Britain Govt approves test of Driverless Cars on Public Roads

The British government gave the go-ahead to test driverless cars on public roads Wednesday in a bid to take an international lead in the development of the new technology.

Companies wishing to conduct tests in the country are not limited to the test track or certain geographical areas, do not need to obtain certificates or permits, and are not required to provide a surety bond, said the country’s transport department, Xinhua reported.

“Driverless cars are the future. I want Britain to be at the forefront of this exciting new development, to embrace a technology that could transform our roads, and open up a brand new route for global investment,” said Transport Minister Claire Perry.

Real-world testing of automated technologies is allowed, providing a test driver is present and takes responsibility for the safe operation of the vehicle; and that the vehicles are used in compliance with road traffic laws, according to the government’ s announcement.

The British government will publish a code of practice in the spring of 2015, and review and amend domestic regulations by summer 2017 to accommodate driverless vehicle technology, it added.

The US was the first country to introduce legislation to permit automated vehicles testing, but only four states have done this.

Source URL : Online News in English

New Drug for Binge eating Disorder approves by US

 

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a drug to treat moderate to severe binge eating disorder (BED) in adults – a first of its kind prescription drug specifically indicated for BED.

The new drug lisdexamfetamine dimesylate will be available under the brand name Vyvanse, the US-based The Obesity Society (TOS) said in a statement.

“TOS has long supported new tools to assist with treating obesity. Given that if untreated, BED has shown in some people to lead to reduced long-term success in behavioural weight-loss programmes and following bariatric surgery, this new tool may prove useful in the obesity treatment setting,” said Martin Binks, TOS secretary treasurer and associate professor of nutritional sciences at Texas Tech University.

BED is an eating disorder that affects only a portion of those with the medical disease obesity.

While as many as 30 percent of people seeking obesity treatment may report some degree of binge eating, those who meet clinical criteria for BED are likely to represent only 7-10 percent of all obesity treatment seekers.

“It is important to consider treating BED in the context of other treatments specifically targeting obesity,” said Susan L McElroy, TOS member who specialises in both obesity and BED treatment.

Vyvanse is approved for treating BED, but it is not approved for weight-loss or obesity treatment and should not be considered a replacement for this treatment, he pointed out.

“For the subset of people with obesity who also have binge eating disorder the availability of this new, safe and effective tool to treat BED may provide some long-awaited support,” said McElroy.

Source URL : http://www.vishwagujarat.com/international/us-approves-new-drug-for-binge-eating-disorder/