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Science News for December 4, 2003


A new hope for heavy metal contaminated soils

Researchers at Max Planck Institute and Leibniz Institute have identified key metal homeostasis proteins in a hyperaccumulator plant species, paving the way for cost-effective cleanup technologies. These proteins play a crucial role in detoxifying metals in roots and shoots, allowing plants to accumulate heavy metals in their leaves wh...

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalThe Plant Journal·DateDec 4, 2003

JCI Table of Contents

Researchers have identified c-myc as a key regulator of hormone-dependent prostate cancer cell growth, potentially leading to new treatment targets. Meanwhile, a novel approach using regulatory T cells has shown promise in controlling graft-versus-host disease, while a study on mast cells reveals their role in allergic diarrhea and pot...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 4, 2003

Mast cells to blame for allergic diarrhea

Researchers found that mast cells are required for experimental oral allergen-induced diarrhea, which is dependent on serotonin and platelet-activating factor signaling. Blocking these pathways could lead to new treatments for gastrointestinal allergy.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 4, 2003

Brain area identified that weighs rewards

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified a brain area, the posterior cingulate cortex, that plays a crucial role in weighing costs and benefits for decision-making. This region is also linked to neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and schizophrenia.

Imaging children with ADHD

A study using MRI technology found significantly higher levels of excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate and lower levels of inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA in the frontal region of children with ADHD. This imbalance may contribute to poor impulse control and other behavioral issues associated with the condition.