Friday's news

02 Aug 2013

Drug treatments for both Alzheimer’s and Down Syndrome may be just a decade away following a break through by a team of researchers at the University of Queensland. In other news, Ariel Castro has been sentence to life in prison for the kidnapping and decade of abuse of three women in Ohio.

Alzheimer’s treatment on the horizon            

A team of researchers at the University of Queensland, led by Prof Ernst Wolvetang from the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, has used the skin cells from people who have Down Syndrome – who are likely to develop Alzheimer’s by the age of 40 – to create stem cells and then brain cells. They have been able to show how Alzheimer’s develops, flagging the possibility that drug treatments for both Alzheimer’s and Down Syndrome are just a decade away.

Watch a story about this research below.

Ariel Castro sentenced to life

The Ohio man behind the kidnapping of three women who were kept hostage for a decade has been sentenced to life plus more than 1000 years in jail. Castro kidnapped Amanda Berry, 27, Gina DeJesus, 23 and Michelle Knight, 32 and abused them while they were kept captive in his home. His defence claimed that he was not a monster who preyed on women and that he has a sexual addiction. ABC news has more.

Qantas gastro outbreak

Twenty-six passengers on a flight to Sydney from Chile came down with a gastro intestinal bug, resulting in mass vomiting and diarrhoea. A team of paramedics met the flight when it landed in Sydney. Three passengers were so seriously ill that they had to be stretchered off the plane. SMH.com.au has the full story.

Proposed bank protection levy

Banks will be asked to pay a levy of up to 0.05 per cent of deposits into a fund that will be used to protect customers in the case of any major financial collapse. Treasurer Chris Bowen and Finance Minister Penny Wong will release an updated economic statement later today. ABC News has the full story.

Australia leads after day one

Day one of the third Ashes Test at Old Trafford has been a success for Australia, with Clarke leading the way with 125 runs. Australia finished 3-303 giving the team a fighting chance to keep the series alive. However poor umpiring has frustrated both teams, with Australian No.3 Usman Khawaja’s dismissal upheld despite the review of evidence that should have delivered a reprieve. News.com.au has more.