Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Swine outbreak spreading in China
BEIJING, Aug 01, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- The human death toll totaled 34 and the number of places affected in China by an outbreak streptococcus suis, a swine-related bacteria, continues to grow.
State-run media reported Monday an increase in cases and places with the infection occurred over the weekend, "but officials continue to insist they are becoming better prepared and experienced in controlling the outbreak."
A total of nine locations in Sichuan have confirmed outbreaks of the disease. Since the outbreak began June 24, official reports have identified Ziyang, Neijiang, Zigong, Suining, Luzhou, Mianyang and the provincial capital, Chengdu, as being affected by the disease.
Cases have also been reported in Hong Kong and Chao'an county in Guangdong province.
The swine-disease death toll in Sichuan stood at 34 as of Saturday, the latest data made public. The number of known cases climbed from 163 to 181 over the weekend with 24 patients said to be in serious condition.