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Columbian rescue, Alzheimer's inhibitor
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July 4, 2008
Research could spur new Alzheimer's drugs
New drugs that could help prevent the degeneration caused by Alzheimer's disease may soon be possible, thanks to the recent work of an SFU-led international team of scientists. As a result of their research, SFU chemist David Vocadlo and his research colleagues have created an enzyme inhibitor that can act in the brain to reduce levels of a certain form of a key protein associated with the disease. The team’s research findings have just been published in Nature Chemical Biology.
David Vocadlo, 778.782.3530; dvocadlo@sfu.ca
Colombian FARC’s bungle in the jungle
The dramatic jungle rescue July 2 of former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other hostages is a serious blow for their captors, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as the FARC.
But SFU political scientist Anil Hira, who specializes in Latin American studies, says the resilient 44-year-old guerilla group that held Betancourt for six years is far from defeated. Hira can comment on the Colombian military’s daring rescue and prospects for the FARC, who are still holding hundreds of other captives including 40 prominent hostages to bargain for political concessions.
Eric Hershberg, SFU’s director of Latin American studies, can also speak about the FARC and Betancourt, who was formerly somewhat sympathetic to the group but has now vowed to become the country's president and free the remaining hostages.
Anil Hira, 604.291.3286; ahira@sfu.ca
Eric Hershberg, 778.782.3056; eric_hershberg@sfu.ca
New drugs that could help prevent the degeneration caused by Alzheimer's disease may soon be possible, thanks to the recent work of an SFU-led international team of scientists. As a result of their research, SFU chemist David Vocadlo and his research colleagues have created an enzyme inhibitor that can act in the brain to reduce levels of a certain form of a key protein associated with the disease. The team’s research findings have just been published in Nature Chemical Biology.
David Vocadlo, 778.782.3530; dvocadlo@sfu.ca
Colombian FARC’s bungle in the jungle
The dramatic jungle rescue July 2 of former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other hostages is a serious blow for their captors, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as the FARC.
But SFU political scientist Anil Hira, who specializes in Latin American studies, says the resilient 44-year-old guerilla group that held Betancourt for six years is far from defeated. Hira can comment on the Colombian military’s daring rescue and prospects for the FARC, who are still holding hundreds of other captives including 40 prominent hostages to bargain for political concessions.
Eric Hershberg, SFU’s director of Latin American studies, can also speak about the FARC and Betancourt, who was formerly somewhat sympathetic to the group but has now vowed to become the country's president and free the remaining hostages.
Anil Hira, 604.291.3286; ahira@sfu.ca
Eric Hershberg, 778.782.3056; eric_hershberg@sfu.ca