Author: Adam Clare

Lowered Chance of Recurring Breast Cancer

There is new hope for people who have HER2 type of breast cancer – a type of breast cancer that is infamous for its relapse rate. HER2 also affects 20-30% of breast cancer cases. A new drug, Herception, has reduced relapse by 50%!

“The results of these clinical trials provided consistent evidence that treatment with Herceptin following standard chemotherapy reduces the risk of cancer recurrence by about 50%. Herceptin has clearly demonstrated that it provides the best chance of long-term survival when used as early as possible in the course of the disease.”

China to Build a New Earth

The Beijing-based International Society for Digital Earth has been founded to compile data from all sorts of digital earth models in order to make the most realistic computer simulation of the planet as possible.

Research will focus on climate change and other global issues. The project will help us analyze a lot of data about this planet we live on and hopefully find some solutions to environmental problems. What’s more “the society is expected to recruit members from developing countries, particularly Africa and Latin America, to raise their awareness of the opportunities the project offers.”

Africa Freedom Day

Today, May 25th, is Africa Freedom day!

One World Africa has nice article written about the Africa Freedom day. Since Africa Freedom day started good progress as been made on the continent, the article looks at both the good and the bad developments in the last 40 years. Let’s hope that the spirit that Africa Freedom day represents is never forgotten.

“Africa Freedom day which falls on 25th May, is a day in which as Africans we observe the creation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and pay tribute to the Heads of State, who through a common vision of unity, decided to seek a joint African solution to the dichotomy facing Africa in the 1960s.

Forty-one years ago, leaders of the African Continent decided to establish the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). Driven by a common aspiration towards de-colonisation, liberation, equality, justice and progress, an inter-African organisation of independent states was founded. “

China Looking for Green Medal at Olympics

Most countries compete for the gold medal, well China’s competing for one extra one that is green. We all know that China is building a green city and now they are trying to build a green olympics. China is implementing new technologies to try to get the coming 2008 Beijing olympics environmentally friendly. From the World Watch Institute:

“In mid-April, Beijing’s National Olympic Stadium signed a 10 million RMB (US$1.25 million) contract with domestic solar company Suntech Power to install a 130-kilowatt photovoltaic system at 12 stadium entrances. The installation will supplement the venue’s conventional power supply and make the stadium—also known as the “Bird’s Nest” because of its appearance—the world’s most environmentally friendly sporting arena. “The Bird’s Nest Stadium solar energy project demonstrates China’s commitment to clean, renewable energy and a green Olympics,” said Zhengrong Shi, Suntech’s chairman and CEO.”

Violent Video Games

According to a study done by the British government violent video games do not trigger violent children. A broader look at video games actually means the kids can benefit from playing them.

“The games can improve children’s decision-making and instil ‘positive learning traits’, some research suggests. At least one study argues that make-believe violence helps children ‘conquer fears and develop a sense of identity’, as gruesome fairytales once did.”

The debate between video games = violent children and video games = smart children seems to be reaching an end with increasing reports of increased intelligence thanks to the games.