Archives for March 17, 2004

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Growing fears over soy disease

Fearing the invasion of the devasting soybean rust, the American Soybean Association (ASA) has repeated its call for a temporary ban on South American soybean imports, despite assurances from the Bush administration that trade would not be the cause...

Melatonin not linked to breast cancer

Levels of the hormone melatonin, shown in animals to protect against the development of breast cancer, appear to have no relationship with risk for the cancer in humans, reports a UK team, failing to confirm previous results from human studies.

World vanilla crops hit by cyclone

The key ingredient in the most popular ice cream in the world faces a rise in price, already at a 10 year high, as the worst cyclone in two decades hits Madagascar, the leading producer of vanilla.

Melatonin may have no effect against breast cancer

Levels of the hormone melatonin, shown in animals to protect against the development of breast cancer, appear to have no relationship with risk for the cancer in humans, reports a UK team, failing to confirm previous results from human studies.

Green tea lulls brain into quality sleep

The health benefits of green tea dovetail into sleep as researchers in Japan find an amino acid located in green tea could improve slumber in young men, writes Lindsey Partos.

BASF optimistic about '04 outlook

German chemicals giant BASF has beaten its own sales and earnings forecasts for 2003, prompting chairman Jurgen Hambrecht to suggest that the sector may be due for something of a recovery this year, writes Phil Taylor.

Higher levels of contaminants in fish oils, finds study

Levels of chemicals commonly used in flame retardants have increased significantly in cod liver oil supplements during the past four years, European researchers will report next month, in the latest study to reveal a safety risk for fish oils, writes...