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Science News for December 8, 2005


Risk of second cancer after breast cancer

A large study found an increased risk of second cancers in various sites, including connective tissue and myeloid leukemia, after breast cancer diagnosis. Treatment for breast cancer and shared genetic or environmental factors are thought to contribute to this risk.

SourceWiley·JournalInternational Journal of Cancer·DateDec 8, 2005

The secret love life of plants

Scientists at Max Planck Institute and University of Cologne isolate mutant Arabidopsis thaliana with single sperm cell, allowing it to germinate and fertilize. The researchers found that a positive signal from the egg cell's fertilization triggers endosperm proliferation.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Genetics·DateDec 8, 2005

New study of the world's smallest elephant

The Bornean elephant has been confirmed as a separate sub-species, with an estimated 1,100-1,500 individuals remaining in the wild. The Cardiff University study will provide essential conservation information and training for Malaysian organizations on wildlife monitoring techniques.

ASU researchers 'wire' DNA to identify mutations

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a technology that can directly identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DNA molecules using electrical conductivity. The technique involves measuring the electrical conductance of a single DNA molecule, which can reveal sequence information and detect mutations.

SourceArizona State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 8, 2005

Alzheimer's disease prevention may be easier than cure

Researchers have found that a specific immunization strategy targeting Abeta42 or Abeta40 can prevent amyloid deposition in mice, suggesting an effective approach for preventing Alzheimer's disease. However, this method may not be effective once existing deposits are established.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 8, 2005

'Huygens' finds a hostile world on Titan

The Huygens probe has revealed that Titan's surface is a barren, 'river' landscape where water ice congeals like stone. Methane plays a similar role to water on Earth, existing in solid, liquid, and gas states. The dense atmosphere has conditions similar to those early in our solar system.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateDec 8, 2005

JCI table of contents: December 8, 2005

Researchers discover that preventing amyloid deposition may be easier than curing established Alzheimer's disease through an immunization strategy targeting Abeta42. Additionally, a study finds that pre-treatment of patient T cells with IL-10 and vitamin D3 can overcome glucocorticoid resistance in asthma patients.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 8, 2005

Changes to land cover may enhance global warming in Amazon, reduce it in midlatitudes

Land use changes in the Amazon region could exacerbate global warming due to deforestation, while agriculture in midlatitudes can counteract warming by up to 50%. The study utilized a global climate model to examine two scenarios from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and found contrasting results