Chemical in sperm offers new weapon to fight ageingOctober 7th, 2009 LONDON - Graz University scientists in Austria say that compound found in human sperm, known as spermidine, may prove the next weapon in the fight against ageing. They have found that spermidine slows ageing processes, and increases longevity in yeast, flies, worms, mice, and human blood cells by protecting cells from damage.
The 'elixir of life' to lengthen lifespan beyond 100yrs comes closer to realityOctober 5th, 2009 LONDON - Taking a step closer towards a wonder pill that could extend people's lifespan by up to 25 years, scientists have claimed that over half of babies born in the new future in the UK and other wealthy nations will live to 100 years. The drug, touted as the "elixir of life" drug, works by using a molecule called spermidine, which helps to protect the body against damaging chemicals known as free radicals.
Ageing honeybees' learning ability remains intact when social roles are switchedJuly 1st, 2009 WASHINGTON - While scientists have been aware of the fact that cognitive function among humans declines as they get older, a research team in Germany have found that ageing honeybees can keep their learning ability intact or even improve it by switching their social roles. Experts at Technische Universitat Berlin are now planning to use honeybees as a model to study general ageing processes in the brain, and hope that they may provide some clues on how to prevent them.
Taking folic acid supplements may help reduce premature birth riskMay 12th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study has suggested that taking folic acid supplements for at least a year before conception may help reduce the risk of premature birth. Babies born prematurely are less likely to survive than full-term babies and are more likely to have breathing difficulties and learning or developmental disabilities.
Scanty iron in womb may erode premature baby's ability to hearMay 5th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Iron deficiency in the womb is likely to erode the ability of premature babies to process sound, vital for later language development in early childhood. The study evaluated 80 premature babies over 18 months, testing their cord blood for iron levels and using a non-invasive tool - auditory brainstem-evoked response (ABR) - to measure the maturity of the brain's auditory nervous system soon after birth.
New topical spray is 'safe, effective treatment for premature ejaculation'April 27th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Science is trying its level best to improve people's sex lives - and the latest offering from scientists is a new topical spray, which has turned out to be a safe and effective treatment for premature ejaculation. Current treatment for premature ejaculation consists of topical creams with desensitizing agents which dull the penile skin and delay ejaculation.
Genes that protect against aging identifiedApril 21st, 2009 WASHINGTON - University of Liverpool researchers have developed a novel method to help scientists identify genes that can help protect the body during the ageing process. The team developed a method of analysing genes in multiple ageing tissue types in both animals and humans.
Discovery astronauts finish third, final spacewalkMarch 24th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Two Discovery space shuttle astronauts completed maintenance work Monday on the International Space Station during the final spacewalk of the ongoing mission in orbit. During the six-and-a-half hour spacewalk, astronauts Joseph Acaba and Richard Arnold repositioned an equipment cart, deployed an external cargo mounting mechanism, lubricated the space station's robotic arm and reconfigured cables that power the station's gyroscopes.
Second maintenance operation begins on space stationMarch 22nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Two astronauts from the Discovery space shuttle Saturday began a second spacewalk to perform maintenance work on the International Space Station, US space agency NASA reported. US astronauts Steve Swanson and Joseph Acaba will swap out batteries, fasten an antenna and install equipment for external storage, according to NASA.
Scientists come one step closer in detection of fundamental building block of natureMarch 21st, 2009 WASHINGTON - An international team of scientists has come a step closer to understanding the Universe with the discovery of a fundamental building block of nature. The recent discovery of a single top quark at the U.S.
Space shuttle Discovery docks with space stationMarch 18th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The space shuttle Discovery docked with the International Space Station (ISS) Tuesday for a construction mission that will allow the station to double its crew. The Discovery will deliver the fourth and final solar panel that will enable ISS to double the size of its crew to six astronauts.
Space shuttle Discovery lifts-off after delaysMarch 16th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Space shuttle Discovery blasted off for a construction mission to the International Space Station Sunday after weeks of delays. Discovery took off at 7.43 p.m.
Shuttle launch cancelled due to gas leakMarch 12th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The launch of the space shuttle Discovery planned for Wednesday was abruptly cancelled just hours ahead of blast off. NASA called off the launch after it discovered a leak in a hydrogen vent line between the shuttle and its external fuel tank.
Discovery to head towards International Space StationMarch 10th, 2009 WASHINGTON - After weeks of delay, the space shuttle Discovery is set to make an important delivery to the International Space Station, bringing the last set of solar panels needed to produce enough power to house an expanded crew. Discovery is scheduled to launch at 9:20 p.m.
Scientists identify mechanism that can prolong life in 'Indy' fruit fliesJanuary 22nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists have identified a cellular mechanism in mutated 'Indy' fruit flies that could help prolong life by cutting down the output of free radicals. The finding by Stephen Helfand and Nicola Neretti of Brown University and others adds another piece to the puzzle that Helfand, a professor of biology first discovered in 2000.
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