The Tah Tah Box
Dengue fever susceptibility
18 Apr 2005
A novel susceptibility gene for dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral disease with an estimated global incidence of 50 million cases per year, is reported in the May issue of Nature Genetics.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=22995
Myriad Genetics Presents New Data on Cancer Drugs at AACR
SALT LAKE CITY, April 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Myriad Genetics, Inc.(Nasdaq: MYGN), announced today that it is presenting data on its cancer drugcandidate MPC-6827, and the anti-tumor activity of drug candidate MPC-2130during the American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting in Anaheim,CA, April 16-20, 2005.
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/04-18-2005/0003432078&EDATE=
Nanogen Enters Into Supply and License Agreement With deCode Genetics
Monday April 18, 8:00 am ET
SAN DIEGO, April 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Nanogen, Inc. (Nasdaq: NGEN - News), developer of advanced diagnostic products, announced today that it has entered into a supply and license agreement with deCode Genetics to provide a new genomics assay for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) discovery, validation and screening. The assay incorporates a full range of Nanogen's products, including the Eclipse® Dark Quencher, new DNA linker technology, modified bases and novel fluorescent dyes, and allows rapid SNP analysis on a large number of patient samples.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050418/lam043.html?.v=5
OccuLogix Appoints Gilbert S. Omenn, M.D., Ph.D. to Its Board of Directors
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 18, 2005--OccuLogix, Inc. (NASDAQ:RHEO)(TSX:RHE), announced today that Gilbert S. Omenn, M.D., Ph.D. has been appointed to its Board of Directors.
Dr. Omenn is Professor of Internal Medicine, Human Genetics, and Public Health at the University of Michigan. He served as Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs and as Chief Executive Officer of the University of Michigan Health System from 1997 to 2002. He was formerly Dean of the School of Public Health, and Professor of Medicine and Environmental Health, University of Washington, Seattle. His research interests include cancer proteomics, chemoprevention of cancers, public health genetics, science-based risk analysis, and health policy. He was principal investigator of the beta-Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial (CARET) of preventive agents against lung cancer and heart disease; director of the Center for Health Promotion in Older Adults; and creator of a university-wide initiative on Public Health Genetics in Ethical, Legal, and Policy Context while at the University of Washington and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. He served as Associate Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Associate Director, Office of Management and Budget, in the Executive Office of the President in the Carter Administration.
http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20050418005644&newsLang=en
More girls attend school, but gender gap remains: UN
GENEVA: More girls in countries around the world are going to school, though the gender gap in many regions remains wide, according to a new report by the United Nations’ Children’s Fund (UNICEF) published Monday.
The latest “Progress for Children” report says the world has made impressive gains in getting the same number of girls as boys into school. Out of the 180 countries for which information is available, 125 are expected to have gender parity this year.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_19-4-2005_pg4_10
Socialist International President Scolds SDF for Gender Imbalance
April 18, 2005
Posted to the web April 18, 2005
Clovis Atatah
The President of Socialist International Women, Italian-born Pia Locatelli, has scolded the SDF for having no female MP.
Speaking at a Socialist International Women regional meeting in Yaounde, April 16, that brought representatives from several African countries, Locatelli said it is simply unacceptable that a socialist party like the SDF should have no female representation in the National Assembly.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200504181394.html
The Japan Times
Threats of bomb, anthrax, death: Chinese interests in Japan under siege
The National Public Safety Commission said Tuesday there have been 25 acts of vandalism and harassment against Chinese interests in Japan, including diplomatic missions and schools, reported since April 9, when the first wave of unruly anti-Japan protests took place in China.
The commission's chairman, Yoshitaka Murata, said that of the incidents reported up to Monday, Chinese diplomatic establishments were targeted in 14 cases, including a bomb threat made against a consulate, while 11 were against other Chinese-related establishments.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nn20050420a1.htm
Nakagawa livid over China's lack of remorse
Shoichi Nakagawa, minister of economy, trade and industry, blasted China on Tuesday for offering no apology or compensation for violence and damage caused by participants in recent anti-Japan protests, saying he doubts whether the country is truly governed by rule of law.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nn20050420a5.htm
The Australian
Beijing deal a price cut bonanza
Steve Lewis and Catherine Armitage
April 20, 2005
THE prices of imported clothing, sporting goods and motor vehicles are likely to fall under a planned free trade pact with China, which the Howard Government expects will deliver a $24billion-plus economic windfall over a decade.
Trade analysts have welcomed China's agreement to begin formal talks with Australia on a wide-ranging deal that could be completed in two years.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,15025635%255E601,00.html
Privacy laws blunt police bid to expose touring pedophiles
Simon Kearney and Mark Dodd
April 20, 2005
AUSTRALIAN pedophiles have been free to prey on children overseas because federal police have been hindered from warning their international counterparts by privacy restrictions.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,15025639%255E601,00.html
Global Warming
Global warming: Nuclear power no solution
Jim Green
Have the nuclear industry and its supporters suddenly gained an environmental consciousness? While they're not planning to close their dangerous, polluting reactors nor begin dealing responsibly with their legacy of toxic radioactive wastes, they are now professing deep concern about climate change — and argue that nuclear power is the only solution.
Even environmentalists are turning to nuclear power, we're told. It's not true — you could count them on one hand — but the nuclear boosters and the mainstream media aren't letting the facts get in the way of a good story.
http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2005/622/622p9.htm
Japan researchers look to seaweed in fight against global warming
Jun Sugimori Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer
A group of private and academic research institutes is studying the viability of tackling the gargantuan project of building a seaweed plantation in the Pacific Ocean to absorb carbon dioxide and produce biofuel.
The group, which includes Mitsubishi Research Institute, Tokyo University and Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, is studying the viability of the plantation, which they hope could be vital in the fight against global warming.
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/newse/20050419wo71.htm
The New Zealand Herald
Pope says open to dialogue with cultures, faiths
20.04.05 9.05pm
VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI, widely expected to be a stern defender of Roman Catholic orthodoxy, said on Wednesday that he wanted open dialogue both within his own Church and with other faiths and cultures.
Speaking in Latin during his first public Mass, German-born Joseph Ratzinger said he felt a sense of inadequacy after being elected pontiff, but believed his predecessor John Paul II was guiding him at the start of his papacy.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10121527
Annan urges China and Japan to resolve differences
A Chinese man places flowers in front of a giant poster depicting World War II for the 60th anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II. Picture / Reuters
19.04.05 4.00pm
By Evelyn Leopold
UNITED NATIONS - UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has encouraged Chinese and Japanese leaders to meet at the forthcoming Asia-Africa summit in Indonesia and resolve their differences peacefully.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10121298
Nine Australians face further interrogation in Bali
Four of the nine Australians cover their faces while in custody at the police headquarters in Denpasar, Bali. Picture / Reuters
19.04.05 1.00pm
CANBERRA - Nine Australians will face further interrogation in Bali today after being accused of trying to smuggle more than 11kg of heroin out of Indonesia.
Family members of the nine were expected to start arriving in Indonesia today, after four of the accused were detained at Bali airport on Sunday, allegedly with heroin strapped to their bodies.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10121287
Baby dies of meningitis days before vaccination due
19.04.05 1.00pm
The killer disease meningitis has claimed the life of an eight-month-old boy just days before he was due to be vaccinated.
The vaccination campaign began in Manawatu yesterday but it was too late for the baby who died in Starship Hospital in Auckland on Sunday after suffering the blood-poisoning effects of meningococcal disease.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10121273
Children who attend pre-school do better in life, report says
19.04.05 1.00pm
WASHINGTON - Children enrolled in quality pre-school programmes are more likely to graduate from high school, hold down jobs and less likely to be on welfare or end up in jail, said a report released on Monday.
The report by the advocacy group Legal Momentum and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Workplace Centre, analysed recent studies on the economic and other impact of good early education.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10121285
Metal workers union to deal directly with employers
19.04.05 1.00pm
Bosses' representatives have refused to negotiate with unions over the metals agreement, prompting bargaining with employers directly, the union says.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10121276
Briton admits quadruple murder
19.04.05 1.00pm
LONDON - A former rubbish collector pleaded guilty on Monday to murdering his girlfriend, her twin sister and an elderly couple in northern England last July.
Police had charged Mark Hobson, 35, after a massive investigation following the discovery of the naked bodies of 27-year-old Claire and Diane Sanderson, and former Spitfire pilot James Britton and his wife Joan.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10121283
Sharon signals possible delay in Gaza pullout
19.04.05 1.00pm
JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon signalled he might delay a Gaza withdrawal until mid-August to avoid an annual Jewish mourning period that marks the destruction of two biblical temples.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10121284
Kashmir frontier ‘softening’ shows success
19.04.05
NEW DELHI - Declaring their peace process irreversible, nuclear rivals India and Pakistan agreed last night to open up the heavily militarised frontier dividing Kashmir, capping a successful visit by President General Pervez Musharraf.
In a rare show of unity, Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said they would work towards a "soft border" in Kashmir, opening meeting points for divided families and boosting cross-border trade, travel and co-operation.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10121175
The weather in Antarctica (Crystal Ice Chime) isn't available today, so this is from yesterday:
Scott Base
Clear
-30.0°
Updated Wednesday 20 Apr 2:59AM
The weather at Glacier Bay National Park (Crystal Wind Chime) is:
45 °F / 7 °C
Overcast
Humidity:
81%
Dew Point:
39 °F / 4 °C
Wind:
Calm
Pressure:
30.23 in / 1024 hPa
Visibility:
10.0 miles / 16.1 kilometers
UV:
0 out of 12
Clouds (AGL):
Overcast 1200 ft / 365 m
end
