Scientists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in Israel, found a new way to stop the growth and expansion of cancerous cells while trying to increase the size of peaches and nectarines.

What they exactly were trying to do was to reduce the number of fruits given by tree, and therefore, increasing the fruit’s size. However, these specialists later found that a similar protein to the one they were using with their fruit experiments called actibind had the effect of blocking the blood supply to the tumors.

“Their approach has shown to inhibit the malignant cells while not affecting normal cells without having secondary effects as with traditional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation,” said the university.

The team of scientists used genetic engineering to obtain this protein effective agains cancer.

“Ayudan frutias a combatir el cáncer.” ElNorte.com-Ciencia. July 04, 2006. Retrieved on July 05, 2006. http://www.elnorte.com/ciencia/articulo/651254/

In a study made with twins in Sweden (the biggest of its type according to the source), it was found that inheritance plays a key role in almost 80% of the cases. The sample of this study consisted in 392 pairs of identical twins with ages 65 and beyond, from which at least one of them had been diagnosed with Alzheimer. This group was later compared with another one in which none of the twins had the disease. The results thrown confirmed the expected: that there’s an important relation between genetics and the disease.

However, the author from this study, Margaret Gatz, from the University of California adds that “(even though the study) does suggest that there is an underlying genetic basis, this doesn’t mean that environment is not important. Environment may be relevant not only for whether but also for when one gets the disease.”

“Alzheimer’s disease may be mostly genetic.” MSNBC. Febrary 06, 2006. Retrieved on July 04, 20906. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11204410/