An herb used in traditional medicine by Middle Eastern countries may help fight pancreatic cancer. Researchers have found that thymoquinone, an extract of nigella sativa seed oil, blocked pancreatic cancer cell growth and killed cells by enhancing programmed cell death. The findings suggest that thymoquinone could eventually have use as a preventative in those who have had surgery and chemotherapy or who are at risk of developing cancer.(author unknown)

Fabrics found in the tomb of an ancient Maya queen rival modern textiles in their complexity and quality, scientists say.

(author unknown)

Hundreds of indigenous people from North America are meeting in Mexico to discuss environmental issues and revive traditional notions of respect for Earth.

(author unknown)

Curing cancer with natural products -- a case for shamans and herbalists? Not at all, for many chemotherapies to fight cancer applied in modern medicine are natural products or were developed on the basis of natural substances. Thus, taxanes used in prostate and breast cancer treatment are made from yew trees. The popular periwinkle plant, which grows along the ground of many front yards, is the source of vinca alkaloids that are effective, for example, against malignant lymphomas. The modern anti-cancer drugs topotecan and irinotecan are derived from a constituent of the Chinese Happy Tree.

(author unknown)

New research suggests that the Maya made their famous paint as part of rituals that sometimes involved human sacrifice.KENNETH CHANG