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Individuals Genetically At Risk Of Developing Psychological Disorders Also Benefit The Most From Positive Environments
Certain individuals have long been regarded as particularly susceptible to developing behavioural and emotional problems when they experience negative environmental conditions, due to the fact that they carry so-called "vulnerability genes". Existing research suggests, for instance, that such "genetically vulnerable" individuals are most likely to become impulsive and hyperactive if their mothers smoked while pregnant, to behave anti-socially if subjected to child abuse, and to become depressed if exposed to many negative life events (e.g., divorce, unemployment). But a new evaluation of existing gene-by-environment interaction (GXE) research highlighting such genetic vulnerability to adversity challenges this traditional interpretation of existing evidence. Research published in Molecular Psychiatry suggests that those carrying "vulnerability genes" are not only more likely than others to be adversely affected by negative experiences but to also benefit more than others from positive environments, making them more malleable or plastic, not just vulnerable. This novel interpretation of old and new findings suggests that "vulnerability genes" might be better conceptualised as "plasticity or malleability genes" because carriers are more affected, for better and for worse, by positive and negative environmental conditions.

AAMC Applauds Benjamin As Choice For Surgeon General, USA
AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) President and CEO Darrell G. Kirch, M.D., issued the following statement on President Obama"s nomination of Regina Benjamin, M.D., M.B.A., as U.S. surgeon general:
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GTx's Toremifene 80 Mg Increased Bone Mineral Density In Multiple Clinically Relevant Subpopulations Of Prostate Cancer Patients
GTx, Inc. (Nasdaq: GTXI) announced the presentation of data demonstrating that toremifene 80 mg treatment compared to placebo increased bone mineral density (BMD) in multiple clinically relevant subpopulations of men with prostate cancer on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). The data, an analysis of results of the recent Phase III clinical trial evaluating toremifene 80 mg for the prevention of bone fractures and treatment of other estrogen deficiency side effects of androgen deprivation therapy in men with prostate cancer, were presented yesterday at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Nutrition

Anti-dumping Duties Detrimental For UK Farming, NFU Tells Review

The NFU has told a European Commission review of anti-dumping duties imposed on fertiliser from the Ukraine that such measures act as artificial trade barriers and, given the importance of fertiliser to agriculture, can curb profitability of farms across the UK and EU. Hannah Moule, NFU Transport and Inputs Adviser, said the review of the duties, which apply to ammonium nitrate and were first imposed in 2001, was particularly timely. "Wherever possible, we give our opinion to Europe about a range of policy measures, typically liaising with our counterparts across Europe. But given the dynamics of the fertiliser market in 2008, and the high prices that prevailed across the country, it was particularly important that we took this opportunity to respond on behalf of members." Miss Moule said the NFU"s submission also pointed to the fact that an increasing proportion of energy needs were effectively imported into the EU, and that investment in new fertiliser plants and manufacturing capacity reflected this structural shift in energy production. "It seems only reasonable that farmers are able to access inputs from the most efficient producers or those with a natural comparative advantage," she added. UK agriculture spent an estimated ÷£1.5 billion on fertiliser products in 2008, with ammonium nitrate the single most used fertiliser product. Historically high prices last year only served to highlight the fact that the price of fertiliser has a significant impact on the profitability of a large number of farming businesses, and validated the NFU opinion that anti-dumping measures appear unfounded in this instance. Given the volatility in fertiliser prices and other key inputs, the NFU launched a revamped Inputs Price Monitor Survey at Cereals 2009. Farmers are growers can benchmark their input prices, as well as providing comparative data for fellow farmers. To take part visit www.fwi.co.uk/nfu-IPM. Notes 1. Anti-dumping duty is an import duty charged in addition to normal customs duty and is applied across the whole European Community. It is designed to allow the EC to take action against goods that are sold at less than their normal value - that being defined as the price for "like goods" sold in the exporter"s home market. NFU


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