The Food and Drug Administration has determined that meat and milk from cloned animals and their offspring is safe to consume, following a seven year study. Congress and some consumer groups are pushing for more testing, while smaller companies who are using the technology welcome the news.
News Items
15 Jan 2008 |
U.S. Dominance in Science at Risk, Report Says
Every two years, the National Science Board analyzes the health of the United States science and technology enterprise. In addition to measuring a variety of economic indicators, the board examines the effectiveness of science and math education at all levels, from K-12 to adults. This report is an important tool for policymakers and the public alike because of state-based, national, and international scope.
The news for 2008 is mixed. While the US still maintains a strong economic advantage versus other countries, this lead is weakening. In 2002 the US trade balance in advanced technology products shifted from surplus to deficit. Our economy is increasingly becoming reliant on foreign workers, particularly those from southeast Asia, where economic growth is robust.
Federal investment in academic research is expected to decline for the third year in a row, the first time this has happened since 1982.
On the education front, the US continues to lag behind other countries in science and math education. Education is obviously an important element of a country's ability to sustain a robust science and technology enterprise.
On the good side, a 2006 study revealed that nearly 90% of Americans support government funding for research. In fact 41% of those polled feel the government does not spend enough on basic research.
A very user-friendly version of the report can be found here: http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/digest08/nsb0802.pdf
08 Jan 2008 |
Grass Makes Better Ethanol than Corn Does
Much attention has been given to biofuels derived from renewable plant sources, like corn. A new study from the USDA, though, suggests that there is great potential in growing plain old grass. Switchgrass, a perennial grass native to North America, may yield as much as 5 times the energy required to plant, cultivate, and process it into fuel (ethanol). This number looks pretty impressive compared to corn, which is estimated to yield only 25% more energy. Researchers pointed out, though, that a direct comparison of energy yield between the two energy sources is not quite apples to apples - as explained in this second article.
15 Dec 2007 |
Key Gene Linked to Parkinson Disease
Researchers at Northwestern University and the National Institutes of Health have uncovered a major clue in the underlying cause of Parkinson disease. Affecting more than 1% of those over 60 years of age, Parkinson disease results from the death of a special class of neurons in an area of the brain known as the midbrain. The recent study showed that a particular gene is critical to the life of these neurons, and that robust expression of the gene can actually trigger the growth of new neurons. The Northwestern group was led by neurology department assistant professor Raj Awatramani.
20 Nov 2007 |
Embryonic stem cells made without embryos
Two groups of researchers have developed a breakthrough method to create stem cells that behave like embryonic stem cells -- without using embryos. The feat was accomplished by inserting four genes into ordinary skin cells. The genes are believed to have reset the cells' developmental clock to an early, embryonic-like stage.
While the discovery was welcomed by both embryonic stem cell critics and proponents alike, scientists cautioned that work on stem cells derived from embryos will need to continue. The new cells' true potential is promising, but untested. There is also the issue of safety, as one of the genes used to reprogram the skin cells is know to be associated with certain cancers.
The research teams are from Japan and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
27 Jun 2007 |
3 Questions for Al Gore: His Green Home, the Future of Ethanol and More
Popular Mechanics has a short video interview with Al Gore, where he discusses "green" modifications to his personal home, and the push for ethanol-based fuels.
21 Jun 2007 |
Bush Vetoes Stem Cell Bill
For the second time in his presidency, George Bush has vetoed a bill that would broaden federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. Currently federal funds can only be used to conduct research on a very limited number of cell lines, approximately 20, created before August 9, 2001. Stem cell research is widely believed to be the most promising avenue for treating diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and Parkinson's disease.
The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 was designed to support research on stem cells which were derived from surplus embryos created in the course of fertility treatment. Conservative estimates put the number of surplus embryos in the United States at more than 400,000 and growing.
Some states have pushed ahead with state-based funding for research, including California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Illinois. But state-based funding is a less than ideal substitute for federal funding, both in terms of dollars invested and coordinated oversight.
President Bush's veto comes in the face of strong public support for stem cell research. An April 2007 ABC news poll found that 68% of Americans support federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.
10 Jun 2007 |
Northwestern Researchers Find Drug That Rejuvenates Neurons to Protect Against Parkinson's Disease
Researchers in Northwestern's Feinberg School of Medicine have identified a promising drug in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's is one of the most prevalent and devastating neurologic diseases worldwide, affecting more than half a million people in the United States alone, with 50,000 new cases annually.
The most promising angle of this story is that the drug identified as effective in protecing mice against Parkinson's, isradipine, is already being used in humans to treat high blood pressure and stroke. A human clinical study is the next step to validate the results found in the mouse.
19 May 2007 |
Canada mom freezes eggs so daughter can have child
A mother has chosen to freeze her own eggs for possible use for her infertile daughter, to preserve her fertility options. The scenario, if the daughter chooses to use the eggs, would result in the daughter giving birth to her half-sister. Egg freezing is a relatively new option for women; it is unclear whether the eggs will survive 15-20 years in the freezer, until the daughter reaches typical childbearing age.
The daughter’ infertility is a result of Turner’s syndrome, a genetic condition in which a female is born with only one X chromosome. Females normally have two X chromosomes, while males have one X and one Y chromosome.
19 May 2007 |
Sudden sea level surges threaten 1 billion
Nearly one-quarter of the world’s population lives at altitudes less than 100 feet above sea level. With climate change being blamed for creating more intense tropical storms (storm surges often registering in the 20 to 50-foot range), there is a general call for better preparation in case of a natural disaster.
