Researchers found that certain patterns of immune responses to HIV during primary infection are highly predictive of an individual's subsequent rate of disease progression. The study suggests that the immunologic factors at work during this early period, as much or more than virologic factors, determine the outcome of HIV disease.
Research by University of Georgia forester Dr. Bob Teskey and colleagues found that managed timber stands can benefit from higher CO2 levels due to improved photosynthesis. The study's results suggest pine trees are better adapted to increased CO2, with positive responses from other species as well.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine identify TWIST gene as cause of Saethre-Chotzen syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by craniofacial abnormalities and limb defects. The study confirms the role of the TWIST protein in human development and provides insight into the confusion with Crouzon syndrome.
Researchers at Oregon Health Sciences University discovered how a mutated agouti gene leads to overeating and excess body fat in mice. The study shows that the agouti gene, when expressed in brain cells, disrupts a hormonal signaling pathway that regulates feeding behavior.
Scientists at ORNL use an atomic force microscope to image a serpentine strand of DNA, revealing protein bumps that form when proteins attach to specific sites. The technique is being developed as an alternative to conventional DNA mapping methods, promising improved accuracy and speed.