A survey of clinical laboratory professionals has found that less than half think their laboratory could effectively respond in a hazardous chemical emergency. As a result of these findings, the American Society for Clinical Pathology will launch a series of online training courses to help clinical laboratories better prepare for a hazardous chemical event- anything from a train derailment to a chemical attack.

The search for a safe and effective microbicide to prevent HIV transmission in women advanced considerably today with the announcement of a euro 4.2 million grant by the European Commission to the International Partnership for Microbicides Belgium (IPM Belgium). The grant expands upon the European Commission's existing support of microbicides with a strong focus on engaging communities in clinical trials.

On Jan. 30 the most significant product launch in Microsoft Corp.'s history culminates in the release to consumers of the Windows Vista(TM) operating system and Microsoft(R) Office 2007. Starting tomorrow, these two flagship products will be available in more than 70 countries, in 19 languages (with 99 languages anticipated by the end of the year), and at more than 39,000 retail stores and online.

The latest Harris Poll of public attitudes on the situation in Iraq shows that many U.S. adults hold the attitude of "we're not winning and we're not losing." However, while this suggests the U.S. adult public thinks that perhaps things aren't quite as negative in Iraq, other data within this same survey still paints a very negative picture.

Millionaires are optimistic that the stock market will return between six percent and 10 percent in 2007, according to "Wealth in America 2007," the second annual survey of U.S. high net worth(1) households conducted by Northern Trust, the nation's largest personal trust company and a leading provider of wealth management services to affluent individuals and families.

An in-depth survey of public opinion in Iran reveals that most Iranians want their country to have the capacity to enrich uranium for nuclear energy, but a majority also agrees that Iran should comply with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty which forbids Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

U.S. and European productivity growth was relatively slow in 2006, according to The Conference Board's annual analysis of global productivity trends, raising concerns about the long-term effects of information and communication technology (ICT) as a continued impetus for productivity growth. U.S. labor productivity growth in 2006 was the lowest in more than a decade and, despite a strong business cycle, the enlarged European Union saw modest productivity gains of only 1.5% last year.

The top economic growth and fiscal performances in 2007 are likely to be from countries outside the ranks of the most developed Western nations, according to a new set of sovereign risk forecasts from Standard & Poor's Ratings Services. The U.S. is set to drop out of the 10 rated countries with the highest GDP per capita in 2007.