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POPSJane Goodall: We Need A New Mindset "We should admit that the infliction of suffering on beings who are capable of feeling is ethically problematic and that the amazing human brain should set to work to find new ways of testing and experimenting that will not involve the use of live, sentient beings." "Her call comes as the European Commission prepares to publish draft legislation to update the EU’s animal experiments directive (Directive 86/609 EEC). The existing law is out of date (over 20 years old), with hundreds of thousands of animals currently receiving no protection at all." "Dr Goodall was joined by biomedical researchers, MEPs and animal protectionists at a Replace Animal Experiments in Europe event in Brussels. Event organisers, the Dr Hadwen Trust for Humane Research and the Humane Society International (HSI), are spearheading a campaign to accelerate European efforts to replace animal experiments with more ethical and reliable methods."
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POPSIdentical twins lead to leukaemia breakthrough
The twins have been crucial to the new research, as they are genetically identical but one has developed cancer whereas the other has not. The scientists found that the girls’ blood contains genetically abnormal cells known as pre-leukaemic cells. These were formed by a mutation known as translocation, in which two genes fuse to create an abnormal new one. This random event happened in a single cell in one of the twins while they were still in the womb. As the twins shared a placenta, the original mutant’s daughter cells populated the blood of both sisters. The discovery will help doctors to monitor Isabella, and children like her, so that further genetic damage in her pre-leukaemic stem cells is caught early. By the time she is 14, her pre-leukaemic stem cells should have died naturally. “Pre-leukaemic cells are still evident, so the sword of Damocles is still hanging there,” Dr Ancliff said. “Hopefully, we will see them disappear.” (Times)
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POPSFirstborn Children Are the Cleverest Be sure to read the rest of the article; it is quite fascinating. It's also interesting to note that one of the related articles listed on the side is titled "Smarter People Are No Better Off"!
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POPSBiosphere 2 Sold to Home Developer...but read on... The University of Arizona may lease the terrarium for large-scale climate experiments. azcentral adds: "Pinal County Supervisor Lionel Ruiz, whose district includes the Biosphere 2 land, said the development will be good for the area but must be approached cautiously and be well-planned. "I don't want to see just a whole bunch of rooftops from Tucson all the way to Oracle," he said. "We want to see sustained communities and some open spaces and wildlife corridors. Like anything else, if they come in with proper plans, it'll make it a plus." I like the way this guy thinks!
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POPSThis is your life (and how you tell it) I absolutely agree with this. The research that I do is heavily focused on personal narratives and subjective experiences. I want first-hand knowledge of their 'first-hand' knowledge.
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POPSTermites are actually social cockroaches: study DNA analysis reveals some unexpected relationships among animals, including this startling discovery: The order Isoptera is no more--termites are now more properly classified as members of Order Blattodea, along with the cockroaches. Remarkable creatures, all.
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POPSExecutable Biology: Computer Science Sheds Light on Animal Development A new approach to creating biological models reveals much more about cellular processes than traditional biological models. The research scientists are excited because they will be able to save laboratory time and resources for their best leads as to how biological systems respond to variation. This could be a real boon to cancer research.
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POPSWonder cancer herb found in Mabira forest reserve in Uganda
" The director for Research -Natural Chemotherapeutics Research Laboratory at the Ministry of health Grace Nambatya Kyeyune on Wednesday that the bark of the plant can also be used as an afrodisiac for men who suffer partial impotence. " It is also known to boost the human immune system and can be used as painkiller," Dr Nambatya said." "The high demand for the plant on the international market is threatening its existence in Africa and Uganda is lucky to have it even if it's in protected areas according to NFA." " Prunus africana is just one of the species of flora in Mabira central forests reserve, a medium altitude moist semi-deciduous forest and the biggest single natural forest block remaining in the central region of Uganda is endowed with." "Mr Mapesa revealed that, "Mabira central forest reserve also has wild robusta coffee, dioscoria tubers, yams and other plants whose economic importance is still under investigation and must therefore not be lost".
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POPSElectronic Text Center A real gem for the serious literary scholar or just aficionado. It takes a little getting used to. So just browse to your heart's content
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POPSMath Behind Ancient Islamic Tile Patterns Decoded When Peter J. Lu traveled to Uzbekistan, he had no idea of the mathematical journey that he was about to embark on as well. See the full research article as published in Science . It's a wonderful example of original, multidisciplinary academic research bridging history and mathematics that happens to force us to re-think the sophistication of ancient geometrical knowledge. When Lu looked at photographs of Islamic buildings, he found that he could break the patterns on their surfaces up into the same shapes, even though the shapes often weren't immediately visible. "I couldn't sleep for days," he said. "I skipped Christmas break to work on it."
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