— The UK Department for Business Innovation and Skills released formal guidelines for relations with scientific advisers, allowing for advisers’ free engagement with the public. The statement follows the controversial firing of drugs adviser David Nutt in October, after he publicly criticized government classification of cannabis. (BBC)

— Out of the 108 countries fighting rampant malaria, 38 witnessed a 50% or greater reduction in cases of the disease between 2000 and 2008, according to a new report by the World Health Organization. An increase in funding – from $300 million in 2003 to $1.7 billion in 2009 – has helped the effort. (Reuters)

— A rat study suggests that Bisphenol A, a chemical commonly found in plastics, may harm the intestinal tract. The chemical decreased intestinal permeability and lessened the immune system response to digestive inflammation in the rodents and in human tissue samples. The news might add to support for the BPA-Free Kids Act making its way to the US legislature. (AFP)

— The ten most expensive hospital procedures have grown significantly in cost compared with average yearly spending at US hospitals. While total care costs rose about 6% between 2004 and 2007 to $344 billion, bone marrow transplants, for example, rose nearly 85% to $1.3 billion, according to a US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality report. (AMNews)

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