Researchers stumped by drug addiction paradox

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Data from the US National Survey on Drug Use and Health 2004: drug use in the last year. Credit: Sullivan et al. 2008 The Royal Society.
Data from the US National Survey on Drug Use and Health 2004: drug use in the last year. Credit: Sullivan, et al. ©2008 The Royal Society.

From chocolate and caffeine to nicotine and cocaine, many of our most addictive foods and drugs come from plant toxins. Considering that plants originally developed these toxins to deter herbivorous predators, it’s ironic that humans and other mammals don’t merely tolerate the toxins, but can crave them and even develop dependencies on them.


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All News summaries for April 16, 2008

1,700-year old remains unearthed in Peru tomb

4 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
A Canadian-led team of archaeologists has unearthed the 1,700 year-old tomb of a leader of the pre-Columbian Moche culture in northern Peru, the scientists said.

EU ministers 'discover' biofuels not an obligation

7 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
European Union energy ministers announced during an informal meeting Saturday that they had been labouring for 18 months under the false impression that an EU plan to fight global warming included an obligation ...

Study: Orangutan populations declining sharply

Jul 05, 2008 | User rating: not rated yet
(AP) -- Orangutan numbers have declined sharply on the only two islands where they still live in the wild and they could become the first great ape species to go extinct if urgent action isn't taken, a new ...

Farmers say salmonella scare has hurt tomato sales

Jul 05, 2008 | User rating: not rated yet
(AP) -- Expect fewer slices of red, ripe tomatoes next to the grill this holiday weekend. With a salmonella scare causing many customers to shun what's normally a summertime favorite, tomato farmers nationwide ...

Bangladesh releases 25,000 protected turtles

Jul 04, 2008 | User rating: not rated yet
Bangladeshi bio-marine experts have released 25,000 endangered baby turtles into the sea in the past two months as part of a state-run captivity breeding programme, an environmental official said Friday.
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