Stem Cells Used To Grow Three Types Of Human Heart Cells
Toronto-A team of Canadian, United Kingdom and United States Scientists have now worked together to successfully grow healthy human heart cells in a laboratory.
Three types of human heart cells were created by the efforts of the joint scientific research team. Their results for their joint study were published in the science journal “Nature,” and bode well for the ongoing success of stem cell research.
The team used stem cells from embryonic sources to create healthy heart cells. Using the proper growth factors and culturing, the team successfully grew the heart cells. Then, they took these cells and transplanted them into mice with diseased heart functions. (more…)
Restrictions Placed On Animal Feed For Animals In The USA
Washington, D.C.- The United States Food and Drug Administration are placing new regulations into effect on what can be fed to livestock inside the United States, it was announced on Wednesday.
The main goal it to prevent the spread of Mad Cow type disease. Bovine Spongiform encephalopathy, or as it is commonly known, Mad Cow Disease, is spread when certain types of feed are eaten by livestock. Rendered cattle or parts of cows that are put into animal feed can spread the disease, and the new rules are aimed at preventing this.
The new restrictions are hoped to also help persuade other countries to remove any import restrictions that they may currently have on beef grown and processed in the United States. Currently there are several countries that sharply regulate or ban the import of U.S. Beef. (more…)
St. John River Rises To Cover Parts Of Trans Canada Highway
Fredericton- Warmer temperatures and melting snow have coupled with the area rainfall to bring rising rivers conditions and flooding to parts of New Brunswick.
River levels have risen and threaten buildings in parts of Fredericton, as well as various parts of Route 105 and the Maugerville area. The river had risen and covered parts of the Trans Canadian Highway on Wednesday.
The river has risen over 10 centimetres since Wednesday and is expected to raise at least that much and possibly more by midday Thursday.
Frederickton is experiencing some of the worst flooding with river levels already threatening a hotel, art gallery and other public buildings. The river has achieved high flood levels throughout the town.
Residents in the region had been warned and are preparing for the worst, with valuables being removed to high ground and some people relocating to upper floors of their homes for safety.
Road Washouts are expected throughout the region and motorists are urged to be cautious and remain vigilant while motoring though the province. Crews are attempting to post warnings where necessary but the rising river and changing conditions are sometimes more swift than crews are able to respond.
Melting Is Approaching Point Of No Return Says WWF
Montreal- A number of years in a row of warmer than average temperatures are leading the permanent Arctic Pack Ice to dip below levels ever seen. The Arctic Ice is melting faster and at a significantly increased rate, with no end in sight.
The current level of Arctic Pack Sea ice is nearly 39 percent below the average level that it was from 1979 – 2000, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The WWF has just completed a new study whose results are alarming and causes a great deal of concern.
The overall levels of Ice in the Arctic Ocean and the Greenland Ice Sheet were measured and estimated to be 4.4 million cubic metres, and 2.9 million cubic metres, respectively. The measurements were taken in September of 2007, and reveal that the state of both Ice masses is at the lowest ever recorded levels.
Experts are not only alarmed at the current state of the ice sheets, but officials and experts are beginning to question if the Ice Sheets have reached a “Tipping point,” or a level beyond which they are not likely to recover.
The Ice Sheet measurements are scheduled to be presented Thursday at the Arctic Council Meeting, which is comprised of member nations Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Canada, Sweden, Russia, Norway, and the United States.
Los Angeles - According to FHM, Megan Fox is the world’s sexiest woman.
The online poll revealed that Fox is the sexiest woman in the world, beating out actress Jessica Alba, 26.
The 21-year old Fox stands above all in the reader poll of the 100 Sexiest Women in the World for 2008.
Alba dropped to No. 3 behind Jessica Biel.
She managed to beat out the likes of Scarlett Johansson and Elisha Cuthbert who rounded out the top five.
FHM Online U.S. Editor JR Futrell stated “Fox is the deserving winner of this year’s FHM title. She’s young, she’s hot, she’s a rising star and her sex appeal has definitely transformed this year’s list.”
Britney Spears barely managed to break into the top 100.
FHM magazine’s 100 Sexiest Women in the World list 2008, Top 20:
1. Megan Fox
2. Jessica Alba
3. Keeley Hazell
4. Elisha Cuthbert
5. Hayden Panettiere
6. Scarlett Johansson
7. Cheryl Cole
8. Hilary Duff
9. Angelina Jolie
10. Keira Knightley
11. Rihanna
12. Kate Beckinsale
13. Jessica Biel
14. Eva Longoria
15. Alessandra Ambrosio
16. Rachel Bilson
17. Beyonce Knowles
18. Gemma Atkinson
19. Jennifer Love Hewitt
20. Christina Aguilera
Los Angeles - It was another surprising results show on American Idol this week.
After the votes were counted, Carly Smithson was voted off the hugely popular reality show Wednesday night.
Carly Smithson sang “Jesus Christ Superstar” which many thought was one of her best performances of the season.
After Tuesday’s American Idol episode, the easy money would have been on Brooke White, who for the second time on the show had to re-start her song.
Before the final results were revealed the bottom two contestants had the opportunity to perform one last night.
Asidide from the elimination, X Factor winner Leona Lewis performed her hit song “Bleeding Love.”
The final 5 contestants include; Brooke White, David Cook, Syesha Mercardo, Jason Castro, and the David Archuleta.
New Cosmetic Pesticide Ban Allows Even Tougher Bans By Towns
Toronto- Despite the toughness shown in its new ban on Cosmetic garden pesticides the cities and villages of Canada may decide to grow even stricter. In legislation introduced yesterday various lawn and garden cosmetic type pesticides would be banned by 2009.
Premier Dalton McGuinty has stated that municipalities are open to impose even tougher restrictions than the ban that is scheduled to go into effect next spring.
Ontario will thereby have a new ban on many of the garden and law pesticides. According to the new law, golf courses, farms and certain managed forests are exempt, but the rest of the general public will not be allowed to buy or sell these substances after the spring of 2009. (more…)
Los Angeles - The votes are in and Marlee Matlin has been voted off Dancing With The Stars.
Joining Matlin in the bottom two this week was Mario and his professional dance partner Karina.
There was no final dance to end the show, just Marlee and Fabion in the middle of the stage in a hug. Then everyone came out and joined the hug.
Matlin is credited as being the first deaf competittor on the hugely popular dance show. (more…)
Los Angeles - American Idol is nearing the final weeks, with this week featuring some classic music. This was one of the easiest predictions yet though as Brooke White forgot the words to her song. So with that, we predict that Brooke will be going home.
Syesha opened up the show, performing a very nice song. All judges agreed she has a future on Broadway.
Up next was Jason Castro, who sang Memory. It was sung in the musical Cats. This is clearly not the best performance ever for Castro, but he sang it very well.
Next up was Brooke White, who sang You Must Love Me. She started the song, forgot the words, then had to start over. She tried for a second time and did manage to get through. That should do her in though. A lage mistake like that this late in the show will likely mean Brooke White will be going home.
David Archuleta was out of the gate next. As usual, he was nearly flawless.
Next was Carly Smithson, who under the advice of andrew lloyd webber sang Jesus Christ Superstar. The Judges all agreed, it was one of her best performances.
Last to perform was David Cook, who did a superb job singing a song from The Phantom Of The Opera.
Overall all of the performers had decent night’s, with Brooke’s mess-up sticking out as the big mistake of the evening.
Archuleta had arguably the best performance of the night yet again, with Carly Smithson in a close second.
The bottom three could end up being Jason Castro, Syesha, and Brooke White.
Los Angeles - On Monday Internet forums and blogs were buzzing when new racy photos of Miley Cyrus were leaked.
One photo shows the 15-year-old star pulling down the top of her shirt to reveal a green bra. Another photo shows Cyrus revealing her midriff while laying across the lap of a young male.
The photos, are just another contradiction to the young stars squeaking clean image.
Late last year another set of photos were leaked which showed the “Hannah Montana” star wearing nothing more than a bikini and underwear.
Meanwhile, Cyrus has landed a deal to publish her memoirs.
The book, which will discuss her rise to stardom, will be released next spring.
“I am so excited to let fans in on how important my relationship with my family is to me,” Cyrus said in a statement. “I hope to motivate mothers and daughters to build lifetimes of memories together, and inspire kids around the world to live their dreams.”
The book will be published by Disney-Hyperion.