Main Concerns: Still Russia and Pakistan

All major news agencies, such as BBC, Bloomberg and the German Focus still report extensively about the natural disasters ongoing in Pakistan and Russia. In Pakistan, the floods now affect ca. 20 million people, who are threatened to be killed by Cholera and other diseases if not by the waters. In Russia, the wildfires come dangerously close to nuclear facilities around Sarov. Even though Russian officials claim that the fires are under control, nobody can be sure about that or another outbreak of fires. Everybody around here is concerned, donates and perhaps prays, as this is all one can do.

Read Heart Pill from Imperial College

Since May 2010, Imperial researchers have been recruiting 2,000 volunteers to participate in a study on a polypill. This polypill shall help people who have a heart condition and are at risk of stroke or heart attack. According the Reporter (Issue 220), Imperial's news magazine, the following aims are pursued:


-Reducing risk of cardiovascular problems by reducing blood pressure and lowering cholesterol,
-Combining medications in one,
-Enabling people in low-income countries to have access to cheap preventive medication,
-Allowing people easy preventive treatment.


The pill is to take once a day and contains aspirin in a low dose, a statin and blood pressure-lowering medication. Because of its all-in-one nature, it is expected to be much cheaper.


Seemingly, the cost effect is the main drive to this study. Generally, it is a noble intention, but hopefully people will not forget to live in such a way that heart medication is not needed in the first place.