Imagine your genes are like a chemical computer code—and the order of that code, all those genetic ones and zeroes, determine whether you’re healthy…or whether you have or will get cancer. The National Human Genome Research Institute has given 156-million dollars to Washington University in St. Louis to finance four years of study of DNA sequencing that could take medicine closer to learning cancer’s secrets by letting researchers look more deeply into that human chemical computer code. . The Director of the school’s Genome Sequencing Center, Doctor Richard Wilson, says the research will loook at genetic changes that are behind the development of cancer and make it grow. He thinks it could lead to extremely early diagnosis–and not just cancer. Will it lead to a cure for cancer? He’s not promising that. But learning to spot a very early genetic precursor to cancer can lead to better diagnosis and earlier and better-designed treatments.
MODOT Warns Highway Funding is Set to Dive
Huge dividends on the state’s roadways are what the state Transportation Departments says Missourians are seeing… and feeling. Director Pete Rahn says 2005 was a record year in highway construction and 2006 beat that record with even more highway production and improvement. But, he says funding for those improvements is approaching a steep cliff that Missourians cannot afford to face. Rahn says the department averages 1.4 billion dollars a year on current road construction. But, he says that won’t last long because funding is slated to see an 800 million dollar decrease in just three years… and for Rahn, 600 million dollars for transportation efforts just won’t cut it. He says both the public and the legislature need to act now in securing more money for state transportation.
Mizzou Falls To Aggies
Everything started out so bright for the Missouri volleyball team. The Tigers were ranked in the top 15 and battling for the Big 12 title. Then all of a sudden things came crashing down. Things hit rock bottom Wednesday as Mizzou lost to Texas A&M in a sweep, 30-24, 30-20, 30-27. The only good to come out of the match for Missouri was Tatum Ailes tied the school record for career digs with 1,372.
Nicole Wilson led the Tigers with 13 kills. She also recorded two blocks and six digs. Senior Jessica Vander Kooi had her usual double-double with 10 kills and 12 digs.
But the Aggies (12-16, 5-15) were too tough at home. Freshman Mary Batis had a game-high 15 kills, adding 14 digs and an ace. Senior Christi Hahn finished her collegiate career with 14 kills, four blocks, and an ace.
Mizzou brings their regular-season to an end on Friday with a home match against Texas Tech. It will be Senior Night for the Tigers. Missouri will learn of their post season fate Sunday during the NCAA Selection Show.
Judge Denies Temple’s Plea
Missouri running back Tony Temple pleaded guilty to peace disturbance Wednesday in Boone County Circuit Court stemming from a altercation at a Columbia restaurant in June.
Temple, 21, was charged with third-degree assault for beating up a Bennigan’s restaurant employee over an argument with Temple’s girlfriend.
Travis Jacobs, Temple’s attorney, negotiated a peace disturbance charge with the Boone County Prosecuting Attorney’s office. Peace disturbance is a misdemeanor that carries a penalty of 30 to 60 days in jail.
Temple arrived in court Wednesday in time to plead guilty to peace disturbance. But to much surprise, Boone County Circuit Judge Larry Bryson declined the plea and gave no reason for doing so.
Blues Snap Losing Skid
It was not the prettiest NHL game ever, but when two of the worst teams play one another any win is appreciated.
St. Louis went into last night’s game against Columbus losers of three straight and six of the last seven. The Blue Jackets were losers of six in a row. Both teams knew somebody had to win. Even though it was not pretty, it was hard fought with the Blues coming out on top 4-3 in a shootout.
Bill Guerin scored the only goal in the shootout. It was the final game for the Blue Jackets before Ken Hitchcock takes the bench as coach.
Blues goalie Manny Legace shook off some early season troubles to stop 29 shots including all four shootout shots.
Jamal Mayers scored two goals, including the game-tying goal with 2:18 in the third period. Ryan Johnson scored the other goal. Barret Jackman recorded two assists.
