Pecologix Political Ecology Blotter

Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) bark is a rich source of condensed and hydrolyzable tannins reported to exert a protective action against colon cancer. The present study characterizes different witch hazel tannins as selective cytotoxic agents against colon cancer. To cover the structural diversity of the tannins that occur in H. virginiana bark, the hydrolyzable tannins, [...]

If drivers switch from gasoline to biofuels, will it lessen the air pollution that shrouds cities around the world? Studies of auto emissions have indicated it might. But the first citywide air quality study of its kind, reported at the meeting, suggests that unless more than 26% of cars make the switch, it will have [...]

Older fathers often get blamed for passing on genetic mutations to their children, causing some types of autism, schizophrenia, and other disorders. But new data presented at the meeting suggest that children of older fathers and grandfathers may inherit at least one advantage from aging patriarchs: longer telomeres, structures at the tips of chromosomes that [...]

Increased dietary protein intake decreases blood pressure in individuals with overweight and untreated hypertension, shows a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2012.33

► New concept proposed for gauging the overall health of small-area human populations. ► BioSCIM uses Sewage Chemical-Information Mining to measure biomarkers in sewage. ► Real-time, low-cost assessment of community-wide heath is possible. ► Isoprostanes (biomarkers of oxidative stress) are identified as targets for BioSCIM. ► Panel of orthogonal biomarkers with complementary properties may broaden [...]

A team of researchers in collaboration with the WHO has identified a set of interventions for the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease (CVD) that are cost-effective in two developing regions—sub-Saharan Africa and South-East Asia. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nrcardio.2012.42

Statins effectively lower LDL-cholesterol levels, but residual cardiovascular risk remains, particularly in patients with low levels of HDL cholesterol. Inhibition of the cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) with torcetrapib successfully elevated HDL-cholesterol levels, but unexpectedly increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nrcardio.2012.31