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Pineapple stem may combat cancer

Saturday, July 23, 2005
BBC NEWS | Health | Pineapple stem may combat cancer:

Pineapple stem may combat cancer
Two molecules isolated from an extract of crushed pineapple stems have shown promise in fighting cancer growth.

One molecule called CCS blocks a protein called Ras, which is defective in approximately 30% of all cancers.

The other, called CCZ, stimulates the body's own immune system to target and kill cancer cells.

It is hoped the research, carried out by Queensland Institute of Medical Research, could lead to new anti-cancer drugs.

The origin of many anti-cancer drugs can be found in nature
Dr Julie Sharp

The extract studied by the scientists, bromelain, is a rich source of enzymes and is widely used as a meat tenderiser, to clarify beer and tan leather hides.

The Queensland team discovered that the extract also had pharmacological properties and could activate specific immune cells while, simultaneously, blocking the immune function of other cells.

Lead researcher Dr Tracey Mynott said: 'We suspected that different components of the crude mixture might be responsible for bromelain's biological effects.

'In searching for these components, we discovered the CCS and CCZ proteins and found that they could block growth of a broad range of tumour cells, including breast, lung, colon, ovarian and melanoma.'

New action

Both CCS and CCZ are protease enzymes, more usually associated with breaking down proteins, as in the digestive process.

Dr Mynott said it was the first time this class of enzymes had been shown to have a specific effect on the immune system.

'The way CCS and CCZ work is different to any other drug in clinical use today.

'Therefore, CCS and CCZ will represent a totally new way of treating disease and potentially a whole new class of anti-cancer agent.'

Dr Julie Sharp, at Cancer Research UK, said: 'The origin of many anti-cancer drugs can be found in nature.

'However, it's early days for t

YoshidaTatsuya's Photographs of Stones

A fascinating collection of images of rocks and stones ...

YoshidaTatsuya's Photographs of Stones

Tour De France 2005 : Overall Standings after Stage 20

Overall classification:

1. Lance Armstrong (US/Discovery) 82h 34min 05sec
2. Ivan Basso (Ita/CSC) at 4:40
3. Jan Ullrich (Ger/T-Mobile) at 6:21
4. Francisco Mancebo (Spa/Balears) at 9:59
5. Levi Leipheimer (US/Gerolsteiner) at 11:25
6. Alexander Vinokourov (Kaz/T-Mobile) at 11:27
7. Michael Rasmussen (Den/Rabobank) at 11:33
8. Cadel Evans (Aus/Lotto) at 11:55
9. Floyd Landis (US/Phonak) at 12:44
10. Oscar Pereiro (Spa/Phonak) at 16:04

Tour De France 2005 Blog


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Tour De France 2005 : Stage 20 Results

Stage 20 result:

1. Lance Armstrong (US/Discovery) one hour 11 minutes and 46 seconds
2. Jan Ullrich (Ger/T-Mobile) at 23 secs
3. Alexander Vinokourov (Kaz/T-Mobile) at 1:16
4. Bobby Julich (US/CSC) at 1:33
5. Ivan Basso (Ita/CSC) at 1:54
6. Floyd Landis (US/Phonak) at 2:02
7. Cadel Evans (Aus/Lotto) at 2:06
8. George Hincapie (US/Discovery) at 2:25
9. Francisco Mancebo (Spa/Balears) at 2:51
10. Vladimir Karpets (Rus/Balears) at 3:05

Tour De France 2005 Blog


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Tour De France 2005 : Sizzling Armstrong gets stage win

BBC SPORT | Other Sport... | Cycling | Sizzling Armstrong gets stage win:

Sizzling Armstrong gets stage win

Lance Armstrong put the seal on what will be his seventh-straight Tour de France title by winning his first 2005 stage - the individual time trial.

The American clocked one hour, 11 minutes and 46 seconds to smash rival Jan Ullrich's time in Saint Etienne.

Accidents permitting, he will be crowned champion on the Champs-Elysees after the formality of Sunday's stage.

Ullrich made the move of stage 20 by eroding Michael Rasmussen's two-minute advantage to take third spot overall.

Tour De France 2005 : Overall Standing After Stage 19

Friday, July 22, 2005
Overall standings (Top 10)

1. Lance Armstrong (USA) Discovery Channel at 81:22:19
2. Ivan Basso (Ita) Team CSC at 2:46
3. Mickael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank at 3:46
4. Jan Ullrich (Ger) T-Mobile at 5:58
5. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) Illes Balears at 7:08
6. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Gerolsteiner at 8:12
7. Cadel Evans (Aus) Davitamon-Lotto at 9:49
8. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) T-Mobile at 10:11
9. Floyd Landis (USA) Phonak at 10:42
10. Oscar Pereiro (Spa) Phonak at 12:39

Tour De France 2005 Blog


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Tour De France 2005 : Stage 18 Results

Stage result (Top 10)

1. Giuseppe Guerini (Ita) T-Mobile 3:33:04
2. Sandy Casar (Fra) Francaise des Jeux at 10 seconds
3. Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas at same time
4. Oscar Pereiro (Spa) Phonak at 12 seconds
5. Salvatore Commesso (Ita) Lampre - Caffita at 2:43
6. Kurt-Asle Arvesen (Nor) Team CSC at 2:48
7. Nicolas Portal (Fra) AG2R at same time
8. Bert Grabsch (Ger) Phonak at same time
9. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Cofidis at same time
10. Pieter Weening (Ned) Rabobank at 3:50

Tour De France 2005 Blog


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Tour De France 2005 : Guerini takes victory on stage 19

BBC SPORT | Other Sport... | Cycling | Guerini takes victory on stage 19:

Guerini takes victory on stage 19

Italian Giuseppe Guerini clinched a surprise victory in the 19th stage of the Tour de France.

The T-Mobile rider produced a devastating attack with just over a kilometre remaining and the three alongside him were unable to respond.

Frenchman Sandy Casar finished second in the shortest road stage of the Tour, ahead of Franco Pellizotti of Italy.

Oscar Pereiro came fourth to force his way into the overall top 10, with Lance Armstrong finishing safely in the pack.

The American, heading for his seventh Tour de France victory on Sunday, has a lead of two minutes 46 seconds over Italian Ivan Basso.

He will look to tighten his stranglehold on Saturday in what will be his last ever time trial before his retirement.

'I probably have five more hours in my career as a cyclist. I'm not terribly sad about that,' said the 33-year-old.

Tour De France 2005 : Overall Standings after Stage 18

Thursday, July 21, 2005
Overall standings (Top 10)

1. Lance Armstrong (USA) Discovery Channel at 77:44:44
2. Ivan Basso (Ita) Team CSC at 2:46
3. Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank at 3:46
4. Jan Ullrich (Ger) T-Mobile at 5:58
5. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) Illes Balears at 7:08
6. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Gerolsteiner at 8:12
7. Cadel Evans (Aus) Davitamon-Lotto at 9:49
8. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) T-Mobile at 10:11
9. Floyd Landis (USA) Phonak at 10:42
10. Christophe Moreau (Fra) at Credit Agricole at 13:15

Tour De France 2005 : Stage 18 Results

Stage result (Top 10)

1. Marcos Serrano (Spa) Liberty Seguros at 4:37:36
2. Cedric Vasseur (Fra) Cofidis at 27 seconds
3. Axel Merckx (Bel) Davitamon - Lotto at same time
4. Xavier Zandio (Spa) Illes Balears at 1:08
5. Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas at same time
6. Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Bouygues Telecom at 1:28
7. Luke Roberts (Aus) Team CSC at same time
8. Matthias Kessler (Ger) T-Mobile at 1:44
9. Egoi Martinez (Spa) Euskaltel at 2:03
10. Carlos Da Cruz (Fra) Francaise des Jeux at 2:38

Tour De France 2005 : Serrano climbs to stage success

BBC SPORT | Other Sport... | Cycling | Serrano climbs to stage success:

Serrano climbs to stage success
Marcos Serrano took the honours in the 18th stage of the Tour de France.

The Spaniard came out on top of a gruelling three-way battle with Cedric Vasseur and Axel Merckx on a short, sharp climb late in the 189km stage.

The Liberty-Seguros rider had the legs to drop the pair on the Cote de la Croix-Neuve before powering down the kilometre descent to the finish.

Race leader Lance Armstrong finished the route from Albi to Mende 11 minutes and 18 seconds down with Ivan Basso.

The pair showed their strength on the final climb which split the peloton - and the leading challengers on the overall classification.

The only riders who could stay with the American and the second-placed Italian were Jan Ullrich and Cadel Evans - and for good reason.

We knew it was a difficult finish. You still have a lot of tactics within the race and you have to pay attention
Lance Armstrong

Ullrich was desperate to take time out of third-placed Mickael Rasmussen to help his efforts of getting on Sunday's podium in Paris, while Evans wanted to leapfrong Alexandre Vinokourov into seventh.

FlckrFinds : Bomb shelters - a photoset on Flickr

Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Bomb shelters - a photoset on Flickr:

Bomb shelters

Tour De France 2005 : Rivals resigned to defeat as Armstrong marches on

SI.com - More Sports - 2005 Tour de France - Rivals resigned to defeat as Armstrong marches on - Tuesday July 19, 2005 10:21AM:

Lance's rivals resigned to defeat
Posted: Tuesday July 19, 2005 10:21AM; Updated: Tuesday July 19, 2005 10:21AM

PAU, France (AP) -- Ivan Basso is just 2 minutes, 46 seconds behind Lance Armstrong at the Tour de France. As far as the Italian rider is concerned, the race is over.

'It's not possible to beat him,' the second-place Basso said Monday as riders rested in Pau. 'I have done all I can.'

Armstrong holds a significant advantage over his closest challengers, who are running out of time with the race ending Sunday.

With a time trial on the penultimate day -- Armstrong's specialty -- Basso needs to make huge time gains in the four stages before that for an improbable comeback. Basso's Team CSC director, Bjarne Riis, also seemed resigned to finishing no higher than second.

'He has class, strength and talent,' Riis said of Armstrong. 'It's not easy to beat someone like that.'



Tour De France 2005 Blog


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Tour De France 2005 : Armstrong enjoys scenery as teammate wins Stage 17

SI.com - More Sports - 2005 Tour de France - Savoldelli captures second stage win for Discovery team - Wednesday July 20, 2005 11:43AM:

Spreading the wealth
Armstrong enjoys scenery as teammate wins Stage 17
Posted: Wednesday July 20, 2005 11:43AM; Updated: Wednesday July 20, 2005 11:43AM

REVEL, France (AP) -- Lance Armstrong's teammate Paolo Savoldelli won the longest stage of the Tour de France, finishing far ahead of the six-time champion and other top riders who took it easy over the 148.8-mile trek Wednesday across southern France.

But awaiting Armstrong at the finish was the 79th race leader's yellow jersey of his storied career. That matched the number won by French great Bernard Hinault, though it was still behind Eddy Merckx's record of 111. Hinault, Merckx, Miguel Indurain and Jacques Anquetil won the Tour five times -- a record Armstrong beat last year.

Savoldelli was part of a breakway group that built up a lead of more than 24 minutes over Armstrong's following pack. Because the riders ahead were no threat to his overall lead, Armstrong did not give chase.

Instead, Armstrong and the others in his pack, which included all of his closest rivals, soaked up the scenery of rolling hills, picturesque villages and freshly harvested fields, chatting among themselves and occasionally joking with the television crews on motorcycles covering the race's stage 17.

Savoldelli's victory was the second individual stage win for Armstrong's Discovery Channel team. George Hincapie won another stage in the Pyrenees, and was the first of Armstrong's support riders to win a stage since the Texan began his run of Tour de France vic

Tour De France 2005 : Overall Standings after Stage 17

Overall standings (Top 10)

1. Lance Armstrong (USA) Discovery Channel at 72:55:50
2. Ivan Basso (Ita) Team CSC at 2:46
3. Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank at 3:09
4. Jan Ullrich (Ger) T-Mobile at 5:58
5. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) Illes Balears at 6:31
6. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Gerolsteiner at 7:35
7. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) T-Mobile at 9:38
8. Cadel Evans (Aus) Davitamon-Lotto at 9:49
9. Floyd Landis (USA) Phonak at 9:53
10. Christophe Moreau (Fra) Credit Agricole at 12:07

Tour De France 2005 Blog


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Tour De France 2005 : Stage 17 Results

Stage result (Top 10)

1. Paolo Savoldelli (Ita) Discovery Channel at 5:41:19
2. Kurt-Asle Arvesen (Nor) Team CSC at same time
3. Simon Gerrans (Aus) AG2R at eight seconds
4. Sebastien Hinault (Fra) Credit Agricole at 11 seconds
5. Andriy Grivko (Ukr) Domina Vacanze at 24 seconds
6. Oscar Sevilla (Spa) T-Mobile at 51 seconds
7. Bram Tankink (Ned) Quick-Step at same time
8. Daniele Righi (Ita) Lampre-Caffita at 53 seconds
9. Samuel Dumoulin (Fra) AG2R at 3:14
10. Allan Davis (Aus) Liberty Seguros at same time

Tour De France 2005 Blog


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Tour De France 2005 : Savoldelli takes stage in style

BBC SPORT | Other Sport... | Cycling | Savoldelli takes stage in style:

Savoldelli takes stage in style

Paolo Savoldelli has won the 17th stage of the Tour de France from Pau to Revel - the longest day of the 2005 race.

The Italian had been in a group of 17 who escaped early in the day, before that split further with 50km to go.

It broke up again close to the finish and Norwegian Kurt-Asle Arvesen hit the front on the home straight before being overhauled by Savoldelli on the line.

Race leader Lance Armstrong came home more than 22 minutes down alongside all his major rivals in a small group.

They stole a lead over the rest of the peloton late in the 239.5km stage on the Cote de St-Ferreol - the same category three climb that saw Savoldelli stamp his authority on the leading group.

A crash on the lower slopes of the climb disrupted the peloton and a host of riders looked to take advantage of the confusion.

Jan Ullrich's best efforts floundered on the fact Mickael Rasmussen was on his shoulder, but the German's team-mate Alexandre Vinokourov propsered.

The Kazakhstan rider benefitted when Floyd Landis and Cadel Evans were caught cold in the secondary group and came home with enough of an advantage to leap above the pair into seventh in general classification.

Savoldelli, one of Armstrong's Discovery Channel team-mates, also climbed the rankings, albeit far lower down from 33rd to 24th.

Tour De France 2005 : Armstrong cruises out of Pyrenees well in front

Tuesday, July 19, 2005
SI.com - More Sports - 2005 Tour de France - Armstrong cruises out of Pyrenees well in front - Tuesday July 19, 2005 11:22AM:

Cruise control
Armstrong leaves Pyrenees maintaining sizable lead
Posted: Tuesday July 19, 2005 11:22AM; Updated: Tuesday July 19, 2005 11:29AM

PAU, France (AP) -- Lance Armstrong completed the last of three days in the Pyrenees with a comfortable overall lead in the Tour de France, finishing Tuesday's 16th stage in a group behind stage winner Oscar Pereiro.

Pereiro beat a fellow Spaniard, Xabier Zandio, and two other riders in a finishing sprint. Armstrong trailed in a group with his main rivals, keeping his overall lead over second-place Ivan Basso unchanged at 2 minutes, 46 seconds.

Tour De France 2005 : Overall standing after Stage 16

Overall standings (Top 10)
1. Lance Armstrong (USA) Discovery Channel at 66:52:03
2. Ivan Basso (Ita) Team CSC at 2:46
3. Mickael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank at 3:09
4. Jan Ullrich (Ger) T-Mobile at 5:58
5. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) Illes Balears at 6:31
6. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Gerolsteiner at 7:35
7. Cadel Evans (Aus) Davitamon - Lotto at 9:29
8. Floyd Landis (USA) Phonak at 9:33
9. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) T-Mobile at 9:38
10. Christophe Moreau (Fra) Credit Agricole at 11:47

Tour De France 2005 Blog


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Tour De France 2005 : Stage 16 Results

Stage result (Top 10)

1. Oscar Pereiro (Spa) Phonak at 4:38:40
2. Xavier Zandio (Spa) Illes Balears at same time
3. Eddy Mazzoleni (Ita) Lampre-Caffita
4. Cadel Evans (Aus) (Davitamon-Lotto
5. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Francaise des Jeux at 2:25
6. Anthony Geslin (Fra) Bouygues Telecom
7. Joerg Ludewig (Ger) Domina Vacanze
8. Juan Antonio Flecha (Spa) Fassa Bortolo
9. Ludovic Turpin (Fra) AG2R
10. Cedric Vasseur (Fra) Cofidis

Tour De France 2005 Blog


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Tour De France 2005 : Pereiro sprints to victory in Pau

With the mountain range part over ... Lance is in excellent shape to win it ... barring any accidents.

BBC SPORT | Other Sport... | Cycling | Pereiro sprints to victory in Pau:

Pereiro sprints to victory in Pau

Phonak's Oscar Pereiro has won the 16th stage of the Tour de France into Pau.

The Spaniard capped an aggressive day in the saddle with a sprint finish to hold off the challenge of Xabier Zandio, Eddy Mazzoleni and Cadel Evans.

The quartet had been out in front as the race left the mountains behind for the last time before a flat run in.

Lance Armstrong maintained his overall lead coming home in the third group on the road, three minutes and 24 seconds back, alongside all his major rivals.

While Pereiro took the honours on the line, Evans was the big winner on the final day in the mountains, climbing from 11th to seventh overall.

The Australian was in a group of 11 escapees having broken free of the main peloton after just 26km of the 180.5km stage from Mourenx.

Tour De France 2005 : Armstrong Keeps Lead; Teammate Wins Stage

Sunday, July 17, 2005
Armstrong Keeps Lead; Teammate Wins Stage:

Armstrong Keeps Lead; Teammate Wins Stage
By JOHN LEICESTER

SAINT-LARY-SOULAN, France � Lance Armstrong kept his overall lead and teammate George Hincapie won the 15th stage of the Tour de France on Sunday, the hardest day of climbing in the Pyrenees.

The two friends beamed as they hugged each other after Armstrong finished more than five minutes behind his teammate. Armstrong gave a thumbs-up in reaction to the first stage win by one of his teammates since 1999.


'This is a dream for me,' Hincapie said.

Armstrong, who finished seventh, called it a 'perfect day.'

Tour De France 2005 : Lance's builds lead in tough mountain stage

SI.com - More Sports - 2005 Tour de France - Lance's builds lead in tough mountain stage - Sunday July 17, 2005 11:38AM:

Pyrenees victory
Teammate wins stage as Armstrong's lead grows

SAINT-LARY-SOULAN, France (AP) -- Lance Armstrong kept his overall lead and teammate George Hincapie won the 15th stage of the Tour de France on Sunday, the hardest day of climbing in the Pyrenees.

The two friends beamed as they hugged each other after Armstrong finished more than five minutes behind his teammate. Armstrong gave a thumbs-up in reaction to the first stage win by one of his teammates since 1999.

'This is a dream for me,' Hincapie said.

Armstrong called it a 'perfect day.'

'He is my biggest guy, my biggest friend on the team,' the Texan said of Hincapie, the only teammate to be with Armstrong for all six of his Tour victories. They have known each other since they were teenagers.

Armstrong finished with Italian Ivan Basso, who jumped to second in the overall standings, but still trails the American by 2 minutes and 46 seconds. Mickael Rasmussen of Denmark fell back to third overall, now 3:09 behind Armstrong.

Jan Ullrich of Germany struggled on the final climb and now trails Armstrong by 5:58.

Tour De France 2005 : Overall standings after Stage 15

Overall standings:

1. Lance Armstrong (US / Discovery Channel) 62:09:59"
2. Ivan Basso (Italy / Team CSC) +2:46"
3. Michael Rasmussen (Denmark / Rabobank) +3:09"
4. Jan Ullrich (Germany / T-Mobile) +5:58"
5. Francisco Mancebo (Spain / Illes Balears) +6:31"
6. Levi Leipheimer (US / Gerolsteiner) +7:35"
7. Floyd Landis (United States / Phonak) +9:33"
8. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kazakhstan / T-Mobile) +9:38"
9. Christophe Moreau (France / Credit Agricole) +11:47"
10. Andreas Kloeden (Germany / T-Mobile) +12:01"

Tour De France 2005 Blog


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Tour De France 2005 : Stage 15 results

Stage 15 result:

1. George Hincapie (US / Discovery Channel) 6:06:38"
2. Oscar Pereiro (Spain / Phonak) +6"
3. Pietro Caucchioli (Italy / Credit Agricole) +38"
4. Michael Boogerd (Netherlands / Rabobank) +57"
5. Laurent Brochard (France / Bouygues Telecom) +2:19"
6. Ivan Basso (Italy / Team CSC) +5:04"
7. Lance Armstrong (US / Discovery Channel)
8. Oscar Sevilla (Spain / T-Mobile) +6:28"
9. Jan Ullrich (Germany / T-Mobile)
10. Michael Rasmussen (Denmark / Rabobank) +6:32"

Tour De France 2005 Blog


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Tour De France 2005 : Hincapie gets maiden Tour victory

BBC SPORT | Other Sport... | Cycling | Hincapie gets maiden Tour victory:

Hincapie gets maiden Tour victory

George Hincapie outsprinted Oscar Pereiro to win his first Tour de France stage as team captain Lance Armstrong tightened his grip on the race lead.

The American, one of Armstrong's top 'domestiques', sat at the back of a 14-man break on a brutal day of climbs.

But when it became clear that Armstrong would not catch him, he was given the all-clear to pursue a stage 15 victory.

Armstrong finished strongly with Ivan Basso, who stole second place overall from battling Dane Mickael Rasmussen.

The biggest crowds of this year's race were baying for a Spanish victory in the Pyrenees.

It seems to me that Discovery are so strong at the moment they can catapult anyone they want into a stage win
From YK

And Pereiro came closest to providing it when he struck for home on the last 'hors category' climb of a day that also included four category one ascents.

The Spaniard shook off all fellow escapees except for the stubborn Hincapie, who sat on his wheel to the top before forging past 200m from the line.

Their memorable duel was matched by fascinating battles further down the Pla-d'Adet.

In-form Italian Basso, who had launched a stinging attack on the previous mountain, set a faster pace than anyone bar Armstrong, who matched him pedal for pedal.

They finished the 220km stage five minutes behind Hincapie and Pereiro.

Hincapie is my biggest guy, my biggest friend on the team
Lance Armstrong

As the pair reeled in fatigued stragglers from the break - which splintered from the peloton after just 27km - they opened up time on all other rivals, including Jan Ullrich, who lost more than a minute.

Behind the German, Rasmussen looked in danger of slipping out of the top three on the general classification.

He lost too much time to Basso, but weathered Ullrich's attack as other