News.Scotland.Org

November, 13

Have you ever thought of an acne drug that would lead one to the extent of depression which will end them to suicide? It sounds quite strange but this is what a research report tells. Acne, known to be one of the massive problems among British teenagers and adults, for which they resort to drug to treat this disorder. In this series of drug, Roaccutane has been a famous name, treated as a “magic bullet” to kill acne since a long time. It has been found that this drug creates a sense of depression for the user and further leading to suicide, claims the study.

The research conducted thus reveals that the drug disrupts the formation of serotonin in the brain which results to a gloomy feel. This makes the user feel depressed and makes them to think even ending their lives. It is reported that this drug has been a cause for several deaths in both the UK and the US. Medical science tells that any disturbance in the serotonin levels in human body is a danger sign which senses mind for such extreme steps.

According to Dr Sarah Bailey, from University of Bath, Serotonin is an essential chemical which relays signals from the nerve cells to various other cells in the body. While in the brain it is thought to play to regulate and control behaviours like aggression, anger and sleep. If the amount of serotonin is reduced in the body then it can lead to depression, anxiety, stress and many such behaviours.

To test this change in mind levels, the drug was tested in mice which showed some behavioural change. The mice which were drugged Roaccutane did’nt showed any sign of fighting to escape. This showed the change in the behaviour of the mice due to the drug.

It is known that acne is one of the biggest problems which all growing youths and adults are facing and everyone is concerned about the was they appear. In such situation drugs are the only hope for these youths to beat the acne stress. As seen in the research which points out the side effect of such drugs, now the youths are left with a more stressful situation as to which drug to rely on to treat their acne trouble. On the other hand the drug manufacturer Roaccutane said, this drug has treated several patients successfully and in some case it is seen that severe acne can lead to change in mood and depression. The company spokesperson also pointed out that the drug carries a warning that some patients may find some mood changes, including increase in depression.

So now the time will tell the further consequences of this acne drug, now the situation has turned more volatile as it’s the matter of life. Though everything is left to the youths who have to decide what is good for them and what not.

Scotland, Nov 13: Waste management remains a grave matter of concern in this present scenario. Reducing the waste rate, identifying proper site for the disposal of garbage and the adequate measures to recycle the waste are the need of the hour to maintain a hygienic atmosphere. Scotland is marching towards its goal of attaining the target of 30 per cent waste recycling in 2008, a year before the set time period.

According to the new figures, in the last 12 months that ended in June this year the recycling rate reached 29.8 per cent, very near to the target rate of 30 per cent by the end of next year.Still concerns are being raised about the increasing rate of garbage disposal in landfill sites the Britain named it as the ‘dustbin of Europe’. The local authorities in Scotland had already sent 599,000 tonnes of waste to landfill in the last three months ended in June, of which 305,000 was recycled or composed.

The latest statistics released by the Scottish government shed light on to the fact that households are recycling more of their garbage than ever before. Over 30 percent of the household garbage was recycled or composed in 2006-07 and the garbage sent by the local authorities’ amounts to 16.9 million tonnes during the same period. The credit for the region with high recycling rate goes to Moray that recycled 46.6 per cent of its waste. Meanwhile Glasgow recycled the lowest at 19.5 per cent.

While quoting the latest figures the environment and rural affairs secretary, Richard Lochhead said the figures are encouraging and Scotland is on a positive note to reach the recycling target of 30 per cent.

While commenting on this waste management, chairman of the Local Government Association’s environment board, Paul Bettisonn said: “Britain still continues as the dustbin of Europe, throwing more and more garbage into landfill than any other country in the European Union. The figures are moving towards right direction. Lots more have to be done so as to get the desired result.”

He further added that the councils and taxpayers are still paying penalty of up to £3 billion, the amount of garbage disposal in landfill has to be cut dramatically to get rid of this unnecessary expenditure.

The figures of recycling for the previous quarter that ends in June 2007 had reached 33.4 percent. From the households the local authorities have collected 29.1 million tonnes of garbage in 2006-07, as against 28.7 million tonnes collected in 2005-06 as estimated by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs. The amount of waste produced should have to be reduced so as to find a holistic solution to the concerns raised by the waste management.