November 2005 in Science - November 18, 2005

November 18, 2005

• Removing the Sir2 gene has revealed a potential breakthrough in ageing research; as the cells are tricked into reacting as though there is a food shortage and slowing down. This has resulted in organisms living six times longer than normal. (Guardian)
• Archaeologists in Norway discover 35 stone age settlements in southern parts of the border between Telemark and Vestfold counties; 20 of the dwellings stem from the Upper Paleolithic period, roughly 8,000 BC. Before this discovery, only six such dwellings were known in the whole of southern Norway. The excavations have been done in this exact area and time as part of the preparation for rerouting and widening European Highway E18. (This follows the standard procedure in Norway of the Inspectorate of Ancient Monuments and Historic Buildings withholding the startup of major road construction projects until proper archaeological excavations of the affected area have been performed.) (NRK.no) (in Norwegian only; English-language reports awaited)