Dolly the Sheep pioneer decides to dump embryonic cloning
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The British scientist who created Dolly the Sheep is dumping cloning using embryos in favour of a rival method, which makes stem cells without them.Professor Ian Wilmut, of Edinburgh University, shot to fame, but also drew criticism from some religious groups and pro-life campaigners after being involved in the cloning of the first mammal from an adult cell in 1996.
However, now he has decided to switch to a method pioneered by Professor Shinya Yamanaka at Kyoto University, Japan, who has managed to create stem cells from fragments of skin in mice without using embryos.
Prof Wilmut said that the new technique was “easier to accept socially” than the therapeutic cloning process he helped to establish.
The new method does not entail the use of human embryos, negating an ethical concern mentioned by the religious right and others against the stem-cell research.
“I decided a few weeks ago not to pursue nuclear transfer [the method by which Dolly was cloned],” the Scotsman quoted him, as saying.
Some scientists say that the overall success rate of the method used on Dolly the Sheep is too inefficient to be used in humans, particularly given the difficulties of obtaining eggs.
However, Prof Wilmut’s decision will come as a blow to scientists who believe that the use of embryos to create stem cells is the best way to develop treatments for serious medical conditions, such as stroke, heart disease and Parkinson’s disease. (ANI)
A daily drink or two may be hearts patients’ elixir of life
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A new study has found that a drink or two daily protects those who survive a heart attack from having another. Previous studies have shown the benefits of moderate alcohol consumption in preventing heart disease, but this is the first study to prove that alcohol is advantageous for heart patients as well.
The study, carried out by researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, found that continuing to drink after a heart attack cuts the risk of death from heart disease by almost 40 per cent.
Tests showed that those who gave up alcohol after their first heart attack were 4.5 times more likely to die from heart disease than non drinkers of long standing, reports the Daily Mail.
However, long-term abstainers were still worse off than moderate drinkers after their first heart attack, the researchers said.
They added that long-term abstainers were around 20 per cent more likely to have another heart failure or a stroke needing hospital treatment than moderate drinkers.
Researcher Dr Imre Janszky said that wine and spirits emerged to be protective but beer boosted the risk of heart attacks by about 50 per cent.
Dr Janszky and his colleagues used the entire Swedish population of Stockholm County aged between 44 to 70 years as the basis of their research.
The study is published in the European Heart Journal. (ANI)
Environment, not genes, plays key role in kids’ readiness for school
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A new study has found that a child’s readiness for school is greatly dependant on the environment they come from and not just their genetics. In one of the first studies of its kind, researchers used twins to access the level of school readiness focusing on both environmental and genetic factors.
According to researchers at Laval University, the University of Montreal, and the University of Quebec at Montreal, the findings suggest that intervention could help boost readiness in vulnerable youngsters.
For the study, researchers assessed 420 pair of 5-year old twins. They looked at four measures of school readiness such as identifying colours and shapes, answering questions about position, size and order of item, identifying numbers and counting and identifying letters and writing. Two years later, the children’s teachers were asked to rate the twins’ school achievement.
They found that while genetic factors played a role in the children’s core abilities, the environment shared by the twins of the same family remained the most important factor overall.
Environmental factors include family resources and income, parents’ behaviour with respect to learning, and childcare experiences.
Both genetic and environmental factors were found to influence the association between children’s school readiness and later school achievement, the researchers said.
“Our results have important implications for preventive interventions,” said Michel Boivin, Canada Research Chair in Child Social Development and professor of psychology at Laval University in Quebec City and one of the study’s authors.
“They should be seen as a further incentive for continued implementation and evaluation of preventive intervention programs aimed at improving the level of school readiness in children from at-risk families,” she added.
The study is published in the November/December 2007 issue of the journal Child Development. (ANI)
Frequently Asked Questions On Hepatitis C
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What conditions outside the liver are associated with hepatitis C?
Several conditions outside the liver are associated with hepatitis C. These conditions are not common. Cryoglobulinemia is the condition most widely described. The condition occurs due to the abnormal antibodies presence that comes from hepatitis c virus stimulation of lymphocytes.
Inflammation of vessels in tissues throughout the body occurs due to the deposition of antibodies in small blood vessels.
Cryoglobulinemia symptoms include joint pain, weakness, swelling, skin rash, legs and feet swelling due to protein loss in the urine and nerve pain.
With special test, diagnosis of the disease can be done.
Cryoglobulins are identified in the test when the blood sample is exposed to the cold.
Treatment of hepatitis C infection can cure cryoglobulinemia.
B-cell non-hodgkin’s lymphoma, which is a cancer of the lymph tissue, has also been associated with hepatitis C virus. Due to the excessive stimulation by the hepatitis C virus of B-lymphocytes, abnormal reproduction of the lymphocytes can result. Anti-cancer therapies are required for high grade non-hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Lichen planus and porphyria cutanea tarde are also associated with hepatitis C virus. These conditions can be cured with interferon therapy.
How liver damage occur in hepatitis C infection?
The liver damage does not occur directly by the hepatitis virus. The virus level in the blood does not correlate with actual damage seen on liver biopsy.
Liver damage in hepatitis C may occur due to the interplay between virus and immune system of the body, which includes cytotoxic lymphocytes and specific inflammatory messengers.
What is the risk of hepatitis C virus spreading from mother to child?
Out of 100 children, 4 children will get hepatitis C infection from mother who is infected. The infection spreads at the time of birth and there is no treatment to prevent this. Newborns infected with the virus have no symptoms and do well during childhood.
There is no clear evidence that hepatitis C can be spread through breastfeeding. If you are taking drugs for this disease, it may not be safe during breastfeeding.
How can a person protect themselves from getting hepatitis C virus?
Do not share tooth brushes, razors, and other personal care articles. Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and hepatitis B. before getting a tattoo or body piercing, consider the health risks. The virus can spread from sex, but not occur very often. Use latex condoms correctly and every time you participate in sex.
Who should receive antiviral therapy for hepatitis C virus?
Any person with hepatitis C infection is a candidate for antiviral therapy. The therapy is recommended for the people who are at greater risk of developing cirrhosis.
People should not be treated with antiviral therapy if they are using alcohol or illicit drugs, low blood count, major depression, autoimmune disease, thyroid gland disease and serious medical conditions like uncontrolled blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.
Body Language in Everyday Life
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From the moment we see a person, we begin to form opinion about them. Your body language plays a huge role in giving people the initial impression about you. The expression on your face, the posture you have, the eye contact, the hand gestures you sue etc give a lot of impression about you to others. Interpreting body language is in built in us and we all do it subconsciously all throughout our life.
1. Face
Face is the mirror of emotions that erupt in your mind. If you are tensed then you will be indifferent, and uninterested. You can break this, by having a smile on your face. Smile is the biggest tool that can break the ice when you meet new people. A smiling face will give the impression that you are approachable, open, friendly and confident.
2. Eyes
Eyes also show the feelings we are going through. Stare shows your intensity. It could be a romantic intensity, fear or even aggression. Avoiding eye contact shows your nervousness, guilt or shyness. If you are neither gazing neither averting your eye contact it shows that you are at ease and interested.
3. Hands
Hand gestures are very expressive form of communication. Open gestures show that you are an open person and sincere in your work. Using your finger to draw attention to a point, or drawing your hands close together can be used to stress a point. If used in a moderate amount, they can be used to show that you are energetic and sincere in your work. Too many gestures will be interpreted as you having a nervous persona. Whereas gestures such as touching your sleeves, face etc will show that you are tensed and nervous and sometime people may take that as an indication of you being a cheat.
4. Posture
The way you carry yourself, stand , sit conveys a lot about yourself. It particularly tells about the level of self confidence you possess. If you lean towards someone, it shows your interest in what he/she is saying. By leaning away from them you show that you are not interested in that person. If our self esteem is low it reflects in our body language in the way that our shoulders stop and our head also slumps. When we are in an aggressive mode our body gestures become prominent. The best alternative is to have a relaxed body language.
Your posture will give others indications if you are interested and attentive to an issue. It also tells what position you hold in the group that is discussion a particular issue.
In conclusion, it is our face, eyes, hands and posture that altogether speak a lot than our words. It gives hints to others as to what kind of a person we are, what attitude we have, and the level of self confidence we possess. Being conscious of the body language we display is good – in that we can correct any negative messages that we are giving out. Simple techniques like smiling, constant eye contact, open hand gestures, and a positive posture will help us give a positive impression to others.
Article Source: Body Language