  We discuss the effect induced on the neutralino-nucleon scalar cross-section
by the present uncertainties in the values of the quark masses and of the quark
scalar densities in the nucleon. We examine the implications of this aspect on
the determination of the neutralino cosmological properties, as derived from
measurements of WIMP direct detection. We show that, within current theoretical
uncertainties, the DAMA annual modulation data are compatible with a neutralino
as a major dark matter component, to an extent which is even larger than the
one previously derived.
