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Science News Archive 2006 - Page 50


Page 50 of 178

Laser probe of a brain pigment's anatomy may offer insight into Parkinson's disease

A team of researchers used a sophisticated laser system to gain evidence that neuromelanin, a dark brown pigment accumulating in brains, consists of layers of two other pigments: eumelanin and pheomelanin. This structural arrangement may play a critical role in the neurodegenerative cascade behind Parkinson's disease.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 25, 2006

Dinosaurs' climate shifted too, reports show

Researchers from Indiana University and Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research found evidence of dramatic climate changes during the Mesozoic Era, with temperature variations ranging from 30 deg C to 36 deg C. The discovery suggests that global fluctuations in carbon cycling played a significant role in shaping ancient climates.

SourceIndiana University·JournalGeology·DateSep 23, 2006

St. Jude finds clues to hearing loss from chemotherapy

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have identified 17 families of mice with genetic mutations that cause hearing loss, similar to damage caused by chemotherapy and age-related hearing loss in adults. The mouse models will help scientists understand the genes responsible for this damage and potentially develop treatments.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 22, 2006

Ancient birds flew on all-fours

A new research by University of Calgary paleontologist Nick Longrich challenges the traditional idea that birds began flying by taking off from the ground. Instead, it suggests that the earliest known ancestor of modern-day birds took to the skies using primitive feathered wings on their arms and legs.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalPaleobiology·DateSep 22, 2006

Household levels of mold following Hurricane Katrina surpass some agricultural environments

A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that household levels of mold and bacterial endotoxins in post-Katrina homes were comparable to those in wastewater treatment plants and agricultural environments. The researchers strongly recommend wearing respirators for cleaning and repairing flood-damaged homes.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateSep 22, 2006

Pregnant prehistoric fossil offers clues to past

Scientists have named a new species of ancient marine reptile, Maiaspondylus lindoei, and discovered pregnant embryos in its fossil, marking the most recent record of a live birth in an ichthyosaur. The findings provide valuable insights into the evolution and extinction of these aquatic animals.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalPalaeontology·DateSep 21, 2006

JCI table of contents: September 21, 2006

Researchers have identified calcineurin as essential for complete lung development, and its absence led to respiratory problems in mice. A new model of human placental development also sheds light on the complex process of placentation, while a study on thyroid structures reveals that mature T cells trigger their formation.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 21, 2006

Watching DNA repair in real time

Direct observations of DNA are giving new insights into genetic material copying and repair processes, revealing how enzymes like RecA assemble into filaments. The findings have implications for understanding breast cancer risk and future studies on single enzymes at work unwinding DNA strands.

Lighting up the heart

Researchers at University of Bristol have made a major breakthrough in measuring energy levels inside living heart cells, real-time. This could lead to better understanding of heart disease and improved recovery of the heart during cardiac surgery or after a heart attack.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateSep 21, 2006

Calcineurin helps newborns breathe easy

In a study published in JCI Journals, researchers found that calcineurin is essential for complete lung development in mice. Mice lacking calcineurin function died shortly after birth due to lung failure.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 21, 2006

A better diet through online shopping?

Researchers found that tailored dietary advice delivered through an internet shopping system led to participants buying foods lower in saturated fat. This study demonstrates the potential of low-cost technologies to motivate users to change their behavior.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Clinical Trials·DateSep 21, 2006

Video games: Medicine for the body

The Federation of American Scientists has developed a new educational video game called Immune Attack, which engages students in learning about immunology concepts. The game features a first-person strategy game where immune cells face off against bacterial and viral infections, aiming to make learning fun and exciting.