Stem cell shock Scientists in the USA, including National Institutes of Health director Francis Collins, are in shock after a federal district court issued an injunction on President Barack Obama’s rules on embryonic stem cell research. Obama had lifted restrictions placed on a previous amendment by former President George W Bush. Collins said the court decision “pours sand into the engine of discovery”.

Bolivia plague alert Bolivia has declared a health alert in La Paz after a 14-year-old boy died from bubonic plague. The disease has killed three people in neighbouring Peru in the past 2 months. Health controls and programmes for disease prevention have been intensified in the area in an attempt to prevent the disease from spreading.

Menu labelling The US Food and Drug Administration has released two documents to help chain restaurants comply with new federal requirements for nutrition labelling. Under the new law, food establishments with 20 or more locations will be required to provide calorie and nutritional information for menu items, food on display, and self-service food.

China relaxes death penalty China’s top legislature has, for the first time, dropped the death penalty for 13 non-violent economic crimes such as smuggling of cultural relics and faking of tax receipts, in the latest amendment to the Criminal Law. The revision would cut the 68 crimes at present punishable by death by about a fifth to 55.

Design for poverty Icelandic designer Stefán Einarsson has won the UN Ads Against Poverty competition, the aim of which was to raise awareness of the Millennium Development Goals in Europe. More than 2000 entries from 34 European countries were submitted since the start of the contest in May this year. Einarsson’s design, “We are still waiting”, calls on world leaders to live up to their promises of ending poverty by 2015. 

UK NHS inundated with complaints The number of written complaints about the UK National Health Service (NHS) has reached its highest rate in 12 years, according to a report by NHS Information Centre. 101 077 compl­aints were recorded in 2009–10, represent­ing a 13·4% increase from 2008–09. Almost 45% of complaints were about the medical profession.

Sexual health in Fiji The incidence of sexually transmitted infections in pregnant mothers has risen in Fiji over the past 14 years, according to the country’s Department of the Preven­tion of Parent to Child Transmission of HIV. Department head Litia Narube said that, of around 8000 women who deliver every year at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva, only 14 agree to have an HIV test.

Mumbai malaria Mumbai, India, is witnessing record rates of malaria, with 3800 cases in August alone, according to local health officials. More than 14 700 cases have been recorded so far this year—almost as many as the whole of 2009. Médecins Sans Frontières are helping to deal with the situation by providing treatment, diagnostic kits, and training.

Hypertension in pregnancy The UK’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has issued new guidance on the treatment of hypertension in pregnancy. The guidelines recom­mend that pregnant women at risk of hypertension should take 75 mg aspirin daily and avoid angiotensin modulators. Restriction of salt intake and use of dietary supplements such as antioxidants are not protective, the advice warns.

Strike “threatens health” A 2-week public-sector strike in South Africa, which has affected nurses and doctors in government-run institutions, could have threatened the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS, according to observers. The workers were de­manding an 8·6% salary increase and a R1000 (US$136) housing allowance.

World Water Week Sept 5–9 is World Water Week 2010. The event, which is presented by the Stockholm International Water Institute, will focus on several important issues including water and sanitation in Africa in view of the Millennium Development Goals, climate change, pollution, and biodiversity. There will also be awards, seminars, and training courses for participants.

Cuba cuts cigarette subsidy The Cuban Government will stop sub­sidising cigarettes from this month in a bid to reduce state spending. Individuals older than 55 years used to receive a 25% discount on four packets of cigarettes per month, but will now have to pay the full price of US$0·33 per pack. Cigarettes join peas and potatoes as withdrawn products from the subsidised ration list.

Radiation risk Radiation exposure in medicine has risen substantially over the period 1997–2007, reports the UN Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation. In high-income countries, increased use of CT scanning and other procedures means that medical exposure to radiation is now similar in magnitude to that from environmental sources.

Drastic decision Insufficient fund­ing has forced the World Food Programme to make drastic cuts to its emergency food programme in Niger—only families with children younger than 2 years will now receive rations. In the absence of aid, and with almost 2 months to go before the next harvest, many will be left starving, according to Oxfam. Nearly double the food currently available would be required to support the 7·9 million affected.

Teen smoking Teenage smoking rates in England fell after the legal age for buying cigarettes rose from 16 to 18 years in 2007. The Cancer Research UK study of 1000 teenagers aged 16–17 years showed that, since the law changed, rates have decreased from 24% to about 17%. According to Jenny Fidler, who led the study, findings show that tobacco policies can make a difference.

No more nightcaps? Russian author­ities have extended the time during which the sale of drinks containing more than 16% alcohol is prohibited in Moscow. As of September, the public will be unable to purchase strong liquor between 2200 h and 1000 h as part of an ongoing campaign to reduce consumption and curb illegal alcohol production.

MDG progress A case study by Australian researchers shows that progress on the Millennium Develop­ment Goals (MDGs) can be made even in extremely volatile settings. In Afghanistan, infant and child mortality decreased between 2001 and 2006, and immunisation rates have vastly improved. The researchers suggest that a reframing of the MDGs so that they serve local development has been a key to this modest success.

Salmonella outbreak Half a billion eggs have been recalled from two farms in the state of Iowa, USA, after a salmonella outbreak. Both farms, which distribute eggs nationwide under many different names, have been linked to the same strain but the source of the outbreak remains unknown. Infections with Salmonella enteritidis have increased four-fold in the USA since May, 2010.

Year of Youth Aug 12 saw the launch of the International Year of Youth at UN headquarters in New York, USA. The year, whose theme is “dialogue and mutual understanding”, is aimed at increasing nations’ commitment to and investment in young people, and at improving the participation and inter­cultural understanding of young people themselves.

Smoking in China More than 300 million Chinese people currently smoke—53% of men and 2% of women—according to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey. More than 60% of adults are exposed to second-hand tobacco smoke in the workplace, yet less than a quarter are aware that exposure to tobacco smoke causes life-threatening illnesses.

Lamotrigine alert The US Food and Drug Administration has warned of an association between lamotrigine and aseptic meningitis. 40 cases were reported between 1994 and 2009. GlaxoSmithKline is updating its information for prescribers and patients, and clinicians are advised to consider discontinuing the drug if patients develop meningitis and no other cause can be identified.

Joint aid to Nepal Leading aid donors including the UK’s Department for International Development, the World Bank, GAVI, USAID, and UNICEF have signed a Joint Financing Arrangement to help fund Nepal’s new national health plan to reduce maternal and child mortality. The agreement will simplify aid management and reduce reporting requirements.

HIV on trial The trial of German singer Nadja Benaissa, accused of grievous bodily harm after allegedly neglecting to inform her sexual partners of her HIV-positive status, is expected to end this week. The proceedings have drawn criticism from the charity Deutsche AIDS-Hilfe, which warned of the “criminalisation of HIV transmission” and the “stigmatisation of HIV-positive people”.

Olympic awareness Over the past 2 weeks, UNAIDS has been partnering with the organising committee of the first ever Youth Olympic Games, in Singapore, to provide HIV prevention information and to raise awareness of HIV. UNAIDS head Michel Sidibé said young athletes were ”role models in their communities” who should be called on to “lead the preven­tion revolution”.

Oil spill effects The US Institute of Medicine has published the summary of a public workshop on how the health effects of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill could be monitored. The June 22–23 workshop was requested by the US Department of Health and Human Services, and sought input from government officials, scientists, policy experts, health-care providers, and residents.

Plague hits Peru On July 30, 2010, the Ministry of Health in Peru confirmed a plague outbreak in the Ascope province of Department La Libertad. Of the 17 cases of plague confirmed by the ministry, four are pneumonic plague, 12 bubonic, and one septicaemic. Control measures being implemented include insect control in houses in high-risk regions, and improved disease surveillance.

Side-effect data The European Medi­cines Agency (EMA) has agreed to allow access to data it holds about drug side-effects. Having previously expressed concern about what trans­parency would mean for patients’ confidentiality, the EMA has now agreed to release the reports but with personal data omitted. The decision follows criticism about data secrecy from the European Ombudsman.

World Humanitarian Day Aug 19 marks World Humanitarian Day. The day is aimed to raise awareness of the jobs of humanitarian workers, and to pay tribute to those who have lost their lives in the cause of duty. The UN General Assembly established the day in 2008, and invites all countries, UN entities, and non-governmental organisations to observe it annually.

Pharma code The UK Prescription Medi­cines Code of Practice Authority has opened a public consultation on amendments to the Code of Practice for the drug in­dustry. Suggested changes relate to transparency and the use of pro­motional aids. The consultation will close on Sept 1, and the new Code, if approved, will come into effect next year.

Dengue vaccine trial The US National Institutes of Health has announced the start of a phase 1 clinical trial of a tetravalent dengue vaccine. The trial, which will assess the safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine in healthy volunteers, is the culmination of almost a decade of development work. There is currently no vaccine or specific drug treatment for dengue.

Drug legalisation Former Mexican President Vicente Fox has added his backing to a call for the legalisation of illicit drugs in the country. Fox, who was President from 2000 to 2006, argued that “radical prohibition strategies” had resulted in the rise of a powerful and violent drugs cartel. Current President Felipe Calderon has called for a debate on the issue, but personally opposes legalisation.

Milk powder concerns The Chinese Ministry of Health has launched an investigation into possible hormone contamination of infant milk powder after three baby girls in southern China were found to have signs of premature breast development. Their parents claimed that it was due to the same brand of formula milk they took. Samples of the milk powder are being tested by food safety officials.

End-of-life choices A report published in the UK by the National End of Life Care Intelligence Network reveals great variation in place of death according to region. The figures, which showed for example that 78% of deaths in the London borough of Waltham Forest occurred in hospital compared with just 45% in the southwestern town of Torbay, are set to challenge current planning for end-of-life care.

HIV counsellors Lay counsellors in South African HIV testing clinics are threatening to strike after months of non-payment. Contracted non-governmental organisations have failed to pay counsellors because of delayed transfers of government stipends. The Budget and Expenditure Monitoring Forum has declared that funds are insufficient to support ambitious government targets to test 15 million for HIV by April, 2011.

Jellyfish fright Hundreds of holidaymakers in eastern Spain have fallen foul of an army of tiny, stinging jellyfish. The nasty Cnidaria are virtually undetectable to swimmers, according to the local tourism department. Scientists suggest that such events could become more common owing to climate change and overfishing.

Dubious honour Phil Craig, who has spent his professional life studying disease-causing parasites in Tibet and western China, has been “rewarded” by having one named after him. Heligmosomoides craigi is transmitted from the gut of voles to humans via dogs and foxes, and is associated with a fatal disease that kills 95% of affected people within 10 years of diagnosis.

Floodwater danger WHO is seriously concerned about the risk of waterborne diarrhoeal diseases in Pakistan, where the continuing monsoon floods affect nearly 14 million people. A disease outbreak early warning system has been activated, and efforts to distribute clean water have increased. WHO has provided 30 000 diarrhoea treatment kits.

Polio free UNICEF announced last week that the Horn of Africa is once more polio free. The eastern nations of Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda have reported no cases of wild poliovirus for more than 1 year. Although the achievement is an important step towards the eradication of the virus in Africa, UNICEF stressed that vaccination programmes must continue if gains are to be protected.

Pertussis epidemic A pertussis epidemic in California, USA, is showing no sign of abating, according to Mark Horton, director of the California Department of Public Health. 2174 cases of the disease have been identified this year, compared with 349 in the same months of 2009. An infant from San Diego County was the seventh victim to die from the disease this year.

Tuberculosis in Burma According to local news reports, tuberculosis could be an even bigger problem in Burma than previously thought. 130 000 new cases of tuberculosis were reported in the country in 2009, nearly 10% of which were associated with HIV infection. A previous WHO estimate put the figure for 2008 at 83 403.

Controlled drugs The UK’s Royal Colleges should develop guidelines on the use of controlled drugs, says the Care Quality Commission (CQC). In its third annual report on the adoption of regulations put in place after general practitioner Harold Shipman killed up to 200 patients with diamorphine, the CQC notes that progress has been made in monitoring, but that individual-level data are still lacking.

Brazil fights hepatitis B The Brazilian Government has announced a new strategy to combat hepatitis B virus infection. Minister of Health José Gomes Temporão said that the number of vaccines offered to the population will increase by 163% in 2011. The strategy is to widen the group of people getting vaccinated from the current 0–19 years old up to 29 years by 2012.

Billionaires’ pledge 38 US billionaires have already committed to The Giving Pledge, a philanthropic campaign started last month by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. Even though the minimum threshold for pledges is 50% of the individual’s wealth, the organisation has revealed that many of its donors have promised to contribute substantially larger proportions.

Heatwave deaths The heatwave af­fect­ing central Russia has coincided with a doubling of the mortality rate in the capital, Moscow. Health chief Andrei Seltsovsky said that the daily death rate was now about 700, compared with the usual 360–380. However, he played down a direct link to ailments such as heat stroke and respiratory problems caused by smoke from wildfires.

Prison violence According to statistics released by the Howard League for Penal Reform, acts of violence in prisons in England and Wales increased by 60% between 2000 and 2009, particularly those against non-white and foreign nationals. The Director of the Howard League urges for reform to provide proper support to prisoners, especially those with addictions and mental health issues.

Illegal abortion Health authorities in Shanghai, China, are working to reduce the rate of teenage pregnancy and illegal abortion. Hospitals that engage in unlawful terminations, which are attractive to underage girls because they do not require parental notification, are being targeted and penalised accordingly. Improved sex education has also been identified as a key priority.

Sniff power A new communication and control device for paralysed patients has been developed. The device operates by measuring changes in air pressure within the nose when a patient sniffs, and takes advantage of the soft palate’s receipt of signals directly from the brain rather than the spinal column. Designer Noam Sobel hopes that the device could allow people to operate wheelchairs.

Arrivederci pizza? The Italian Health Ministry has issued new guidelines on school lunches. Health Minister Ferruccio Fazio said that 33% of Italian schoolchildren aged 8–12 years are now obese or overweight. Prepacked cakes and vending machines will be replaced with healthier, more Mediterranean options such as seasonal fruit, salami, pasta, and fish.

Global warming A review by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admini­stration confirms that the world is getting hotter. Data from ten key climate indicators provide evidence to support long-term warm­ing. “The temperature increase of one degree Fahrenheit over the past 50 years… has already altered our planet”, said report co-editor Deke Arndt.

Cholera in Cameroon An outbreak of cholera in northern Cameroon has killed 77 people since June. The government is concerned that the worst epidemic since 2004 might spread rapidly to neighbouring countries such as Chad and Nigeria. Cameroon Health Minister, Mama Fouda, has encouraged people to act vigilantly and hygienically, and to report cases quickly.

Fake finder Scientists in the UK and Sweden have been awarded £473 000 by the Wellcome Trust to produce a portable device for the detection of counterfeit drugs. The battery-powered instrument will use quadruple resonance spectroscopy to detect fake or substandard drugs without the need to remove them from their packaging. The device could be on the market in 2 years.

Respiratory disease alert A large increase in respiratory diseases such as pneumonia has been recorded in El Salvador in the past few weeks. Health Minister Eduardo Espinoza declared that, although they have enough medicines to treat patients, hospitals and clinics are seriously understaffed. 1·3 million cases of acute respiratory infections have been reported this year in the country.

Rio slum clearing Slums in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, are to be cleared ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games in a major rebuilding plan costing more than £2·9 billion and affecting over 260 000 households. 123 of the most “at-risk” slums are to be torn down and 13 000 families relocated. However, rebuilding will take 10 years and thus will not be finished before the Olympics.

Weight of motherhood The UK’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued new guidance on how to help women to achieve and maintain a healthy weight before, during, and after pregnancy. It is hoped that by increasing mothers’ awareness of the health risks, weight management practises will increase. 15–20% of UK women are currently overweight or obese during pregnancy.

Floods cause poisoning scare Severe floods in northeast China have caused 3000 barrels of chemicals from two storage facilities to be washed into the Songhua River, a major drinking-water supply for millions. Water supplies were briefly suspended owing to concerns about contamination. Water supplies have mostly been restored and water quality is being monitored.

New MRC head John Savill has been appointed the next Chief Executive of the UK’s Medical Research Council (MRC). Savill, who will succeed outgoing head Leszek Borysiewicz on Oct 1, is currently Vice-Principal of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, where he will retain a part-time research position.

Free hotel condoms In a bid to promote safe sex and control HIV/AIDS in Shanghai, China, the city’s health authorities have proposed the distribution of 500 000 free condoms in guest rooms at low-budget and Expo-designated hotels, and of 300 condom-vending machines in hotel lobbies and entertainment venues. Shanghai residents have said the programme should include all hotels.

Animal testing trend Use of genetic­ally modified animals in scientific procedures has overtaken that of “normal” animals for the first time, according to the UK Home Office report, Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals. As a consequence, it is deemed likely that animal-based experimentation will continue to grow, despite adoption of alternative procedures for drug testing.

Unequal measures The Latin Ameri­can and Caribbean region is the most unequal in the world, accord­ing to a UN report. Those at the bottom of the socioeconomic scale are disproportionately women, in­digenous populations, and people of African descent. Anti-poverty policies will not be successful if they do not address these deep-rooted social hierarchies, the report states.

Longest lifespan Japan is struggling to cope with the rising welfare costs of its rapidly ageing society, as Japanese women continue to hold the 25-year record for the longest lifespan: an average of 86·44 years. This record is attributed to improvements in the treatment of cardiac disorders, strokes, and cancer, three of the main causes of death in Japan.

Death rates A report from the UK Office for National Statistics shows that death rates in England and Wales fell by 3·5% overall between 2008 and 2009, with a decline of 2% for men and nearly 5% for women. There were 509 090 registered deaths in 2008 and 491 348 in 2009. Age-standardised rates are now the lowest ever recorded in England and Wales.

Dengue epidemic Dengue fever is reaching epidemic proportions across the Caribbean. Health officials in Puerto Rico are calling the outbreak the worst in more than a decade, and hospitals across the region are struggling with floods of new patients and overflowing emergency rooms. Officials are blaming the warm weather and early rainy season for the striking increase in numbers of mosquitoes.

Food standards Despite concerns for the future of the UK Food Standards Agency, the government has said it will retain the food safety watchdog, albeit under different divisions of labour. According to Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, by handing over some responsibilities to the government, the agency will be able to focus completely on food safety.

Rape in Borneo A report by Malaysian human rights groups has exposed cases of repeated rape and sexual assault of Penan tribeswomen in Borneo by loggers. The Penan women made previous allegations in 2008, which were dismissed by the Chief Minister of Sarawak as “lies”. A government investigation has now confirmed that the claims are true.

Regulation of cosmetics The Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010 was submitted to the US Congress on July 20. The legislation would give the US Food and Drug Administration the authority to ensure that cosmetics are free from potentially harmful ingredients and that there is transparency in product labelling. It would thus bring cosmetics into regulatory alignment with drugs and medical devices.

Yarl’s Wood closure The UK Government is to close the “family wing” of the Yarl’s Wood immigration detention centre in Bedfordshire. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg called the imprisonment of children while they await deportation a “moral outrage”. Asylum seekers’ support groups have welcomed the decision, but lamented the government’s failure to close the facility altogether.

Bushmen’s rights Kalahari bushmen have lost a court case to lift the Government of Botswana’s ban on reopening a vital waterhole in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, the bushmen’s traditional home. The tribe was evicted to make way for diamond mines in 2002 and the waterhole sealed. Although the evictions were later declared unconstitutional, the waterhole remains inaccessible.

Australian hospitals As part of the Australian Government’s health reform agenda, a website known as MyHospitals is to be launched next month. The site will enable the public to compare accessibility, performance, quality, and safety of hospitals throughout most of Australia, as well as listing medical services, bed numbers, and whether allied health and dental services are provided.

Iraqi aid A report by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that insufficient donor funding has “seriously constrained” implementation of the country’s long-term recovery programme. The report suggests that political uncertainty in Iraq has hindered financial support for the Humanitarian Action Plan launched at the beginning of the year.

Biomarkers for brain injury The US Defense Department is expected to provide US$17 million to fund a first-of-its-kind study to explore whether biomarkers can reliably assess the extent of brain injury and help doctors to decide on treatment. It is hoped that the study, expected to start next year and to involve 1000 patients across 20 hospitals, will revolutionise brain-injury care.

Deadly mushroom A rare mushroom belonging to the genus Trogia has been linked with the deaths of 400 villagers in the past 30 years in Yunnan province, China. Scientists are studying the mushroom’s toxins, which could be the cause of the Yunnan sudden death syndrome, and whether the local water supply, which contains high concentrations of barium, could increase the effect of these toxins.

World Breastfeeding Week Aug 1–7 is World Breastfeeding Week. Organised by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, the event aims to support breastfeeding mothers and encourage adoption of WHO’s Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Innocenti Declaration on the Protection, Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding.

New US HIV strategy The Obama administration has announced a new national strategy to reduce the annual number of HIV infections in the USA by 25% within 5 years. The plan also aims to increase the proportion of newly diagnosed patients who receive care within 3 months of their diagnosis, and to redirect resources to populations that are at the highest risk of HIV infection.

Namibia lifts travel ban Namibia has drawn international praise for its decision earlier this month to remove all travel restrictions on people with HIV or other infectious diseases. Namibia joins the likes of the USA and China, who also removed their restrictions this year; however, 51 countries still refuse entry to travellers if they are HIV-positive.

Diet success Results of two studies from the UK’s Medical Research Council suggest that the com­mercial weight-loss programme WeightWatchers works better than the strategy recom­mended by the National Health Service. The support, education, and motivation offered by WeightWatchers was seen to promote the behavioural and lifestyle changes needed for consistent and long-term weight loss.

HIV levels fall The prevalence of HIV has decreased by at least 25% in people aged 15–24 years in 12 of the world’s most affected countries, according to the UNAIDS Outlook report. The agency believes the dramatic de­crease is due to prevention campaigns warning of the dangers of HIV/AIDS and the need for people to change their sexual behaviour.

Waterborne worry Three preventable water­borne diseases–legionellosis, crypto­sporidi­osis, and giardiasis–cost the US health-care system up to US$539 million every year, according to research presented at the International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases. Low-cost inter­ventions such as increased public education campaigns could reduce health-care costs, say the authors.

Teen smoking A survey by lobby group Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) in New Zealand has shown that smoking in the country’s 14–15-year-olds dropped by two-thirds between 1999 and 2009. The number who had never smoked doubled during this time. ASH say that the decline was largely due to youth-focused anti-tobacco campaigns.

Child mortality Timor-Leste has achieved substantial reductions in fer­tility rates and in infant and child mortality, according to a national Demographic and Health Survey. The infant mortality rate has fallen from 60 deaths per 1000 births in 2003 to 44 now, and the rate in those younger than 5 years decreased from 83 to 64. The fertility rate now stands at 5·7, two children less than in 2003.

Overseas student health A study by researchers at the University of British Columbia suggests that Asian high-school students who lodge with Canadian families are more likely to smoke, use drugs, and binge drink than are similarly aged immigrants and Canadian-born Asians. The region’s “homestay” in­dustry generates CAN$60 million per year, but there are no formal checks on host families.

Sickle-cell anniversary 100 years after the publication of the first description of the characteristically shaped red blood cells symptomatic of sickle-cell anaemia, the First Global Congress on Sickle Cell Disease took place this week in Accra, Ghana. In addition to discussion of key topics such as treatment, workshops provided a chance for international collaboration.

Rosiglitazone reprieve Two advisory committees to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have voted to keep rosiglitazone on the market, but under greater restriction. Panel members at a 2-day hearing last week discussed the drug’s cardiovascular risk profile and the reliability of the studies on which this information is based. The FDA must now decide whether to heed the committees’ advice.

Village health teams The Government of Uganda has launched an Integrated Community Case Management pro­gramme aimed at using village health teams to provide households with basic health services. The teams will comprise four or five people who will promote health education, distribute health kits, advise mothers during pregnancy, and mobilise communities to use health services.

Cold snap hits tropics At least nine people have died in Argentina after a period of extremely cold weather saw temperatures dip to –14°C in some parts of the country. Paraguay, Uruguay, and even Bolivia, which is within the Tropic of Capricorn, have also recorded deaths from the antarctic weather front that has hit the continent.

Drug development The TB Alliance has granted the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) royalty-free rights to develop antituberculosis compounds that have the potential to treat Chagas disease, sleeping sickness, and leishmaniasis. These infectious diseases together kill more than 100 000 people every year. The Gates Foundation is providing a US$1·5 million grant to the DNDi.

Implantable telescope The US Food and Drug Administration has ap­proved an implantable miniature telescope for the treatment of some patients with end-stage age-related macular degeneration. The small telescope is implanted into one eye, replacing the natural lens, and magnifying and projecting images onto a healthy part of the retina.

Zero drinks if driving Russia’s lower house of parliament has approved the reinstatement of a complete ban on driving after consumption of alcohol. The ban was previously in force until July, 2008, when it was relaxed. News agency Itar-Tass claims that thousands of Russians are injured in drink-driving-related accidents. How­ever, others contend that most traffic accidents are caused by poor roads.

New at Medicare Donald Berwick was appointed last week to run Medicare and Medicaid, which provide free medical care to 100 million elderly, poor, and disabled Americans. US President Barack Obama bypassed the normal Senate confirmation process to make the appointment, avoiding a potential reopening of last year’s divisive health-care debate.

Abuse in slums Women and girls in Kenyan slums are living in constant fear of rape and sexual abuse, according to Amnesty International. A report found that women are afraid of leaving their homes to wash or go to the toilet, and that the Kenyan Government has been failing to provide adequate sanitation and law enforcement in the slums.

Biobank bounty The UK Biobank, set up 3 years ago, has reached its goal of enrolling half a million adults. The databank collected health data as well as blood, urine, and saliva samples from British adults aged 40–69 years, which will be analysed in the next three decades in the hope of improving prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases.

Haiti remembered July 12 marked the 6-month anniversary of the devastating earthquake in Haiti that killed nearly a quarter of a million people, injured more, and destroyed much of the infrastructure in the capital Port-au-Prince. The situation for Haitians remains grim: billions promised in aid have been slow to arrive, the visas of those displaced to the USA are running out, and land ownership issues have hampered clearing efforts.

Vaccines burned 40 million doses of influenza A H1N1 vaccine produced for the US public last year have expired and will be incinerated. The doses, worth US$260 million, represent a quarter of the H1N1 vaccine produced, with 30 million additional doses set to expire later. Federal officials defend the oversupply as a necessary risk when confronted with the new virus.

Border crossing Thousands of Gazans have crossed the border with Egypt to seek treatment in Cairo hospitals after Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak opened the Rafah border in response to Israel’s military action against an aid-carrying flotilla. Gaza’s borders with Israel and Egypt were blockaded when Islamist movement Hamas came to power in 2007.

Emergency admissions up A 12% rise in emergency hospital admissions in England over the past 5 years has been declared “unsustainable” by the Nuffield Trust. The trends varied greatly between hospital trusts, with some reporting lower admissions and others reporting double. A lowering of the threshold for clinical intervention is thought to be one cause of the rise.

PTSD payouts The US Department of Veterans Affairs is to relax the conditions under which war veterans can claim disability benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The new rules mean that veterans will no longer have to prove that they have been involved in a traumatic event such as a bomb blast or witnessing a friend being killed, merely that they have served in a war zone.

Beijing smoking ban Beijing is plan­ning a revision to the 1995 Regulation on Banning Smoking in all Public Spaces. The updated ban, starting Jan 1, 2011, will be expanded to all indoor public spaces, including elevators and corridors; there will also no longer be smoking sections in indoor public spaces. Punishments for violation of the ban will be severe.

Meningitis hope A new meningitis A conjugate vaccine approved last week by WHO could be the first to prevent outbreaks in Africa. The existing poly­saccharide vaccine confers only short-term immunity and is not suitable for children younger than 2 years. The vaccine costs US$0·40 per dose and will be delivered first to Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali by WHO and the GAVI Alliance.

HIV drug aid lacking Nearly 1800 US patients with HIV or AIDS have been placed on federal waiting lists for antiretroviral drugs that less than 3 years ago were freely available to anyone who could not afford to buy them. Reduced govern­ment resources and increased demand caused by unemployment have limited access to the US$12 000-per-year drugs.

Organ transplantation In a further attempt to curb the country’s black market in organ transplants, China’s Ministry of Health has mandated that from now on medical centres must report details of every transplantation within 72 h of the operation. Timely reporting will make falsification of patients’ details more difficult, ministers argue. Violators could have their medical licences revoked.

Assisted dying Germany’s Federal Court of Justice has upheld an appeal by a lawyer convicted of attempted manslaughter after he helped a woman to withdraw her terminally ill mother’s feeding tube. The mother had earlier expressed a verbal wish not to be kept alive artificially. The court ruling brings clarity to cases involving such patients who express a clear wish to die, said Germany’s Justice Minister.

Age-friendly cities Last week WHO launched the Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities to encourage cities to promote active lifestyles for their ageing populations. Research in 33 cities identified factors that encourage healthy ageing, including access to public transport, appropriate housing, health services, and con­nections to allow elderly people to take an active part in society.

Condom shortage Uganda is in the throes of another shortage of free condoms owing to reduced stockpiling and irregular deliveries. Condoms are still commercially available, but many Ugandans cannot afford them. The Ministry of Health advises abstinence or faithfulness to one sexual partner for the duration of the shortage or use of a female condom.

Mental abuse outlawed The French Parliament has approved a law that makes psychological violence a criminal offence, punishable by up to 3 years in jail and a €75 000 fine. The law aims to improve protection of victims of domestic abuse and outlaws repeated acts or words that “degrade one’s quality of life and cause a change to one’s mental or physical state.”

Football and HIV On July 2, Brazil’s Ministry of Health launched a 2-week campaign in South Africa named Score a Goal—Brazil and South Africa in the Field Against AIDS. The Brazilian Government wants to share its experience in AIDS prevention with the South Africans by distributing condoms around towns and educating the local population about AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases.

Banned trailers return Trailer homes that were banned from use as long-term housing owing to high levels of formaldehyde after US Hurricane Katrina in 2005 are being used as living quarters for some workers involved in the cleanup of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Formaldehyde aggravates respiratory problems, can cause nasal cancer, and can be linked to leukaemia.

Switching to saliva Salivary sampling is being adopted as a convenient and non-invasive method of tissue-type assessment for bone-marrow donation. The Anthony Nolan Trust, which finds stem-cell matches for leukaemia patients, hopes to double the number of donors registered by replacing conventional blood testing with the new kits.

Eyeglasses app Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, have developed a smart phone application that allows users to align a cheap lens with patterns on the screen to produce accurate eyeglasses prescriptions. Although not a substitute for optometrists, the scientists say that the app could provide cheaper prescriptions to millions worldwide.

Sleeping sickness success For the first time in 50 years, the annual number of new cases of human African trypanosomiasis has fallen below 10 000. According to Pere Simarro, of WHO’s Human African Trypano­somiasis Programme, the drop is due to improved screening and partner­ships with drug companies. Scientists say rapid testing and safe drugs are needed to eliminate the disease.

Disastrous disaster response Haitian rebuilding efforts after the January earthquake are being hampered by disorganisation and lax leadership, a US Senate report declared last week. The report came as the US Congress was set to debate investment of US$2 billion in Haitian relief. It also criticised the Haitian Government for not effectively convincing citizens that it was in control of the situation.

Allergic reaction Allergy sufferers in the UK are not receiving the specialist care that they require, according to a report by the Royal Colleges of Physicians and Pathologists. This follow-up report suggests that services have not improved in the past 3 years and are under increasing pressure. One suggestion to alleviate the shortage of specialist allergy doctors has been to retrain surplus anaesthetists.

Lab network The World Bank has approved nearly US$64 million to create a network of 25 public health laboratories across Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda. According to Obiageli Ezekwesili, World Bank Vice President for Africa, this regional integration is essential for economic growth and attainment of the Millen­nium Development Goals.

FDA criticism A US Department of Health and Human Services report released last week found that, in 2008, the Food and Drug Administration inspected only 0·7% of non-US clinical trial sites, despite the fact that 80% of drugs approved were tested via such trials. Industry watchdogs worry that this lack of regulatory oversight could result in cost efficiency being valued above patients’ safety.

Syphilis control In China, the Ministry of Health has issued a 10-year working plan to curb the spread of syphilis over the next 5 years and eliminate congenital syphilis within 10 years. Anti-syphilis drugs are to be covered by medical insurance, and community-based methadone maintenance centres and HIV clinics will provide free counselling and testing for syphilis.

Stem-cell report The European Science Foundation issued a report last week on the ethical and legal implications of stem-cell research in the specialty of regenerative medicine. The report argues for equal research into both embryonic and pluripotent stem cells, and calls for public funding for stem-cell research at both the national and European levels.

African genetics The US National Institutes of Health and the Wellcome Trust have announced a 5-year effort to identify genetic variants linked to a wide range of diseases in Africa. The series of population-based studies, to be done by African researchers, will use genetic, clinical, and epidemiological screening techniques to search for hereditary and non-hereditary risks of communicable and non-communicable diseases.

Bioethics commission July 8–9 will see the first convention of US President Obama’s new Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues. Amy Gutmann, a political scientist and ethical policy academic, will chair the 13-member committee. Made up of members of the public, government officials, and medical and legal experts, the panel will provide the President with guidance on controversial scientific topics.

Discriminatory treatment A survey by intellectual disability charity Mencap suggests that the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is ill-equipped to care for patients with learning difficulties. The poll of more than 1000 health-care professionals, part of Mencap’s Getting it right campaign, revealed that 39% of doctors believed that people with a learning disability are discriminated against in the NHS.

Shifting drug use The UN Office on Drugs and Crime released its World Drug Report 2010 last week, highlighting a shift towards new drugs and new markets. The world’s supply of opiates and cocaine is decreasing, but there is growing misuse of amphetamine-type stimulants and prescription drugs. Also, drug use in developed countries has stabilised but is increasing in developing countries.

Pharma funds out The University of Michigan has become the first US medical school to stop receiving money from drug and medical device makers to pay for continuing medical education coursework. The practice of accepting commercial financing for postgraduate medical education has come under scrutiny owing to the potential bias of promoting products over patients’ interests.

Anti-rape condom South African doctor Sonnet Ehlers has developed a female condom with sharp “teeth” on the inside in an effort to deter rapists. The device’s barbs attach to the man’s penis and can only be removed by a doctor. Ehlers plans to distribute up to 30 000 of the condoms in various South African cities during the World Cup football tournament.