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Science News for December 16, 2005


Gene variation affects tamoxifen's benefit for breast cancer

Women with the CYP2D6 genetic variant were more likely to experience breast cancer recurrence when treated with tamoxifen. Researchers also found that this group was less likely to suffer from hot flashes, which may predict the gene variation.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateDec 16, 2005

Gladstone researchers hone in on differentiation of heart stem cells

Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have made a breakthrough discovery about the role of miRNA-1 in the early stages of heart development. They found that miR-1 helps determine heart progenitor cells and maintain them until later embryonic stages, which could lead to new strategies for cardiac regenerative medicine.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 16, 2005
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Switching to new anti-bacterial targets: Riboswitches

Riboswitches are RNA elements that control gene expression in essential metabolic pathways. Researchers at Yale University have identified pyrithiamine as a toxic compound that disrupts these pathways, leading to the development of new antibiotics.

SourceYale University·JournalChemistry & Biology·DateDec 16, 2005

Some good news for the world's poor

A study confirms that rice research has contributed significantly to poverty reduction in China and India. The research shows that improved rice varieties can increase farmers' income, lower food prices, and boost demand for labor, ultimately lifting millions out of poverty.

SourceInternational Rice Research Institute·JournalAgricultural Economics·DateDec 16, 2005

Sea slug mixes chemical defense before firing at predators

Aplysia sea slugs use a system to mix and release chemicals, including L-lysine, L-arginine, and an enzyme protein called escapin, to defend against predators. The secretion stimulates feeding behaviors in some animals but deters it in others, and may also have antimicrobial properties.

SourceGeorgia State University·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateDec 16, 2005

Conditions for slavery: New study sheds light on the development of early social hierarchies

A new study reveals that reliable resources like salmon, high population densities, and the defense of territories were crucial for the development of marked inequality in North America. Conversely, Australian Aboriginal societies on the tropical northern coast exhibited 'transient inequality' due to polygyny and high resource availabi...

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalCurrent Anthropology·DateDec 16, 2005
GoPro HERO13 Black

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Japan reports first coring operations of CHIKYU

The CHIKYU drillship, operated by JAMSTEC, has completed its first coring operations in the ocean. Two piston cores, 50 meters and 70 meters long, were retrieved from 1,200-meter water depths, revealing olive-grey diatomecious mud with ash layers and potentially absorbing CO2 density levels.

SourceIntegrated Ocean Drilling Program Management International·DateDec 16, 2005

Cancer support cells may evolve, fuel tumor growth, study shows

Researchers found that cancer cells can signal surrounding tissue cells to alter their molecular composition, promoting tumor growth and proliferation. The study suggests that cell mutations that promote cancer progression may arise in non-cancerous cells, indicating a need for broader anti-tumor therapies.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalCell·DateDec 16, 2005

New EU project on ferroelectric films

A new EU project is focused on developing cheaper, smaller ferroelectric films for use in microwave communication devices. These films have high dielectric permittivity and can be used to create voltage-controlled capacitors and tuneable microwave components.

SourceSwedish Research Council·DateDec 16, 2005
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