With swine flu topping the agenda of business around the world, global risks specialist, Maplecroft has released three new maps and indices revealing the countries most at risk from an influenza pandemic.

The Influenza Pandemic Risk Index (IPRI) consists of three categories: Risk of Emergence, Risk of Spread and Capacity to Contain. Each index generates a list of countries most at risk and that require a tailored policy response on the part of government and business. Maplecroft's research focuses on global risks to business.

The map of Risk of Spread shows the United Kingdom most at risk to the spread of an influenza pandemic, ranking number 1 out of 213 countries.

People who want to take extra precautions against swine flu should look for masks with built-in filters, according to Dr Robin J Harman, a pharmaceutical and regulatory expert.

There has been much debate about the benefits of wearing a mask to prevent infection with swine flu. Ordinary surgical masks provide some protection from airborne particles, but the UK Department of Health has stated that 'basic face masks don't protect people from becoming infected'.(1)

High school biology teachers may be even more important than the curriculm, according to a University of Minnesota study published in the May issue of BioScience.

Co-authors Randy Moore and Sehoya Cotner, professors in the College of Biological Sciences, surveyed 1,000 students taking introductory biology classes at the University of Minnesota to learn how biology majors view evolution compared to non-majors. Results showed that the two groups' views were similar and revealed that high school biology teachers influence whether majors and non-majors college students accept evolution or question it based on creationism.

Dolphins have a clever trick for overcoming sleep deprivation, according to Sam Ridgway from the US Navy Marine Mammal Program and colleagues.   They are able to send half of their brains to sleep while the other half remains conscious. What is more, the mammals seem to be able to remain continually vigilant for sounds for days on end.

Does the dolphins' unrelenting auditory vigilance tire them and take a toll on the animals' other senses? Ridgway and his team set about testing two dolphins' acoustic and visual vigilance over a 5 day period to find out how well they functioned after days without a break.

LUXEMBOURG, April 30 /PRNewswire/ --

Alternative Petroleum Technologies S. A. (APT) announced today that its shares of common stock have been listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE) under the symbol WRR. We believe that the listing on the FSE, along with our global expansion, will provide more recognition for Alternative Petroleum Technologies and its exciting developments with its partners and the investment community, stated Mr. Patrick Grimes, President of APT. We are extremely pleased with the listing of our shares on the FSE as it completes an important step in APT's strategic growth plan.

About Alternative Petroleum Technologies (www.altpetrol.com)

PALO ALTO, California, April 30 /PRNewswire/ --

- Accomplished regulatory executive enhances Nfocus device development team.

Endovascular device start-up Nfocus Neuromedical Inc. announced today the appointment of accomplished regulatory executive Robert O'Holla to its leadership team in the role of Vice President of Regulatory Affairs.

PALO ALTO, California, April 30 /PRNewswire/ --

- Milledge brings proven experience, dynamic insights and strategic focus to neurovascular interventions developer.

Nfocus Neuromedical Inc. announced today that its directors elected Eric P. Milledge as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Milledge brings exceptional industry experience, business acumen and leadership to Nfocus, as we advance our pursuit of break-through technologies in the dynamic field of endovascular neurosurgery, noted President and CEO Martin S. Dieck.

AUDUBON, Pennsylvania, April 30 /PRNewswire/ --

Globus Medical, Inc., the largest privately held spinal implant manufacturer in the world, today announced the continuing expansion of its international operations and the appointment of Glenn Kenney to Senior Vice President of International and Corporate Programs. Globus has secured CE Marks for over 30 products across its broad portfolio, including six non-fusion products.

CARLSBAD, California, April 30 /PRNewswire/ --

- PREPARES FOR LAUNCH OF 'NEST-3' ACUTE ISCHEMIC STROKE CLINICAL TRIAL

PhotoThera, Inc., the developer of transcranial laser therapy (TLT) designed for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke within 24 hours of stroke onset, announced today that it has closed a US$50 million Series D round of financing led by Warburg Pincus, a leading global private equity firm, to fund a planned follow-on phase III 'NEST-3' (NeuroThera(R) Effectiveness and Safety Trial) clinical study. The Company previously announced that NEST-3 would build upon the results of its NEST-2 trial, which revealed a statistically significant treatment effect for patients with moderate to moderately severe ischemic strokes using a post-hoc data analysis.

Kidding, Fresh Kokanee: The Pathways of Salmon just seemed so bland. Just testing out a wee hypothesis. Human with an opposable thumb and all that? Still reading this? Good.

Thanks for that commercial break. And now back to Kokanee.