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| News Briefs - November-December - Page 1 |
Two Biological Parents =
Fewer Problems for Kids
Children have fewer behavioral
problems in school or at home
when they are raised by both
biological parents. They are also
five times less likely to repeat a
grade and are more cooperative
and understanding of the feelings
of other people. These were
findings of the Mapping America
project.—LifeSiteNews.com
(reported in Creation, Sept-Nov.,
2009)
Kangaroo and Human Genes
are Similar
Although kangaroos and humans
are not thought to be closely
related by secular scientists, an
Australian science group has
found the 20,000 genes in the
kangaroo (about the same
number as in people) are “largely
the same” as those in humans. In
fact, a lot of the genes are in the
same order, according to a report
in an Australian newspaper. This
finding was a surprise to
evolutionist scientists who have
long touted the similarity in human
and chimp DNA as proof of a
close physical relationship. — The
Australian (reported in Creation,
Sept.-Nov., 2009)
Fewer Problems for Kids
Children have fewer behavioral
problems in school or at home
when they are raised by both
biological parents. They are also
five times less likely to repeat a
grade and are more cooperative
and understanding of the feelings
of other people. These were
findings of the Mapping America
project.—LifeSiteNews.com
(reported in Creation, Sept-Nov.,
2009)
Kangaroo and Human Genes
are Similar
Although kangaroos and humans
are not thought to be closely
related by secular scientists, an
Australian science group has
found the 20,000 genes in the
kangaroo (about the same
number as in people) are “largely
the same” as those in humans. In
fact, a lot of the genes are in the
same order, according to a report
in an Australian newspaper. This
finding was a surprise to
evolutionist scientists who have
long touted the similarity in human
and chimp DNA as proof of a
close physical relationship. — The
Australian (reported in Creation,
Sept.-Nov., 2009)
Adult Stem Cells Repair
Damaged Corneas
Damage to the cornea of the eye
is a leading cause of blindness.
However, researchers at the U. of
New South Wales in Australia
have now found a way to use
adult stem cells to repair
damaged corneas in 3 patients.
Taking stem cells from the
corneas of the undamaged eyes,
the scientists cultured them on
contact lenses which were then
placed on the damaged corneas.
After 10 days, the stem cells had
colonized the corneas and
produced transparent corneal
tissue. All three patients showed
notable visual improvement. —
Science Daily (reported in
Creation, Sept-Nov, 2009)
Cigar Firms Suffer
Cigar companies are suffering not
just from the recession but also
from smoking bans and hikes in
taxes on tobacco. The Cigar
Association of America says
companies are laying off workers
and cutting back. This year at
least 34 states are considering
some 100 bills that would increase
tobacco taxes even more. — www.
usatoday.com (7/29/09)
New HIV Strain
Discovered in Gorillas
A new strain of HIV has been
discovered, for the first time in
gorillas. The main source of
human infections, HIV-1,
originated from a virus in
chimpanzees. However,
researchers recently found an HIV
infection in a Cameroonian
woman which is clearly linked to a
gorilla strain, Nature magazine
reports. One researcher though
believes current drugs might still
help combat the effects of the new
HIV. — BBC News (8/3/09)
Damaged Corneas
Damage to the cornea of the eye
is a leading cause of blindness.
However, researchers at the U. of
New South Wales in Australia
have now found a way to use
adult stem cells to repair
damaged corneas in 3 patients.
Taking stem cells from the
corneas of the undamaged eyes,
the scientists cultured them on
contact lenses which were then
placed on the damaged corneas.
After 10 days, the stem cells had
colonized the corneas and
produced transparent corneal
tissue. All three patients showed
notable visual improvement. —
Science Daily (reported in
Creation, Sept-Nov, 2009)
Cigar Firms Suffer
Cigar companies are suffering not
just from the recession but also
from smoking bans and hikes in
taxes on tobacco. The Cigar
Association of America says
companies are laying off workers
and cutting back. This year at
least 34 states are considering
some 100 bills that would increase
tobacco taxes even more. — www.
usatoday.com (7/29/09)
New HIV Strain
Discovered in Gorillas
A new strain of HIV has been
discovered, for the first time in
gorillas. The main source of
human infections, HIV-1,
originated from a virus in
chimpanzees. However,
researchers recently found an HIV
infection in a Cameroonian
woman which is clearly linked to a
gorilla strain, Nature magazine
reports. One researcher though
believes current drugs might still
help combat the effects of the new
HIV. — BBC News (8/3/09)
Stem Cells and Injuries
A team of undergraduates from
John Hopkins U. say they have
found a method of easily
embedding a person’s own stem
cells into surgical thread. They
say they believe this procedure
may help improve healing and
prevent re-injury especially in
patients recovering from
orthopedic injuries such as
ruptured ligaments and tendons.
The students said it would not
change the way surgeons repair
the injury, and there should be no
rejection problems.—yahoo
news/HealthDay (7/24/09)
Respect for the Spleen
The lowly human spleen is no
longer considered a waste of
space. Doctors have long known
this organ, located behind the
stomach, makes antibodies and
stores red blood cells, but many
still considered the spleen to be
nonessential. Now a new study
published in Science says the
organ is a crucial storage place
for monocytes, a type of immune
cell. While it is possible for
people to live without a spleen,
the monocytes are effective in
fighting infections and repairing
the body after traumas such as
heart attacks.—Discover (7/31/09)
World’s Tallest Dog Dies
A California dog named Gibson
has died at age 7 after a battle
with bone cancer. The dog was
listed by Guinness Book of World
Records as the tallest dog in the
world. When standing on its back
legs, it measured 7 feet and I
inch. Gibson appeared on such
shows as “The Tonight Show” and
“The Oprah Winfrey Show.”—
(Racine) Journal Times (8/13/09)
A team of undergraduates from
John Hopkins U. say they have
found a method of easily
embedding a person’s own stem
cells into surgical thread. They
say they believe this procedure
may help improve healing and
prevent re-injury especially in
patients recovering from
orthopedic injuries such as
ruptured ligaments and tendons.
The students said it would not
change the way surgeons repair
the injury, and there should be no
rejection problems.—yahoo
news/HealthDay (7/24/09)
Respect for the Spleen
The lowly human spleen is no
longer considered a waste of
space. Doctors have long known
this organ, located behind the
stomach, makes antibodies and
stores red blood cells, but many
still considered the spleen to be
nonessential. Now a new study
published in Science says the
organ is a crucial storage place
for monocytes, a type of immune
cell. While it is possible for
people to live without a spleen,
the monocytes are effective in
fighting infections and repairing
the body after traumas such as
heart attacks.—Discover (7/31/09)
World’s Tallest Dog Dies
A California dog named Gibson
has died at age 7 after a battle
with bone cancer. The dog was
listed by Guinness Book of World
Records as the tallest dog in the
world. When standing on its back
legs, it measured 7 feet and I
inch. Gibson appeared on such
shows as “The Tonight Show” and
“The Oprah Winfrey Show.”—
(Racine) Journal Times (8/13/09)
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