Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for January 12, 2006


Rockefeller researchers discover a biological clock within a clock

Researchers have discovered a precise timer formed by Period and Timeless proteins that counts off six hours, creating an 'interval timer' that governs the cell's circadian rhythm. This discovery opens up new questions about the complex interactions between proteins in the cellular clock.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalScience·DateJan 12, 2006
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Long-term memory controlled by molecular pathway at synapses

Researchers found a biochemical pathway, called RISC, that facilitates protein synthesis at synapses during learning, enabling long-term memory formation. By manipulating this pathway, scientists increased flies' memory and altered their behavioral responses to stimuli.

SourceHarvard University·JournalCell·DateJan 12, 2006

Crater drilling declared major success

The USGS and ICDP successfully retrieved a nearly complete set of core samples from the Chesapeake Bay impact crater, allowing for unprecedented understanding of post-impact sediments and rocks. The recovered core will enable researchers to study global sea-level changes and the distribution of water-bearing units in the coastal plain.

SourceU.S. Geological Survey·DateJan 12, 2006

Research details how a virus hijacks cell signals to cause infection

Researchers found that group B coxsackieviruses infect cells through an indirect route, utilizing signaling pathways and exploiting more accessible receptors. This understanding may lead to future therapies to block viral infections and contribute to clinical benefits.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalCell·DateJan 12, 2006

Blockade of fat hormone helps halt and heal multiple sclerosis

Research reveals that blocking the fat hormone leptin can slow disease progression and reduce symptoms in multiple sclerosis. Leptin blockade improves clinical symptoms, slows disease progression, reduces disease relapses, and decreases antigen-specific T cells.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 12, 2006
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Donner Party cannibalism legends remain unproven

Researchers analyzed bone fragments at the Donner Family campsite in California's Tahoe National Forest, finding no conclusive evidence of cannibalism. The team discovered domestic and wild animals were consumed, but human bone was not identified.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·DateJan 12, 2006

Sun protection for plants

Scientists have found that plants can turn excess sunlight into heat by altering protein structure, preventing damage and promoting growth. A special carotenoid molecule called zeaxanthin aids in this process, making some plants more resistant to harmful radiation.

SourceBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council·DateJan 12, 2006

Supersized 'island' of resistance genes discovered in an infectious bacterium

A team of scientists discovered a massive genomic island containing a large number of antibiotic resistance genes in the A. baumannii bacterium, which has become a major public health concern globally. The island was found to contain new and previously unknown resistance genes that have enabled the bacterium to acquire resistance quickly.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateJan 12, 2006

Statement on NIH research on obesity and type 2 diabetes

The NIH supports expansive basic and clinical research portfolios on obesity and type 2 diabetes, including genetic studies, nuclear receptors, and lifestyle interventions. Epidemiological studies provide insights into risk factors and inform future clinical endeavors.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases·JournalNature Medicine·DateJan 12, 2006
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Armpit odour can exude women's fertility

Researchers found a correlation between armpit odor and female fertility, suggesting that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may play a role in reproductive health. The study suggests that women with higher VOC levels in their armpits may have better fertility prospects.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalEthology·DateJan 12, 2006

Astronomers weigh 'recycled' millisecond pulsar

Researchers precisely measured the mass of a millisecond pulsar, PSR J1909-3744, using precise pulse arrival time measurements and disentangled the Shapiro delay effect from Roemer delay. The result reveals the white dwarf companion's mass to be 1.44 times that of the sun with an uncertainty of 0.02 solar masses.

SourceNaval Research Laboratory·DateJan 12, 2006

Cosmic battle creates Milky-Way sized tunnel

Scientists discover an unusual X-ray tunnel large enough to fit the entire Milky Way galaxy inside a galaxy cluster. The tunnel is filled with old particles likely originating from past black hole outbursts, shedding light on the complex battle between the inward flow of hot gas and outward radio jets.

SourceNaval Research Laboratory·DateJan 12, 2006

Early drinking in teens linked to alcohol use in movies

A regional study found that 92% of contemporary movies depicted alcohol use, with kids exposed to about 8 hours of it through films. Higher exposure to movie alcohol use at age 10-14 predicted future drinking in teens.

SourceThe Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol·DateJan 12, 2006
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

UCSD team unmasks family of immune system invaders

A team of UCSD researchers has identified a 24-member family of bacterial proteins called effector proteins that help pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella and E-coli infect human cells by hijacking the body's communication network. The findings could lead to novel ways to fight bacterial diseases.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCell·DateJan 12, 2006

Key heart and Alzheimer's disease protein imaged for first time in native state

Scientists at Gladstone Institutes have successfully imaged the native state of apoE4, a key protein in Alzheimer's and cardiovascular diseases. This breakthrough has significant implications for developing future therapeutic interventions by providing a complete understanding of the protein's configuration.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJan 12, 2006

Molecule does more than slice and dice RNA

A team of scientists has shed light on the molecular mechanism of Dicer, an enzyme involved in RNA interference, a process that governs key developmental events. The study reveals that Dicer not only cleaves RNA but also measures and snips it into precise increments.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalScience·DateJan 12, 2006
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Putting pedestrian safety in the driving seat

The SAVE-U project developed an innovative pre-impact sensing platform that combines sensors, radar, and cameras to protect cyclists and pedestrians. The system can identify potential collisions and apply automatic braking to prevent them, even in challenging weather and light conditions.

SourceIST Results·DateJan 12, 2006

Cracking the genetic code for control of gene expression

A new approach to understanding gene expression regulation has been developed by Finnish scientists. By analyzing DNA sequences and identifying regulatory elements, the researchers have uncovered a potential mechanism explaining why many genes are linked to cancer.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalCell·DateJan 12, 2006

Fossil galaxy reveals clues to early universe

Astronomers have detected ionizing radiation leaking from a dwarf galaxy undergoing star formation, providing insights into the early universe's evolution. The study suggests that hot stars in Haro 11 allowed for some ionization to escape into intergalactic space.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·DateJan 12, 2006
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

JCI table of contents: January 12, 2006

Researchers found that leptin blockade improved clinical symptoms of disease, slowed progression, reduced relapses, and reduced antigen-specific T cells in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Additionally, the study suggests that leptin neutralization may be a potential way to treat multiple sclerosis.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 12, 2006

Berkeley scientists get first detailed look at Dicer

Researchers have gained a detailed understanding of Dicer's molecular structure, which serves as a 'molecular ruler' for processing RNA fragments. This discovery has significant implications for gene-silencing processes and could lead to new treatments for diseases.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateJan 12, 2006