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.
Archives for March 17, 2004
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.
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.
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...
Artichoke leaf extract under study for cholesterol-lowering
UK scientists are hoping to confirm that components in the artichoke can lower cholesterol, a major risk factor for the world's biggest health problem, heart disease.
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.