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nutrients they need for growth. the frog proteins can switch off this supply. One of the toad proteins can also work the other way around, switching on growth for a better supply, and this has the potential to help in wound healing. this could be of enormous help after strokes, transplants or heart attacks. as Prof shaw explained, angiogenis has been a target for research for the past forty years, but in spite of spending going into the billions, no one has come up with a drug that can effectively control the growth of blood vessels. Yet, such substances already exist in the natural world, and Prof shaw commented that we must seize this opportunity to produce a wonder drug.
FrOgs and toads could help stroke, transplant and cancer patients keep blood vessel growth under control. Unrestricted growth of blood vessels can be a big problem during treatment of over seventy different diseases. the discovery of proteins that can control this growth, known as angiogenesis, was made by research led by Professor Chris shaw at Queen’s school of Pharmacy. the proteins occur in secretions of the Waxy Monkey Frog and the giant Firebellied toad. One of the problems with cancer tumours is that blood vessels continue to supply the oxygen and
Gifts of nature
Top, the Waxy Monkey Frog, and above, Prof Chris Shaw at Queen’s University.
taKE a tour around Ireland’s coastline. This Office of Public Works website has helicopter views of the coastline all the way around from Donegal to Louth. a map, which can be viewed on different scales allows users to pin point locations. a great resource for anyone interested in taking an oblique view of the coast. LIVE http://www.coastalhelicopterview.ie LINK
Flyby views of Irish coast
Low standards in high places
In BrItaIn a row has broken out over the ease at w hich overseas colleges have been able to have degrees validated through the University of Wales. Criticism of the University began to mount as reports began to appear last year in the Danish press that theology degrees were being offered for courses that did not meet Danish educational standards. the UK higher education watchdog body, the Quality assurance agency, had raised concerns about the situation, and criticism has since become much more serious, and public, with the disclosure in BBC news reports that the University of Wales had approved courses given in a college run by a pop star with bogus degree in Malaysia. the University has been validating overseas courses in a bid to boost income, and according to the BBC over 20,000 students abroad have signed up to these and hundreds of colleges around the world are involved. There are five other universities in Wales, and to them these very public revelations come as a damaging shock. Other universities throughout Britain are also upset that no proper checks were run on what was clearly a money making exercise. as the Professor of Higher Education Policy at Liverpool Hope University, roger Brown, commented, this lack of academic control in one national university is going to have a very serious impact on the standing of all the other colleges. the British Education Minister, Leighton andrews, has now stepped in, and he has ordered an enquiry into, not just of the obviously questionable courses, but of all 130 overseas links.
See Ireland’s Treasures in a whole new light.
Free admission to the new Treasury Exhibition at the National Museum of Ireland , Kildare Street.
Kildare Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Family programmes & events for people of all ages.
For information: T: (01) 6777 444 E: [email protected]
Open: Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm. Sunday 2pm to 5pm. Closed: Mondays including Bank Holidays
www.museum.ie
LIVE LINK
SCIENCE SPIN Issue 47 Page 5