Health

Nevada Wary of Nuclear Industry Executives Bearing Gifts

by Diane Farsetta — June 27, 2008 - 2:43pm

"The State of Nevada faces almost a billion dollar budget shortfall," reports Edward Lawrence. "The Nuclear Energy Institute says there is a solution ... but it comes with one very large string attached" -- that the state end opposition to the proposed nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain.

Main Source: 
KLAS-TV (Las Vegas, Nevada), June 26, 2008

People Want to Know What Docs Are Taking

by Judith Siers-Poisson — June 27, 2008 - 1:09pm

Americans think that doctors are influenced by drug companies and want to know about gifts given to their healthcare provider, according to a national survey by the non-profit Prescription Project. Over two-thirds of those surveyed would support legislation that would require drug companies to disclose gifts to doctors.

Main Source: 
White Coat Notes, Boston Globe, June 20, 2008

Vets Face Suicide Risk Thanks to VA Study

by Judith Siers-Poisson — June 26, 2008 - 4:49pm

Despite U.S. Food and Drug Administration warnings, the Veterans Administration (VA) failed to alert 32,000 veterans using the smoking cessation drug, Chantix.

Main Source: 
ABC News, June 19, 2008

Rejuvenating Public Sector Science

by Sheldon Rampton — June 24, 2008 - 9:54am

Do federal scientists fear for their jobs for speaking the truth? What about corporate-funded science? Increasingly, powerful institutions have tried to curb scientific independence and integrity regarding issues as wide-ranging as public health, the environment, the economy, and government energy policy.

Main Source: 
Center for Science in the Public Interest

The Secret of Marlboro's Success: Freebase Nicotine

by Anne Landman — June 23, 2008 - 4:21pm

Most American cigarette makers, including Philip Morris (PM), have used ammonia in their manufacturing processes for decades, to "puff up" tobacco to increase its volume, highlight certain flavors, help hold together reconstituted tobacco sheet and reduce the amount of

Main Source: 
American Journal of Public Health (sub req'd), July 2008

Sweeting Corn Syrup's Public Image

by Diane Farsetta — June 23, 2008 - 12:46pm

The Corn Refiners Association launched an 18-month, $20 to $30 million public relations and advertising campaign "to convince consumers that HFCS [high-fructose corn syrup] isn't the evil it has been made out to be." The industry group is running ads in major newspapers -- under the banner "time for a little food for thought" -- that say HFCS has the "same natural sweeteners as table sugar and honey." The campaign, which was created by the

Main Source: 
Wall Street Journal (sub req'd), June 23, 2008

Shipshape Spin for Japan

by Diane Farsetta — June 12, 2008 - 12:06pm

Concerns about safety and the impact on the local fishing industry have led residents to protest the U.S. Navy's stationing a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in Yokosuka, Japan. Some 48,000 residents called for a public referendum on the deployment of the USS George Washington, but the Yokosuka assembly rejected their plea.

Main Source: 
The Guardian (UK), June 5, 2008
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