A NATURAL protein has been found to activate modifying stem cells in replacing heart muscle cells damaged in a stroke. The ability to replenish the heart with fresh cells is lost in adults. Scientists at the University College London Institute of Child Health have demonstrated in mice, the reactivation of heart progenitor cells to produce fresh heart
muscles cells. They used Thymosin 4, a protein that the body employs for other purposes, to direct the stem cells in replacing specific heart muscles cells.
SURPRISING NUMBER OF NEW SPECIES DISCOVERED
Conservation efforts are being aided by the realisation that a large part of the earth’s biodiversity remains unknown. Around 300 new species, mostly marine, were discovered in the Philippines. Scientists involved have said that stability of habitat is critical for the biodiversity to thrive. Filipino islands benefit from this and also from the fact that the region has one of the greatest geological diversity on earth. Madagascar is another biodiversity hotspot that has both these advantages. WWF released a report this week, revealing that around 600 new species were discovered in Madgascar in the past decade. A third of these were mammals.
CLIMATE PREDICTIONS TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL COUNTRIES
UN body, World Meteorological Organisation has agreed to work on Global Framework of Climate Services, which will supply on-demand weather data to aid nations in preparing themselves for natural disasters and climate change. This service will be most helpful to around 70 developing counties that have no or little climate information. The framework will mediate the exchange between climate services holding global weather data and policy makers, organisations, even farmers all across the globe.
NASA LAUNCHES OCEAN-data SATELLITE
Satellite “Aquarius” was launched successfully on June 9 breaking the trend of Nasa’s recent failed satellite missions (“Glory” and “OCO” fell into the Pacific on launch earlier this year). The satellite will collect salinity data that can be used to keep a check on the earth’s water cycle. The agency hopes to answer pressing climate questions and study precipitation trends, ocean circulation and the uptake of carbon dioxide by seawater.