conditioning turned up to "eleven." Here's how to guard your pets' health, too. [More]

Sunblock and bug repellent -- a dangerous cocktail? *
Just when you thought it was safe to go outside this summer, swabbed in DEET and smeared in sunblock, a new health alert about mixing the two has come out of the University of Manitoba. [More]

Surgeons face complications in twins operation *
Neurosurgeons working to separate Iranian twin sisters joined at the head cut through brain tissue a millimetre at a time Monday after rerouting a thick shared vein that helped blood flow through their brains, a hospital official said. [More]

Tech Tips and Tricks: Is Canadian e-waste an environmental disaster in waiting? *
Toxic chemicals from the used computer equipment Canadians send to landfills by the tonne each year are going to leave a nasty legacy for generations to come, experts warn. [More]

Tenet reveals fraud probe by Florida over Medicaid *
State requests employee records, doctor contracts at hospitals from 1992 to now [More]

The dilemma: trans-free or tastier food *
Ingredient is hazardous to health, but it makes edibles stay fresh longer. [More]

The face of AIDS in Mozambique *
Graça Nevas is Mozambique's 'AIDS celebrity' after saying on television 'the disease exists, I have it,' STEPHANIE NOLEN reports. [More]

The perils of sharing bed with baby *
SATURDAY SPECIAL: Exhausted from childbirth, Miranda Halladay took a nap with her healthy new son. When she awoke three hours later, he didn't. [More]

The Vancouver International Marathon 2003 *
The 31st Annual Vancouver International Marathon takes place on Sunday, May 4, 2003, in beautiful Vancouver, BC; May 1-3 visit the Heart Health & Wellness Expo -- it's all free! [More]

The war for a cure has a catch *
The global fight against AIDS is flagging. Canada was a leader with Bill C-9, but the legislation's flaws could hurt our efforts to get generic drugs to Africa, says activist RICHARD ELLIOTT. [More]

This Bud ISN'T for You: Fingerprinting technology could identify marijuana *
New tool would track movement of pot destined for illicit markets, scientists say [More]

TM Bioscience unveils genetic test kit *
TM Bioscience Corp. of Toronto has launched a genetic test kit for use by diagnostic laboratories and drug companies to predict how patients will react to a broad range of prescription and over-the-counter medications. [More]

U.S. advised to make morning-after pill available to women over the counter *
Emergency contraception -- the morning-after pill -- should be available without a prescription on pharmacy shelves in the United States, next to the Aspirin and cough medicine, U.S. government advisers said yesterday. [More]

U.S. probes pneumonia cases in Iraq *
A U.S. Army medical team is heading to Iraq to look into what has caused 15 serious cases of pneumonia among troops in the area, including two fatalities, military officials said yesterday. [More]

Vaccination protects kids against serious disease *
Vaccination is the best way to protect your child against serious disease. . . [More]

Vitamin could prevent arthritis *
Scientists hope adding vitamin D to the diet could help prevent one of the most common and painful forms of arthritis. [More]

Vitamins: Too much of a good thing? *
Think twice before you swallow that handful of vitamins. New research suggests they could actually be harmful to your health. ANNE McILROY explains... [More]

Wallflowers born, not made *
The urge to shy away from unfamiliar faces and situations may be a trait people have throughout their lives, a new study suggests. [More]

Wen Jiabao's gesture *
On Monday night, millions of Chinese television viewers were treated to a remarkable sight: a government leader visiting AIDS patients at a Beijing hospital. [More]

West Nile death confirmed in Ontario *
Health officials have confirmed that a Hamilton man who fell ill last September died of West Nile virus earlier this year. [More]

What it takes to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa *
As the United States, Canada and more than 40 other donor countries gather today in Paris to discuss AIDS funding, officials are well aware that getting the epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa under control will require more than billions of dollars in new spending commitments and a massive inflow of affordable drugs [More]

What to do about trans fatty acids? *
Described one way, the product sounds like a miracle. It extends the shelf life of processed food, gives potatoes and doughnuts more flavour and makes crackers and cookies crisper and crunchier. It improves food's appearance, and makes it less expensive. [More]

Where's the BEEF? *
In these days of BSE (AKA Mad Cow Disease) many beefeaters are looking for ways to have their steak and eat it, too... [More]

Whoa, heavy irony, dude: Head of medical-pot program resigns *
Health Canada's medical marijuana program seems gripped by chaos after the departure of its former "Pot-Head," Cindy Cripps-Prawak. [More]

Wild Africa's comeback *
Visitors are flocking to South Africa's Shamwari Game Reserve, an experiment in ecological reversal that is yielding real results [More]

Workplace conditions cause lung ailments *
Workplace exposure to dust or fumes might account for up to a third of severe respiratory disease in the United States, a new survey says. [More]

Workplace health: No safety in the numbers *
Although disability claims are down, psychological problems in the workplace have become 'a growth industry,' reports KATHERINE HARDING [More]

Worthy life lessons from the small screen *
Some folks say you can't learn anything from TV and their argument rightfully steps up in the summer, when networks just give up trying. [More]