2004
Year of the Monkey
Islamic calendar 1424-25

World population reaches 6,500 million 28th Summer Olympics in Athens Internet contains data on nearly all EU and US citizens 3 million die of tuberculosis - resistant strains of infectious diseases spread rapidly

WHO gives approval to first-generation "cancer vaccines"
Gene-reader Denator causes fury among labour unions & insurance customers
Brisk demand for new Siemens range of VideoGSM refrigerator/freezers
"Move over, Rover" - DigiDog offers electronic challenge to guide-dogs
Desalination plants bring life to Northern Sahara
UMTS video cellphones invade privacy - calls for compulsory registration

APNWeb 1.2.2004

WHO gives approval to first-generation "cancer vaccines"

The World Health Organization has granted worldwide licences for the use of the first vaccine-like treatments for cancer.

The vaccines, targeting colon cancer and certain forms of brain tumour, have shown impressive results in clinical trials held in Europe, North America and Japan. Experts have spoken of up to 40% improved chances of total recovery. The key issue with the vaccines is that they are effective even after the cancer has been diagnosed in the patient. The joint developers of the drug, the American Cancer Foundation and the Hartmann Laboratory at the University of Helsinki in Finland, are reluctant to talk of a vaccine as such, but prefer to describe the treatment as a "smart drug" that operates somewhat in the same fashion as vaccination, though without the normal aspect of introducing into the body a weakened culture of the agent causing the disease.

The treatment has two parallel effects. Researchers at the Hartmann Laboratory have developed a procedure by which the drug can recognize a cancer cell and approach it. The U.S. contingent, meanwhile, have supplied the technology to alter by gene manipulation the natural human killer cells (those genes close to the bcl-1 gene), in order that after recognition they can attach themselves to the cancer cells, then secrete certain antibodies and surround the cancer cells - and in many cases go on to destroy at least a part of them.

Experts are nevertheless very wary of headlines claiming that cancer has been defeated. Prof. Mauno Kosma of the University of Helsinki's team acknowledges that many important steps have been taken in the treatment of the disease, but argues that the best treatment is still a combination of traditional drugs, surgery, and chemotherapy. The new drugs now receiving WHO approval will be particularly useful in improving the prognoses for such treatment, since they isolate the cancer and effectively prevent its spread. Some three years ago a completely new drug was introduced into the cancer treatment arsenal, when medical authorities approved the sale of AngioStat. Malignant cells make use of the body's normal regulating mechanisms and stimulate the growth of blood vessels to ensure themselves a supply of nutrition. In lab tests using AngioStatin - a drug designed to limit the development of new blood vessels - it was discovered that the treatment blocked the growth of cancer cells, and even caused some tumours to shrink by means of restricting their access to nutrition. Clinical trials of anti-angiogenesis drugs like this were undertaken as long ago as 1992, and medical forecasters predict that AngioStatin and derivatives will also have a future in the treatment of diabetes and the associated problem of diabetic retinopathy.

Researchers are also expecting much from the current crop of genetic engineering studies. In 1997 a team at the University of Helsinki isolated a cancer-enhancing genetic flaw from the 19th chromosome, and this step turned out to be decisive for the mapping of cancer genes that followed. Prior to this, two other genetic flaws had been discovered, both of which generated a tendency towards hereditary cancers. In the years since, several more mutations have been discovered and thanks to this work specific risk groups have been placed under closer medical screening.

Prof. Kosma also cautions against the commonplace assumption that cancer is one and the same disease, when it is rather an umbrella term to describe dozens of tumorous complaints, each differing from the last. He goes on to warn that the ongoing trend in higher life expectancies will increase the number of cancers we have to face, as cancers are a natural part of the human ageing processes, and we shall just have to get used to having them around. Today already more than one person in four will get some form of tumour in the course of his or her life.

Numerous international laboratories and research centres are feverishly engaged on the search for similar vaccines that would be effective against other strains of cancer. At this stage the results of clinical trials, and possible WHO approval thereafter, are eagerly awaited from vaccines that could be used to treat liver cancer and both forms of lung cancer.

Internet News 14.3.2004

Gene-reader Denator causes fury among labour unions & insurance customers

The much-heralded Denator gene-reader has sparked off a furious wave of anger, particularly among labour organizations. People taking out insurance have also protested vigorously against the compulsory genetic mapping demanded by insurers using the Denator system.

Several companies have taken Denator tests into regular use when hiring new staff. The results of the gene-testing help firms to weed out prospective employees who might be prone to herditary illnesses.

Initialy Denator was developed for use in helath centres and hospitals as a means of studying the incidence of certain hereditary diseases and tendencies, and also the conditions under which such illnesses might appear in the patient. It did not take very long, however, for life insurance companies to recognize the value of such testing and introduce it into their medical examinations of new policyholders. In a very short time, insurers were denying cover to accident and life insurance clients in cases where the prospective customer was shown to have signs of the sort of diseases or hereditary disposition to them that would render them a bad risk. The next step was that Denator spread to the personnel departments of large corporations as a means of screening new employees.

A few months ago, the EU Social Affairs Committee expressed its concern that a section of the population would become completely barred from working life as a product of the Denator test results. One committee member even referred to the rise of a new form of racism. Many medical associations also oppose the use of Denator testing and emphasise that the great majority of hereditary dispositions to illness never actually result in contraction of the disease in question.

The principle of the Denator gene-reader is relatively simple. The system's memory is loaded with the genes found thus far that have shown associations with such genetically-related diseases as hereditary cancers, or tendencies towards such things as alcoholism or mental health problems. Denator examines the DNA structure found in a blood sample and compares this against the maps in the genetic atlas stored in its memory. It then reports what kinds of genes it has uncovered that might suggest genetic weaknesses in the subject.

The World Health Organization has tested Denator and pronounced that it was too mechanical in its operation, and as much as 2% of the results given were false. The WHO considers that it is unethical for a person's life and prospects to be blighted or put in jeopardy through an error in a Denator test-reading. The Organization also argues strongly against the current use of the device by laymen without medical or microbiological training. Some of these people - in corporations and insurance companies - have already been shown to have abused their position with a view to making money out of extortion, and have even forged results or switched blood samples. Particularly shocking cases have also been reported, for example, of parents who have tested their children in order to see whether it is worth their while investing in their schooling - on the off-chance that the children may be suffering from a form of congenital dementia that might break out in adolescence. Labour unions in both the United States and the European Union have threatened strike action on an unprecedented scale if Denator testing is not banned in the hiring of new staff.

Employers' organizations and the insurance companies justify the use of the testing by arguing that it lessens companies' risks and reduces insurance permiums. The CBI in Britain has also argued that the attendant reduction of payroll social- and pension costs is a boost to productivity and will encourage global economic growth.

From Household Appliance News - 2.9.2004

Brisk demand for new Siemens range of VideoGSM refrigerator/freezers - other manufacturers looking for new sales gimmicks

A speciality developed originally by amateur inventors has provided a real sales boost for refrigerator maker Siemens. The company has fitted all the models in its top-of-the-line Luxus range with miniature cameras and a GSM connection.

It's a familiar complaint - many people have to call home on their way back from work and ask what there is in the refrigerator, and what has to be bought from the shop on the corner. That's all very well, if there is someone at home to answer the phone. In families with children in particular, the problem is often one of disappearing stocks of fridge staples like milk, eggs, tomatoes and the like. Or then again, people buy too much just to be on the safe side, and find themselves throwing away rotting vegetables and cartons of milk. In order to avoid this headache, several years ago a number of technology enthusiasts came up with a solution - to install simple closed-circuit cameras inside their refrigerator. Everybody remembers the early days of the Internet, when cameras were installed beside Coca-Cola machines on university campuses, so students could check from the Web if their local machine was full or empty, thus saving their tired young legs. This is simply taking things one step further.

Product development engineers at Siemens were the first to spot the potential of the idea. The company's sales in the kitchen appliance sector have suffered for some time from the lack of a "luxury" image in their range. Normally known for its dour German conservatism, Siemens has now surprised the market by installing the technology in all the models in its Luxus range.

Siemens sales staff believe that "stock-up" shoppers want to be able to check from their mobile just what is in the fridge and what isn't, as this sort of service saves both time and money.

Siemens has fitted small Connectix QuikCam digital internet cameras equipped with multiple viewfinders, allowing several images to be shown from different shelves and the refrigerator door. The camera terminal is linked up to each shelf by an optical fibre cable, at the end of which is a small lens and a flashlight. From the phone keypad it is possible to select the image required from the relevant shelf. The camera carries Siemens own GSM module, which can be contacted from any GSM phone and thus allow the caller to look inside the fridge. Siemens technicians report that the system is very reliable in operation.

Not to be outdone, Philips has announced that it, too, is developing a similar system, but that it will be made available on almost all the company's household appliances, including ovens and washing machines. Preliminary press releases have said that Philips will not be using the GSM network, but a system developed in the 1990s by Novell, now a part of the IBM group of companies. Under the Novell arrangement, all the domestic appliances are hooked up to one another through the electrical network and via the Internet to a computer. In this system the image is transferred to the mobile phone from the computer terminal via a conventional Internet connection.

Electrolux has not yet made any announcements concerning its own response, but has reported discussions on possible cooperation with a number of mobile phone manufacturers. However, a call we made to the Director of Corporate Communications at Nokia produced only a flat denial of any such negotiations. On the other hand, Electrolux has recently built a largish laboratory to examine the aumotaic analysis of digital images. Professor Joop van Damm, who chairs the Digital Technology Department at the University of Amsterdam, commented to HAN that the analysis of the colours of digital camera images and of heat sensors associated with these could open up a vast array of new possibilities in the use of domestic appliances.

Internet Now 21.9.20044

"Move over, Rover" - DigiDog offers electronic challenge to guide-dogs

Professor Seth Teller yesterday demonstrated to an invited audience of WHO officials the working prototype of his DigiDog electronic guide dog, seven years on from his first designs in this field. The wheeled robot examines its immediate surroundings using three panoramic video cameras, motion sensors, and a sophisticated GPS positioning system. The device contains in its memory a virtual model of the local environment, which it compares with real-time camera images and other data. The built-in voice synthesizer and speaker warns the user of obstacles, both stationary and mobile, that may be in his or her path.

Whilst the four-legged guide dog we are more used to seeing on our streets is a marvellous aid to blind people, not all those who would need such assistance can use a dog. Some have the problem of asthmatic allergies, by no means all are mobile enough to give the animal sufficient exercise, and in some cases financial hardship makes feeding and veterinary costs an impossible obstacle. Also, in many Third World countries there is a danger that the guide dog might be eaten by hungry people or even by other stray and wild dogs.

DigiDog is expected to spark off a new phase of development of virtual models around the world. As well as being programmed before delivery, DigiDog is also capable of moving around independently and gathering effectively into its memory database new information on the environment for later use and precise positioning. It uses the new data to complement the already-installed virtual models of the user's immediate surroundings.

An accurate virtual model is essential for applications such as an electronic guide dog, as satellite positioning equipment and motion sensors are not sufficient. It is also a great deal easier to recognize unusual obstacles and moving objects if the device's memory contains a sharp image of how the environment should look.

According to Prof. Teller, DigiDog is the first virtual modelling application of this type. He reported to the WHO Seminar on Aids for the Handicapped that the main obstacle to mass production of the device is the ongoing patent dispute between the Lego Corporation and Volvo, the Swedish automotive manufacturers. He is confident, however, that both companies will agree to settle their differences and that Volvo will concentrate on vehicle-mounted applications while Lego explores other areas of interest. Teller admits that the weight of his prototype and the amount of electricity required still represent a major hindrance to the invention's rapid spread, but he argues that now that a beach-head has been achieved, the technological development will probably reduce the DigiDog in a short time to something resembling a modern mobile phone.

At the post-seminar press conference, Professor Teller was heavily critical of the indifference shown by military interests. He lamented the fact that the patents on so many innovations relating to virtual observation are in the hands of defence forces and military establishments in various countries. The civilian use of these secret programs has so far been either prohibited, or made prohibitively expensive. Many of the inventions would, however, greatly enhance the potential for improving the performance of devices like DigiDog. Whilst acknowledging the ingenuity of Professor Teller's work, World Health Organization representatives are by no means eager to approve his invention as a device to be made available under State-supported national health programs for the visually impaired. A spokesman for the organization observed that a good guide dog is a great deal more than a guide. It is also a trusted friend, and a guardian of its owner and his or her home. A dog also ensures that its master gets regular exercise, and there is no danger of its running out of energy halfway back from the bank or post office.

CompuMedia 31.10.2004

Desalination plants bring life to Northern Sahara

The supply of fresh water has brough lush vegetation to formerly desert areas on the southern shores of the Mediterranean. The first desalination pools have been in operation in Northern Morocco for around a year, and results are encouraging. Experts expect the project, which was funded by the World Bank, could have far-reaching effects in the global battle against hunger.

Forget the image you have of the coast of Morocco. Things look very different there now from just one year ago. Admittedly, the vegetation is not very high yet, but the familar sand-dunes now have a good covering of green. In the early stages of the "Greening the Desert" project the accent has been on introducing plants with deep roots that are adapted for living in damp sand. In the next phase - after the sand has been bound together - the number and range of plants will be nicreased gradually. The project will have achieved its stated aims in around ten years, by which time plants will have died off and decomposed to form a thin but viable layer of humus. Mohammed Bin Assam, the site manager for the project, was entusiastic about the first year's progress, saying that people now have a belief in the future and that the project staff are treated like royalty by the locals.

What has made the change possible is the construction of 20 massive desalination pools. Each is approximately 4 kilometres long and 80 metres wide. The pools are fitted with anodes and cathodes, which slowly separate out the salt from the water. The process takes place in two stages. In the first pool the salinity of the water is reduced from around 6500ppm to roughly 500ppm, and in the second it becomes potable fresh water.

Since the energy resources available are limited, the process is a slow one - a pool of freshwater can be extracted in 12 days. Solar panels and wind generators are adequate to provide the necessary electrical charges for the process. In contrast to previous similar desalination projects, the Moroccan experiment is relatively cheap, since in addition to the obvious capital investment and maintenance costs, the largest single expense item is transport of the salt away from the pools. This problem is already being addressed through the development of a form of algae that has been gene-manipulated such that it breaks down common salt into its component parts of sodium and chlorine. The latter it uses for anaerobic assimilation, and thus it produces energy through the chlorine. This energy can then be fed back into the system to support the energy needs of the pools themselves. The original strain of algae was derived from a saline lake in the United States.

One months ago the World Bank announced that it would be funding other greening projects to be launched in Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Yemen.

BUSWEB Digest 11/2004

UMTS video cellphones invade privacy - calls for compulsory registration

The wildfire spread of videomobiles has brought authorities worldwide up against a thorny ethical problem.

Covert use of video cellphones - perhaps the 21st century's version of the "Peeping Tom"- has become so widespread that our privacy is in grave danger. This is the view of an EU advisory committee currently deliberating whether all videophones should henceforth be subject to obligatory registration.

The prying may be accidental, or it can be deliberate voyeurism, even a form of industrial espionage. Whatever the case, users seem to be prone to leaving their phones accidentally or on purpose in a bewildering array of unsuitable places.

Videophones equipped with miniature camera eyes have been spotted in company meeting rooms, public conveniences, changing cubicles in department stores and swimming pools, in rented cars, school locker rooms and showers, and even in places where sensitive personal information is stored or processed.

Video mobiles, once just the toys of the very very rich, have mushroomed everywhere that the second-generation CDMA broadband network has been introduced. According to figures released by Nokia, video-equipped phones now account for almost one-third of the Scandinavian telecoms giant's mobile phone turnover. The numbers include both devices using the old GSM networks at ISDN speeds and the new generation of devices operating on the broadband nets.

Video cellphones are of course predominantly used for perfectly legal and acceptable purposes. The most common use is naturally that of videotelephony, but a share of the devices in circulation also operate as ever-vigilant remote cameras, for example at the summer cabin or in the car, deterring would-be burglars. At the summer cabin, the typical energy source these days is a solar panel on the roof of the building.

The spying and voyeurism that has caused furrowed brows amongst the privacy authorities is a more recent development, and one that has been made possible by the introduction on the market of disposable, pre-paid SIM cards. These cards are not registered as they were in the past, as the price includes a predetermined number of calls, and there is no invoicing from the operator. It is to be expected that the abuses will only increase as the prices of video cellphones continue to fall. A spokesman from the EU Personal Privacy Ombudsman's office in Brussels said laconically that phone prices are currently so high that people still tend to keep an eye on where they leave them. But prices are likely to tumble so much in the next couple of years, that we can expect video phones to become almost as typical a lost property item as the familiar umbrella.

Sneak viewing via video cellphones has also opened up a market for phone detectors. Interpol estimates that the keenest supporters of the new phone detection devices are to be found among professional criminals, companies fearing spying by their competitors, politicians and celebrities wishing to avoid paparazzi and embarrassing negative publicity, and young people trying to shake off their parents' control.

A Nokia engineer pointed out, however, that the phone detectors are only capable of tracing and locating a video cellphone when it begins to transmit, in other words when it is probably too late. The use of a videophone as a remote burglar alarm camera is thus still quite effective and adequate for the security needs of the average individual, but it seems likely that the deliberate misuse of video mobiles will become more difficult with increasing numbers of detectors in circulation.

Hannula I. & Linturi R. 1998: 100 Phenomena.
Yritysmikrot Oy, Helsinki 1998. Copyright notices ISBN 952-9508-18-2