Saturday, May 18, 2013
Monday, May 13, 2013
Sunday, May 12, 2013
A review of Marco Polo's famous travelogue can be found at -
http://www.shvoong.com/books/classic-literature/2372231-travels-marco-polo/
Travels of Marco Polo
http://www.shvoong.com/books/classic-literature/2372231-travels-marco-polo/
Travels of Marco Polo
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Deccan Chronicle, 8th
May, Page 10, bottom column
Gene Could Add Decades
to Life
Los Angeles, May 7:
Scientists, including
an Indian-origin researcher, have discovered a “Dorian Gray” gene that may
extend lifespan and delay the onset of ageing. Researchers from the University
of California found that the gene, which was previously been implicated in the
Parkinson Disease, extended the healthy lifespan of fruit flies by more than 25
percent.
The research could have
important implications for ageing and disease in humans. The gene, called
parkin, serves at least two vital functions: it marks damaged proteins so that
cells can discard them before they become toxic, and it is believed to play a
key role in removal of damaged mitochondria from cells.
The researchers
increased parkin levels in the cells of the flies and found that this extended
their lifespan by more than 25 percent, compared with a control goup that did
not receive additional parkin. “In the control group, the flies are all dead by
day 50,” Walker said.
“In the group with
parkin over-expressed, almost half of the population is still alive after 50
days. We have manipulated only one of their roughly 15,000 genes, and yet the
consequences for the organism are profound,” he said. “Just by increasing the
levels of parkin, they live substantially longer,” said Anil Rana, lead author
of the research. Treatments to increase parkin expression may delay the onset and
progression of Parkinson’s disease, the biologist believe. - PTI
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