Buy low, buy low, buy at the bottom! Dec 20, 2008
Lets cast our minds back and think of the world economy after the technology crash in 2000, Sept 11, 2001, Enron and Worldcom crisis in 2002 and the Asian SARS episode in 2003 ... SARS caused the Asian markets to plunge but shortly afterward, they shot pass their previous highs ... If you had waited because you thought that SARS would plague Asia for a long time, you would have missed out on some of the most spectacular growth. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Business)
Time to rejoice - and reflect Dec 18, 2008
In 2003, it was amid the public health crisis of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) that the central government first raised the principle of "people first". People should be the purpose of all development. (Xinhuanet, China)
Feds seize artifacts from hit show 'Survivor' Dec 17, 2008
Civet cats are mongoose-like animals that are a delicacy in China and are suspected of spreading severe acute respiratory syndrome - SARS - to humans. Inspectors also found wooden statues with termites. (AZCentral -- News)
HK health chief resigns over Sars Dec 16, 2008
Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong was heavily criticised in a recent Sars report ... Dr Yeoh was among several officials criticised in a recent report on the handling of last year's Sars crisis ... He was accused of paying too little attention to Sars when it appeared in mainland China, and issuing misleading public statements. (Yahoo News -- SARS)
China's reforms : The second Long March Dec 12, 2008
During the outbreak of SARS in 2003 Beijing was all but emptied of them. Many left in August during the Olympic games, as officials put indirect pressure on them to stay away. (The Economist)
Michelin-Listed Noodle Restaurant Offers 13 Cent Meal as Recession Bites Dec 12, 2008
People had money but feared to dine out during SARS, said Lan Kwai Fongs Ho. Now, they have no money to spend on fine dining. (Bloomberg -- Asia)
ACE Aviation is cleared to take off Dec 12, 2008
He also piloted the former flag carrier through the 9/11 aftermath, the outbreak of SARS and a turbulent restructuring under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act. But he did not always win favour with the airline's employees, or its passengers. (Toronto Star)
No fallout from HK, Indonesia bird flu Dec 11, 2008
Although the sector was not severely affected by the bird flu scare in the past, the impact of SARS in 2003 led to a sharp contraction in passenger numbers, with many airlines suffering huge losses. Nonetheless, given that the current incidents are confined to a small area in Hong Kong and Indonesia, as well as the measures being taken to prevent the virus from spreading, we think the outbreak would be resolved soon. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Conflicting forecasts for Hong Kong real estate Dec 11, 2008
Growing public expectations of a repeat of a 2003 slump, when the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, ravaged the Hong Kong economy, prompted Sun Hung Kai Properties to predict last week that prices would rebound 5 percent in 2009 ... Nicole Wong, an analyst at CLSA, expects residential prices to fall 15 percent in the next year, but believes investors have been too bearish on Hong Kong real estate stocks by expecting a SARS-like outlook. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
Blame Your Genes: Some People Eight Times More Likely To Suffer From Prolonged Illness With Infection Dec 10, 2008
In the case of a major pandemic such as SARS or bird flu, this vulnerable population might be given preference with any vaccine that becomes available. UNSW s Dr Ute Vollmer-Conna, the lead author of the paper and an expert in how the brain and immune system interact, said it was widely acknowledged that individuals differ a great deal in their acute sickness response to an infection. (Science Daily)
A Vaccine That Could Help Wipe Out Malaria Dec 9, 2008
That's what happened in 2002, when the SARS outbreak was contained after claiming thousands rather than millions of lives worldwide. That's what failed to happen in 1918, when a rare avian flu made the jump to humans and killed 50 million people before it was brought to heel. (Time.com)
Primate center unveils biosafety lab Dec 6, 2008
Scientists will study a variety of bacteria, viruses and biotoxins, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS, West Nile virus, tuberculosis, epidemic typhus, Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, Brucellosis and the plague. --- Biosafety level 3. (Nola.com -- Sports)
Services sector regaining strength Dec 6, 2008
Over the subsequent years, the services sector regained its strength and remained resilient enough to rise through other periods of economic uncertainty, such as the bursting of the dotcom bubble in 2000 to the terrorist attacks on the United States, SARS and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. But this time around, questions will once again be asked if the services sector will be tough enough to withstand what is said to be the worst global economic crisis since World War II.. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Business)
* Funding for consumer vouchers Dec 5, 2008
Examples include the Temporary Statute for 921 Earthquake Post-Disaster Reconstruction, the Special Act Governing the Management of the Keelung River Basin, the Special Statute for Expanding Investment in Public Works and similar measures relating to the SARS crisis and civil engineering on the Shihmen Reservoir. In each of these cases, a special law was passed to provide exemption from the Budget Laws ban on using government bonds and borrowing for current expenditures and the Public Debt... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Financial tsunami teaches us not to put all our eggs in one basket Dec 5, 2008
Lam said the impact of the current crisis on Hong Kong exports was much larger than the Asian financial storm in 1998 and the SARS outbreak in 2003, with the impact of the former largely confined to Asia and the latter having limited impact on Hong Kong's export, which was still growing in 2003. DOWNWARD ADJUSTMENT OF EXPORT GROWTH FORECASTS. (Xinhuanet, China)
CIBC Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2008 Results Dec 4, 2008
Revenue of $234 million was up $87 million from the fourth quarter of 2007, primarily due to the net foreign exchange gain from the repatriation of capital and retained earnings during the fourth quarter of 2008, partially offset by lower revenue from hedges of share appreciation rights (SARs). Non-interest expenses of $276 million were up $161 million from the fourth quarter of 2007, primarily due to higher unallocated corporate support costs, including higher severance accruals, partially... (Canada Newswire)
Can the Qantas-BA deal fly? Dec 4, 2008
When Paul Keating was busy flaying the Libs in Federal Parliament in the mid-90s for "tugging the forelock'' to the Poms he was also, at one point, popping between meeting rooms teeing up the best bid for a cornerstone shareholding in the national carrier Qantas. In one parliament meeting room sat the Singaporeans, in another the Brits. Keating played them off and British Airways came away with a 25% stake in the 1994 float. Lately, along with what aviation sources describe as detailed... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Five ways to avoid germs while traveling Dec 2, 2008
In 2003, 22 people came down with SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, from a single fellow passenger who had SARS but didn't have any symptoms, according to another New England journal study. But the airplane isn't the only place along your travel route where germs thrive. (CNN -- Health)
Why Are So Many Infectious Diseases Jumping From Animals To Humans? Dec 2, 2008
2, 2004) With outbreaks of new and frightening infectious diseases such as SARS and monkey pox jumping from the animal kingdom to humans, tracking their spread is vital to public health efforts to contain. (Jan. (Science Daily)
DAI creates health unit Dec 2, 2008
He said that experience might include zoonotic diseases, or those that originated in the animal world and are transmissible to humans, like avian influenza and SARS.. The health team will work in areas complementary to its existing development programs, including animal health, food safety, and water and sanitation. (Washington Business Journal, DC)
China's outlook darkens Dec 1, 2008
Hong Kong's PMI for November fell to the lowest level since the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, in 2003, while South Korean exports last month dropped 18. 3% from a year earlier. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
* Make health a government priority Dec 1, 2008
After the SARS outbreak in 2003 and the recent increasing global expansion of dengue hemorrhagic fever aggravated by global warming, transnational efforts to prevent severe epidemics have become the top priority for global health. At a time when sea and air travel across the Strait are increasing, the public health professionalism and disease prevention efforts on both sides of the Strait will face tough challenges. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Nitto Denko Invests S$10 Million To Pioneer Organic Electronic Device Research In Singapore Dec 1, 2008
Said Principal Investigator Assoc Prof Tjin Swee Chuan, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University said, "Our project utilises Nitto Denko's polymer to create micron-sized optical waveguides using NTU's patented laser technique which is simpler and more cost effective. An optical waveguide is a physical structure that guides electromagnetic waves. The optical waveguides that we are researching can be used in biosensor for early detection of diseases such as... (JCN Network, Japan)
Common Cold Virus Came From Birds? Nov 30, 2008
Metapneumoviruses have high evolutionary rates, similar to those of other RNA viruses such as influenza, hepatitis C and SARS. By understanding the evolution and emergence of these viruses the scientists hope to develop ways of monitoring and predicting the emergence of new pathogenic viruses. "We investigated the evolutionary history of metapneumoviruses using genetic information available for numerous strains of HMPV and AMPV-C circulating in humans and birds," said Professor Dr Fouchier. (Science Daily)
* Property index dips to new low Nov 28, 2008
GLOOMY: A poll on confidence in property prices hit a low of 56 points in the third quarter, far below the 90-point level recorded during the SARS outbreak in 2003 By Joyce Huang STAFF REPORTER Friday, Nov 28, 2008, Page 12 ... The surveys composite index of confidence in property prices dropped to a low of 56 points last quarter X even lower than the 90-point level recorded during the SARS outbreak in 2003 and the lowest since early 2002 when the survey started, Chang Chin-oh (i),... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Trapped crew 'in good health' Nov 28, 2008
Two Sars officials are also safe. On Thursday, SAA sent an aircraft to Mumbai to pick up its crew and the South Africans. (iAfrica.com)
China dampers growth in airline industry Nov 28, 2008
Chinese airlines, which began to boom after the end of the 2003 SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, crisis as China's brisk economic growth spurred business and leisure travel, saw a sudden reversal of fortune early this year with a series of natural disasters and a sudden economic slowdown. With high levels of debt as they aggressively built up their fleets, and with notoriously low levels of service and efficiency after years in a stodgy state-run system, they had been especially... (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
China Frees Dissident Physician Nov 28, 2008
BEIJING, July 20 -- China has released the dissident physician who became a national hero for exposing the government's coverup of the SARS epidemic, sending him home Monday night after 49 days of confinement aimed at pressuring him to disavow a letter in which he denounced the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre ... The decision to detain Jiang was a risky one because of the popular reputation for honesty and integrity he earned during the SARS coverup ... In 2003, two weeks after a letter he wrote... (Yahoo News -- SARS)
Dixon hands in his wings Nov 28, 2008
In the next few years came the Bali bombings, SARs, bird flu and the Iraq War. "Geoff coined the phrase 'aviation constant shock syndrome'," Jackson remembers. (Melbourne Herald Sun)
eLong, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2008 Unaudited Financial Results Nov 27, 2008
Factors that could affect the Company's actual results and cause actual results to differ materially from those included in any forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to, eLong's operating losses, declines or disruptions in the travel industry, the international financial crisis, slowdown in the PRC economy, the recurrence of SARS, an outbreak of bird flu or other disease, eLong's reliance on having good relationships with hotel suppliers and airline ticket suppliers, our... (PR Newswire)
Stranded tourists just want out Nov 27, 2008
8 million people and brings in 6 per cent of gross domestic product, has survived the SARS epidemic, the Asian tsunami, bird flu and a 2006 coup. But the long-running protests have hurt, with many big hotels losing conference business after a state of emergency was briefly declared in Bangkok in September. (Globe and Mail)
Deere Reports Earnings of $345 Million for Quarter and Record $2.05 Billion for Full Year Nov 26, 2008
05 Billion for Full Year. " Subject to the economic uncertainties noted, company equipment sales are projected to be about flat for the full year of 2009 and up about 7 percent for the first quarter. Included in the forecast is a negative currency-translation impact of about 6 percent for both the full year and first quarter. Deere's net income is forecast to be about $1.9 billion for 2009 and about $275 million for the first quarter. In spite of the present economic situation, Deere remains... (Canada Newswire)
Airport test to stop arrival of Sars and flu 'pointless' Nov 26, 2008
Airport test to stop arrival of Sars and flu 'pointless ... Screening for flu or Sars at UK airports to try to stop a pandemic taking hold in Britain will not work, warns an article in this week's British Medical Journal ... Many people could be incubating the infection when tested but not show positive results because flight times are not long enough to allow flu or Sars to develop to the point of detection. (Yahoo News -- SARS)
Sars patients can provide therapy Nov 26, 2008
Sars is caused by a coronavirus. People infected with the Sars virus can be treated by taking antibodies from others who have recovered from the disease, research shows ... Our approach produces protective antibodies that would provide immediate protection against the Sars virus. (Yahoo News -- SARS)
U.S. researchers recreate SARS virus Nov 26, 2008
WASHINGTON, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- Researchers at University of North Carolina and Vanderbilt University have synthetically reconstructed the bat variant of the SARS coronavirus (CoV) that caused the SARS epidemic in 2003. The scientists say designing and synthesizing the virus is a major step forward in their ability to find effective vaccines and treatments for any strain of SARS virus that might affect humans in the future ... "Only three other teams of researchers have synthetically... (Xinhuanet, China)
Synthetic virus supports a bat origin for SARS Nov 26, 2008
SARS severe acute respiratory syndrome alarmed the world five years ago as the first global pandemic of the 21st century. The coronavirus (SARS-CoV) that sickened more than 8,000 people and killed nearly 800 of them may have originated in bats, but the actual animal source is not known ... In an effort to understand how SARS-CoV may have jumped from bats to humans, a team of investigators from Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has... (EurekAlert!)
Canadian Spirit Resources Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2008 Financial Results Nov 25, 2008
An accrued liability of $246,000 at September 30, 2008 pursuant to share appreciation rights ("SARs") granted to key employees in 2003 has been recorded as a current liability since these rights were due to expire in January 2009, after having been extended from their previous expiry date of August 2008. Subsequent to the end of the third quarter, the Company offered to replace the outstanding SARs with stock options as a potential cash conservation measure ... The 600,000 outstanding SARs have... (CCNMatthews Press Releases)
TB expert takes your questions Nov 24, 2008
Dr. Gardam has acted as a consultant on infection control issues such as SARS, tuberculosis, pandemic influenza and C. difficile, at the provincial, national and international level. Within Ontario, he has helped a number of hospitals control outbreaks and develop their infection control programs. (Globe and Mail)
* Business Quick Take Nov 23, 2008
Hong Kong officially went into recession this month as its economy recorded a second consecutive quarter of GDP contraction, the citys first recession since the SARS crisis of 2003. BANKING. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
President Bush Attends APEC CEO Summit 2008 Nov 23, 2008
We've worked to prevent the spread of potential pandemic diseases like avian flu and SARS. We've worked to confront climate change and usher in a new age of clean energy. We're standing for a Korean Peninsula free of nuclear weapons -- and with a Burma free of repression. (White House News Releases)
Storm heads for Asia property sector Nov 22, 2008
"They are heading back to levels seen during the SARs outbreak in 2003," Leland Sun, founder of Pan Asian Mortgage in Hong Kong, said, referring to the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome. "Although mortgage rates are low, at around 3 percent, banks are reluctant to give 70 percent mortgages because of declining economic conditions.". (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
Construction specialist becomes Beijing's vice mayor Nov 22, 2008
Thanks to his achievements in tackling the SARS crisis in the spring and early summer that year, he was named vice minister of construction in September 2003. As vice minister, Huang was reputed for his efforts to build an effective mechanism to ensure migrant workers at construction sites were paid in time. (Xinhuanet, China)
Study of ancient and modern plagues finds common features Nov 22, 2008
The phenomenon of widespread, socially disruptive disease outbreaks has a long history prior to HIV/AIDS, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), H5N1 avian influenza and other emerging diseases of the modern era, note the authors ... One consequence of the increased mobility in the modern age can be seen in the 2003 outbreak of the novel illness SARS, which rapidly spread from Hong Kong to Toronto and elsewhere as infected passengers traveled by air. (EurekAlert!)
We should have spoken up on Listeria: food agency Nov 20, 2008
The invisibility of Evans and other CFIA officials during the outbreak was in stark contrast to the very public approach of officials during the SARS outbreak in Ontario when the late Dr. Sheela Basrur and her colleagues sat before reporters each day to update the government's concerns, actions and next steps. During the summer's meat outbreak, repeated requests for media interviews with the CFIA were delayed and often denied outright. (Hamilton Spectator)
Forum: UGA lab incidents problematic for believers of NBAF Nov 20, 2008
Considering AHRC's long-troubled history, should thousands of gallons of water mixed with animal waste flooding the floor, exploding sink drains and leaks into the basement of a building that could house future experiments with SARS, West Nile virus, tuberculosis and highly pathogenic avian flu be considered a minor incident. UGA officials remind us that the AHRC is still (luckily) in a "burn-in" phase. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Sydney Airport sacks 25 workers Nov 19, 2008
The job cuts come amid signs Sydney Airport is set to suffer its first major dip in passenger numbers - and revenues - since the 2003 SARS crisis. Macquarie Airports declined to comment on whether the cuts extended to other airports it helps manage, including Brussels and Copenhagen. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Ask the Experts Nov 19, 2008
I therefore advise you to consult an exchange control specialist who will be able to act on your behalf in dealing with SARS, the SA Reserve Bank and to also facilitate the easiest and most practical method for you to transfer the net proceeds of the sale to you in Ireland. Most South African commercial banks have an exchange control department that you could contact. (iAfrica.com)
Chinese airlines look to Beijing for help Nov 18, 2008
Air China, China Eastern and China Southern all reported losses in the third quarter, and the whole sector will most likely end the year in the red for the first time since the SARS crisis in 2003, the senior industry executive said. Their shares have fallen sharply, and are all trading at less than one-fifth their value at the start of the year, with China Eastern losing 87 percent so far this year and China Southern and Air China down 82 percent. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
Antitrust Suit Proceeds Against Chinese Vitamin C Makers Nov 14, 2008
As the demand and price fluctuated (reaching a high of $15 per kilogram in April 2003 during the height of the SARS outbreak), defendants allegedly participated in various schemes that kept prices artificially high while the Chinese manufacturers enjoyed significantly lower costs of production. By 2006, their share of the market had reached 68 percent. (Law.com)
HK health chief resigns over Sars Nov 14, 2008
Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong was heavily criticised in a recent Sars report ... Dr Yeoh was among several officials criticised in a recent report on the handling of last year's Sars crisis ... He was accused of paying too little attention to Sars when it appeared in mainland China, and issuing misleading public statements. (Yahoo News -- SARS)
Africa: Google.org to Help Scientists Forecast Disease Outbreaks Nov 13, 2008
"Business as usual won't prevent the next AIDS or SARS [severe acute respiratory syndrome]," Google. org Executive Director Dr. Larry Brilliant said in a prepared statement. (allAfrica.com)
Indian finds remedy for respiratory disease Nov 13, 2008
Washington: An Indian-origin researcher at Purdue University has developed a compound that can prevent the replication of the virus causing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) ... "The outbreak of SARS in 2003 led to hundreds of deaths and thousands of illnesses, and there is currently no treatment. Although it is not currently a threat, there is the concern that SARS could return or be used as a biological weapon. It is important to develop a treatment as a safeguard," said Ghosh ... SARS... (Sify.com, India)
Global tourism feels the squeeze Nov 12, 2008
More importantly, people still want to travel, which sets the current downturn apart from previous crises the industry endured after 9/11 and the outbreak of the viral respiratory illness SARS in 2003. Cowed by the uncertainty surrounding the economic outlook, travelers are seeking more value for their money and are more likely to hold on to their cash for a bit longer than they usually might, industry analysts said. (CNN -- Travel)
Chinese Menus, Medicine Threatening Wildlife Nov 12, 2008
BEIJING - Wild animals are climbing back onto Chinese plates after the deadly SARS virus made some diners wary, and booming demand for traditional medicine is also threatening some plants, environmentalists said on Wednesday ... An outbreak of the deadly SARS virus six years ago resulted in a local gourmet favourite -- the civet -- being banished to the black market ... The racoon-like animal was blamed for spreading SARS, which infected 8,000 people globally and killed 800. (Planet Ark, United States)
UTMB Opens New Bio Lab Nov 12, 2008
The new lab will be used to do research studying infectious diseases like SARS, tuberculosis and the West Nile virus. The goal is to find ways to stop these diseases from spreading. (Click2Houston, TX)
'Superbugs' On The Rise In Canadian Hospitals, New Study Shows Nov 12, 2008
11, 2008) Although infection control has been substantially ramped up in Canadian hospitals since the SARS crisis of 2003, resistant bacterial infections post-SARS are multiplying even faster, a new Queen's University study shows ... Led by Queen's epidemiologist Dr. Dick Zoutman, the national survey is a six-year follow-up to a study that was undertaken in 1999, prior to the outbreak of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) ... Both the 2003 outbreak of SARS in Ontario and the 2002-04 C.... (Science Daily)
Face Masks Analyzed As Aid in Flu Pandemic Nov 12, 2008
What little is known about masks and respiratory infections comes from research on tuberculosis and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), two infections that influenza may not mimic ... This strategy was used in Asia during the SARS outbreak of 2003. (Yahoo News -- Influenza)
* Bureau says focus should shift to inbound tourism Nov 12, 2008
Lai said the nations outbound tourist number dropped about 10 percent last month, the largest loss in a single month since the SARS outbreak in 2003. This year, inbound tourists maintained 5 percent growth amid the global economic downturn. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Taiwan)
SM Goh warns against over-regulation of financial system Nov 12, 2008
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Smaller Mosquitoes Are More Likely To Be Infected With Viruses Causing Human Diseases Nov 10, 2008
8, 2006) An estimated 50 million people were affected by zoonotics diseases, including H5N1 (bird flu), SARS and Rabies, between 2000 and 2005 and up to 78,000 died. No effective vaccines exist for the most. (Science Daily)
Report: Hospital infections on the rise Nov 8, 2008
TORONTO Toronto's SARS crisis and Quebec's C. difficile nightmare drew political attention and additional funding to the problem of hospital-acquired infections ... Despite the two major communicable diseases SARS and C. difficile despite the emphasis by the Canadian Public Safety Institute on safer health care, despite all those things, our institutional approaches to infection control have changed remarkably little, said Dr. Andrew Simor, head of microbiology at Toronto's Sunnybrook Health... (Globe and Mail)
Can Bali and its luxury villa hotel market maintain growth? Nov 7, 2008
Since 1998, Bali has managed to enjoy a positive compounded annual average growth of about 6 percent, weathering setbacks from the Asian financial crisis in 1998, terrorist attacks in 2002 and 2005 and the SARS epidemic in 2003. The key to Bali's market resiliency is its uniqueness. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Business)
DNA-based Vaccine Against West Nile Virus Effective Even After Onset Of Disease Nov 7, 2008
SARS, avian flu, Ebola outbreaks of deadly viral infections are becoming increasingly frequent. And we still don t have vaccines for many of the pathogens responsible. (Science Daily)
Great Apes Debate Leads To EU Testing Ban Proposal Nov 6, 2008
Researchers argue that while they already try to avoid using primates, they are indispensable for work to find cures for diseases including HIV, Alzheimer's Disease, SARS, cancer, hepatitis, malaria, multiple sclerosis and tuberculosis. "The UK academic sector is concerned to ensure that any further restrictions on UK research resulting from the revised directive are based on firm evidence that better welfare will result," said Professor Max Headley, of Bristol university's pharmacology unit. (Planet Ark, United States)
'Sars will destroy me' Nov 5, 2008
Sars will destroy me ... King, who faces more than 300 charges including racketeering and money laundering, said Sars was using the charges as leverage to get as much money out of him as possible in a settlement for his alleged tax evasion ... Legal fees in the matter for both him and Sars have amounted to close R400-million, he said. (iAfrica.com)
