Gold mine in East Germany?
Article Abstract:
The government of East Germany kept extensive medical records on its people. Since the unification of Germany, these medical records have been made available for epidemiological studies. In East Germany, industries emitted large amounts of pollutants into the air, water and soil, and the medical records might be used to study the effects of environmental pollution on the development of cancer. The cancer registry that exists contains 2.1 million cases in a population of 17 million; the records were collected between 1953 and 1990. This registry is the largest in the world, based on population size. However, for epidemiologists to study the data, the data will have to be transferred from magnetic tape to modern computers, which will be an expensive and difficult job. Germany has strict privacy laws and the data will have to be used in ways that retain the privacy of the patients. The patients did not give their consent for the data to be used in epidemiological studies, so there may be some legal problems in the use of the data. Also, the registry was not devised for use in epidemiological studies and therefore there may be shortcomings in the data. Once the West Germans take over the registry, which will occur at the end of 1991, it is not known if they will maintain the registry. Recommendations and decisions on the future and the use of the registry will be made by mid-summer. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1991
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Now blows the east wind
Article Abstract:
The genetics of reproductive isolation are the most fascinating among all differences between species. The significance of reproductive isolation lies in enabling nascent species to perpetuate their divergence without losing their unique innovations by blending through gene migration. The study of the genetics of reproductive isolation poses some problems, however. One of the more serious is the genetically complex nature of its traits, which the use of even the best genetic tools cannot solve. With the discovery of Davis et. al. of fertile hybrids between two species of Drosophila, its is hoped that knowledge on reproductive isolation will significantly increase.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1996
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Gold in South Wales coal
Article Abstract:
Gold has been found in the coal of South Wales, demonstrating the first instance of coal precipitating gold at low temperatures. The origin of the gold is unclear, but there are no known deposits in South Wales that could have produced it. The grains are large and in a tabular to flaky form. The coal is thought to contain a concentration of gold an order of magnitude higher than the Clark value, and may have a hydrothermal origin.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1993
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