BBC NEWS | Africa | South Africa 'losing Aids battle'

This is quite a different slant on the figures as compared to what is being reported in the local press...where some small improvements in some of the figures are being used to show the 'success' of the programmes here... But this is very worrying.

BBC NEWS | Africa | South Africa 'losing Aids battle': "South Africa is in danger of losing the battle against HIV/Aids, the United Nations children's agency has warned. Unicef's South Africa representative, Macharia Kamau, said infection and death rates were outpacing treatment. This was having a devastating effect on children whose parents died of Aids, and sent out a dire message for the future, he said. Mr Kamau said if present trends continued, there could be five million orphans in South Africa by 2015."

India ratifies UN convention on rights of disabled

Come on South Africa, we (and the World) are waiting!! Well done India!

India ratifies UN convention on rights of disabled: "India ratifies UN convention on rights of disabled United Nations | October 02, 2007 1:05:16 AM IST India has ratified a UN convention to promote and protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of those with disabilities as also respect for their inherent dignity. External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee Monday deposited with the UN the instrument of ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities adopted by the UN General Assembly on Dec 13 last year. The adoption of the convention 'to promote, protect, and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity' followed four years of intense negotiations. The convention marks a major step toward changing the perception of disability and ensures that societies recognise that all people must be provided with the opportunities to lead a life to their fullest potential, the permanent mission of India to the UN said in a press release. India is committed to the elimination of barriers that persons with disabilities face and the Constitution of India implicitly mandates an inclusive society for all, including those with disabilities, it added."

BBC NEWS | Health | Stems cells 'slow nerve disease'

More interesting news on Stem Cell research, but the scientists rightly warn that the clinical use is still a long way off.

BBC NEWS | Health | Stems cells 'slow nerve disease': "Stems cells 'slow nerve disease'
Stem cells show potential for treating the debilitating nerve condition motor neurone disease, research suggests. A US team found injecting rats with stem cells delayed the onset of MND. Writing in the Transplantation, the researchers from Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions warned clinical use of stem cells was still a long way off."

BBC NEWS | Health | Find 'offers motor neurone hope'

This could be an exciting breakthrough, although there obviously needs to be a lot more work done on this.

BBC NEWS | Health | Find 'offers motor neurone hope': "Find 'offers motor neurone hope'
Scientists are hopeful that they have found a way to halt the progression of motor neurone disease (MND). A team at Bath University discovered a causal link between the gene involved in the formation of blood vessels and the development of some forms of MND. Mutant versions of the gene's product - angiogenin - are toxic to motor neurones, so blocking this process may stop the disease, they say."