A new method for detecting cyanide in drinking water and other sources offers numerous advantages over cumbersome existing technology, scientists report in an article scheduled for the Jan. 1 issue of ACS’ Analytical Chemistry, a semi-monthly journal.
In the first known report of its kind, a study published in the January 1st issue of the journal SLEEP finds that sleep disturbances are common among suicide attempters, and that nightmares are associated with suicidality.
A comprehensive review published in the Jan. 1 issue of the journal Sleep finds that, as with other diseases characterized by selective cell loss, narcolepsy may be caused by environmental exposures before the age of onset in genetically susceptible individuals.
The Government Influenza Vaccination Programme for 2006-07 will be extended until the end of February, the Department of Health says. It provides free vaccinations to eight needy and high-risk groups.
The Mainland will implement arrangements on the strengthened control of batch numbers and identification marks for exported poultry eggs and the issuance of health certificates for eggs on January 1. Most of the consignments of poultry eggs issued with health certificates will arrive in Hong Kong a few days later.
Smoking at 1,200 public pleasure grounds will be banned from January 1, while smoking areas occupying no more than 1% of the venue size have been specified in 195 venues and smoking will be allowed in about 60 small-scale venues, the Leisure & Cultural Services Department says.
Investigations have not found a link between the deaths of two local pig farmers of a pneumonia-like illnes in the past six months. Centre for Health Protection consultant Dr Thomas Tsang said the men tested negative for SARS.
A team of Mayo Clinic researchers has uncovered a key step in the molecular pathway of repairing DNA double-strand breaks. The findings are published in the current edition of the journal Cell.
About 45,000 Australian teenagers will start smoking in 2007 and about half of them will ultimately be killed by smoking-related diseases, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing, Christopher Pyne, has warned.
Tobacco Control Inspectors (TCIs) of the Tobacco Control Office (TCO) under the Department of Health carried out operations throughout the New Year Eve and the New Year to help members of the public and venue managers adapt to the legislative changes of a smoke-free environment.