| Stem cell trio honoured with Nobel Prize for medicine
Stockholm, Oct 8 (Xinhua) Martin Evans of Britain and Mario Capecchi and Oliver Smithies of the US have won the 2007 Nobel Prize for Medicine for their work on embryonic stem cell. The trio shared the prize for 'ground breaking discoveries concerning embryonic stem cells and DNA recombination in mammals,' according to the Nobel jury at the Karolinska Institute. The international team has made significant contributions to introducing genetic changes in mice using embryonic stem cells. The discoveries are used in all areas of biomedicine, from basic research to the development of new therapies, the institute said. The process has been used to determine why some diseases strike people at a cellular level, as well as models in mice that show how human disorders such as cardiovascular ailments, diabetes and cancer exist in, and strike, otherwise healthy people.
To rotate, click on the DNA molecule, hold down and drag.
DNA's double helix holds the key to life. The secret discovered by Watson and Crick in 1953 is that there are four possible types of rung on the ladder formed by the double helix. There are A-T rungs, where adenine bonds to thymine, T-A rungs where thymine bonds to adenine, C-G rungs where cytosine bonds to guanine, and G-C rungs where guanine bonds to cytosine. No other combinations are possible due to the shape of the four substances. The outer helices of the DNA molecule, coloured blue on our model, are made up of a chain of circular sugar molecules, each bearing a phospate group. Biochemists call the helices "the sugar-phosphate backbone". There are about 2.85 billion rungs on the ladder of human DNA. The initial letters of the rungs spell out the sequence of the human genome, the blueprint for each generation of new life.
Fire department report calls for sweeping change; coroner's report ...
Riley and attorneys representing the city have argued that the city can't be held responsible for alleged violations that are based on standards that have not been adopted into state law. The report also delves into fire protection issues in other city departments. For example, the panel recommends that the city's building inspectors work more closely with the fire department to check existing structures' fire code violations. The panel's report recommends that the fire department assign a liaison to coordinate with city building inspectors to reduce the risk of fires before firefighters have to respond. City Councilman Henry Fishburne said the report was another indication of the "major problems" that have existed in the fire department. "This all clearly indicates that the mayor's assertion is incorrect.
Wetting Her Appetite
New year-end columns on the top Human Nature stories and privacy threats of 2007. (For discussions of the latest topics, check out the Human Nature Fray.) Nearly half the doctors in a survey admitted to using placebos. These are pills that have no proven benefit relevant to your problem, but they might make you feel better just because you think they'll help. Sample: 231 Chicago internists. Results: 1) 45 percent said they've used placebos. 2) 96 percent said "placebos can have therapeutic effects." 3) "Most believe in the mind–body connection." Ancient doctor's attitude: I can't explain why this drug would help you, but it will. Modern doctor's attitude: I can't explain why this drug would help you, so it won't. New doctor's attitude: I can't explain why this drug would help you, but it will.
Thailand: a coup for democracy?
In Bangkok's drab grey concrete sprawl, the colour yellow has become loaded with political symbolism. Thais associate yellow with their revered king, Bhumibol Adulyadej, who in May 2006 staged lavish festivities to celebrate sixty years on the throne. By then it had also become the adopted colour of the 100,000-strong crowds that took to the streets in April demanding the resignation of prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. And on 19 September, yellow scarves and ribbons hung from the barrels of tanks, and from the rifles of the soldiers who were sent to throw him out. Striking swiftly under cover of darkness, Thai troops pulled off a textbook, bloodless coup d'état against Thaksin - but in the process they dragged one of Asia's liveliest democracies back to an era many Thais believed the country had long since left behind: one where men in uniform usurped constitutional authority at will.
Double amputee Oscar Pistorius banned from Olympics
AN athlete with no legs has been banned from this year's Olympic Games because he has a "significant advantage" over able-bodied competitors. South African double amputee Oscar Pistorius, who runs with carbon fibre blades attached to his legs, will not be allowed to compete in Beijing. A report commissioned by the International Association of Athletics Federations says the prosthetics used by Pistorius gave him an advantage over other runners. Last year, the IAAF amended its rules to ban the use of any technical device incorporating springs, wheels "or any other element that provides the user with an advantage over another athlete not using such a device". The IAAF's ruling council agreed that Pistorius should not be allowed to run in Beijing or in any other meeting sanctioned by the world governing body.
Who’s involved?
Former state representative whose switch from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party in January 2003 threw the state House into a 60-60 partisan deadlock. That eventually led to a co-speakership between Democrat Black and Republican Richard Morgan. Decker said he received $50,000 from Black and a job for his son in return for his vote for Black. Decker cooperated with federal authorities in the Jim Black investigation. * Kevin Geddings. Former lottery commissioner appointed by Black. He is serving a four-year federal prison sentence for failing to disclose a conflict of interest on his state ethics forms. Geddings did not report that he had received thousands of dollars in lottery consulting fees in the years leading up to his appointment. Geddings also received a suspended sentence and $500 fine in state court for violating state lobbying laws.
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