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Science News for September 1, 1999


Biologically inspired electronics leads to higher fidelity

Researchers at Boston University developed a biologically inspired model to improve the fidelity of electronic devices by mimicking the noise-shaping abilities of neuronal networks. The system can effectively filter out unwanted information and identify desired signals over a wider bandwidth.

SourceBoston University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 1, 1999

Sailing through space on hot plasma

Winglee's design harnesses solar wind to accelerate spacecraft, potentially reaching speeds of over 100km/s. The sailcloth is a magnetic field that repels ions and charged particles, exerting a small but steady force on the spacecraft.

SourceNew Scientist·JournalThe New Scientist·DateSep 1, 1999

A dream team tackles the brain

Boston University scientists are developing a new form of microscopy that utilizes entangled-photon fluorescence microscopy to observe brain synapses. This technology holds promise for unraveling the century-old question of how dendritic spines function, crucial for cognitive processes like learning and memory.

Ancient viruses lurking in polar ice

Researchers have discovered a prehistoric virus in Arctic ice that could potentially re-emerge as the climate warms. The ancient tomato mosaic tobamovirus was found in ice cores dating back 500 to 140,000 years, raising concerns about the possibility of new epidemics.

SourceNew Scientist·JournalThe New Scientist·DateSep 1, 1999

UI study suggests genetics and gender affect human response to endotoxin

A recent University of Iowa Health Care study found that genetic factors and sex differences significantly affect human responses to endotoxin, with women more likely to experience declined airway function. The study examined 72 individuals without respiratory conditions and discovered a wide range of reactions to the contaminant.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateSep 1, 1999

Research puts sting into drama of virus-cell fusion

Researchers at Purdue University have identified a protein segment crucial for the infection of cells by retroviruses and other viruses. By replacing just one amino acid in this region, they were able to eliminate fusion between the virus and its host cell. This discovery may lead to novel treatments to block the entry of these viruses.

SourcePurdue University·JournalMolecular Biology of the Cell·DateSep 1, 1999

Genome tools pass big test in fruit flies

Researchers have successfully developed and used several types of tools to analyze the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster genome, extracting valuable information about genes and their function. The findings include a large-scale analysis of over 1,000 mutant fly strains, which identified more than 250 new genes.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalGenetics·DateSep 1, 1999

Penn researchers find ovary removal reduces risk of breast cancer in women withBRCA1 mutation

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center found that bilateral prophylactic oophorectomy reduces breast cancer risk in women with a BRCA1 gene mutation. After 10 years, the incidence of breast cancer among women who had their ovaries removed was significantly lower than those who did not.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateSep 1, 1999