Emerging resistance to malaria drugs

International scientists have found evidence that a resistance is forming to the world’s most effective drug for fighting malaria in Western Cambodia. Trials carried out in two separate laboratories have shown the drug is taking longer to rid the body of malaria. Scientists are desperate to contain this trend as a worldwide resistance would be hugely damaging to global health.
Read more

Child diabetes cases look set to double

Experts from Ireland and Hungary have warned that the number of under fives in Europe with type one diabetes will double between the 2005 and 2010 and the number of older children with the illness will dramatically increase. It is believed that genetics are not wholly to blame and lifestyle has played a part in this increase, but no specific reason is entirely responsible.
Read more

Prince Charles: Save rainforest to beat climate change

The Prince of Wales has warned that any strategy designed to combat climate change must have the preservation of rainforests as a priority or it is doomed to fail. The Prince made a speech to St James Palace Nobel Laureate Symposium stating rainforest protection, and also issues such as food, energy and economic security, need to be key on the agenda list for climate change talks to be held in Copenhagen in December 2009.
Read more

New aid to help poorer countries cope with the effects of climate change

Climate talks were held in Paris on Tuesday (26 May) with hopes of reaching a new global deal that will help poorer countries cope with and fight against global warning. However, no decision was made on harmful gas emissions. Both France and Germany stated their dissatisfaction with the United States and its perceived little action towards cutting emissions.
Read more

UN predicts 2009 economic decline of 2.6%

On Wednesday (27 May), the United Nations (UN) predicted the world economy will shrink a further 2.6% due to the current world financial crisis. This contradicts the previous prediction of 0.5%. However, the UN also predicted that if the current policy to stimulate economic growth takes effect the beginnings of a recovery may start during 2010.
Read more

Over 200 killed by Cyclone Aila

With at least 500,000 made homeless and over 190 people believed to be dead, survivors are devastated after Cyclone Aila tore through Bangladesh and the eastern Indian state of West Bengal. The Mangrove Forest has been awash with severe floods leaving thousands of Bengal tigers stranded.  Although the storm is said to have weakened, damage is still being caused to crops by heavy rain and landslides.
Read more

Surprise birth of baby panda

After no indication of pregnancy, the eight-year old panda surprised carers by giving birth in a zoo in Northern Thailand. After no interest was taken from either panda in mating, artificial insemination was carried out but after three months there were no signs of success until the birth.
Read more

Aussie cash hand-outs for ‘everyone’

Cash hand-outs from the Australian government designed to encourage public spending have been paid to the dead. Ministers have admitted that a proportion of the hand-outs have been sent not only to dead residents, but to Australians working abroad. Minister Lindsay Tanner has said the money will still help the economy and will eventually get spent.
Read more

Violence ruins party in Barcelona

The Champions League final on Wednesday night (27 May) saw Barcelona defeat Manchester United in Rome, and although there was little violence in the Italian capital, Spanish police claim that 80 officers have been injured in football celebrations in Barcelona. 100,000 people took to the streets to celebrate, but more than 500 people were arrested and two dozen taken to hospital. It has been estimated that €100,000 (£87,000) worth of damage was done, following the bottle throwing, fireworks and other destructive acts.
Read more

New cold water coral reef off the coast of Ireland

Researchers from the National University of Ireland and the French Institute of Research for the Exploitation of the Sea have uncovered a cold water coral reef off the west coast of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean. The area covers 77 square miles and so far 40 descriptions of carbonate mounts have been discovered, some as high as 328 feet above the sea floor. The project is part of a larger pan-European project funded by European Commission’s seventh research framework programme called ‘coralfish’.
Read more