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Science News Archive October 2005 - Page 9


Page 9 of 16

Not so different

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have identified shared components in histone and poly(A) pre-mRNA processing. These findings highlight the importance of cross-talk between distinct RNA processing pathways, shedding light on cellular regulation and gene expression.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalGenes & Development·DateOct 16, 2005

What mutations tell us about protein folding

Small single-domain proteins, often referred to as 'two-state folders', fold into their three-dimensional structures by crossing only a single barrier. A new interpretation of mutational data suggests that this process involves a fully formed helix in the transition state.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 14, 2005

Preventing fetal exposure to popular acne drug

A survey of pregnant women taking isotretinoin found that many failed to comply with key requirements for preventing birth defects. The study's results highlight the need for improved pregnancy prevention programs to prevent isotretinoin-related birth defects.

SourceWiley·DateOct 14, 2005

Pillows - a hot bed of fungal spores

A recent study by the University of Manchester discovered that pillows can contain a substantial fungal load, with some samples having over 1 million fungal spores per pillow. The research highlights the potential for fungal contamination to exacerbate respiratory diseases like asthma and sinusitis in adults.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalAllergy·DateOct 14, 2005

How to braid nanoropes

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces investigated the assembly of filament networks and bundles. They found that thermal motion prevents bundle formation unless crosslinker concentration exceeds a certain threshold value.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 14, 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