Archive by date | November 2012

UK energy deal boosts renewables – but hesitates on low-carbon electricity

The UK government last night said that its energy and finance ministries had struck a deal to triple the amount firms can add to customer bills by 2020, in order to support nuclear, wind, solar and other sources of low-carbon electricity.  Read more

Family cluster of novel coronavirus cases reported in Saudi Arabia

The World Health Organization (WHO) this afternoon reported four new lab-confirmed cases of a novel coronavirus infection bringing the total number of cases identified since June to six. Two of the cases are from the same household, raising the possibility of human-to-human transmission of the virus, although it’s also possible that they both contracted it independently from an animal source in the area. Three of the new cases occurred in Saudi Arabia, including one who died, while a fourth case was reported in Qatar. The WHO gave few further details of the cases, such as their age or sex, or their current medical condition.  Read more

Leaky pipelines for Canadian women in research

Council of Canadian Academies

They call it a leaky pipeline. But the leaks are women, not oil. A substantial number of young women enter into potential research careers but drop-off at various stages, says a report released this week by the Canadian Council of Academies analyzing the gender gap amongst Canada’s University researchers.  Read more

Neurologist charged with insider trading

The phone calls began in 2007, if not earlier. After safety committee meetings regarding clinical trials of an experimental Alzheimer’s drug, neurologist  and committee-chairman Sidney Gilman would ring Mathew Martoma, a hedge-fund manager for CR Intrinsic Investors, based in Stamford, Connecticut, to fill him in on the latest data  … Read more

Research dogs shipped to India under airline’s radar

Research dogs shipped to India under airline's radar

Animal activists have known for some time that beagle puppies bred in China are regularly shipped to Indian contract research organizations like Bangalore-based Advinus, which uses them for drug toxicity studies, after which the animals are euthanized.  Read more

FDA approves its first egg-free seasonal flu vaccine

FDA approves its first egg-free seasonal flu vaccine

After years of struggle, the production of seasonal flu vaccine in the United States has entered the modern era. On 20 November, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved its first seasonal flu vaccine made in cell culture, rather than in fertilized chicken eggs.  Read more

California auction tests second largest carbon market

California auction tests second largest carbon market

Last week the California Air Resources Board (CARB) hosted its first quarterly auction for carbon allowances in a cap-and-trade system that will take effect next year. The results are now in, and they suggest that there were no major surprises during the online event — no real shocks to the system. It’s a positive sign for the state as it prepares to launch what will be the world’s second largest carbon market, behind the European trading system.  Read more