The ostrich is the largest bird in the world. Ostriches cannot fly but they can run as fast as 50 kilometres per hour (30 miles per hour).
Gene linked to disorder in Newfoundland
Gene linked to disorder in Newfoundland Canadian scientists have found a key gene behind a
rare disorder that causes an unusually high number of
Newfoundlanders to be born with extra fingers and toes. The
debilitating disorder is characterized by obesity, blindness and
kidney failure. The genetic disorder, a complex disease called
Bardet-Biedl Synrome affects about one in 160,000 people worldwide,
but is about 10 times more prevalent in Newfoundland. About one in
eery 15,000 people on the island is dealing with it's symtoms. The
province's relatively small gene pool and its isolaton make it more
likely that 2 carriers of the gene will produce children who
exhibit the symptoms. When someone is born with BBS, they may have
extra fingers and toes. Then, as a child, they become obese. Then
in their early teens, these people lose their sight. If that
wer4en't enough, they have kidney problems. The discovery is a
signpost that could lead researchers to identify genetic links to
conditions affecting the general public including obesity, and
diabetes. SEPTEMBER 2, 2000
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