Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for March 10, 2004


UT Southwestern researchers identify gene as essential for vascular smooth muscle development

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered a master regulator of smooth muscle development, protein myocardin, which controls growth and differentiation. This finding offers new insights into the cellular mechanisms controlling smooth muscle cell proliferation, potentially leading to novel therapeutics for cardiovascular ...

Cell shocked

Researchers at USC's Viterbi School have developed a new electric pulse technology called electroperturbation, which exposes cells to brief and intense electric pulses that can trigger cell death. The technique has advantages over conventional treatments, being non-invasive and able to deliver treatment remotely.

AGU journal highlights - 10 March 2004

Researchers developed a method to estimate background levels of heavy metals in soil, allowing for the estimation of manmade contamination worldwide. A new analysis of satellite data provided detailed information on tropical Atlantic surface current variability, which can be used to infer global ocean patterns. Additionally, a simple m...

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMar 10, 2004

Stress hormones and heart failure

Researchers have found that urocortin II administered intravenously significantly enhances heart muscle cell contractions in mice with congestive heart failure. The hormone targets the CRF2 receptor, leading to improved cardiovascular function and a potential new treatment for heart disease.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 10, 2004