Scientists have developed a new molecular sensor that can reveal the amount of zinc in cells, which could tell us more about a number of diseases, including type 2 diabetes. The research, published today in Nature Methods, opens the door to the hidden world of zinc biology by giving scientists an accurate way of measuring the concentration of zinc and its location in cells for the first time.

Researchers have developed a new type of small-scale electric power generator able to produce alternating current through the cyclical stretching and releasing of zinc oxide wires encapsulated in a flexible plastic substrate with two ends bonded.

Recently, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires have drawn major interest because of their semiconducting nature and unique optical and piezoelectric properties.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and collaborators are using minute, naturally occurring proteins called zinc fingers to engineer T cells to one day treat AIDS in humans.

Scientists in Virginia are reporting that home plumbing systems constructed with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic pipes may be more susceptible to leaching of lead and copper into drinking water than other types of piping —¬ especially when PVC systems include brass fixtures and pipefittings.

Last week, Kootenay Gold (TSX.V:KTN) released the initial results from the Phase 2 drill program now underway at the company’s 100% owned Promintorio project.

Little Squaw Gold Mining (OTCBB:LITS) is advancing its shareholders’ interests on four fronts, all of which are shaping up to be lucrative investments for the company.

By Darryl Kelley

Drilling is now underway at Tarsis Capital’s (TSX.V:TCC) Wolf project (previously named Tim), a 6,000 hectare lead, zinc and silver project located 72 kilometres west of Watson Lake in the Yukon Territory, and 12 kilometres northeast of the Silvertip Deposit (previously named Midway).

By Eric Pratt

Its not often one discovers an OTC-listed mining company that has a board of directors and management team with the caliber and pedigree of Little Squaw Gold Mining Company (OTCBB:LITS).

Researchers at the University of Maryland at College Park have discovered that Normal Human Bronchial Epithelial (NHBE) cells cultured in medium with elevated zinc level, at the high end of plasma zinc attainable by oral supplementation, demonstrated inhibition of cell growth, up-regulation of growth arrest and DNA damage-induced gene (Gadd45) mRNA and protein expression, and blockage of G2/M cell cycle progression.

When the ancient Roman scholar Publilius Syrus said, “No pleasure endures unseasoned by variety,” he could well have been referring to mining companies. One trick ponies, as recent events are sure to prove again, live and die the by price of a single commodity, and as such, are more vulnerable to sudden or unexpected market movements than are polymetallic companies.

Yale’s program for 2007 has now defined skarn mineralization over a strike length of 250 meters - more than doubling the length upon which previous ore estimates were based - and their work has shown that mineralization is open in all directions.