Ready to share flu again
Indonesia is to resume sending samples of H5N1 flu to foreign labs following discussions with the World 91色情片 Organization. The samples are vital for tracking the evolution of the virus, but Indonesia had stopped sending them in protest that it was unlikely to benefit from any resulting vaccine. The WHO has now promised to help Indonesia make its own vaccine.
Green alliance
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More than 85 major companies and organisations, including insurance firm Allianz and General Electric, the world鈥檚 second largest company, have signed a statement calling for governments to set targets for greenhouse gas emissions. The Global Roundtable on Climate Change statement was signed in New York on Tuesday.
No simple answers
Autism has multiple genetic origins rather than a single cause, according to the most extensive genetic study of the brain disorder yet. Researchers who analysed DNA from 1168 families have identified two new areas involved, including a region of chromosome 11 and a gene called neurexin 1, which plays a role in early brain development (Nature Genetics, DOI: 10.1038/ng1985).
Balls to the rescue?
Doubt has been cast on a plan to plug Indonesia鈥檚 mud volcano with concrete balls. The authorities are already building towers to drop the 400-kilogram balls into the mouth of the Javan volcano that started erupting in May. However, James Mori at Kyoto University in Japan warns that they may be too small to stop the flow.
Milk hormone may fight MS
A hormone that stimulates lactation in women shows promise as a treatment for multiple sclerosis. Pregnant and non-pregnant mice given prolactin generated twice as many cells that produce myelin 鈥� the nerve protein that is depleted in MS 鈥� as control mice (Journal of Neuroscience, vol 27, p 1812).