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Science News for April 17, 2007


Ames Laboratory researchers rethink zinc

Researchers at the Ames Laboratory have discovered a new family of zinc compounds that can be tuned to exhibit physical properties similar to other materials. These compounds, which are over 85% zinc, display extraordinary tunability, allowing scientists to study magnetism and potentially create superconducting materials.

SourceDOE/Ames National Laboratory·JournalNature Physics·DateApr 17, 2007

What's in the water? Estrogenic activity documented in fish caught in Pittsburgh's rivers

A new study documents estrogenic activity in fish caught in Pittsburgh's rivers, suggesting feminizing chemicals from industrial and municipal wastes. The findings demonstrate the potential health risks of consuming river-caught fish, particularly for endocrine-mediated health endpoints like some cancers and developmental problems.

Bioluminescence at the service of a novel cerebral imaging technique

Scientists have developed a novel technique for in vivo imaging of neuronal function using bioluminescence, enabling the monitoring of calcium activity in neurons or the brain as a whole. This approach has been validated by recording neurons in the ellipsoid body and demonstrates its sensitivity and ability to study all brain structures.

SourceCNRS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 17, 2007

Sleep enforces the temporal sequence in memory

Researchers found that sleep enforces the temporal sequence in memories by replaying experiences in a forward direction. This process enhances word recall when students were asked to reproduce learned words in the correct order.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 17, 2007

Study finds no survival benefit for gastric cancer patients

A randomized controlled trial of high-risk gastric cancer patients showed no significant difference in survival between two treatment groups. The five-year survival rate was around 50%, higher than previous studies, suggesting that the quality of surgery and potential toxicity of postoperative chemotherapy may be factors.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateApr 17, 2007

Malaria-infected mice cured by 1 dose of new drug

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed a new series of potent synthetic drugs modeled on an ancient Chinese herbal folk remedy that cure malaria-infected mice with a single shot. The compounds, containing a crucial oxygen-oxygen unit, promise to be more effective and potentially safer than current treatments.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalJournal of Medicinal Chemistry·DateApr 17, 2007

Biologists prove critical step in membrane fusion

Researchers at Brown University have discovered that hemifusion, a critical step in membrane fusion, allows vesicles to share membranes without releasing their contents. This stable state enables the rapid delivery of drugs to target cells by controlling the timing of fusion.

SourceBrown University·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateApr 17, 2007

Study projects effects of forest management in Oregon's Coast Range

The study, known as CLAMS, examines ecological, economic, and social consequences of forest policies in the Coast Range. The research found that maintaining current policies will lead to increased old-growth forests and habitat for old-forest species, but may result in declines in diverse early-successional and hardwood forests.