Tuesday, March 21, 2006. 11:01pm (AEDT)


Vietnamese scientists to develop generic Tamiflu
Vietnamese scientists say they have successfully extracted a key
substance from a local spice plant to make a generic version of
Tamiflu, the drug used to treat the deadly H5N1 virus.

The scientists say they used star anise - a native plant typically
used to flavour food - to extract shikimic acid, the industrial key
ingredient in oseltamivir phosphate as the antiviral drug is
generically known.

New power line technology to transform Internet, TV
services

(VNS)- With the ushering in of some cutting-edge
communications technologies, Viet Nam is preparing to
make a quantum leap in Internet and television
quality.