How to protect the chromosomal ends? Telomerase, chromosome stability and aging

The 2009 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was jointly awarded to three scientists — Elizabeth H Blackburn, Carol W Greider and Jack W Szostak — for their work during early 1980s and 1990s which helped unravel the molecular mechanisms of protection of chromosomal ends by telomeres and the enzyme telomerase. Their discovery has had major implications in the fields of ageing and cancer research. Blackburn and Greider are the ninth and tenth women scientist, to get this award in physiology or medicine and this is the first time that two women scientists have shared the prize.     

Conceptions for relating the evolution of mathematical concepts to mathematics learning—epistemology, history, and semiotics interacting To the memory of Carl Menger (1902–1985)

There is an over-arching consensus that the use of the history of mathematics should decidedly improve the quality of mathematics teaching. Mathematicians and mathematics educators show here a rare unanimity. One deplores, however, and in a likewise general manner, the scarcity of positive examples of such a use. This paper analyses whether there are shortcomings in the—implicit or explicit—conceptual bases, which might cause the expectations not to be fulfilled. A largely common denominator of various approaches is some connection with the term “genetic.” The author discusses such conceptions from the point of view of a historian of mathematics who is keen to contribute to progress in mathematics education. For this aim, he explores methodological aspects of research into the history of mathematics, based on—as one of the reviewers appreciated—his “life long research.”