Stessed to Death: Mental Tension Ages Cells

http://www.phschool.com/science/science_news/articles/stressed_to_death.html

Prolonged-extend the duration of
Telomeres-a compound structure at the end of a chromosome
Haggard-looking exhausted and unwell, esp. from fatigue, worry, or suffering

Scientists have discovered that telomeres at the end of chromosomes are little timekeepers for the cell. They have found out that stressful lives can kill this telomeres faster than usual. After a cell divides it nibbles a little piece of that telomere off. All stress does is add to this process. When the telomere is whittled down to nothing cell division stops and the cell soon dies. Scientists say with less stress in your lives, you may live longer.

I think that finding out telomeres are cell timekeepers is very important to everyone. People need to try not to be so stressful with everyday life because stress helps destroy these telomeres and can be very bad for your health. Try not to worry so much about so many things to keep stress levels down and save these telomores.

Cannibalism's DNA Trail: Gene may signal ancienct prion-disease outbreaks!

http://www.phschool.com/science/science_news/articles/cannibalism_dna.html

Maladies- disease or ailment
Phenomenon-a fact or situation that is observed to exist or happen, esp. one whose cause or explanation is in question
Anthropologist-the study of humankind, in particular


Scientists have concluded that cannibalism has left genetic marks on certain people. Prions disease, a neurological illness that causes brain degeneration and death, may have been contracted by people when the Fore villagers started eating human brains and tissues at rituals. After testing more than 2000 people for the deadly gene found in those of the Fore Villagers, only 6-8 % of Chinese had it but more than 55% of Fore Villagers still had it.


I think this article was very informative. I always knew there was cannibalism, but i never knew that a disease could come because of this. I think that testing people for the gene that was found in the Fore Villagers was a very smart thing to do in order to find if the gene has spread.

Snake Vaccine for Dogs

http://www.tpwmagazine.com/archive/2008/jan/scout1/

Snake vaccines for dogs are now available for anyone that would like them. The vaccine helps protect your dog, on average, for 6 months against rattlesnake bites. The vaccine helps give the dog a better immune system to defend harmful venom that a rattlesnake can inject. Although there is no promise that your dog will survive the bite, the vaccine will help the dog have a chance at surviving the bite. Any dog bitten should still see emergency care even if vaccinated.

I think that getting your dog vaccinated for rattlesnake bites is very important. If you live in an area that is populated with rattlesnakes, there is always a chance that your dog may be bitten. With this vaccine there is now a better chance your dog will survive. Being a pet owner myself i know how important pets can be to a family and losing a pet to a rattlesnake bite can be devastating. Good job to all scientists that helps make this vaccine.

The Real Bionic Woman

After a motorcycle accident that left Mitchell's left shoulder amputated, she decided to get an experimental reinnervation surgery. This surgery rewires the nerves of her amputated arm and hooks them up to her chest muscle. Since the surgery was successful, Mitchell can now move her arm whenever she wants by just thinking "move". She can now preform tasks she could not when she had a prostectic arm.

I think that the surgery sounded a little risky but was worth it for the woman. Moving the nerves from her arm to her chest was a very good idea. Since this was successful, doctors can try going a step farther in moving nerves. People that are paralyzed may be able to walk someday with reinnervation surgery.