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Brittle Table Salt Can Stretch Like Taffy In The Nanoworld - Nano Letters
Researchers in New Mexico are reporting the surprise discovery that common table salt - so brittle that it crushes easily between a thumb and forefinger - becomes a super plastic in the weird environs of the nanoworld. The super-elastic salt can stretch like taffy to twice its original length without breaking. The discovery could lead to new insights into the role of salt in a wide variety of situations ranging from helping clouds to form to triggering asthmatic attacks in people, they say. Their study is in the current issue of ACS" Nano Letters, a monthly journal.

LDR Announces FDA Clearance Of The ROI-C™ Cervical Cage
LDR, a total spine solution company, announced that it has begun to market its ROI-C™ cervical cage following 510(k) clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration. The ROI-C cage, when used with the company"s integrated VerteBRIDGE™ plating technology, offers a zero profile, stand-alone construct for fusion in the cervical spine. ROI-C addresses the growing interest within the market for stand-alone cervical fusion technology that reduces the need for thick cervical plates that may contribute to dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing.
News of the day
Black Women More Likely To Have Vitamin D Deficiency, Bacterial Vaginosis, Study Finds
Black women are nearly three times as likely as white women to have a vitamin D deficiency, which is linked with an increased risk of the vaginal infection bacterial vaginosis, according to a study published in the June issue of the Journal of Nutrition, the New York Times reports. Black women likely have lower levels of vitamin D because the higher amount of pigment in their skin prevents the body from absorbing the vitamin.For the study, researchers led by Lisa Bodnar, an assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh, examined 209 white pregnant women and 260 black pregnant women at a Pittsburgh clinic. More than half of the women had low levels of vitamin D, the study found. Women whose vitamin D levels were 50 nanomoles or less had a 26% increased risk of BV, while women whose vitamin levels were less than 20 nanomoles had a 65% increased risk of the infection. About 52% of black women had the infection, compared with 27% of white women, the study found (Bakalar, New York Times, 5/26). The study found that 93% of women with BV had low vitamin D levels and that BV prevalence decreased as vitamin levels increased.In addition, although black women were more likely to have BV, white women who had low levels of vitamin D were as likely to have the infection as black women. Poor diets and obesity also contributed to a vitamin deficiency. Bodnar noted that black women are less likely than white women to meet dietary recommendations for vitamin D. Bodnar recommended that women discuss their level of vitamin D with their physicians and that pregnant women take a prenatal vitamin, which typically includes vitamin D.According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Bodnar"s research team has received NIH funding to conduct a study of whether vitamin D deficiency in women increases the risk of poor birth outcomes and whether high infant mortality among blacks can be attributed to factors such as obesity (Templeton, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 5/23).
Mental Health

Canada And China Renew Plan Of Action For Cooperation In Health For 2009-2011

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, and Dr. Chen Zhu, Minister of Health for the People"s Republic of China, today signed a Plan of Action for continued cooperation between the two countries on health priorities of mutual concern. The signing ceremony followed discussions among senior Canadian and Chinese health officials and experts on a range of health issues, including strengthening and reform of health-care systems, primary health care and food safety. "Canada and China have a lot to offer each other in terms of research, regulations and expertise on health-related issues," said Minister Aglukkaq. "The continued sharing of knowledge and insights in priority areas will contribute to the improved health and safety of citizens in both countries." Canada and China are already cooperating on a number of health-related fronts, including regulation of health products and medical research. Today"s signing reinforces and broadens work in areas of common concern, such as emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and food safety. "China and Canada have a history of longstanding cooperation in health," said Minister Chen. "This 2009-2011 Plan of Action is a symbol of the commitment between Canada and China to continue to cooperate on mutual health issues and challenges to ensure the better health of our future generations." The document being signed today builds on the 2005 to 2008 Plan of Action which promoted cooperation between Canada and China in several areas, including: The timely sharing of information on emerging infectious diseases, such as the H1N1 influenza virus; and A better understanding of regulatory frameworks in the area of therapeutic products and Natural Health Products -- including Traditional Chinese Medicines -- to help ensure the safety and quality of these products. The new Plan of Action also advances the 1995 Memorandum of Understanding relating to health cooperation, and the abilities of Canada and China to further protect and promote health in their respective countries. The Ministers also discussed their support for ongoing educational collaboration, including the Canada-China Norman Bethune Research Scholarships programs, led by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. These activities help young Canadian and Chinese researchers work together on health issues affecting people in both countries. The Norman Bethune program allows Chinese students to pursue graduate studies with health researchers in Canada. Health Canada


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