News in brief

Scientists map genome for BLIS K12 probiotic

Europe-based scientists have mapped the genome of the probiotic BLIS K12 strain, finding no negative traits and supporting the safety of the strain.

Who can win an EU immunity claim? Yeast beta-glucan can?

German yeast specialist Leiber possesses the only immune health claim in the EU assessment system at the moment. But why should its beta-glucan yeast succeed when it has already failed...

Flaxseed shows blood pressure-lowering potential: Study

Daily consumption of flaxseed-fortified bakery products may reduce blood pressure levels in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), suggests new data presented at the November American Heart Association 2012 Scientific Sessions.

CLA shows anti-inflammatory potential for Crohn’s patients

Daily supplements of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may benefit intestinal health, suggests new data from a study with Crohn’s disease.

Natural ingredients firm streamlines supply chain

Natural ingredients firm Naturex has streamlined its supply chain by implementing Infor Advanced Planning Software.

There’s something fishy about this milk… not anymore US scientists claim

US researchers claim they have proved it possible to incorporate omega-3 fatty acid-rich fish oil into milk and dairy-based beverages in sufficient amounts to promote health without destroying taste or smell....

Krill wars

Neptune and Aker facing off in court yet again

Australia is the site of the latest battle between Neptune and Aker Biomarine. In addition to patent strife between the two krill majors in American courts, Canadian Neptune has now...

Evolva pays €550,000 for Fluxome resveratrol business

Swiss biotech firm Evolva has bought failing Fluxome’s, yeast-derived resveratrol business for about €550,000 in cash and shares, but says it has no interest in the remaining omega-3 business being...

Beneo thinktank produces ‘Tooth-friendly’ and fibre-boosting sweets

Belgian supplier Beneo’s dessert thinktank is showing off some product concepts using sugar-free, ‘tooth-friendly’ isomalt and an already launched oligofructose-stevia blends for functional fibre candy.

‘Evidence is strong’ for omega-3’s heart health benefits: Linus Pauling review

The evidence supporting the heart health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids is strong, despite ‘less conclusive’ recent studies, says a new review from the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State...

New models hold promise for probiotic claim substantiation

Exposing healthy people to modified pathogens in a controlled clinical trial setting could be an exciting new way for industry to overcome the challenges of health claim substantiation, says Nizo...

Hot New Beverage Concepts for 2013: Episode Two

Adomas Pranevicius, CEO of MyDrink Beverages, gives BeverageDaily.com readers the further lowdown on new non-alcoholic drinks concepts that could set the market alight in 2013.

News in brief

Operational Efficiency 2012: Free Access To Today's First Ever Dedicated Online Event!

Register now for free access to today's first ever online event devoted to Operational Efficiency in food and beverage processing, organized by FoodProductionDaily.com and William Reed Business Media.

Hot New Beverage Concepts for 2013: Episode One

The CEO of beverage development and innovation company MyDrink Beverages tells BeverageDaily.com why his firm's new non-alcoholic beverage concepts for 2013 could take the market by storm...

Nestlé eyes herbal sector with Hong Kong JV; 2013 clinical trials planned

Nestlé has amplified its nutrition presence by forming a joint venture to develop Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM). Orally consumed gastro products will be first off the rank based on an...

Dearth of science limits aloe's potential, expert says

Aloe vera is a popular botanical in beverages and functional foods, but a dearth of credible science keeps the ingredient from achieving superstar status, according to a consultant.

Scientists develop obesity-combating bread wheat

Researchers have developed modified bread and durum wheat that they claim could combat obesity and diabetes using a non-genetically modified technology known as ‘TILING’.

Pfizer slammed for UK infant formula advertising code breach

SMA Nutrition manufacturer Pfizer has been scolded by the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for breaching an advertising code relating to the promotion of infant formula products.

Vitamins: A centenary of essential nutrients

Looking forward: The emerging evidence for vitamins and health

In the last 100 years vitamins have been found to play vital roles in our health and wellbeing, but the full benefits of many vitamins is yet to be elucidated.In...

Vitamins: A Centenary of essential nutrients

Birthday gifts: Vitamins celebrate centenary with EU health claim wins

2012 is turning out to be a very good year for the vitamins sector. Aside from the feel good factor of the essential nutrients turning 100, vitamins have also won...

Comment

Pharma seeks bigger dose of booming nutra sector

In just a few years the global health and wellness (H&W) products sector will be worth $1 trillion dollars – that’s a lot of billion dollar blockbuster drugs.

Vitamins: A Centenary of essential nutrients

Low vitamin D status linked to higher risk of diabetes

Deficiency in vitamin D may be associated with an increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes, according to new research.

Organic claims leave a sour taste when it comes to functional health, says study

Organic logos and claims generally have positive effects on consumers, but even the most positive supporter has negative inferences towards organic products when they are judged on functional health benefits,...

Calcium supplements safe for heart health: Harvard study

Supplements of calcium do not increase the risk of arterial hardening, says a new study that used state-of-the-art CT scans of over 1,200 men and women.

Neptune to outsource production as part of recovery plan

Neptune Technologies and Bioressources has announced a plan to recover from an explosion and fire at its processing plant in Sherbrooke, Quebec that put a halt to production of  the...

NBTY acquires Balance Bar Company

NBTY Inc. has announced the acquisition of Balance Bar Company from Brynwood Partners, its private equity owner. Details of the deal were not announced.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Exports and overseas growth drive Volac profits

Dairy nutrition firm Volac has reported an operating profit increase of nearly 40% for the year ending February 2012, citing the impact of increased exports and improved profits from overseas operations.

Equateq, Cognis and Pronova: “Each are complementary”, says BASF

BASF’s ever-expanding nutrition unit says its €644m bid last week bid for Norwegian omega-3 firm, Pronova Biopharma, is as important for its food supplements business as its pharmaceutical operations.

Global healthy foods to hit $1 trillion in 2017: Report

The global functional, allergen-free, organic and other healthy foods market will push through the $1 trillion (€770m) mark for the first time in 2017, as consumer interest in preventing illness...

Could a corn by-product provide industry with new ‘stealth health’ ingredient?

Dried distillers grain, produced during ethanol processing has until now only found use in animal feed. But that could soon change after US researchers developed a way to turn this...

Omega-3 backed for postpartum depression

Increasing the levels of omega-3 fatty acids could help to battle postpartum depression, according to a new review.

Protein supplements effective for muscle mass boosts in young and old: Meta-analysis

A meta-analysis of 22 clinical trials shows that protein supplements are effective for boosting muscle mass and strength gains during resistance exercise in both younger and older subjects.

News in brief

Univar to reopen fire-damaged Bordeaux plant

Univar’s Blanquefort, France facility is ready to reopen following fire damage to some of its storage tanks in 2009, the company has said.

NPD: The customer is always right – and first – says Danish dairy giant

Arla Foods used to be a Danish dairy with a Scandinavian bent. Now it is global-facing, upping its R&D spend and obsessed with finding out what consumers want, rather than...

Gatorade responds to July article on controversial scientific study

Gatorade and bananas: Comparing apples and pears?

PepsiCo brand Gatorade tells BeverageDaily.com that a direct comparison between the drink and bananas should not be made, after a recent US study concluded that the fruit was as effective...

Study backs acidity regulator for bone health benefits

Potassium citrate, commonly used to regulate the acidity of food and drink products, could also help to boost bone health according to new research findings.

MHRA retains herbal case-by-case stance amid black cohosh adulteration case

The UK medicines agency says it continues to monitor the borderline between herbal products classified as medicines as opposed to food supplements on a case-by-case basis, although some categories are...

Nestlé faces Pfizer Nutrition brand 'blackout' in Australia after Mexican setback

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) yesterday approved Nestlé’s €9bn ($11.59bn) acquisition of infant nutrition business Pfizer Nutrition.

Rimfrost taps Aker's Australian krill patents

Olympic Seafood-owned krill subsidiary Rimfrost has negotiated a long-term, non-exclusive licencing agreement with fellow Norwegian firm Aker BioMarine to secure access to the krill major's patent portfolio in Australia.

Reckitt Benckiser-Schiff: Another giant jumps into nutra space

UK-based consumer goods firm Reckitt Benckiser told NutraIngredients today, “nutrition had been on its radar for awhile”, as it plunged $1.4bn (€1.09bn) to outbid German pharma firm Bayer for the US’s second...

Asian specialist buys Swiss ingredients business

DKSH’s Performance Materials unit has paid undisclosed sum for Swiss ingredients and chemicals firm Staerkle & Nagler, as the Asian player moves to boost its European presence.

Preventing malnutrition will save money as well as lives, says the UN

Investment in battling malnutrition on a global scale will help save and improve millions of lives, but will also save billions of euros in lost potential GDP for countries where...

Fluxome finds a last-minute buyer: But is it resveratrol or omega-3 to be sold?

Swiss biotech firm Evolva has agreed to buy undisclosed assets from Fluxome, as it leaves its pure pharma research past in the dust and throws the embattled Danish supplier a...

BASF bids $823m for GSK omega-3 supplier Pronova Biopharma

BASF has made a bid for Pronova Biopharma ASA, underlining its intention to become the dominant player in the pharmaceutical grade omega-3 API market.  

Study calls for maternal vitamin D supplementation

New data that ‘strongly implicates’ maternal levels of vitamin D with the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) in children means there is now a strong case for supplementation of pregnant...

DuPont on EU probiotic health claim ban: “Mention specific strains”

Giant of probiotic supply, DuPont, is not afraid to admit its European business has been altered by the rejection of probiotic health claims under the EU nutrition and health claims...

Mexican officials block Nestlé’s Pfizer Nutrition acquisition

Nestlé’s $11.85bn (€9bn) acquisition of Pfizer Nutrition has been blocked by Mexican competition officials over concerns that the deal could lead to price increases.

Zambian breakfast cereal to aid health, farmers and conservation

A Zambian company has launched a fortified breakfast cereal; the profits of which will secure business for poverty-stricken farmers and aid conservation work in the Luangwa Valley.

PARNUTS update: Specialist foods reforms due for EU lawbooks

Revision of the laws governing specialist food products like sports foods, infant foods and gluten-free foods is set for a final vote in the European Parliament in December or January,...

Is Reckitt trumping Bayer for Schiff?

A $1.4 billion counterbid by Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc may be winning the race for Schiff Nutrition International Inc., with reports indicating that German pharmaceutical giant Bayer will not raise...

Oz, NZ get first-step approval for hemp in food

The decision by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to approve the use of hemp products containing low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the production of food has received widespread...

Croatian functional foods and supplements maker wins €300m development loan

Croatian food company Atlantic Grupa has won a €307m finance package from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for new energy systems, sustainability certifications and working capital financing.

Do consumers understand and trust functional foods? Not really, say experts

While EFSA’s health claims dossier may pave the way towards tighter regulations on what can and cannot be said about a food's potential benefit, the way that consumers understand and...

Infant formula manufacturers opposing proposed Hong Kong promotion ban

Six of the world’s leading infant formula manufacturers are opposing a Hong Kong government proposal to ban the promotion of baby food products for children under the age of three....

Maternal vitamin C backed for baby’s brain development

Maternal deficiency in vitamin during pregnancy could have serious consequences for the development of the foetal brain that cannot be reversed, according to new research data.

EC-member states moving toward caffeine health claim consensus

A European Commission working group has found growing support to authorise five mental and physical caffeine-based health claims – as long as they contain strict conditions of use statements.

VITAMINS: A CENTENARY OF ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS

Global population demands, ‘confusing’ media coverage and the 100 year old vitamin

It’s 100 years since Casimir Funk came up with the term ‘vitamin’, but with an ever-increasing global population and negative reports in the media of their ‘ineffectiveness’ for select health...

Vitamin D supplements backed to slash diabetic heart disease risk

Low levels of vitamin D may be responsible for the increased risk of heart disease among diabetic people developing clogged up arteries, according to new research.

Arla says UHT-friendly whey can tackle elderly malnutrition

About 60% of elderly hospital patients in the UK are malnourished according to recent data from the British Dietetic Association, a problem companies like Danish firm Arla Food Ingredients are...

Dispatch from HIE

Ageing Europeans should change protein consumption habits: Solae

Europe's population is getting older, bringing a range of nutrition-related health concerns to the fore, including how to maintain muscle mass as we age - an issue thought to be...

5-Hour Energy: Adverse event reports do not prove that our shots caused 13 deaths

5-Hour Energy is “unaware of any deaths proven to have been caused” by consuming its top-selling energy shots, distributor Living Essentials has insisted, after the FDA confirmed it has received...

Roquette seeks sports blends for pea protein

Roquette is intensifying its research efforts into the protein potential of various plant forms, and used HIE to launch a pea form targeting sports nutrition products.

Green tea extract shows potential sperm benefits: Lab study

Extracts from green tea may boost the quality of sperm, says a new study from Italy, but there too much of the extract may confer a negative effect.

'Purity' trends, blends for claims and bioinformatics for business: Day 3 at HiE

Can bioinformatics help to add business value? Is industry innovation being put on hold for blending? And how is a shift towards ‘pure’ products affecting the market.The NutraIngredients and FoodNavigator team...

HiE 2012 - As it happened

The NutraIngredients and FoodNavigator teams bring you the latest news, views, pictures and tweets from the Health Ingredients Europe (HiE) 2012 conference and exposition in Frankfurt. Stick with us to keep...

Functional foodstuffs: The challenge of omega-3 in finished products

The challenge of getting beneficial omega-3 fatty acids into finished products is a big one for the food ingredients and manufacturing industry. But how can suppliers and manufacturers work to...

Vitamin K2: Study unlocks which forms have higher bioavailability

Consuming vitamin K2 in its MK-7 form is better for raising levels of the vitamin in serum than K2 in the MK-4 form, says a new study from Japan and...

Capsugel wins French organic certification for six formulations

Giant pharmaceutical and food supplement formulation and manufacturing enterprise, Capsugel, has achieved European Union organic certification for it manufacturing facility in Colmar, France.

Implied health claim bans, stevia challenges, and award winners: A round up of day 2 at HiE

How will banning the term 'probiotic' change how companies conduct business, can stevia ever be a 'drop in' solution, and who were the big winners at the NuW awards this year?The FoodNavigator...

December 14, 2012: EU health claims doomsday? Er, not really…

For years, probiotics and other sections of the food industry have supposedly been dreading the implementation of despised EU health claims laws.

'Our probiotic science will lead to an EFSA health claims approval': DuPont VP of marketing

Recent studies using DuPont’s HOWARU strain combination, combined with a better understanding of ‘the rules of the game’, will lead to positive health claims in Europe, DuPont’s Scott Bush has...

Experts don't buy new Pepsi’s fat-busting claims

“I know what people are thinking as they head out for a Big Mac, large fries and cola: why not make it a lighter meal and opt for diet- or...

Probiotics may help cut body fat levels: RCT data

Daily probiotic yogurt consumption may improve energy metabolism and reduce body fat levels by up to 4%, say results of a placebo-controlled, double-blind cross-over clinical trial in Canada.

Naturex Foundation honours former CEO with name change

Naturex has said it will honour the memory of recently deceased founder and chairman Jacques Dikansky by changing the name of the foundation he created to aid sustainability and community...

Health claims, functional foods and healthy reduction: Reflecting on day one at HIE

Is there hope for probiotic health claims after all? What are the opportunities in functional foods? And how should companies appeal to consumers with reduced sugar and reduced salt products?...

New EFSA health claims chief: Probiotics can win claims within “one or two years”

Emerging genomic data and better understanding of European Food Safety Authority requirements will win probiotic health claims within “a year”, the EU science agency’s new health claims panel chief told...

Increased dairy consumption can help prevent hip fractures – study

Boosting dietary calcium intake can help prevent hip fractures in the over 50’s, a study has found.

Rise of healthy/functional foods behind UK supplements slip

The UK food supplements market has shed 3 million users since 2008, a result of the economic slowdown and more savvy consumers choosing functional and healthier foods, according to Mintel.

Tea consumption linked to lower diabetes risk: Unilever study

Populations which drink high quantities of black tea have a significantly lower prevalence of diabetes, according to new research backed by Unilever.

Fat-blocking Pepsi will launch in Japan this week

This week will see the launch of a fat-busting new Pepsi variant that is targeting the health conscious. 

EFSA health claim opinion

Rejected: EFSA tells Glanbia its whey “weight loss peptides” claim is “not characterised”

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has rejected Irish dairy and ingredients giant Glanbia’s claim that its Prolibra whey-peptide ingredient can reduce body fat, failing the claim on characterisation grounds...

Ingredia backs high protein drinks

 French ingredient supplier Ingredia is promoting new protein forms it says can deliver 35g of native protein in 250ml drinks.

EFSA seeks to strengthen risk assessment

The European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) tenth anniversary scientific conference on risk assessment concluded yesterday with a call for better communication and more ‘fit-for-purpose’ risk assessment tools.

DSM buys Fortitech for €495m; “We are done for awhile”

Rampant nutrition business acquirer, Royal DSM, has splashed the cash for the ninth time in two years – this time to the tune of €495m ($634m) on US-based multinational nutrient...

Creating a healthier Europe: EU project calls for better data on policy impact

Policy makers must collect more high quality data to evaluating the effectiveness of current healthy eating campaigns if future strategies are to be successful, say researchers behind the EATWELL project.

Probiotics may ease eczema for children: RCT data

Daily supplements of the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP133 may improve eczema in children, says a new study from South Korea.

News in brief

Open innovation in action: Tate and Lyle creates ventures fund

Tate & Lyle will pump up to £30m ($48m/€36.5m) over eight-years in a new venture capital fund that will invest in start-ups and expansion-stage companies in food sciences and enabling technologies....

News in brief

Bioriginal to distribute Norwegian krill

Canadian lipid specialist Bioriginal has inked a deal with Olympic Seafood to distribute the Norwegian firm’s krill offerings.

FSANZ approves Nestlé infant formula L-histidine level amendment

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has provisionally approved an application by Nestlé to reduce the minimum requirement for L-histidine in infant formula products

Live from Vegas! SupplySide West 2012 as it happens

The election is over, but SupplySide West in Las Vegas is only just beginning. We will bring you the live breaking news from the show, including latest innovations, regulatory insights,...

Pycnogenol shows benefits for asthmatics: Study

Daily supplements of the French Maritime Pine bark extract Pynogenol may improve symptoms of asthma, according to results of a clinical trial. 

DISPATCHES FROM PACK EXPO 2012, CHICAGO

‘Revolutionary’ aseptic spout for drinks pouches suits ‘on the go’ consumers – IPN

Luis De La Mora from Innovative Packaging Network (IPN) tells Ben Bouckley why he believes his firm’s new ‘non spill’ aseptic spout for beverage pouches, Clean Valve, can help the...

Emerging markets boost Symrise profits for Q3

‘Above average’ growth in emerging markets has led to a strong increase in sales and profits for flavour and fragrance giant Symrise.

‘Unique’ research institute will give Nestlé better idea of the big picture, says research chief

A unique focus on pulling together information on the complex issues of chronic conditions and ageing will help to provide Nestlé with a better idea of the ‘big picture’ behind...

Water fluoride not linked to cancer: Irish cancer group

Cancer rates are not higher in countries where water supplies are fortified with fluoride, says Ireland’s National Cancer Registry (NCR), after a group posited just such a link.

Glanbia eyeing 2012 profits target despite marginal growth

Irish dairy giant Glanbia is “confident” of delivering its full year profits target, despite reporting marginal growth for the first nine months of 2012.

Q3 wrap: Nutrition stars for DSM and Naturex

Royal DSM saw Q3 sales slip 7% to €2.3bn across all divisions with polymer intermediates performing worst, but as has been the case in recent quarters, the Dutch firm’s nutrition...

Raisio sales rise 14%; Benecol steady

Ingredients, grain, snack brand and stanol-based cholesterol-lowering Benecol brand owner Raisio had a healthy Q3 with revenues up 14% to €160m from €141.7m in Q3 2011.

GM tomato packed with ‘good cholesterol’ could help unblock arteries

Tomatoes that are genetically engineered to produce a peptide that mimics the actions of ‘good’ HDL cholesterol could help to reduce heart disease risk factors, suggest researchers.

Randomized trials show benefits of magnesium chelate ingredient

Daily supplements of magnesium bisglycinate chelate may reduce the frequency and intensity of pregnancy-induced leg cramps, say results from a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

‘Memory enhancing’ ingredient boasts new beverage potential

Alchem USA has launched a new concentrated liquid form of natural plant extract vinpocetine for beverage applications and claims the ingredient can enhance memory and alertness.

Don’t forget mental health when targeting seniors, says Leatherhead

Fortified breads, snacks and cereals targeting mental health in older consumers is an avenue of opportunity for manufacturers, a Leatherhead analyst says.

‘Probiotics’ term to go after December 14, 2012?

The probiotics sector is at different stages of readiness, and embracing different approaches, to EU health claim laws that appear to rule the very word ‘probiotic’ a non-authorised, implied health...

Multivitamins may not benefit heart disease risk, but 'don't forget the aim and other potential benefits of supplements'

A daily multivitamin may not reduce the risk of developing heart disease for a healthy population of men, according to data from the Physicians’ Health Study (PHS) II study.

WikiCell targets Louvre as site for first outlet

A snack bar next to the Musée de Louvre in Paris will be the site of the first outlet selling products in edible packaging from WikiCell Designs, the company behind...

Chinese authorities approve Nestlé’s Pfizer Nutrition acquisition

Nestlé's $11.85bn (€9bn) acquisition of Pfizer Nutrition has been given the go-ahead by anti-trust authorities in China – taking the “strategic” takeover a step closer to completion.

Trendwatch: What's new in energy drinks?

The energy drink market is the fastest growing segment of the European soft drinks industry, so how are newcomers looking to get in on the action?

UK rules against slimming gum TV ads, despite EFSA approvals

The UK advertising watchdog has ruled against a TV campaign for a slimming gum even though some of the claims appeared to have won European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) approval.

Food preservative may have anti-cancer properties: Study

Nisin, a common food preservative, could slow or stop the development of certain types of cancer, according to new research.

Green tea suggested for GI cancer benefit: Human data

Long term consumption of green tea could help to slash the risk of gastrointestinal cancers by over a quarter, according to new research in Chinese women.

Glanbia unveils €21m whey protein isolate plant investment

Glanbia has unveiled a €21m whey protein isolate (WPI) investment at its Dairy Ingredients Ireland (DII) Ballyragget facility – the Irish dairy giant’s latest expansion effort driven by the up-coming...

“Cowboy sector” blamed for black cohosh problems

Last week’s warning from the UK medicines regulator that menopausal herb black cohosh must carry warnings about potential liver problems is not a problem of the mainstream food supplements sector,...

Ganeden BC30 strain shows potential against C. diff: Mouse study

Supplements containing the GanedenBC30 ingredient may reduce the recurrence of C. difficile-induced infection, according to a study with lab mice.

British Obesity Society and Solae survey UK nutritionists about protein

The British Obesity Society and DuPont-owned soy giant Solae have teamed up to survey UK nutritionists about the role of protein in the diet.

Nestlé launches Institute of Health Sciences to support healthy ageing

The launch of Nestlé’s Institute of Health Sciences will help the company to provide targeted nutrition for the complex problems of ageing and metabolic health.

Kerry reports strong growth despite tough trading conditions

Strong growth in Kerry Group’s ingredients and flavours division has helps to balance out slow-down in consumer goods, as revenues increased by nearly 11% to €4.4 billion.

Fortified wheat-rye bread could aid diabetes and obesity prevention, study

Wheat-rye bread fortified with cereal dietary fiber, beta-glucan hydrogel and sourdough starter culture could be used in diabetes and obesity programs, a study suggests.

Meta-analysis supports fish, questions supplements, for stroke risk

Regular consumption of fish may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke, but the benefits of fish oil supplements may be minimal, says a new analysis by researchers...

Nutrition watchdog slams rugby sponsorship deal

The Infant Nutrition Council (INC) has expressed strong concern over the recent sponsorship deal between the Warriors rugby league club and Chinese-owned New Zealand infant formula company.

Malaysia enlisting world experts to develop food policies

With obesity and diabetes on the rise in Malaysia, the country has been working to bring together domestic scientists with their international counterparts and institutions in the hope of mitigating...