Low forms of cyclin E reduce breast cancer drug’s effectiveness

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Overexpression of low-molecular-weight (LMW-E) forms of the protein cyclin E renders the aromatase inhibitor letrozole ineffective among women with estrogen-receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancers, researchers from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center report in Clinical Cancer Research .

http://www.bionity.com/news/e/113234/?WT.mc_id=ca0068

Dad sentenced to life for baby’s murder

A serial child abuser who killed his three-month-old son with a blow to his head has been given a life sentence.

West Australian Supreme Court Justice Ralph Simmonds on Friday sentenced John Patrick O’Kane, 41, to life, with a minimum non-parole period of 18 years, for the murder of his son Zach in January last year.

O’Kane had pleaded guilty to murdering his infant son before burying him in a bush grave in WA’s southwest.

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/dad-sentenced-to-life-for-babys-murder-20100205-nhx5.html

Premier accuses strikers of being ‘un-Australian’

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Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett has called on the Federal Government to prosecute workers taking illegal industrial action in Karratha.

Construction workers on Woodside’s Pluto project are defying an order made by Fair Work Australia to cease industrial action.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/01/28/2803669.htm?section=business

Another Backflip from WA State Government

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MEDIA RELEASE

The WA State Government is in negotiations with the administrators of Griffin Coal to provide a pre-payment of up to $4million against the delivery of coal under Verve Energy’s current coal supply contract.

The payment is understood to be the equivalent of two weeks’ production of coal.

To move ahead on this the Government is seeking assurances from the administrator KordaMentha on both of the quality and volume of coal to be delivered to Verve.

http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Results.aspx?ItemID=132998

Atlas West Oil Rig – where are the profits going?

Oil from the West Atlas oil rig in the Timor Sea, off the Western Australian northern coast, has been seeping into the ocean for more than ten weeks.

Yesterday, the rig caught fire.

We’re concerned about the long term effects on the environment, and, of course Australia’s reputation on the world stage,  but  should we be questioning who profits from these  massive projects off our coast?

Perth Journalist Tony Serve looks into the issues that have been swept under the carpet:

Australia NW Oil Spill, company links to Burma’s military dictatorship? Are we financing the Generals as we pick up the bill for their mess? OP/ED

http://ow.ly/yufR

$50b question: Gorgon carbon claims in doubt

DOUBTS have emerged over whether the giant $50 billion Gorgon gas project can safely bury its greenhouse gas emissions deep beneath the Barrow Island nature reserve off Western Australia.

Technical experts working with Gorgon’s developers, Chevron, Shell and ExxonMobil, found it was possible that carbon dioxide could leak from faults in the geological formation under the island which is supposed to act as the burial site. Their findings were disclosed in the developers’ response to complaints from the Conservation Council of WA, which argued the plan to bury the gases was highly risky.

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/50b-question-gorgon-carbon-claims-in-doubt-20090825-ey3j.html

Western Swamp Tortoises released into wild

A creep of critically endangered Western Swamp Tortoises was today released back into their former habitat at Moore River Nature Reserve north of Perth.

Environment Minister Donna Faragher said the 30 tortoises were bred at Perth Zoo and their translocation was part of the Western Swamp Tortoise Recovery Plan, which aimed to bring the species back from the brink of extinction.

“The Western Swamp Tortoise is one of the world’s rarest tortoises and is Australia’s most endangered reptile,” Mrs Faragher said.

http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Results.aspx?ItemID=132392

http://www.westernswamptortoise.com/about/about-the-western-swamp-tortoise

Australia signs biggest ever resource deal with China

Australia has secured its biggest ever resources deal by signing a $50 billion agreement to supply liquefied natural gas to China.

The gas will come from the Gorgon development off the West Australian coast.

The announcement comes a week after a $25 billion deal was struck to supply gas to India, also from Gorgon.

The $50 billion Gorgon LNG project will be the biggest single investment ever made in Australia, breaking the record set only a few years ago by the $12 billion Pluto LNG project now under construction in Western Australia.

Federal Resources Minister Martin Ferguson said the unprecedented export deal confirmed Australia’s importance as a global energy superpower.

http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/australia-signs-biggest-ever-resource-deal-with-china-20090818-ep2g.html

Labor kills WA shopping hours reform

A bid to extend shopping hours in Perth has failed after Labor this morning decided to oppose the Retail Trading Hours Amendment Bill.

The legislation cannot now pass through the Legislative Assembly as the Liberals coalition partner in Government, the Nationals, also opposes it.

Premier Colin Barnett slammed the decision, saying Perth was building several iconic developments – such as the Northbridge Link, Perth Arena and the waterfront redevelopment – “and you are going to have a big sign – ‘closed’.”

http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/labor-kills-shopping-hours-reform-20090818-eoqy.html

Geothermal exploration permits expands potential for alternative energy source

Perth metropolitan homes and businesses could be powered, cooled and heated by geothermal energy in the future following the recent awarding of the first geothermal exploration permits in the Perth Basin.

Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore said today there was strong potential to harness geothermal power in the Perth area.

“Using the natural heat from deep underground sources would be a significant step in reducing our carbon footprint,” Mr Moore said.

“Imagine new housing estates using natural energy source to cool, heat or power homes with no emissions.”

http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Results.aspx?ItemID=132369