Researchers discovered that biological clocks are independently controlled in various body parts, including appendages and sensory cells. These findings could lead to new strategies for treating disorders related to jet lag, shift work, and seasonal depression.
In a breakthrough study, scientists found that fruit flies' clock genes respond in unison to environmental light manipulations, indicating independent operation outside the brain. This discovery suggests that cells harbor novel photoreceptors and challenges traditional views of circadian rhythm regulation.
A Columbia University scientist warns that global warming could cause the abrupt collapse of ocean currents, sending European temperatures plummeting by 20 degrees Fahrenheit within 10 years. This could lead to a drastic change in climate, with devastating consequences.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that the ARF tumor suppressor interacts with the p53 gene, preventing cancer growth and development. The study identifies a single genetic locus, INK4a/ARF, which encodes two proteins regulating two key biochemical pathways.