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Science News for February 7, 2007


Loss of a universal tRNA feature reported

Researchers have discovered that two alphaproteobacteria lack the universal extra guanylate nucleotide typically found in transfer RNA molecule tRNAHis, which assists in incorporating amino acid histidine into new proteins. This finding suggests a radical departure from previously known identity rules for histidine-carrying tRNAs.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalJournal of Bacteriology·DateFeb 7, 2007

How parents react to material hardship found to be key to how income affects children

A major new study finds that family income affects children's cognitive skills and social emotional competence when parents experience material hardship, not just their income level. Researchers used data from 21,255 American kindergartners to identify two ways family income impacts children, including the provision of enriching materi...

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateFeb 7, 2007

Standard treatment more effective than diabetes drug for achieving pregnancy in fertility disorder

Researchers found that standard treatment with clomiphene was more effective than metformin alone in helping women with PCOS achieve successful pregnancy. The study, the largest and most comprehensive effort yet to compare the two drugs, showed that obese women were less likely to conceive during the course of the study.

Forensic photography brings color back to ancient textiles

Researchers at Ohio State University used forensic photography to analyze ancient textiles from Hopewell burial mounds, revealing previously hidden patterns and markings. The technique helps minimize damage during sampling, providing valuable information about prehistoric Native American technologies and colorants.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·DateFeb 7, 2007

Standard therapy more effective than diabetes drug in helping women with PCOS achieve pregnancy

Research finds standard therapy more effective in helping women with PCOS achieve pregnancy compared to diabetes drug metformin, which was initially thought to have great promise. Clomiphene fosters ovulation by stimulating hormone release, increasing pregnancy chances two times over metformin.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 7, 2007

Fighting influenza and co. with 40,000 blood samples

An international EU project led by the University of Bonn aims to shed light on why the immune system weakens with age, particularly in elderly people. The researchers will analyze up to 40,000 blood samples to develop new medicines that can largely inactivate viruses and enable the immune system to deal with residual viruses.