The worst ever drought and wildfires last month have lead to a sharp rise in the prices of basic foodstuffs like buckwheat and flour in Russia.

Inflation in Russia was 0.2 percent last week, much higher than the figure before the drought. It is the third week in a row that prices have soared by this degree, the state statistics office announced.

A protein produced in individuals suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has shown promising results in protecting them against Alzheimer's disease, a new study says.

Previous studies have reported lower risk of Alzheimer's disease in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). High consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), however, had long been considered as the main cause.

Researchers from a New Jersey biotechnology company say many bottled teas contain almost no antioxidants -- polyphenols from tea -- and give drinkers little benefits.

At the 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, reports showed that drinking green or black tea has much more health benefits than bottled tea beverages.

The war-torn Afghanistan has been ranked top for having the world's least-secure food supplies, according to a survey of 163 nations.

British-based consultancy Maplecroft released the food security risk index 2010 on Thursday.

Amphetamine abuse can place young adults at an increased risk of suffering from a fatal tear in the body's main artery, the aorta, a new study finds.

Amphetamine, also known as speed or crank, is known to improve wakefulness and focus while reducing fatigue and appetite. The drug is widely abused as it is also considered as a performance enhancer.

Scientists have developed a gel which could increase up to five times the speed of healing of both chronic wounds and diabetic ulcers.

The gel was developed by a team led by David Becker, a professor of cell and developmental biology at University College, London.

Aid agencies warn that at least six million children are at risk of diarrheal diseases, malnutrition and pneumonia following the devastating floods in Pakistan.

Save the Children's spokesman in Islamabad, Mohammed Qazilbash, said outbreaks of cholera and malaria are the biggest concern.

For generations, Cambodia's largest lake has been not just a source of livelihoood for families living on its shores, but an important food source for the rest of the country. But now, fishermen are worried about declining stocks, brought on by a range of man-made decisions. Al Jazeera's Harry Fawcett reports from the Tonle Sap lake in Cambodia.

Scientists have warned of the effect of global warming on rice yields, saying climate change will make it harder to feed the world's growing population.

A group of scientists studied records from 227 farms in six important rice-producing countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, India, and China and found out that the yields have fallen by 10-20% over the last 25 years in some locations, BBC reported on Monday.