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Science News for October 13, 2005


NASA's Chandra reveals new star generation

Astronomers find massive stars forming close to super-massive black holes, challenging previous theories about their role in galaxy evolution. Researchers used Chandra X-ray Observatory data to study the Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*) star cluster near the Milky Way's central black hole.

SourceChandra X-ray Center·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateOct 13, 2005

Warmer seas, wetter air make harder rains

A new study reveals that warmer oceans and atmosphere will cause more intense precipitation worldwide, especially in tropical regions. Heavier rain will fall in areas such as North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, while the Mediterranean and US Southwest may experience decreased average precipitation due to longer dry periods.

Beneficial effects of no-till farming depend upon future climate change

Researchers found that no-till farming can store up to 868 million tons of carbon in soil, which could help meet the US's goal of reducing carbon-dioxide emissions by one-fifth. Climate change affects soil carbon sequestration varying by region, with some areas experiencing increased storage and others reduced.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateOct 13, 2005

Ancient anthropoid origins discovered in Africa

Researchers uncover fossils of two new species, Biretia fayumensis and Biretia megalopsis, in Egypt's Fayum desert, dating back 37 million years. The discoveries confirm that the common ancestor of humans, monkeys, and apes originated in Africa, with one species appearing to be nocturnal.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience·DateOct 13, 2005

JCI table of contents November, 2005

Researchers found that HIV-1 activates plasmacytoid dendritic cells via Toll-like receptor-viral RNA interactions, which is inversely correlated with successful control of HIV. This mechanism may lead to targeted immunotherapies for HIV.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 13, 2005

Drug breakthrough for psoriasis sufferers

The European Infliximab for Psoriasis Efficacy and Safety Study (EXPRESS) found that 80% of patients achieved at least a 75% improvement in symptoms after ten weeks treatment with the drug. The study showed significant skin clearance and nail psoriasis response in moderate to severe psoriasis sufferers.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalThe Lancet·DateOct 13, 2005

A new step towards an AIDS vaccine

Researchers identify a key pathway for targeting pDC function in HIV vaccine development. A decrease in blood pDC frequency is observed in chronic HIV infections, correlating with high viral load and reduced CD4 counts.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 13, 2005

Wetness-defying water?

Researchers found a single layer of water on a platinum surface is hydrophobic, repelling subsequent layers, contrary to previous assumptions about water molecule attachment points. The discovery challenges current theories and has implications for technological applications such as catalysis and corrosion.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 13, 2005

Evidence for more dust than ice in comets

New findings from the Rosetta spacecraft suggest comets are composed primarily of dust held together by ice, contradicting the long-held 'dirty snowball' hypothesis. Cometary nuclei like Comet 9P/Tempel 1 exhibit dynamic and volatile properties, with impacts triggering outbursts of dust and gas.

SourceEuropean Space Agency·JournalNature·DateOct 13, 2005