Bethesda, Maryland–(ENEWSPF)–July 9, 2013.  The emergence of a novel H7N9 avian influenza virus in humans in China has raised questions about its pandemic potential as well as that of related influenza viruses. In a commentary published online today, scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part[Read More…]

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—July 9, 2013. By Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director Pulmonary complications associated with the regular smoking of cannabis are “relatively small” and far lower than those associated with tobacco smoking, according to a recent review published in the June edition of the scientific journal Annals of the American Thoracic[Read More…]

Finding has implications for alcoholism and other patterns of addictive behavior Bethesda, Maryland–(ENEWSPF)–July 8, 2013.  Research from the National Institutes of Health has identified neural circuits in mice that are involved in the ability to learn and alter behaviors. The findings help to explain the brain processes that govern choice[Read More…]

Elk Grove Village, IL—(ENEWSPF)—July 8, 2013. Since the 1992 recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics to have infants sleep on their backs, infant mortality from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome has declined dramatically. One consequence, however, has been an increase in positional plagiocephaly, or flat spots on infants’ heads. A[Read More…]

Elk Grove Village, IL—(ENEWSPF)—July 8, 2013. There has been a significant increase in the number of computed tomography (CT) scans being performed on children, but do parents really know the potential risks involved in the procedure? In the study, “Parental Knowledge of Potential Cancer Risks From Exposure to Computed Tomography,”[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–July 8, 2013. By Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director Members of the Oregon House and Senate have given final approval to House Bill 3460, which licenses medicinal cannabis dispensaries statewide. Senate members approved an amended version of the bill by an 18 to 12 vote on July 3. House[Read More…]

KUALA LUMPUR—(ENEWSPF)–JULY 3, 2013—Countries negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement* with the US should follow Malaysia’s lead in refusing harmful intellectual property proposals and assuring that people will continue to be able to access affordable medicines in the future, stressed the Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC), Third World Network (TWN), Positive[Read More…]

Attorney General Urges Agency to Move Ahead With Plan To Help Inform Parents About Safe Food Choices for Infants Chicago–(ENEWSPF)–July 3, 2013.  Attorney General Lisa Madigan yesterday again called on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to establish national standards for arsenic in food, particularly in products served to[Read More…]

All hospital patients have been safely discharged SPRINGFIELD–(ENEWSPF)–July 3, 2013.  The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) intends to revoke Sacred Heart Hospital’s license after it abruptly closed on Monday without giving the Department the required 90 days notice. “The Department learned Sacred Heart Hospital planned to close just a[Read More…]

Check your freezer for the recalled brands SPRINGFIELD–(ENEWSPF)–July 3, 2013.  If you bought frozen pomegranate seeds or a mixture containing pomegranate seeds since February, the Illinois Department of Public Health wants to make sure you check the brand before eating them. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers[Read More…]