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Science News for October 25, 2006


There's much more to bees than honey

The Honey Bee Genome Sequencing Project has shed light on the biology of honey bees, revealing a possible cause for their sensitivity to insecticides and the characteristics of their silk. The study also found that bee silk is more amenable to artificial production than other insects, with potential applications in textile manufacturing.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalNature·DateOct 25, 2006

Wealthy 'amenity' ranchers taking over the West

A new study reveals that traditional ranchers are being priced out of business as wealthy 'amenity' owners buy up large ranches around Yellowstone National Park. These new owners often prioritize restoration of native ecosystems, large-scale conservation projects, and innovative approaches to blending conventional ranching with non-let...

SourceOregon State University·JournalSociety & Natural Resources·DateOct 25, 2006

New behavior may use old genes

ASU researchers have identified ancestral genes from solitary predecessors as likely connected to social behavior in honeybees. The study mapped behavior precisely to genome regions using high recombination rates, revealing a conserved pathway of insulin signaling involved in foraging decisions.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature·DateOct 25, 2006

Erotic images prove useful in coaxing out unconscious brain activity

Researchers at the University of Minnesota discovered that erotic images can trigger unconscious brain responses in individuals based on their gender and sexual orientation. The study found that even when subjects were unaware of the images, they shifted their visual attention accordingly. The results suggest that the brain processes v...

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 25, 2006

CHEST 2006 abstract briefs

Research suggests that asthma diagnosis may be overdiagnosed in obese patients, while inadequate workplace safety education is linked to an increased incidence of occupational asthma. Additionally, a study finds that diabetes increases the prevalence of asthma, and heart murmurs are more common in women.

Nevada Terawatt Facility makes important advancement in unraveling mysteries of fusion energy

Researchers at the Nevada Terawatt Facility have made a significant step forward in understanding fundamental processes required for controlled fusion energy. They developed a new technique to measure mass transport and magnetic field dynamics in low wire array z-pinches, which could lead to improved efficiency in energy transfer.

SourceUniversity of Nevada, Reno·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 25, 2006

Another form to fill in

A study by CQU's International Program for Psycho-Social Health Research (IPP-SHR) revealed that standardised questionnaires in hospice practice negatively impacted upon patients' and carers' experiences and wellbeing. Informal conversation was seen as a flexible, sensitive, and consumer-focused alternative to questionnaire use.

SourceResearch Australia·JournalSupportive Care in Cancer·DateOct 25, 2006

Research discovers oldest bee, evolutionary link

Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered the oldest bee ever known, a 100 million year old specimen preserved in almost lifelike form in amber. The discovery supports the theory that pollen-dependent bees evolved from meat-eating wasps and sheds light on the rapid expansion of flowering plants during the Cretaceous Period.

SourceOregon State University·JournalScience·DateOct 25, 2006

Immune cell communication key to hunting viruses, Jefferson immunologists show

Researchers created a biosensor using quantum dots to mimic the clustering of MHC proteins on target cells, revealing strong contributions from non-viral peptide-MHC interaction with co-receptors. This cooperativity suggests that a single virus-MHC complex recognized in self-MHC complexes can activate a T-cell response.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 25, 2006

Exposure to sunlight could reduce asthma

Researchers have found that measured doses of ultraviolet light can significantly reduce the development of asthma-like symptoms in mice. Exposure to UV light before allergen exposure also produces a cell type that can prevent some asthma symptoms when transferred into other mice.

Alzheimer's alarm over anesthetics

Recent test tube and animal experiments suggest that certain general anaesthetics could increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other memory problems in elderly patients. The studies also highlight the need for more careful recording of anaesthetic combinations and doses to assess potential risks.

SourceNew Scientist·JournalThe New Scientist·DateOct 25, 2006