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Science News for March 8, 2005


Dig Manchester!

The 'Dig Manchester' project has seen the community come together to uncover history, with businesses donating goods in kind and a sense of community pride emerging. The three-year programme will also involve similar projects in Northenden and Wythenshawe, aiming to promote local heritage and regeneration.

Could microbes solve Russia's chemical weapons conundrum?

Researchers found that P putida can transform mustard by-product toxins, decreasing their levels by up to 83%. This biotechnological method offers maximum environmental safety by degrading pollutants into harmless products. The bacteria strain could be used in plant-microbial associations for future remediation of contaminated soils.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology·DateMar 8, 2005

Panacea or Pandora's box

A University of Pennsylvania study identified 22 ways in which CPOE systems facilitate medication errors, including information errors and human-machine interface flaws. The researchers recommend that institutions focus on the organization of work within the hospital and continuously evaluate and improve their technology.

Cockroach allergens have greatest impact on childhood asthma in many US cities

A new study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that cockroach allergens are a primary contributor to childhood asthma in inner-city home environments. The study suggests that general cleaning practices, extermination techniques, and maintenance methods can reduce allergen levels.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateMar 8, 2005

Oldest fossil human protein ever sequenced

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have successfully sequenced a fossil human protein from over 40,000 years ago, providing valuable information on human evolution and diet. The analysis reveals that the Neanderthal sequence is identical to modern humans', suggesting a shared dietary history.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 8, 2005

How much can your mind keep track of?

Research reveals that humans have a limited capacity for processing multiple variables simultaneously, with performance decreasing significantly as problem complexity rises. The study found that academics struggled to accurately solve problems involving four or more variables, often reporting feelings of information loss and confusion.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateMar 8, 2005

Emotional memory study reveals evidence for a self-reinforcing loop

The study reveals that emotional pictures are recalled better than neutral ones, and this recall is associated with increased activity in the amygdala and hippocampus. The researchers propose a synergistic mechanism where emotion triggers recollection, creating a loop that could help understand traumatic memory recall in PTSD patients.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 8, 2005

Researchers close in on breast cancer vaccine

Researchers have made significant progress in developing a breast cancer vaccine, using a protein called mammaglobin-A found in 80% of breast tumors. The DNA vaccine has been shown to stimulate an immune response that can recognize and attack tumor cells expressing the protein.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalBreast Cancer Research·DateMar 8, 2005