• MEASLE DEATHS:Deaths from measles have fallen by 60 per cent worldwide since 1999 in what experts described on Friday as an historic victory for global health. Accelerated control measures including an increase in routine measles immunisations and a campaign to reach marginalised children in the 45 worst hit countries have pushed deaths down from an estimated 873,000 in 1999 to around 345,000 in 2005.
• PSYCHOSIS RISK:Childhood abuse could significantly increase the risk of psychosis in later life, according to research published in this month's American Journal of Psychiatry.
"The traditional psychiatric view has generally emphasised biological and genetic factors as causes for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder but there is growing acceptance that non-biological factors, in particular traumatic life events, are implicated in the origins of psychosis, say research psychologist Dr Mark Shevlin and Dr Gary Adamson, based at the University of Ulster.
• COOKERY COURSES:Interested in learning how to cook wholefoods, sprout seeds or mill your own flour? If so, the Organic Centre, Rossinver, Co Leitrim is running one-day courses which include an introduction to cooking (March 4th), baking grains, breads and sourdoughs (March 31st) and cooking with seaweeds (May 5th). Tel: 071-9854338 for more details. See also www.theorganiccentre.ie
• NEGATIVE MEDIA:Prof Marie Cassidy, State pathologist, said recently she was concerned the media's negative attitude towards doctors and medicine would discourage medical students and doctors from choosing certain specialities. The Irish Medical Journal carried a detailed editorial on Cassidy's views on how the media affects forensic pathology in a recent issue. See www.imj.ie
• HOLIDAY WITH A DIFFERENCE:Keen to do something different this summer? If so, join yoga teacher/aromatherapist Lainey Ennis on one of her two week-long trips to Spain from June 16th-23rd and September 8th-15th. The retreats will include yoga, meditation, swimming, mountain walks and massages. Tel: 01-2803635 or e-mail laineyennis@eircom.net. See also www.aphroditesouljourneys.com