Unleash the wolves
Never mind letting the dogs out, let the wolves out. That鈥檚 the conclusion of British and Norwegian scientists who have modelled the reintroduction of grey wolves to the Scottish Highlands. The predators would benefit local conservation, the economy and, if the reintroduction boosted reforestation efforts, increase bird biodiversity.
Boys beware of moisturiser
Natural lavender and tea tree oils in moisturiser caused breast tissue to grow in three pre-pubertal boys, a study has found. Lab tests on breast cells show the oils activate the 鈥渇emale鈥� oestrogen receptor and suppress male hormones. The researchers warn consumers to be vigilant (The New England Journal of Medicine, vol 356, p 479).
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TB lockdown
A Canadian court has ruled that a patient with extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) should be kept confined to hospital for a year. The patient has a history of quitting treatment, behaviour that encourages antibiotic-resistant bacteria to emerge, and it is feared the disease may become untreatable. Doctors in South Africa, where XDR-TB is spreading fast, have called for similar measures (New 杏吧原创, 27 January, p 4).
Gaddafi reprieve
Colonel Gaddafi鈥檚 son says Libya will not execute five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor convicted of deliberately infecting hundreds of children with HIV. Saif al-Islam told the Bulgarian newspaper 24 Chasa that both he and his father are against the executions and that a solution would soon be found to save the six.
Hobbits are humans too
The diminutive skull found in Indonesia in 2003 is indeed that of a distinct human species, Homo floresiensis, according to the latest in the ding-dong battle over its provenance. Scans show the skull is not microcephalic, say researchers at Florida State University.