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Despite stupendous advances in the past 50 years, Western governments' support of research for its own sake is on the wane. The new year is an appropriate time for researchers and policy-makers to consider the implications and make some resolutions.
This year's commemorative platter includes ether anaesthesia, smallpox vaccination, radioactivity and several mathematical morsels, as well as an accidental death (Otto Lilienthal) and the mother of all births (the Universe).
Lack of oxygen induces the death of cells at the centre of tumours. But cells with mutations in the p53 tumour suppressor can survive such conditions, providing yet another lead in the study of this notorious gene.
