The Daily Populous

Wednesday August 15th, 2018 night edition

image for The ‘Zombie Gene’ That May Protect Elephants From Cancer

Elephants ought to get a lot of cancer.

They’re huge animals, weighing as much as eight tons.

It takes a lot of cells to make up that much elephant.

All of those cells arose from a single fertilized egg, and each time a cell divides, there’s a chance that it will gain a mutation — one that may lead to cancer.

Strangely, however, elephants aren’t more prone to cancer than smaller animals.

Some research even suggests they get less cancer than humans do.

On Tuesday, a team of researchers reported what may be a partial solution to that mystery: Elephants protect themselves with a unique gene that aggressively kills off cells whose DNA has been damaged. »

Family claims win in high court challenge to Northants library cuts

Authored by theguardian.com

Two separate legal challenges had been made against Northamptonshire’s plans to close 21 of its 36 libraries.

According to the all-party parliamentary group for libraries, the European average is one library per 16,000 people.

In a statement, the council said it was continuing to work closely with community groups following the judicial review judgement. »

Weed-killing chemical linked to cancer found in some children's breakfast foods

Authored by cbsnews.com

A new report found glyphosate, a weed-killing chemical that some health authorities link to cancer, in a number of popular breakfast foods and cereals marketed to children.

"We're very concerned that consumers are eating more glyphosate than they know," said Scott Faber, vice president of government affairs at EWG.

The World Health Organization says glyphosate is a "probable carcinogen," and California lists it as a chemical "known to the state to cause cancer.". »

Mexico violence: Newly elected Congresswoman kidnapped

Authored by bbc.com

A newly elected Mexican Congresswoman, Norma Azucena Rodríguez Zamora, has been kidnapped at gunpoint on a highway in central Hidalgo state.

Two men shot at Ms Rodríguez's car, injuring an assistant and the driver and causing the vehicle to flip over.

Ms Rodríguez was elected on 1 July to represent eastern Veracruz state in the lower house of Congress for the centre-left Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD). »