Week 7 - 12 February to 18 February

I got sick of hearing all the doom and gloom given to us as 'news' by the media so decided to look every day for some good news. Sometimes it's quite difficult to find. I post the good news for the day on Twitter and every week I plan on posting a summary here.

Found some good news? If I didn't spot it please feel free to add it.

Well here goes - the 7th week of 2012

12th February 2012 - Researchers produce brain tissue from skin cells

Genetic scientists claim to have made a major breakthrough. They have persuaded skin cells to turn to stem cells and from them made brain cells. The hope is that these cells will be of major use in the study of brain disorders and lead to cures for Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy and strokes.


Full story at http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/researchers-produce-brain-tissue-from-a-few-scratches-20120212-1szpg.html

13th February 2012 - A poor day for good news (Well it was Monday)

So let's concentrate on what didn't happen. In 1866 a series of bank robberies occured in the USA. The bank in Liberty, Missouri was robbed of $15,000, on 13th February. A fortune in those days and worth almost $250,000 today. It was believed to be the first of a series of robberies committed by Jessie James. The good news is that there isn't a modern Jesse James equivalent. (Unless you count Wall Street bankers.)

Full story: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_James

14th February 2012 - Real steak but not from a cow.

I came across this article from ABC Australia, about growing steak without involving raising and killing cattle. It's a subject I've been following for a while, since we introduced it in our book series A Vested Interest. The idea is that by taking a biopsy from a cow (or any other animal) it should be possible to culture the meat. The result will be real beef/pork/chicken e.t.c. (Not fake as the article says). The article is a little behind the times because a hamburger has already been produced. At the moment it's an expensive process with that hamburger costing thousands of dollars. It will become less expensive and more flavour intensive though. In the future you should be able to buy a cultured steak which tastes delicious but has not involved the death of a cow or the use of the 70% of arable land currently used for raising livestock.


Full story: http://www.abc.net.au/environment/articles/2012/02/13/3428033.htm

15th February 2012 -  Genetically modified fly gut bacteria used to fight sleeping sickness

A lot of people are against genetic modification. It has, however a huge potential for eradicating disease. Now scientists have come up with a possible way of ridding the world of the scourge of sleeping sickness. The disease is caused by a parasite spread by the tsetse fly. Without treatment it's a fatal disease. With treatment 20% still die and it is an unpleasant process which victims describe as being like having fire in your veins. 


The new method developed involves modifying a bacteria normally found in the tsetse fly gut to destroy the parasite before it can infect humans.

The story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17024714

16th February 2012 - Cleaning up Space.

For years we've been sending satellites into space and in the process have put a lot of space junk there also. Space junk can range from the fleck of paint, which left a crater half the depth of Space Shuttle Challenger's front window, to defunct satellites. There is concern that as these objects collide the amount of junk will increase to the point where it would be dangerous to travel through that area.


Now the Swiss are developing a satellite to capture and destroy space junk. It's something we must do if we are to continue with space exploration and essential if we are ever to produce a space elevator.


Full story and video: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17068279

17th February 2012 - Creating a 'DNA robot' to target cancer cells.

Scientists at Harvard have come up with a way of folding up DNA to trap cancer fighting drugs within it. The DNA can then be made to unfold and release the drugs next to the cancer cells they are designed to fight. This means better drug action and fewer side effects for cancer patients.

Full story:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17058066

18th February 2012 - European Court of Justice blocks net-filtering bid.

The European Court of Justice has blocked a move by Belgian music royalty collecting firm SABAM to require the social network Netlog  stop users infringing copyright. 


The ruling will have an impact on other court decisions relating to social networks.


Full story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-17060112

			Take a touch of humour, add some genetic science and nanotechnology. Steep with conspiracy and stir in murder and despair. Season with romance between three people in a secret location. Garnish with morality. The result is 'A Vested Interest', a novel series by John and Shelia Chapman
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