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A Complex Approach
To Curing Alzheimer's
Every 72 seconds, a new case of Alzheimer's is diagnosed. There is still no cure for this progressive and fatal brain disease, and the numbers are expected to rise as the baby boomer generation ages. Yet many of the fundamental questions about Alzheimer's remain unanswered. Researchers — including Berkeley Lab life scientist Bing Jap — are applying their particular skills and tools to address these questions. Jap and colleagues are looking at the production of amyloid beta 40, a small peptide that may contribute to the disease. Full story.
Finding Common Genes
Of Distant Relatives
Biologists have long studied common traits — such as height or nose shape — to infer ancestral relationships between animals. But the more distant the relationship, the trickier it is to establish connections through simple comparisons of anatomy. Dan Rokhsar, with Berkeley Lab’s Genomics Division, is sidestepping this problem via a different aspect of inheritance: genes. Genes shared by distantly related animals are likely to have originated in their last common ancestor. So by sequencing and comparing the genomes of creatures ranging from sea anemones to sea squirts, limpets to pufferfish, Rokhsar and his research team hope to reconstruct characteristics of the great-great grandparents to all animals. Full story.
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Rhode Island Senate OKs
Renewable Energy Bill
Rhode Island's major power company would be required to buy renewable energy for at least 10 years at a time under a proposal adopted unanimously Tuesday by Senate lawmakers. Democratic leaders said the proposal will spur the construction of renewable energy projects in a state with just a single, small wind turbine. At least six other states, including Connecticut, have adopted similar rules forcing electricity distributors or other large power buyers to enter into long-term contracts with green power developers, according to a 2008 report by Berkeley Lab. Full story.
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eBuy Catalogs Offer Full
Coverage of Lab Supplies
The Lab’s eBuy catalogs currently provide a full range of supplies, equipment, and chemicals, with equal or greater coverage than that provided under previous B2B and blanket subcontracts, such as Fisher Scientific and ISC BioExpress. In addition to the complete catalogs of VWR, Sigma Aldrich, and Invitrogen (coming soon), Government Scientific Source (GSS) offers over 50 manufacturers in its own direct catalog. New manufacturers are continuously added and GSS has the capability to quickly add new part numbers as user requirements arise. Users can be assured of competitive pricing on all items.
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