Banning Pork to Prevent Swine Flu?

This is surprising.

Gulfnews
"UAE bans import and sale of pork as a precaution against swine flu"

It's surprising because you don't catch swine flu from eating pork. Nor is the virus transmitted on pork.

It's disconcerting to hear that the medical and municipal authorities don't understand the basic scientific facts related to this issue.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Caring for Dubai's race camels

Dr Akbar's patient refuses to enter the surgery room. She kicks and growls. But Dr Akbar is used to dealing with stubborn customers as he treats Dubai's racing nd breeding camels.
Today's patient is not eating, and suffering from gastric problems. She is a valuable race camel (Camelus dromedarius) and her owner is concerned.
"He was offered 3 million dirhams (£550,000) for her, but he did not want to sell. She is a speedy racer", says Dr Akbar, director of the Dubai Camel Hospital, UAE.
He continues: "I am going to perform an endoscopy to see if she has ulcerations in her stomach."

.....................................................

Full article here. (check out the cool video too)

Conservative Dress Could Cause Vitamin Deficiency in Women

So says a study by UAE University faculty.

In certain Middle Eastern and other countries where conservative dress curtails exposure to sunlight, high levels of vitamin D supplementation may be needed to raise serum levels sufficiently in women, investigators report.

"When sunlight exposure -- the main source for vitamin D in humans -- is limited," Dr. Hussein F. Saadi told Reuters Health, "much higher dietary intake of vitamin D is needed than currently recommended," especially for women who are breast-feeding.

Out of 178 women studied, only two did not have vitamin D deficiency. Only 30 percent were able to get their vitamin D levels to proper level after three months of high-levels of supplements.

Sheikha Lubna Launches Her Own Fragrance

Economy Minister Sheikha Lubna Al-Qassemi, the first woman minister in the United Arab Emirates, has launched her own perfume with part of the proceeds going to charity, the Khaleej Times newspaper reported today.

Sheikha Lubna unveiled the fragrance - "Mukhalat Sheikha Lubna" - at the Dubai branch of the luxury Saks Fifth Avenue store.

The event was held recently with several VIP guests present, including Shaikha Lubna and her associates, Saks Clients and members of the media. 20 per cent of sales made on Mukhalat Shaikha Lubna will be donated to the Friends of Cancer Patients, a charitable organisation based in Sharjah.

“Fragrance is known to stir positive emotions in a woman’s heart — the new mukhalat will stir even more emotion as 20 per cent of the sales will be donated to the Friends of Cancer Patients," said Shaikha Lubna.

Shaikha Lubna’s patronage comes as a form of support to young national women entrepreneurs. 'Mukhalat Shaikha Lubna' is the creation of Al Tanhat Company that is specialized in producing and mixing Arabian perfumes.

Read Also:
The scent of a strong woman (Khaleej Times Online)
UAE minister launches her own perfume (France 24)