►January 21, 2004 - Letter from Safe Minds to IOM re: postponing February meeting on thimerosal and autism - www.safeminds.org

►January 21, 2004 - Weldon Tries to Whistle-Blow CDC's Alleged Puppeting of IOM on Mercury Letter calls on CDC Director Gerberding for a time-out to let research smoke to clear. - Schafer Autism Report

►January 15, 2004 - Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Studies - CDC

►January 19, 2004 - China OKs Human Trials of SARS Vaccine - AP via The The Herald-Sun

►January 16, 2004 - Thailand Rejects AIDS Vaccine Criticism - AP via The The Herald-Sun

►January 16, 2004 - Flu vaccine futile? - Nature - "A preliminary study suggests that this season's flu vaccine is virtually ineffective against the strain that struck hard this winter. But experts are urging caution over the study, saying that the results will need to be checked."

►January 2004 - More varicella vaccine, less invasive streptococcal disease - journal article (Journal of Pediatrics)

►January 21, 2004 - Biggest-Ever AIDS Vaccine Trial Draws Stinging Criticism - USA Today via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►January 21, 2004 - FluMist Offered Free to Public Health Agencies - Washington Post via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►January 20, 2004 - EQiTX to Invest A$3.5 Million in New Vaccine Technology - AAP via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►January 20, 2004 - Late Vaccines Are Better Than None - Wall Street Journal via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►January 20, 2004 - OK Given to Human Trial of SARS Vaccine - Montreal Gazette via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►January 17, 2004 - B.C.-Made SARS Vaccine Ready to Fight Next Outbreak - Victoria Times Colonist via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►January 17, 2004 - Bangladesh to Vaccinate Millions of Children Against Polio - AP via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►January 21, 2004 - Colorado whooping cough rate soars; poor vaccination rate blamed - AP via www.9news.com

►January 21, 2004 - Vaccine changes confuse parents - The West Australian - "WA parents wanting to have their children immunised are confused and out of pocket because of recent changes to government-funded vaccines, say experts...They have warned this could lead to lower coverage rates and a resurgence in dangerous diseases."

►January 21, 2004 - Sars vaccine volunteers are healthy adults, says China - AP, Reuters, AFP via The Straits Times, Asia

►January 20, 2004 - Biggest-ever AIDS vaccine trial draws stinging criticism - USA Today - "When the world of AIDS vaccine research erupts into controversy, as it did again last week, the source is often pent-up frustration over the snail's pace of progress and the best use of research money...More than 20 years into the epidemic, only one vaccine has completed two large-scale clinical trials. It failed both. The latest flap centers on yet another test of that vaccine as part of a two-shot combination with another experimental vaccine."

►January 20, 2004 - Who Seeks New Vaccine for Bird Flu - AP via www.kansascity.com - "The World Health Organization said Tuesday it was trying to develop a vaccine to protect against the bird flu, which has killed five people in Vietnam...The development came as international scientists launched an effort to trace how the ailment has jumped from poultry to people, and as China stepped up vigilance at its border with Vietnam to keep out the disease."

►January 19, 2004 - School Immunization Requirements - The vaccines your child needs before starting school. - Healthy Kids via www.americanbaby.com

►January 20, 2004 - China approves testing of experimental SARS vaccine on humans - Canadian Press

►January 20, 2004 - Cobra Invents Tablet Vaccine To Cut Costs - www.thesentinel.co.uk

►January 20, 2004 - Epimmune Completes Patient Enrollment in HIV Vaccine Trial - PRNewswire-FirstCall via boerse.de

►January 21, 2004 - WHO Seeks New Vaccine for Bird Flu - AP via The Herald-Sun 

►January 20, 2004 - A World Apart From Autism - Asperger syndrome challenges experts to distinguish its symptoms and treatments - Newsday - "When Eric Schissel was a boy, ZIP codes fascinated him. And he had magnificent obsessions with mathematics, dictionaries, penguins and foreign languages. He was master of an amazing party trick: Pick any date in history, and he could tell you what day it landed on. But Eric Schissel wasn't invited to any parties."

►December 2003 - A review of research into pretend play in autism - journal article (Autism) 

►January 19, 2004 - Rutgers Scientists Discover Protein In Brain Affects Learning And Memory - Rutgers, The State University Of New Jersey via ScienceDaily

►January 20, 2004 - Family and Consumer Cues: January is Autism Awareness Month - The Madison Press

Comment:  You may have to search the site for this article.  (It should be in the "lifestyles" section.)

►January 20, 2004 - Tracking the missing - Project Lifesaver helps to avoid deaths like that of Willie Schoellhorn of Arlington. - The Daily Herald

►January 18, 2004 - Is farmed salmon a risk, or will it keep you in the pink? - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

January 20, 2004 - Flu may have peaked early, emergency doctors say - But they’re wary of 2nd surge in cases - Green Bay Press-Gazette

►January 19, 2004 - Whooping cough reported at McCann -North Adams Transcript

►January 19, 2004 - Bird flu continues to claim lives - NewScientist.com

►January 20, 2004 - More Experts Join WHO in Bird Flu Hunt - AP via The Herald-Sun

►January 15, 2004 - Questions & Answers: The 2003-2004 Flu Season - CDC

►January 19, 2004 - WHO Confirms Fifth Death from Bird Flu in Vietnam - Reuters

►January 19, 2004 - Thailand denies existence of Avian 'flu - FoodProductionDaily.com

►January 19, 2004 - Vietnam reports more flu type A suspects - Xinhua News Agency

►January 18, 2004 - China Toughens Checks on SARS, Bird Flu - AP via The The Herald-Sun

►January 19, 2004 - Fifth Bird Flu Death Confirmed in Vietnam - AP via The The Herald-Sun

►January 19, 2004 - Bird Flu Deaths Prompt Asia Health Alert - AP via The The Herald-Sun

►January 19, 2004 - Bird Flu Deaths Prompt Asia Health Alert - Asia Goes on Health Alert Vs. Bird Flu As Fifth Person in Vietnam Dies From Chicken-Borne Virus - AP via ABC News

►January 21, 2004 - 'Bird Flu' Kills 5 in Vietnam and Fears Rise Over Its Spread - New York Times via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►January 21, 2004 - Colorado Whooping Cough Rate Soars - AP via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►January 20, 2004 - WHO Moves to Calm Polio Fears - BBC News via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►January 21, 2004 - Did the government lay an egg? - Food sector lashes out about inaction on avian flu - The Japan Times - "The recent outbreak of avian flu in Yamaguchi Prefecture has not only shocked restaurants and the fast-food industry, but has highlighted the government's inability to prevent such deadly diseases from emerging in Japan...Many were shocked by the outbreak of avian influenza -- the first in Japan since 1925 -- that occurred at the Win Win chicken farm in the town of Ato, especially as it came after the government banned the import of U.S. beef in December following the discovery of the first case of mad cow disease there."

►January 20, 2004 - Doctors try to trace disease that killed Cal basketball player - Contra Costa Times via www.sanluisobispo.com - "The disease that killed University of California Berkeley basketball player Alisa Lewis on Monday probably is not a risk to those who had contact with her, but university health officials who don't know where or how she was exposed, aren't taking any chances...About five percent of the general population carries the bacterium without showing symptoms and will never get sick, said infectious diseases expert Dr. Arthur Reingold, chairman of epidemiology at University of California Berkeley's School of Public Health. But the carriers can spread it to others, usually by sneezing, coughing, kissing, or sharing cups and eating utensils...Both doctors said the public has little to fear. "This bacterium can't last outside the body longer than two minutes," Reingold said. "It doesn't get spread by casual contact...'Only a tiny fraction of those who are exposed ever get sick," he said. "Most of us are have antibodies that protect us. But if you're that rare individual who doesn't have those antibodies, as this young lady apparently didn't, you're definitely at risk.'"

►January 21, 2004 - CDC to ask for probe into HIV positive party goers - The China Post - "The Center for Disease Control (CDC) yesterday announced that 28 of the 92 homosexuals nabbed by the police at a drug party last week are HIV positive...According to the CDC, only one party goer admitted to the police that he is HIV positive. The police later identified 27 more reported AIDS cases after checking with the health authorities...They were all caught while attending the infamous drug and sex party, known as the "Home Party" in the gay community."

Comment:  What's THAT about?

►January 21, 2004 - No Foolproof Way Is Seen to Contain Altered Genes (requires registration or subscription) - The New York Times - "A new report commissioned by the government suggests that it will be difficult to completely prevent genetically engineered plants and animals from having unintended environmental and public health effects."

►January 21, 2004 - Drug Team May Stem Alzheimer's Effects (requires registration or subscription) - The New York Times

►January 20, 2004 - Brain-wasting diseases date to 18th century - Ailments like mad cow disease are believed to be caused by rogue proteins that have been defying medical sleuths. - The Miami Herald

►January 19, 2004 - No spread is found in CWD among deer - The Albuquerque Tribune

►January 20, 2004 - Life expectancy of Beijingers close to 80 years old - China View via Xinhua News Agency

►January 19, 2004 - HIV/Aids Figures May Increase, Says Osotimehin - This Day (Lagos) via www.allafrica.com

►January 21, 2004 - Seoul set to intensify fight against animal diseases - The Korea Herald

►January 20, 2004 - MALAWI: The Risk of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Infection in Twin Pairs Born to Infected Mothers in Africa - Journal of Infectious Diseases via www.aegis.org

►January 20, 2004 - Project Phidisa Launched - US Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa via www.allafrica.com - "Today Project Phidisa was officially launched at 1 Military Hospital. The project is a collaborative effort between the South African Department of Defence, (SANDF), the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) for a clinical research project aimed at exploring treatment options for SANDF members living with AIDS. This will help in answering research questions of relevance to South Africa both on anti-retroviral and non-anti-retroviral therapies. The project aims to develop the infrastructure in SANDF to conduct state-of-the-art clinical research."

►January 20, 2004 - Cancer Drug Gets An Arterial Trial Run - Test finds efficacy in slow-release role - Newsday

►January 20, 2004 - Viruses that kill cancer - The Boston Globe - "The first clue that viruses could fight cancer came around the turn of the last century, when a woman with cervical cancer was bitten by a dog. She was injected with live, crippled rabies virus; her cancer shrank."

►January 20, 2004 - 'Homeopathy can cure SARS' - www1.mid-day.com - "As SARS cases reappear and reseachers work overtime to contain the virus, Indians doctors say the cure could lie in ancient 'nosode therapy' and homeopathy...According to a paper published in the Indian Journal of Clinical Physiology (IJCP), SARS can be effectively cured by using an ancient 'Nosode Therapy' which uses the patient's own pooled serum. It is a type of isotherapy which involves the preparation of medicine from the patient's own blood, after diluting it...Nosode therapy is an established therapy for treatment of most of the diseases in animals."

►January 19, 2004 - HIV Treatment Procedures - Business Day (Johannesburg) via  www.allafrica.com

►January 19, 2004 - Understanding Urinary Tract Infections: Scientists Film Bacteria Changing, Collaborating to Defeat Bladder Cell Defenses - www.ascribe.org

►January 19, 2004 - Skin cancer treatments debated -  A non-surgical treatment for basal cell skin cancer results in better cosmetic results but might be less effective than surgery at preventing the disease from returning, a study found. - AP via CNN

►January 19, 2004 - Simple sugar eases Huntington's disease in mice - Discovery provides taste of a possible route for human drug development. - nature science update

►January 20, 2004 - Study: Vitamins C, E cut Alzheimer's risk - High daily doses of vitamins E and C taken together reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease among elderly people, a new study suggests. - Reuters via CNN

►January 20, 2004 - To avoid detection, HIV disrupts immune cell migration - Public Library of Science via www.eurekalert.org

►January 20, 2004 - Using vitamin E and C supplements together may reduce risk of Alzheimer disease - JAMA and Archives Journals Website via www.eurekalert.org

►January 19, 2004 - One dose of 'designer' gene therapy may target specific body area - American Heart Association via www.eurekalert.org

►January 20, 2004 - Drug prevents diabetes recurrence after islet cell transplantation - University of Virginia Health System via www.eurekalert.org

►January 15, 2004 - Scientists Assail WHO on Malaria Drugs - AP via The The Herald-Sun

►January 16, 2004 - New Mad Cow Rules Worry Meat Processors - AP via The The Herald-Sun

►January 19, 2004 - Vitamin E May Be Key To Listeria-Free Turkeys - USDA Agricultural Research Service

►January 19, 2004 - Ebola Outbreaks Tied to Animals - Washington Post

►January 19, 2004 - Simple Sugar Curbs Huntington Disease, in Mice - Reuters via Yahoo!

►January 19, 2004 - Asthma Not Worsened by Continued Trigger Exposure - Reuters via Yahoo!

►January 21, 2004 - Farm Scene: Virginia Tech researchers cloning cattle to be 'mad cow-free' - AP via The Charleston Gazette

Comment:  In spite of publicity and claims to the contrary, it has not been established that prions cause mad cow disease.  (For more on this, go to the Online Mad Cow Disease Conference at www.redflagsdaily.com .)  So isn't cloning for for mad cow free cattle a bit premature?  And if prions have positive aspects (see Proteins 'may help memories form'), might not this effort also be misguided?

►January 19, 2004 - Medical teams sent to holy sites - www.saudinf.com

►January 20, 2004 - Good Health: GEDE’s message of hope for PLWA - Vanguard

►January 19, 2004 - Deaths remain a mystery - Crawford County Avalanche

►January 21, 2004 - Groups to fight bill to limit class-action - The Hill - "A coalition of groups opposed to a Senate bill aimed at limiting class-action suits has stepped up its efforts to derail the legislation...The initiative comes despite an agreement reached late last year that won more than 60 Senate sponsors on behalf of the legislation."

►January 20, 2004 - Singapore to open S$15m public cord blood bank - www.channelnewsasia.com via Yahoo!

►January 19, 2004 - Mental health advocates fight for funds - Daily Press (Newport News, Va.) via www.kentucky.com

►January 19, 2004 - Century of research confirms impact of psychosocial factors on health - Question is how to apply that knowledge to healthcare systems - American Psychological Association via  www.eurekalert.org

►January 21, 2004 - Health insurers' excess cash targeted - State Insurance Department tells health oriented Blues to justify, shed voluminous reserves - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 

►January 21, 2004 - Some pharmacies will refuse to stock 'morning after' contraceptive pill - FDA will decide next month if drug will be sold over the counter - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

►January 20, 2004 - In light of new studies, Vitamin D intake gets a fresh review - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 

►January 20, 2004 - When Your Child's in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit - KidsHealth.org via Yahoo!