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It is assumed that long-established research findings and internationally accepted evidence should, and will, be translated into policy and practice. Knowledge about what prevents harm and promotes health has, in fact, guided and resulted in numerous beneficial public health actions. However, such is not always the case. The authors examine three notable, and unwelcome, exceptions in the UK-all in the field of reproductive health and all focused on the period prior to pregnancy. The three examples of counterproductive inaction discussed are: fortifying flour with Vitamin B9 (folic acid); preventing foetal alcohol spectrum disorders; and reducing risks and better regulating a highly teratogenic medication (valproate). The adverse consequences, as well as the causes, of inaction are analysed for each example. Reasons for optimism, and recommendations for overcoming inaction, are also offered, in particular, greater priority should be accorded to preconception health, education and care., (© The Author(s) 2018. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Faculty of Public Health.)

Growth of Salinibacter ruber, a red, extremely halophilic bacterium phylogenetically affiliated with the Flavobacterium/Cytophaga branch of the domain Bacteria, is stimulated by glycerol. In contrast to glucose consumption, which starts only after more easily degradable substrates present in yeast extract have been depleted, glycerol is consumed during the earliest growth phases. When U-(14)C-labeled glycerol was added to the culture, up to 25% of the radioactivity was incorporated by the cells. Glycerol kinase activity was detected only in cells grown in the presence of glycerol (up to 90 nmol mg protein(-1) min(-1)). This enzyme functioned over salt concentrations from 0.6 to 2.8 M KCl. No significant activity of NAD-dependent glycerol dehydrogenase was found. It is suggested that Salinibacter may use glycerol as one of its principal substrates in its habitat, the saltern crystallizer ponds.