SCIENCE IN THE NEWS WEEKLY
Egg Industry Disputes Blame for Salmonella Outbreak
The U.S. egg recall was still much in the news last week, as critics accused the industry of resorting to blaming the victims of the salmonella outbreak. Meanwhile, federal inspectors found some unsanitary conditions at two egg farms under scrutiny.
In another food-related article, Scientific American considered the ongoing debate over the benefits versus risks of consuming raw milk. A spate of recent illnesses related to raw goat milk underscores the public health issue.
In other biomedical news, the largest study of its kind to date has confirmed that removal of breasts or ovaries in women with two common breast cancer genes can greatly reduce the risk of developing cancer and dying, even if they've already been diagnosed with breast cancer.
The Washington Post reported that scientists will soon begin the world's first test of human embryonic stem cell therapy in people, even as supporters of this promising research field are reeling from a judge's ruling banning federal funding.
Elsewhere, experts said a new test that can accurately diagnose tuberculosis in people in 90 minutes has the potential to be revolutionary. The test reportedly identifies TB in 98 percent of active cases and also detects whether the TB-causing bacteria are resistant to rifampicin, a first-line TB drug.
And, finally, the New York Times highlighted the work of 84-year-old Nobel laureate Paul Greengard, who has identified a new protein linked to beta amyloid, which makes up the telltale plaque in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease.
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