The Human Imprint

New MRSA superbug strain found in UK milk supply

The Independent reports that a new strain of MRSA has been found in British milk, indicating that the superbug is spreading through the livestock population and poses a growing threat to human health.The new strain, MRSA ST398, has been identified in seven samples of bulk milk from five different farms in England. Follow the link for more details.

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Two bowel cancer genes discovered

Check out this article in BBC News. 

Transgenic fish wins US regulatory backing

Check out this article in Nature.

Mercury in food – EFSA updates advice on risks for public health

An interesting article on how eating fish can increase your methylmercury intake.

Source: EFSA

Grabbing Water From Future Generations

A must read by National Geographic.

Farmers set for anxious lambing season as scientists warn most sheep flocks and cattle herds are infected with Schmallenberg virus

Check out this article in The Independent.

Cyclone Evan leaves trail of destruction in Fiji

The biggest cyclone to hit Fiji in 20 years has caused havoc after battering the Pacific nation with winds topping 200km/h (125 mph). Thousands of people hid in evacuation centres when the category-four storm hit on Monday, wrecking homes, cutting power and causing flash floods. The cyclone has since been downgraded and is expected to weaken further as it heads into cooler southern waters. No deaths have been reported.

Source: BBC News

Mississippi river levels at historic low

Check out this video about the Mississippi - captures all the challenges in the US at the moment.

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Mississippi river faces shipping freeze as water levels drop

Crisis On The Mississippi

UK's food poverty revealed: nutrition falls as fruit and veg prices rise

The Guardian reports that:

"In order to cut costs since 2007, UK households have bought less bread, lamb, beef, fish, fruit, vegetables, potatoes and alcoholic drinks – but more bacon. The government's annual Family Food survey, which provides the most detailed annual snapshot of food and drink spending and consumption, found that weekly spending per person on all household food in 2011 was £27.99, an increase of 1.5% on the previous year. But because of price rises, that bought less food - 4.2% less in 2011 than in 2007.

The survey also showed how households saved 6.8% by "trading down" to cheaper – and in many cases, less healthy – products, hitting consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables.The poorest have been hit hardest by price rises. One pound in every six of household expenditure for the poorest 20% went on food, compared with one in nine for all UK households". Follow the link to read the full article.

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Smoothies contain more calories than Coke,

The Telegraph reports that Which?, the consumer group, examined 52 smoothies from leading brands and major supermarkets and found that all of them contain more calories per 100ml than a bottle of Coca-Cola. Nearly half the smoothies contained 30g or more of sugar per 250ml, the equivalent of six teaspoons of sugar. Follow the link to read the full article