Calls for a UK pets Blood service

Leading vets have called for a UK pet blood service which could potentially save thousands of pets lives a year.

In March 2007, the first pet blood bank was started for dogs in Loughborough, but it is hoped to start a similiar service for cats.

Porton Down Science Park

This is an area of 22,000 sq ft of Laboratory and office space on a former government site.

Light-activated antibodies could kill cancer cells

The idea, is a patient is injected with antibodies coated wih a light sensitive shell, then doctors shine ultraviolet light to activate the antibodies which attracts the T cells which attacks the tumour.

Safety trials could take another 10 years.

Mrc Laboratory of Molecular Biology(lmb)29 oct 2007

Associated with 13 Nobel Prizes and University of Cambridge, they are looking for 20-30 graduate students to join.

Applications by 4 January 2008.

details http://www2.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk/projects

405 old ocean quahog found off Iceland

Caught off the eastern coast of Iceland, it was born when Elizabeth I had only one more year to reign.

An ocean quahog is a type of mollusc.

It is hoped that studies of these creatures will reveal the secrets of longevity.

Organic fruits and vegetables possibly better for you

A £12million study into organic food has found that organic fruit and vegetables can have as much as 40% higher antioxidants than non-organic greens as well as more Vitamin C, copper, iron and zinc.

The study also found organic milk has 90% higher levels antioxidants as well as Vitamin E and Omega-3.

The organic market is worth £2billion a year.

Interlab Forum

http://www.interlabforum.co.uk/

This site has links to some scientific agencies websites in the uk like cefas,FERA(the food and environment research agency),HPA(health protection agency),health and safety laboratory as well as the veterinary laboratories agency.
Over 9,000 scientists etc are associated with this forum.

Uk government to vaccinate girls against HPV

It will start in September 2008 costing £100 million annually.
Human Papilloma Virus(HPV) causes cervical cancer, the virus has about 100 strains.
The virus also causes cancer of the mouth.

Ohio bioscience career fair

To be held on November 27 2007 in the Columbus area.

Teagasc

Teagasc in Ireland are searching for 30 scientists.

email recruit@teagasc.ie for more details

Cancer Research looking for graduate students

They are looking for graduate students to join research projects into cancer at three sites.

Following websites give details.

www.cambridgecancer.org.uk/jobs/ph/

www.london-research-institue.co.uk/rijobs/jobsphd

www.beatson.gla.ac.uk

Double Helix discoverer James Watson to retire

He is to retire from being chancellor of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York State,USA after making remarks about how africans were less intelligent.

Twins conceived by new fertility method

Twins, one boy one girl were born last week using a method called in vitro maturattion(IVM).
It involves collecing immature eggs from the ovaries.
Over about 48 hours, they are matured in a laboratory after which a single sperm cell is inserted.
The costs are lower because fewer drugs are used.
About 400 babies have been conceived using this method.

Gene linked to ageing in mice

Male mice without a gene called IRS-1 lived 20% longer.
Female mice without the gene lived 30% longer.
The mice also had brighter eyes and healthier bones and skin.
IRS-1 regulates the function of insulin

Anti-cancer drink possibly to be avaible soon.

The herb curcumin has been turned into a drink by Isreali researchers.

Mega.4

Molecular Evolutionary Genetic analysis software is software that helps to do genetic data analysises.

First nuclear gene sequenced from Neanderthals

Researchers sequenced the FOXP2 gene which is idential to the one found in modern humans.

It is believed that the FOXP2 gene is related to speech.

Potential malaria vaccine

Called RTS,S/ASO2,infants in Mozambique injected with this vaccine were 65% less likely to get infected with plasmodium falciparum, the infants were also 35% less likely to get malaria.

Fertility hormone injections a waste

Such injection given to boost a woman's chances of pregnancy could be a waste of time and money, so a study suggests.

The injections cause the ovaries to overproduce eggs,increase chances of twins and risk of birth defects.

The study, involving 503 women suggests IVF gets women pregnant more easily.

Phrase II Hapmap

It has 3.1 million SNPs genotyped from 270 individuals.

Almost 33,000 recombination hotspots were found.

WWF says Antarctica should be protected areas.

WWF says this will protect biodiversity, calling for a network of marine protected areas for at least 10% of the Southern Ocean by 2012.

Already there are declines in bird populations

Genetic contraception

In about 10 year time, a genetic contraceptive may be avaible using RNA interference,it would block the ZP3 gene which produces a protein vital for sperm to achieve fertilisation.

Daily sex improves quality of sperm cells

Genetic defects in sperm cells fell by a considerate amount, a study of 42 men suggests, when the affected men engaged in daily sexual activity, genetic defects fell on average by about 12%.

Ebola virus may be more deadly than thought

Two strains of the Ebola virus possibly originating in 1976 have been discovered.

The two strains are the result of recombination. something that has not been seen before in filoviruses.

GM arabidopsis break down RDX

Arabidopsis plants with GM enzymes XP1A AND XP1B reduced RDX rom soil by about 97% in 1 week.

Rabbit gene help clean polluted soil

A rabbit gene inserted into GM poplars produces an enzyme called cytochromo P450 at a faster rate than normal poplars.

This enzyme removed 91% of a chemical called trichloroethylene, breaking it down into harmless products like salt.

Chlamydia also affects men's fertility

Doctors examinned sperm cells from 143 men with chlamydia and found the men were 3 times more likely to have fragmented DNA than fertile men and 80% more likely to have sperm with physical defects.

A course of antibiotics reduced the DNA damage in the men's sperm by about 35%

Statins and Alzheimer's

Statins,use to lower cholestrol, may also lower the risk of Alzheimer's, suggests research at University of Wisconsin

Softgenetics

This company provides computer software for genetic analysis.

Genemarker(R) and other programmes which help analyses work with genes.

Southampton Science Park, Hampshire

Located a mile from the M3 motorway and 1 hour from London, this science park has companies like BskyB, Merck and Promega.

Possible H5N1 Bird flu vaccine developed

Teams , including a European one have developed a possible vaccine or H5N1 bird flu.

It uses an ajducant.

Thailand Science Park enters second phrase

Construction might start this month and finish in 2010.

It is expected to cost 2 Billion baht, and comprise 72,000 square metres.

1,001 Inventions to open in Glasgow october 2007

Opening at Glasgow Science Centre on October 24 2007, this exhibition will cover inventions from the Islamic world.

Coffee,astronomy,atlases,chemistry, ountain penns and the camera obscura will possibly be among the Islamic inventions that will be at the exhibitionn.

http://www.glasgowsciencecentre.org/

telephone 0871 540 1000

The cost of pollution in Canada

It costs the Canadian health system about$9billion,1.5 million hospital stays and 25,000 deaths a year.

Genetic test for osteoarthritis

A genetic test to reveal a person's risk of developing osteoarthritis could be avaible in 3 years time if a 2-years study successfully identifies the genes responible.

A genetic test could cost less than £10.

It is also hoped that a genetic test will influence people's lifestyle choices that will help to prevent the onset of osteoarthritis.

11,000 years old art found in Syria

Found at a neolithic site called Djade Al Mughara on the Euphrates, it looks like a modern art piece.

Hermatite, limestone and charcoal was used to made the art.

Interesting ideas for energy saving devices

A device could be invented that put in front of an air conditioner that could generate/store electricity.

A device that can generate electricity by both wind and solar power.

Don't know if such a device exists.

Hopes for jatropa biofuel in India

Some Indian researchers are hoping that jatropa seed oil will provide a biofuel, so India will import less petroleum

Greening buildings cools the insides of buildings

People could turn down the air conditioning on hot days if a building has leafy walls and roofs.

Green surfaces absord less heat and evaporation of water from plants also cools a building.

Suspected tyrannosaurus footprints found

Found in the Hell Creek rock formation in Montana, these footprints date about 63 million years ago.

More excavations of the site might take place next week.

Chemicals may lead to cure for Huntington's

One, C2-8 may prevent built up of protein which causes Huntington's disease.

FURTHER RESEARCH IS NEEDED

British Scientist awarded a Nobel Prize

Sir Martin Evans,whose research led to the creation of `knockout' mice has receive a Nobel Prize for his work.

`knockout' mice develope with modified genes tthat cause diseases, such as cystic fibrosis or cancer,giving researchers valuable insights into such diseases.

Elephants are scared of bees

Elephants turn tail at the sound of a swarm of bees.

It has been suggested that farmers could use this to prevent elephants damaging their crops.

(Perhaps it could also be used to prevent attacks on humans)

Science search on Google book search

Type`science' in Google book search and you get almost 2 million results.

cavalli-sforza etc etc

New quantum computer material

Scientists at Florida state University have discovered a new material which could make quantum computers possible.

Methadone linked to scottish deaths

Nearly a quarter of all scottish drug related deaths were linked to methadone in 2006.

Research has shown that drug-free centres for addicts are more effective at reduceing drug use.

www.ecfun.eu

Children can ask scientists any questions they want on this website.

http://www.ecfun.eu/

New gene linked to breast cancer

A gene called HMMR interacts with BRCA1, a gene also linked with breast cancer.

A mutation of HMMR is present in about 10 % of people.

Hearing difficulties linked to cot death/SIDS

A surge of blood from the placenta, which is supposed to help babies start breathing.

In some cases, this damages the inner ear.

It is possible some ear cells have a secondary as an early warning system that oxygen levels have fallen in the baby's blood

First synthetic chromosone created

Made by a team led Craig Venter, the controversial genetist, it has 381 genes and 580,000 base pairs.

More science teachers needed in Britain

A review by Lord Sainsbury says they has been a 20-year decline in pupils taking A-levels physics, caused by a lack of physics teachers.

Encouraging more pupils to take physics as a subject in schools is seen by the British Government as crucial to economic success.

£8million will be spend over 3 years on training teachers in physics.

72 years-old grandfather is to be sperm donor

However there is some concern from some quarters about the sperm donor age because of genetic mutations hat will have accumulate during a 72 years-old lifetime,normally the maximium age for sperm donors is 45.

The grandfather wants to help his son to have a child.

Solexa Genome analyzer system

Unveiled in New Zealand, it is claimed to be extremely fast.

No need for clones?

H5N1 has mutated

This mutation has appeared in Europe and Africa.

It can infect people more easily.

They is also evidence of person-to-person transmission in Indonesia.

UPDATE(3 September 2011):mutations to h5n1 virus has been reported in areas like Vietnam and Cambodia.
The next  few weeks may be crucial in seeing whether there are new outbreaks in poultry and/or humans as infected birds fly south from Siberia.
Search Amazon.com for h5n1 flu

Engineered viruses could kill cancer

The viruses would exploit a molecular switch called CD40 to kill off cancer cells.

Tests will begin in 18 months time on patients.

Science Jobs on Google Job search; 3 October 2007

Today there are 3,370 jobs avaible.

India's smallest frog found

A new species of frog, whose males are 10-14 millimetres has been found.

Named nyctibatrachus minimus was found in the Shola forests of Kerala's Western Ghats.

The western Ghats are considered one of the world's biodiversity hotspots.

Stem cells for Safer Medicine

This intitive will use over £1million to turn stem cells into liver tissue.
This could be used during early stages of drug development to find out which compounds are harmful.

This research could cut down on animal experiments.

Partners in project include Astra-Zeneca and GSK

Neanderthals once lived in the Altai region of Siberia

Genetic testing of 3 bone fragments ound in the Altai region of Siberia have determinated tthat they are from Neanderthals.

They also reached the same conclusion about the child's remains at Teshik-Tash in Uzbekistan.

`Sea snakes' could produce power

Engineers are hoping to open the first commercial wavefarm 3 miles off Agucadoura in Portugal.

3 `sea snakes', each as long as a commuter train will produce electricity which will go into the national grid.

The machines were built by Pelamis wave power.

300 of these machines could light up 350,000 homes.

H5N1 deady effects on body tissues

The H5N1 flu virus can invade brain,liver an blood cells.

It can also cross the mother-fetal barrier killing the fetus.

2.5 Billion years old oxygen found

Analysis of sedimentary rock rom the Hamersley Basin, Western Australia found 2.5 billion years old oxygen.