Trophy shark jaws

DNA has been extracted from trophy shark jaws and teeth up to 40 years old, providing vital information about the genetic history of the endangered grey nurse sharks of eastern Australia
source:

• http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/doctor-taken-in-by-grin-of-a-grey-nurse/2008/08/15/1218307227855.html

DNA faults hold key to schizophrenia?

"We are beginning the work of trying to understand a disease of the most complicated organ in our body – the brain. It is the last frontier of biology," Dr Stefansson said. "Schizophrenia is a disorder affecting thoughts and emotions. It is therefore a quintessentially human disease, but one that is little understood biologically and which is difficult to diagnose."

• http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/dna-faults-hold-key-to-schizophrenia-881392.html

Roots of the cocktail: Some modern mixologists trace all drinks back to a single source

The Old Chestnut Makes 1 cocktail
2 ounces Plymouth Gin
1 ounce Manzanilla Sherry
2 dashes chestnut bitters
1 bar spoon vanilla & clove sugar syrup
Stir ingredients in mixing glass and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Fish House Punch Makes 1 cocktail
1 lemon, zest and juice
½ peach, crushed
½ ounce simple syrup
1 ounce Remy Martin Cognac V.S.O.P.
1 ounce Cruzan Single Barrel
1 ounce Creme de Peche
2 ounces strong cold Earl Grey Tea
Garnish: Fresh mint sprigs, lemon, orange and peach slices
Muddle, shake and strain into a punch coupe or a large wine goblet. Garnish with your choice of any or all of the following: fresh mint sprigs, lemon, orange and/or peach slices.

Garrick Gin Punch Makes 1 cocktail
1 lemon, zest and juice
½ ounce sugar syrup
1 ounce Plymouth Gin
½ ounce St. Germain Elder Flower liqueur
½ ounce maraschino liqueur
Grate of fresh nutmeg
Pinch dried lavender powder
Ginger ale
Shake all ingredients except ginger ale and strain into a large cocktail coupe. Top with ginger ale and garnish with a sprinkle of dried lavender powder.
Phil Ward's recipe contribution is this variation on the margarita.

The Silver Monk Makes 1 cocktail
2 ounces Blanco Tequila (Partida)
¾ ounce simple syrup
¾ ounce yellow chartreuse
Juice of 1 lime
Pinch of salt
2 slices of cucumber
Shake all ingredients except cucumber and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with cucumber.

http://blog.nola.com/judywalker/2008/07/roots_of_the_cocktail_some_mod.html

Yeti hair to be analyzed!

• http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7525060.stm

• http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/7412636.stm
  

Million for DNA

http://techblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/07/100-million-for-dna-sequencing.html

Hormones

Growth hormone - Better Health Channel

The pituitary gland of the brain produces growth hormone, which governs height, bone length and muscle growth. Some people take synthetic growth hormone in the mistaken belief it will help them build muscle size and strength...

MRSA

• Video

Science Today

Gene therapy trial for aggressive brain cancer

By Roger Highfield, Science Editor
Last Updated: 9:01pm GMT 19/02/2008

Human trials are about to start of a form of gene therapy that shows great promise in treating one of the worst kinds of cancer.

Glioblastoma multiforme is one of the most common and most aggressive of the 100 or so types of brain cancers. The resulting tumours are a surgeon's nightmare, being irregularly shaped, with poorly defined borders. They spread easily and kill between six months and year of diagnosis, given that neither surgery, radiotherapy or drugs can halt the disease.

Now a study in laboratory rats, conducted at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre, Los Angeles, supports a plan to launch a Phase 1 human trial of the gene therapy later this year on 20 patients.

• Senator Edward Kennedy has brain tumor.

  Doctors at the Massachusetts General Hospital said a malignant tumour, or glioma, was found on the 76-year-old's left parietal lobe during tests that followed a major seizure over the weekend.

  His treatment will be decided after more tests but the usual course includes aggressive combinations of radiation and chemotherapy. Patients diagnosed with a glioma are commonly given one to five years to live.

  Dr Lee Schwamm, vice chairman of the Department of Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital, said in a statement that Mr Kennedy "remained in good spirits". "He has had no further seizures, remains in good overall condition, and is up and walking around the hospital," he said.

The duck-billed platypus is neither as scientists decode its DNA for the first time

dailymail.com.u.k

Cheap diamonds on health issue

Source:

• newscientist.com/article

Company markets DNA...

An Ireland-based company that uses DNA technology to test and track meat to the original animal and prove that it's what the label promises is now targeting U.S. retailers.
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Source: KansasCity.com