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Science News for February 23, 2006


Fossil wood gives vital clues to ancient climates

A recent study using high-resolution stable-isotope analysis from 95-million-year-old fossilized wood found that the mid-Cretaceous period was not a super-greenhouse, but rather had a short-lived glaciation. This new information may help us understand how the biosphere will respond to human-generated alterations of CO2 concentration.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalGeology·DateFeb 23, 2006

Prof makes case for 'precious' metals

Dr. Jeremy Richards proposes setting uniform royalty rates for metal producers to account for extraction costs, which could lead to increased revenue for governments and reduced environmental impact. He also envisions a system of product ownership and recycling to promote social equity and sustainable development.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalJournal of Cleaner Production·DateFeb 23, 2006

Two papers win the Lancet's Paper of The Year 2005

Two research papers, 'Characterization of the 1918 influenza virus polymerase genes' and 'Characterization of the reconstructed 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic virus', win Lancet's Paper of The Year 2005. The studies provide crucial insights into the 1918 pandemic, which is believed to have killed up to 50 million people.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateFeb 23, 2006

SAT gauges more than collegiate success

Research found that students who scored in the top .01 percentile of their age group on the SAT before age 13 were more likely to achieve a MD degree, earn over $100k annually, or secure a tenure-track position at a top-50 institution. Both groups reported high life satisfaction despite income and tenure differences.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateFeb 23, 2006

New evidence that natural selection is a general driving force behind the origin of species

A study provides empirical support for natural selection's role in species formation by analyzing the relationship between adaptation and reproductive isolation in hundreds of organisms. The researchers found a positive link between these two processes, suggesting that adaptation drives species diversification.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 23, 2006

New insight into cause of Crohn's disease

Researchers found that Crohn's disease patients produce lower quantities of neutrophils and inflammatory mediators in response to trauma, leading to delayed blood flow and persistence of bacteria. Treatment with Viagra corrected abnormally low blood flow, suggesting a potential role for the drug in treating the disease.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateFeb 23, 2006

Taste gene may play role in smoking

A recent study published in Nicotine and Tobacco Research found a significant link between genetic variations in the PTC gene and smoking behavior. Smokers with reduced bitterness sensitivity were more likely to smoke for taste, while those with a specific less common genetic variant were 20% less likely to smoke.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·DateFeb 23, 2006

What is the lifetime of positronium ions?

Physicists at Max Planck have measured the lifetime of positronium ions six times more precisely than before, finding an average lifespan of almost half a nanosecond. This closely matches predicted values and provides an interesting model system for quantum mechanics.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 23, 2006

JCI table of contents, February 23, 2006

Researchers found that a protein called alpha4-beta1 integrin promotes the homing of bone marrow-derived progenitor cells to tumor-associated blood vessels. Inhibiting this process could be useful in suppressing new blood vessel formation in tumors.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 23, 2006

Nanostructures in 3D

The new microscope enables crystallographic information to be measured at a lateral resolution of about 40 cubic nanometres, and depending on the material, even more finely. Researchers have already used it to study steel-related iron-aluminium intermetallic alloys, which show promise for high-temperature gas turbines.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalActa Materialia·DateFeb 23, 2006

Benefits of eating seafood outweigh risks

Researchers suggest that seafood can play a role in reducing coronary heart disease, Alzheimer's, and other mental illnesses. Seafood is rich in omega-3 fatty acids like DHA, which support cognitive development and brain health. However, more research is needed to fully understand the risks and benefits of seafood consumption.