Researchers at Millennium Pharmaceuticals have cloned the mahogany gene, which produces a protein that can suppress diet-induced obesity in mice. The study found that mice with a mutated mg gene maintain a healthy weight on both high-fat and low-fat diets, suggesting a similar role in humans.
Physicists have successfully created an atom laser from a Bose-Einstein condensate using light manipulation, building on previous research funded by the Office of Naval Research. The NIST atom laser produces a highly directional beam with improved collimation compared to earlier experiments.
Researchers use explosive shock waves to break apart protein filaments in meat, reducing toughness and improving tenderness by 40-70%. This process also has the potential to kill harmful microorganisms, increasing food safety and shelf life.
Researchers found that verbal storage tasks activate left-hemisphere speech areas, while spatial storage tasks activate specific areas of the right cortex. The study provides strong evidence for a more precise understanding of how various regions of the frontal cortex are involved in specific mental activities.
The Isle Royale wolf population has rebounded dramatically after years of decline, with 25 wolves counted this winter. High reproductive success by two packs and the availability of easy prey due to poor moose conditions contributed to the increase.
A Mayo Clinic study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT) is an efficient and cost-effective screening tool for patients with chest pain. The test can detect coronary artery calcification, allowing doctors to safely send patients home without further observation.
Researchers discover a gene, mahogany, that regulates obesity in mice, linking it to the immune system. The protein, made inside cells, passes through membranes to detect hormones, potentially leading to new treatment options for obesity.
Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of Washington have mapped a gene associated with prostate cancer that runs in families, also linked to primary brain cancer. The study results appear in the American Journal of Human Genetics.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found an association between new hormone use and the occurrence of a second cardiac event in women with previous heart disease. The study suggests that hormone therapy may not be beneficial for women who already have heart disease, but may still be helpful for those without it.