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Reports on the development of a drug, which will keep the vision of children from deteriorating. Rising rates of myopia in the United States; Severe myopia which causes a greater risk of glaucoma and retinal detachment; Discussion of researchers on what causes myopia, including children who spend a vast amount of time on a computer; Atropine drug which stops myopia.

Reports on research involving people in persistent vegetative states. Identification of those who are in persistent vegetative states; The use of positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to predict which patients were in persistent vegetative states; Articles in the 'British Medical Journal,' vol. 313 and 'The New England Journal of Medicine,' vol. 334.

Discusses studies aimed at discovering if calorie restriction can extend the lifespan of human beings. SIR2 gene as having the power to make yeast cells live longer; Changes induced in the body by caloric restriction; Suppression of age-related changes in gene activities; Caution about embracing gene silencing as a mechanism for staying young.

Discusses studies on coffee and caffeine. Reason for caffeine's ability to make people alert; Addictive properties and health risks of caffeine; Caffeine withdrawal; Health effects of how coffee is prepared.

Interviews controversial Australian philosopher Peter Singer. His observation that humans as a species are more protective of human beings than they are of non-human animals; Comment of Singer on his views of euthanasia expressed in his book 'Practical Ethics'; Role of Singer as a pioneer of the modern animal rights movement.

Describes how the human body processes ethanol. Factors influencing the different effects of alcohol; Amount of ethanol processed by the liver per hour; Ability of fructose and similar nutrients to speed up the breakdown of alcohol in the liver; Influence of the strength of a drink on how alcohol gets absorbed. INSET: Untitled (introduction of gin to Great Britain), by Celia....

Interviews Janet Larson, a scientist from the Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation in New Orleans, Louisiana, who successfully cured cystic fibrosis in laboratory mice. Reasons her work is viewed with skepticism; Questions regarding genetic changes made within the womb; Fears people have regarding gene therapy; Further testing Larson plans to do.

Reports on the discovery of nanobacteria. Size of this type of bacteria; Where it has been found such as within the human body and in rock samples from outer space; Possible link established between a certain type of nanobacteria and polycystic kidney disease.

Discusses the claim that humans can literally die of fright if the body's fight-or-flight response fails. Research conducted on cardiac deaths after an earthquake occurs compared to normal cardiac deaths by Robert Kloner; The factor of a predisposing condition that causes a greater risk for heart failure; The difficulties in understanding what causes death from fear; How the fight-or-flight response works; The different types of heart attacks; Research being conducted by Richard Verrier, Martin A. Samuels, Charles Hirsch and others.

Focuses on research by Michael Kasperbauer, who has found a way to increase crop yields using colored plastics. Other benefits of these plastics including pest control and production of more anticancer chemicals; Research methods; Benefit to small-scale producers at present; How the change in taste occurs while using plastics; Health benefits of colored plastic to the plants themselves.

Focuses on the genetic analysis of animal feces. The information scientists can gain from DNA analysis; Examples of some experiments; The potential applications of feces DNA analysis.

Reports on research into sperm-egg interactions and fertilization. The length of fruit fly sperm; Myths surrounding sperm; Technology enabling a better study of sperm.

States that blood researchers are trying to developed an alternative to blood, but is finding the task difficult. Factors contributing to search for blood alternative by blood researchers; Indepth look at blood; Detailed information on haemoglobin; Reference to the use of milk. INSET: Stealth red blood cells..

Focuses on the failure of data on animal experimentation to tell how many animals suffer and how much they suffer as a result of research. Pressure from animal activist groups including the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) for the provision of such information in order to assess conditions for laboratory animals; Proposal of a reformed reporting system by the US government.

Discusses the ethical aspects of using placebos. Use of placebos to compare the effects of drugs on diseases; Ban of the use of placebos over proven methods in the Declaration of Helsinki; Idea that placebos are an important aspect of medicine; Idea that it is unethical to withhold information on a successful cure to patients; Alternative controls to placebos in experiments.

Reports on the recommendation by the British government to change laws to allow research on human embryos. Use of stem cells, which are primordial cells that can grow into almost any type of tissue, to make replacement tissue for anything in the body; Alternative of therapeutic cloning which makes perfectly matched organs from the patient's own tissue; Pressure for change of laws that ban research on stem cells in the United States; How the use of adult stem cells could be an alternative to embryos.

Reports on the role of circumcision in preventing the transmission of HIV. Studies that show a link between circumcision and a reduction in the spread of HIV; The reluctance of international health organizations to make a statement about the issue; The problems with promoting circumcision; The belief that it is not necessary to circumcise baby boys to prevent them from contracting AIDS, but that men who desire it should have the surgery.

Focuses on the completion of the mapping of the human genetic code by the United States Human Genome Project. Reaction to the announcement by researchers across the world; Tactics employed by the team of researchers in completing the project; Competition between the project and Craig Venter's sequencing company, Celera Genomics; Discussion regarding other genomes which are currently being mapped as of July, 2000.

Reports that gene therapy is recovering well after the gene therapy-related death of Jesse Gelsinger, according to Inder Verma. Need for gene therapy to find a good vector; Human immune system as an obstacle to vectors; Conditions a gene therapy vector must meet; Verma's work with modified HIV as a vector.

Reflects on the readiness of countries for flu outbreak. Countries previously hit by flu pandemics; Preparations made by the World Health Organization for flu incidents; Possibility of people not being vaccinated due to lack of education; Drugs that can cut the duration of flu and its symptoms; Countries that are expected to be hit by the flu pandemic due to poor health facilities.

Reports that zot, a toxin produced by cholera bacteria Vibrio cholerae, can break down the blood-brain barrier. Details of the study conducted by University of Maryland School of Medicine researcher Alessio Fasano.

Focuses on the controversy surrounding preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), a procedure developed by Mark Hughes which allows genetic testing of embryos created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) before implantation in the womb. How the procedure is used; Criticisms, including the suggestion that it could lead to the creation of 'designer babies'; Recommendations of Britain's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and the Advisory Committee on Genetic Testing.

Focuses on the problem of the disagreement of scientific experts in court cases, and efforts by the American Association for the Advancement of Science to provide neutral experts. Cases in which experts disagreed, about genetic or other evidence; Criticism of the idea of neutral science experts; Personal bias of such supposedly neutral scientists; Importance of scientific evidence in the O.J. Simpson trial and others.

Reports that doctors have differing opinions on the idea that cardiac screening of new-born babies could reduce sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Lack of clear diagnosis of SIDS; Risk factors of the syndrome; Research of Peter Schwartz of the San Matteo clinic in Pavia, Italy published in `The New England Journal of Medicine' stating that electrocardiogram screening of infants could prevent SIDS; Contrary view of electrocardiogram screening put forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Looks at the impact of the impotence drug Viagra. Viagra developed by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer; Sales of the drug; Warnings against the side effects of Viagra issued by the American Academy of Ophthalmology; United States Food and Drug Administration reporting deaths due to Viagra.

Looks at the health risks of disinfecting water supplies. Benefits of chlorinated water; Links between chlorination and high rates of bladder, colon, and rectal cancer; Reports published in `American Journal of Public Health' and `Epidemology'; Criticism of these reports.

Reports on the widespread abuse of psychiatric patients in the United States. How the National Bioethics Advisory Commission (NBAC) is preparing a report on the best ways to protect patients from abuse; Arguments from the National Alliance for the Mentally ILL (NAMI) in favor of psychiatric research; Some patients' inability to understand consent forms; Proposed guidelines.

Interviews Princeton University biologist Lee Silver about his book `Remaking Eden: Cloning and Beyond in a Brave New World.' How common cloning will become; Laws about cloning; Possibility of interbreeding two different human species; Designer genes; Impact of cloning on sexuality; How scientists are addressing the implications of cloning; Predictions.

Focuses on whether DDT, an insecticide can be used as a weapon for fighting maliaria in tropic countries. Reference to the book `Silent Spring,' by Rachel Carson which linked DDT use as an agricultural pesticide to ecological disruption; Arguments from public health officials; Statistical information on the malaria problem in these countries.

Reports on the impact of gene therapy trials approved by the Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee of the US National Institutes of Health. Debate on the prevention of genetic engineering that changes normal characteristics; Effect of gene therapy on future generations; Risks of altering genetic traits in healthy humans.

Discusses the progress of gene therapy research in 2000. Details of Jesse Gelsinger, who died during a gene therapy trial; Discussion of other trials which were ultimately successful; Outlook.

Focuses on plant excretions of proteins in through a process called guttation. How such excretions would provide a system for obtaining fluid that is already purified and concentrated; Possible industrial implications.

Offers observations on the relations of conservationists and fisherman on the Galapagos Islands. How fishermen attacked conservationists' homes and offices and kidnapped rare giant tortoises in protest to an Ecuadorian government mandate concerning a fishing quota; Response of the government; Dismay of conservationists at the situation.

Discusses a study which suggests that pesticides may cause late-onset Parkinson's disease. Research conducted at Emory University in which rats were injected with pesticides and consequently developed Parkinson-like symptoms; Possible role of Rotenone, a common ingredient in household and garden products in the onset of Parkinson's.

Discusses the idea that people taking growth hormones may be shortening their lives. Idea that growth hormones can reverse the deterioration of muscles in old age; Finding that mice that are incapable of responding to growth hormones live longer than normal mice.

Discusses the approval of the abortion pill, RU486 in the United States and England. Outlook for the banning of misoprostol by anti-abortion campaigners; Use of misoprostol to complete the abortion process; Development of misoprostol for the treatment of ulcers; Outlook for the situation.

Discusses evidence that suggests marijuana is addictive. Evidence that monkeys will seek out the active chemical in cannabis just as they would with cocaine or morphine; Opinion of therapists who treat marijuana dependency that the evidence will persuade people to take the abuse of the drug more seriously; Denunciation of the findings by campaigners for the legalization of the drug.

Reports on the development of a strain of corn that will not breed with other strains. Implications for farmers who wish to avoid contamination of crops with genetically modified species; Use of teosinte to block foreign genes; Work with the corn by Jerry Kermicle et al; Outlook for the use of the corn in organic farming.

Discusses the health benefits of alcohol consumption. Idea that the benefits of alcohol consumption are determined by genetics; Finding that people who metabolise ethanol slowly will benefit the most from alcohol consumption in moderation; Idea that moderate drinking can lessen the chances of heart attack.

Discusses the ability of fetal cells to cross the placental barrier into the tissue of the mother, especially in diseased tissue. Question of whether the disease is caused by the migrating tissue; Length of time for which the cells can remain with the mother; Triggering of immune attacks by clusters of the foreign cells; Study of the cells by Bharata Srivatsa.

Reports on the idea to use an enzyme to break up fat in arteries. Finding by Gregory Grabowski that the enzyme lysosomal acid lipase clears clogged arteries in mice; Idea that the treatment for clogged arteries may be done without surgery.

Reports on the development of a genetic screening test for prostate cancer. Number of Americans who die from the disease; Study of a gene related to prostate cancer by Sean Tavtigian et al; Idea that genetic variations account for a great amount of the risk of prostate cancer in men.

Discusses the outlook for four children with Pompe's disease, a rare disease that destroys muscles. Idea to use an experimental enzyme from the milk of genetically engineered rabbits; Development of the enzyme by Ans van der Ploeg; Effect of the enzyme on patients.

Reports on the contamination of food in the United States by a genetically modified crop approved only for animal feed. Action taken by activists, in light of the incident; Approval of the corn crop by the United States Environmental Protection Agency; Compounds in the corn to which humans may be allergic.

Reports on the development of research using human embryos. Guidelines set by the United States National Institutes of Health which will allow researchers to apply for public funds to work with embryonic stem cells; Differences between British and American laws concerning stem cell research.

Discusses the similarity of proteins in prion diseases and those in Alzheimer's disease. Brain proteins which clump together to form amyloid plaques that riddle the brain; Shared sequence of the two proteins which play key roles in both diseases; Pattern of one reductive amino acid and three non-reductive amino acids.

Reports on a development in the understanding and treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Drug-resisting strains of TB; Treatment of antibiotics; Idea that TB could be treated in weeks using drugs that target rapidly growing bacteria in the study by John McKinney and colleagues; Finding that the bacteria responsible for TB depend on fatty acids for their energy.

Reports on plans of companies to collect information on the health and genomes of up to 100,000 volunteers. Plans to study genetic predisposition to disease; Willingness of people to volunteer for the study; Original plans of scientists to study a homogeneous group, such as the population of Iceland; Finding that the genetic variation in Iceland is great.