ADELAIDE (Australia) - THERE is mounting evidence to support the existence of a new syndrome afflicting heavy cannabis users, after the world's first cases were found in South Australia said a report on Monday.

The condition "cannabinoid hyperemesis" was first identified in a group of about 20 heavy drug users in the Adelaide hills in 2004, and a new case has recently emerged in the US.

SYDNEY - WHALE research can and should be done without killing the marine mammals, Australia's environment minister said on Monday, taking a swipe at Japan's annual whale hunt as he opened an international workshop on whale study.

Thirteen countries are represented at the four-day workshop, designed to identify knowledge gaps about whale populations and draft a plan for a research partnership among nations.

ROCKPORT (Texas) - WILDLIFE managers are worried that some of the whooping cranes wintering at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge may be too weak and malnourished to successfully make their return to Canada this season.

The drought has affected the flock that spends each winter on the Texas Gulf Coast. The birds have had trouble finding food because low water levels have decreased the number of blue crabs, which make up 85 per cent of the endangered species' diet.