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Science News for July 29, 1999


Superfluid is shown to have property of a solid

Physicists at Northwestern University have demonstrated that superfluid helium-3 can conduct sound waves transversely, a property previously observed in solids. This discovery provides conclusive proof of the existence of transverse sound waves in liquid helium-3 and opens up new possibilities for studying its internal structure.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature·DateJul 29, 1999

Conserving the Everglades: Less is more

The Everglades' low biodiversity, caused by nutrient deficiencies, makes them vulnerable to pollution. Researchers recommend reducing agricultural runoff and filtering water through marshes to preserve the ecosystem's character.

SourceSociety for Conservation Biology·JournalConservation Biology·DateJul 29, 1999

Mosquitofish threaten amphibians

Researchers find mosquitofish devour tadpoles just as readily as mosquitoes, decimating native amphibian populations in streams. The study urges local governments to reconsider using mosquitofish as a control measure.

SourceSociety for Conservation Biology·JournalConservation Biology·DateJul 29, 1999
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Transplant cells show capacity for mending nervous system

Researchers used embryonic stem cells to repair damaged nerve fibers in a rat model of Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease. The study showed that transplanted cells can promote myelin sheath growth, potentially leading to improved function and clinical applications.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalScience·DateJul 29, 1999

Walking markedly improves mental abilities of those over 60

A new study found that walking rapidly for 45 minutes, three days a week, can significantly improve mental-processing abilities in adults over 60. The exercise triggered faster reaction times and heightened the ability to ignore distractions on computer tasks.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature·DateJul 29, 1999

Purdue helps Indiana companies with pollution dilemma

Engineers at Purdue University have developed a training program that instructs workers on techniques to minimize styrene emissions. The program resulted in a 42.4% decrease in emissions, with an additional 19% reduction in the quantity of styrene needed for the job.

SourcePurdue University·DateJul 29, 1999

Problems with health information on the Internet

A new study found nearly half of Internet health pages contain unverified information, with 6% containing wrong data. Doctors and patients can benefit from using trustworthy sources, such as government and nonprofit sites, to access accurate health info.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalCancer·DateJul 29, 1999
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

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Lemurs critical to regeneration of Madagascar forests

Lemurs play a vital role in dispersing seeds for tree species in Madagascar's dry forests, which would otherwise fail to regenerate without them. The study found that the brown lemur is responsible for dispersing most of these species, highlighting the importance of reintroducing lemurs and reducing fragmentation.

SourceSociety for Conservation Biology·JournalConservation Biology·DateJul 29, 1999

Transformation of normal human cells into cancer cells

Researchers at Whitehead Institute successfully transformed normal human cells into cancer cells, shedding light on the complex process of tumor development. The new cell lines offer a unique window into the biochemical and physiologic changes that occur during cancer formation.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalNature·DateJul 29, 1999

Fly vs. fly

Researchers discovered that male fruit flies displace and incapacitate a previous male's sperm to fertilize eggs. The study found that the last fruit fly to mate with the female sires most offspring, and that seminal fluid alone cannot cause displacement of stored sperm.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalNature·DateJul 29, 1999
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