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More Science Articles
Updated May 2 97

Evolution proved

Scientists released a few dozen lizards on some islands which had none of them, and predicted that since the trees were different there the lizards should evolve their legs in a different way -the front limbs should get shorter and the back limbs longer and this is precisely what happend over a period of just 14 years . Lizards surviving and multiplying evolved these types of legs . This is the first time that evolution has been tested scientifically in the field.

Brain pacemaker

Low voltage pulses have been found to be effective in stopping the disabling tremor in Parkinsonism . This cause less problems than the old method of destroying brain tissue which results in sensory losses. More details in Anjana's article in Times ( link from front page of ) of April 23rd.

Combating cancer

Scientists have found that the p53 gene which protects against cancer by telling cancer cells to commit suicide is inactivated by a protein called mbn. By making an antibody they hope to inactivate this antibody and so permitting the cancer cells to die . This may be the common mechanism for all cancers.

Ocean of water on Europa

Jupiter's moon Europa has curved cracks on its surface, as seen in Galileo pictures, and organic chemicals in the atmosphere. This is strongly suggestive of an ocean of water 5 miles or more deep underneath the ice and almost certainly life will have evolved in these conditions. It would be very exciting if new lifeforms were found in an expedition to Europa sometime in the next century. ET may be living in our backyard !