Pandemic Profits Cash Trail: Council of Europe to Probe Pharmaceutical Companies

Fears over a Swine Flu pandemic may have disappeared, but questions remain unanswered over the World Health Organisation's concessions to pressure from pharma companies.

It was reported today by various news channels that the Council of Europe is set to launch a probe into pharmaceutical companies, following reports that vaccine manufacturers pressured the World Health Organization (WHO) into declaring a swine flu pandemic. But wherever the buck finally stops, the taxpayer is still footing the bill.

Profit and Loss

It is alleged that the primary motivation of the pharmaceutical companies in pressurising the WHO was financial, and has resulted in many governments being left with stockpiles of unused vaccine and huge costs. Questions are now being asked about who is responsible.

It is also likely that those governments - including Britain, France and Germany - seeking to offload vaccine stocks on the open market, will be selling at a loss as the market becomes flooded with cheap vaccine. Britain, it was reported, has purchased more vaccine than any of its other European neighbours and stands to make the biggest loss. Read More

Learn to Build Emotional Health: Meditation as an Anxiety and Stress Management Skill

In an age of rapid change it is difficult for the average person to keep up with life's many demands. Good self-management skills are the key to preventing burn out.

Stress and anxiety are often given a bad press, but without them human beings would be unable to accomplish anything. Nature has equipped the average person with all the necessary tools to ensure survival and well-being, but people continue to experience damaging levels of stress and anxiety. Can anything be done about this?


What is Emotional Health?

In a nutshell, emotional health equates to positive self-awareness. People with good emotional health are aware of their thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Over time they have learned healthy coping mechanisms and strategies for dealing with life's stresses and anxieties that are suitable for them. People with good emotional health generally feel good about themselves and have positive relationships and support networks. They value themselves and extend positive feelings towards others. Read More

New Research Provides Insight to Eye Condition: Natural Prevention for Dry and Wet Eye AMD Condition

The eye is a delicate ocular instrument. Age-related macular degeneration is the most common cause of blindness in the elderly population, but it could be prevented.

The BBSRC reported on January 4, 2010, that scientists at University College London (UCL) have discovered that the relationship between two blood proteins has a central role in preventing the onset of Age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In a paper to be published in the American Journal of Biological Chemistry, January 8, 2010, the UK research team will present their new findings on how the interaction of blood proteins work to promote or hinder the development of AMD.

Chronic Degenerative Condition


AMD is the single most common cause of eye disease in the world's elderly population, accounting for some 15 million cases in the US alone, and many millions more throughout the world. The disease attacks the macula, the centre of the eye where the sharpest vision takes place, and leaves the victim with blurred or pitted vision - dark holes in sight. Read More

Learning to Write Haiku

Learning to write Haiku is relatively simple, but simplicity can be elusive if the writer tries too hard. Haiku is a way of writing poetry that encourages the author to achieve the maximum effect with the minimum of effort. Directness and immediacy are the hallmarks of an effective Haiku, but how does one convey the depth of one's feeling in just a few syllables? The answer is practice, practice, and more practice! Learning to write Haiku can be a way of 'letting go' and liberating the artist within, freeing oneself to express an intimate connection to life.

Structure and Content of Haiku Read More

China's Execution of Antonio Riva - 1951

Alleged American Plot Exposed

It was reported on August 27, 1951, in the US Time magazine, that Colonel Dave Barrett, stationed at that time in Formosa (Taiwan), had been accused of being behind an "American imperialist plot" to murder Chairman Mao Zedong and other high ranking comrades. This was hotly denied by Barrett who said:

"I never at any time...attempted to assassinate or contrive the assassination of anyone."

Washington dismissed the Chinese claim as "a bare faced lie."

But Peking was unconvinced and claimed that the 'plot' had been hatched in the previous year. The assassination was scheduled to be carried out on October 1, during China's National Day celebrations. It was alleged the plan was to blow up Chairman Mao with a trench mortar as he stood on a review platform by Peking's Gate of Heavenly Peace. In total eight men were accused and quickly convicted. Read More

Soil Bacteria Reveals New Drug Potential

In a press release on December 3, 2009, the Biological and Biotechnology Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) announced that research scientists at the UK John Innes Centre (JIC), a world leading independent research organisation in the study of plant and microbial sciences, plan to publish the results of their research into soil bacteria in Science. Experts are hopeful that they may have unearthed a new way of beating bacteria, that could revolutionise the way antibiotics function in the treatment of infectious diseases.

New Drug Potential

Scientists have shown that it is possible to create an antibiotic that can be targeted to a well-established enzyme (proteins produced by living organisms) in a new and surprising way. Experts believe that this could inspire the design of a new strain of more potent antibacterial drugs, without the risk of antibacterial resistance that has plagued so many antibiotic drug tretments in the past.

"If you can knock out this enzyme, you have a potential new drug," says Professor Tony Maxwell, the lead author of the research team from JIC.

The researchers, who study how microorganisms work at the molecular, cellular and genetic level, are extremely excited by this latest discovery.

"A completely new way to beat bacteria is an exciting find at a time when resistance to existing antibiotics is growing, said Professor Maxwell. .

New Research and New Drug Implications  Read More