vital signs

Genetically engineered allergy

Genetically altered foods may contain hidden allergens that can trigger life-threatening reactions in patients with food allergies, warn researchers from Nebraska. Their study of nine people allergic to Brazil nuts, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that eight showed signs of allergic reaction when they were exposed via skin tests to extracts of soy bean genetically engineered to contain 2S albumin. This is a protein found in Brazil nuts.

Sun-proof T-shirts

Thinking of taking a tropical holiday or simply worried about over-exposure to the sun? Then you may be interested in clothes with a built-in sun protection factor. They are being produced by a British company, Rohan, which points out that skin can burn under a T-shirt. Its range of "tropical" shirts offers sun protection factor ratings from 10 to 50.