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Science News for November 29, 2001


American Thoracic Society Journal News Tips for November (First Issue)

Research found that over 34% of ventilated patients are sexually active, with better lung function and younger age being key factors. Meanwhile, a study in Ethiopia linked home kerosene use to increased allergy risk, while another study showed nearly 40% of COPD exacerbations are caused by respiratory viruses.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateNov 29, 2001

After hooking toxin behind seafood poisoning, Science researchers may tackle prevention

Researchers have developed a way to synthesize ciguatoxin, the toxin responsible for seafood poisoning, which will enable scientists to better understand its effects on humans and prepare toxin-fighting antibodies. The breakthrough could lead to more efficient methods for detecting infected fish before they reach the market.

Fighting the battle of the bulge in children

The Saint Louis University School of Public Health has launched High 5-Kids, a four-year program aiming to educate parents on normal childhood eating patterns. The initiative seeks to encourage healthy eating habits among preschool children, aged 3-5 years, and promote a balanced diet to prevent obesity and cancer.

Comprehensive set of vision genes discovered: Identification could help in diagnosing and treating blinding diseases

Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified nearly all the genes responsible for vision in mice, which could lead to new methods for preserving and restoring vision. The discovery provides a genetic data base that can help identify genes mutated in inherited diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and cone-rod dystrophy.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell·DateNov 29, 2001

Illuminating how plants adapt to light

A team of scientists led by Joanne Chory and Detlef Weigel studied the natural variation in light sensitivity across different Arabidopsis varieties. They found that strains from lower latitudes were less sensitive to light, and that specific genetic mutations affected the molecule's ability to transmit signals. The study sheds light o...

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalNature Genetics·DateNov 29, 2001

Scientists study how the lobster's nose knows

Researchers at Stanford University studied the Caribbean spiny lobster's ability to track odors using its antennules, finding that rapid downstroke allows high-resolution information capture while slow upstroke provides time for analysis. The findings could help develop robots for plume tracing underwater.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience·DateNov 29, 2001

New clues to how RNA exits the nucleus

Researchers have discovered two independent pathways for mRNA export from the nucleus, revealing the role of adapter proteins in regulating this process. The study used cell-permeable peptides to selectively block the action of these proteins, demonstrating their importance in transporting mRNAs for early response genes.