The emerging markets of Brazil, Russia , India and China ( BRIC) are important elements in the world economy especially agriculture.Their economies are discussed in an article in the Times by Carl Mortished ( Times Wed July 30th 2008 p 43 ) in the current climate of inflation, slackening growth and the flight of hot…
Read moreThe excitement of the Dietary fibre story often came from the suggestion by Burkitt and Trowell that colonic cancer and dietary fibre intake were related. I have always been sceptical of this claim and would prefer to take aspirin as the evidence seemed to be stronger for this strategy.Now this is challenged by J T…
Read moreKhursheed N Jeejeebhoy is an important thinker in nutrition He has written an important Viewpoint in Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology & Hepatology (2008) Benefits and risks of a fish diet—should we be eating more or less?) 5, 178-179There is increasing evidence for the role of omega-3 fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid…
Read moreCooperativity is the basis for a variety of microscopic events, such as the simultaneous chelation of metal ions, the temporal coordination of protein folding and the concerted function of biomolecular assemblies. At the macroscale, cooperation between scientific laboratories, organizations and countries is required to advance research in a timely manner and to coordinate conferences and…
Read moreOne thing that still intrigues Melvyn Bragg in his news letter In Our Time BBC 03-084-2008 is the idea that Newton for example can derive the laws of motion without experimental evidence. In this regard there was a lovely quotation from Descartes speaking of Galileo: “he builds without foundations”. Galileo declared that whatever causes gravity…
Read moreTo commemorate her birthday , actress/vocalist, Julie Andrews made a special appearance at Manhattan ‘s Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of the AARP. One of the musical numbers she performed was ‘My Favorite Things’ from the legendary movie ‘Sound Of Music’. Here are the lyrics she used: > > > > > >…
Read moreTwo defining features of Alzheimer’s disease in the brain are amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (tau). The plaques contain a protein called amyloid-beta, while the tangles are made of a protein called tau. The current, widely accepted amyloid hypothesis regards Alzheimer’s as being due to plaque deposits, whereas the tau hypothesis links the disease to…
Read moreThe proteasome,The 26S proteasome is one of the principal cellular machines for degrading proteins. Proteins to be destroyed are marked with tags in the form of the small protein ubiquitin, and when the proteasome encounters such polyubiquitinated proteins, it catches, then degrades them. The proteasome has, not one, but at least two hands with which…
Read moreThe use of pharmacologically active drugs to enhance sporting prowess is widespread. The usage has increased over the last 40 yearsThe usage of such drugs is not only cheating but also threatens the long term health of the person so indulging. Sjoqvist and Rane have reviewed the area in Lancet 2008 vol 371 May 31st.…
Read moreIn the Lancet 27th June 2008 the clinical usefulness of the Metabolic Syndrome. is challenged.The metabolic syndrome is a collection of risks for insulin resistance and vascular disease under two principle headingsCardiovascular risk.Global diabetes or cardiovascular risk. Smoking, physical inactivity , unhealthy eating Hypertension Inflammation, hypercoagulation Age, race, sex, family history Abnormal lipid metabolism Overweight…
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