Topic: Contagious and Infectious Diseases

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Recession ho!

The Economic Cycle Research Institute's Weekly Leading Index has turned notably negative
Lettuce recall: 90 cartons of romaine? Oops, 2,500.

Lettuce recall for listeria initially mentioned only cartons destined for retail in a few states. True Leaf Farms now says lettuce recall involves nearly 2,500 cartons, mostly sold to restaurants, cafeterias, and other institutions in 19 states and Canada.
Somalia famine revives debate: is it acceptable to patent aid?

Somalia's famine has boosted demand for the malnutrition treatment Plumpy'nut. But a patent curtails production – and has sparked intense debate over balancing business interests with humanitarian need.
Listeria outbreak: Victims file lawsuits, but will they receive damages?

At least five lawsuits have already been filed against Jensen Farms, whose Rocky Ford brand of cantaloupe has been linked to a listeria outbreak. But as a family farm, it has limited capital.
Cantaloupe deaths and illnesses: CDC on ways to combat

Cantaloupe deaths and illnesses: The heads of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration said consumers who have cantaloupes produced by Jensen Farms in Colorado should throw them out.
Huntsman a spider? 7 politicians with Google problems (besides Rick Santorum).

Members of the gay community responded to GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum's less-than-flattering words about them by getting revenge on Google. A Google search for his name yields a less-than-flattering definition. But we're drawn to the moral of the story: casual Internet searching without context can be problematic for the subject of the search. Here are seven other politicians whose names yield curious search results.
Breaking the pull of contagion

A Christian Science perspective.
Michele Bachmann doubles down on ‘Perrycare.’ Will it work?

In a swipe at Rick Perry, Michele Bachmann took flak for suggesting that the HPV vaccine might cause “mental retardation.” But she's not backing down, and "Perrycare" is now her prime target.
Cantaloupe recall: Colorado farm linked to listeria

Cantaloupe recall issued in 17 states after officials find listeria in Jensen Farms melon. Cantaloupe recall involves 300,000 cases of fruit typically with green-and-white or gray-yellow-green stickers.
Rick Perry's HPV vaccine problem

Rick Perry is in a political bind over ordering girls to receive injections to protect against a sexually transmitted disease. The controversy is of special interest to tea party and social conservatives.
NASCAR goes green

Will fans follow suit?
Miss Universe 2011: Angola's Leila Lopes becomes fourth African winner

Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes hails from the southern African nation of Angola. She's only the fourth African to win the title since the beginning of the worldwide pageant. She’s only the second African of African descent to win.
Turkey recall, part II: Are you affected?

Turkey recall by food giant Cargill involves lean ground turkey branded Honeysuckle White, HEB, and Kroger. The action follows a huge Cargill turkey recall in August.
Contagion: movie review

'Contagion': a bio-thriller that comes off as a fright film, with a few quietly moving moments.
Freddie Mercury: The man behind Queen

The Google doodle today features a tribute to Freddie Mercury, the former frontman of Queen.
This Thing Called the Future

A young teen must make her way through post-apartheid South Africa – and past her own fear of men.
The Monitor's View: 'Apocalyptic' contagion and invasive species

The pandemic-thriller film 'Contagion' opens Sept. 9, and along with it come a couple books that question whether fear of all invasive species is always justified.
Rick Perry: Where does he stand on health care, gay marriage, and taxes?

Rick Perry is under a national media spotlight. DCDecoder looks at Rick Perry's position on three key issues.
Why some tea partyers are skeptical of Rick Perry

In the latest Rasmussen poll of likely GOP primary voters, 39 percent of tea partyers back Gov. Rick Perry, but some are questioning the candidate's tea party credibility.
Difference Maker Janet Siddall helps African families through 'Grandmothers to Grandmothers.'

Ex-ambassador Janet Siddall works with those caring for those affected by HIV/AIDS through the 'Grandmothers to Grandmothers' project
Opinion: Medical marijuana: The Justice Department speaks – again

Medical marijuana suppliers complain that the Justice Department is tightening the federal government's approach to enforcement. That's a disingenuous response to the department's latest directive that medical marijuana is not a business – though suppliers sure want it to be.
Six major food recalls

Cargill's Aug. 3 recall of 36 million pounds of ground turkey is the latest in a string of high-profile food recalls in the United States. The volume of meat recalled was a quarter of the largest meat recall on record, but it was linked to far more health effects. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that more than 15 percent of Americans – some 48 million – become ill from food-borne pathogens each year. Most outbreaks are local events; a few are national in scope. Here's a look at some of the biggest food recalls in the past five years:
Ground turkey recall: Why the lag between illnesses and a public alert?

Cargill launched a voluntary recall of 36 million pounds of ground turkey on Wednesday. The government’s investigation into the salmonella outbreak went through a lengthy research process in which results had to be confirmed.
Haiti's 'tent cities' brace for Tropical Storm Emily

As Tropical Storm Emily heads for Haiti, aid groups scramble to prepare relief efforts for the more than 600,000 people still in makeshift housing after the devastating January 2010 earthquake.
Cargill recall: turkey recalled after salmonella poisoning

Cargill is recalling its ground turkey products which have been contaminated with salmonella. At least 76 people have become ill after eating the turkey and one man has died.