Tiny bug threatens California citrus industry

Border agents have stepped up searches and hundreds of traps have been placed on the California-Mexico line in an aggressive campaign to stop a tiny bug from bringing in a disease farmers say could wipe out the $1.3 billion citrus industry here.

Already, Asian citrus psyllid has hurt citrus production in parts of China and infested millions of dead and dying trees in Florida and Brazil. Growers say the bug has the potential to be more damaging than the Mediterranean fruit fly because entire groves — not just fruit — are at risk.

“This is not one more thing, this might be the last thing,” said Al Stehly, who manages 200 acres of oranges near Valley Center in San Diego County.

The tiny psyllids are the only transmitters of the disease, officially known by its Chinese name, huanglongbing, or “yellow dragon disease” for its visual effect on leaves. In the U.S., growers call it “citrus greening” disease because fruit fails to ripen. Read more

The great cannabis debate: 50 top experts confirm mental health risk

A poll of more than 50 of the world’s leading authorities on drugs and mental health confirms that most believe cannabis, and particularly its stronger variant, skunk, pose significant health risks and increase users’ susceptibility to psychosis and schizophrenia.

The Government’s announcement last week of a review that could see the reclassification of the drug and harsher penalties for possession re-ignited the debate about the risks of using cannabis.

Launching the three-month consultation, Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, said: “Government must remain responsive – alive to new evidence, feedback and trends.” Health ministry sources said that new medical evidence about the link between cannabis and mental illness, reported first in this newspaper, would form “a key part of the evidence” that the Government will consider. Read more

The Women’s Health Market Outlook to 2011

Price: $2,875.00
Published: 04/2007
Format: Hardcopy
Total pages: 224
A new report providing analysis of the current and future market for women’s health drugs across all major indications. Forecasts are given based on current marketed portfolio, drivers and resistors of growth and R&D pipelines, enabling you to predict changes in the dynamics of the global women’s health market.

Highlights
Identify high growth areas within key indications and formulate the most effective future strategy for portfolio sales growth. Read more