Free Republic

A scavenging immune system cell that helps limbs regrow in salamanders brings hope that humans will one day be able to mimic the animal's amazing regenerative powers, say Australian researchers. The findings by Dr James Godwin, of the Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute at Monash University, and colleagues, are published in today's issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.Salamanders (axolotls) are unique amongst vertebrates in being able to repair their hearts, tails, spinal cord and brain, and even regrow whole limbs during adult life, says Godwin. He sees their "perfect regeneration" as a holy grail. "We're trying to...

... The personal effects of Sgt. Jeannette Lee Winters, a Gary native, are being held by a Northwest Indiana businessman who found himself at the center of a public firestorm this week when he told the Winters family that if they wanted the mementoes back, they'd have to pay for them. "I don't want to be in the position where I'm the bad guy. I may sell it, I may keep it, I may give it away," said Mark Perko, a used furniture salesman who purchased the contents of the Winters' family storage locker four years ago. ... Many of...

Applications are due Jan. 9 for teams interested in participating in the sixth Global Scavenger Hunt. The "Amazing Race"-like competition takes 25 teams of two people each on an around-the-world adventure. Teams selected from the entries will not know which 10 countries they will be traveling to. The event starts April 9 somewhere on the West Coast and concludes May 1 somewhere on the East Coast. National Geographic has called the event "like 'Survivor', 'The Amazing Race' and the 'Eco-Challenge' all rolled into one, except with much more cultural interaction." Experiences include things such as swimming with baby elephants, learning...

Amateur radio operators will take part in a scavenger hunt this weekend, seeking information rather than hub caps or cowboy hats, in an exercise designed to get them acquainted with Southeastern Connecticut before a major emergency drill next month. Wayne Gronlund, who is coordinating the event, said he is trying to put together at least 50 amateur radio enthusiasts for TOPFF, a weeklong exercise that will include simulated terrorist attacks on ports in New London, New Jersey, Canada and the United Kingdom. “We know we're not going to have enough amateur radio resources in New London County to provide all...