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Science News for May 30, 2002


First consensus guidelines on lightning safety issued before summer storms

The American College of Emergency Physicians has issued first consensus guidelines on lightning safety before summer storms. These guidelines emphasize the importance of individual responsibility in avoiding lightning injury and provide tips on safer practices, including knowing safe locations and following weather updates.

SourceAmerican College of Emergency Physicians·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateMay 30, 2002

UNC studies add new dimension to 'lock-and-key' theory of drug action

A UNC research team has shed new light on the classic 'lock-and-key' theory of drug action by discovering functional selectivity. The findings reveal that drugs can act as both agonists and antagonists at different receptors, allowing for more targeted treatment options. This breakthrough could lead to improved clinical effects with ex...

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalJournal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics·DateMay 30, 2002

Fat cells transformed to resemble nerve cells

Duke University researchers have successfully transformed adult stem cells taken from fat into cells that resemble nerve cells. The new cells were grown in the laboratory using chemicals and growth factors, and showed promise as a potential treatment for central nervous system disorders. While further research is needed to determine th...

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications·DateMay 30, 2002

High tech sky tech

Researchers aim to develop autonomous intelligent network and systems that can perform coordinated actions without human intervention. The goal is to create a 'commander' giving broad operational orders, while agents work together to overcome complex challenges, such as distributed signal processing and wireless communication.

Triggering remembrances

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine found that the CA3 region of the hippocampus is essential for 'pattern completion', allowing memories to be recalled from partial representations. The study involved genetically engineered mice with impaired NMDA receptor function in the CA3 region, which displayed deficits in memory recall.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalScience·DateMay 30, 2002

Underwater show stoppers

Scientists have observed glowing coral reefs when illuminated with blue light, which could be used to map specific coral groups within a reef. This phenomenon is related to species and coral health, providing a potential tool for managing sensitive military areas and detecting man-made objects.

Was Einstein wrong?

A team of scientists led by Indiana University's Alan Kostelecky aims to determine if Albert Einstein's theory of relativity holds true. By comparing extremely precise clocks in zero gravity, they may find changes that contradict the theory, revolutionizing our understanding of space and time.

SourceIndiana University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 30, 2002

When every minute counts

QuikClot is a granulated material that rapidly absorbs all liquid in the blood and leaves behind clotting factors to effect coagulation within seconds. The product has been cleared by the FDA and is being distributed to US troops in Afghanistan, with plans for wider use in military and civilian settings.