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Science News Archive June 2007 - Page 9


Page 9 of 17

Clocking in and out of gene expression

Researchers discovered that genes have internal clocks regulated by coactivators, controlling protein production and preventing cancerous growth. The coactivator's clock is set off through the addition of phosphate and ubiquitin molecules, with a fixed lifespan to prevent continuous activation.

Does OTC diet pill Alli live up to its name?

A study by the University of Kentucky found that OTC strength orlistat (Alli) resulted in significant weight loss, with participants losing approximately 7-15 pounds over four months. The study also demonstrated a reduction in LDL-cholesterol and associated heart health benefits.

SourceUniversity of Kentucky·JournalAnnals of Pharmacotherapy·DateJun 13, 2007

New evidence points to oceans on Mars

Researchers found changes in Mars' topography that could be explained by surface deformation from 'true polar wander', a phenomenon where a planet's spin axis shifts. The study suggests large oceans on Mars existed in the past, with evidence pointing to the presence of vast oceans and massive deformations along ancient shorelines.

Highway system drives city population declines, says Brown economist

A new study by Brown University economist Nathaniel Baum-Snow reveals that the American highway system played a significant role in causing population declines in central cities. The research, published in the Quarterly Journal of Economics, suggests that one new highway passing through a city reduces its population by about 18 percent.

SourceBrown University·JournalThe Quarterly Journal of Economics·DateJun 13, 2007

Nurtured chimps rake it in

A new study reveals that raising chimpanzees in a human cultural environment enhances their cognitive abilities, particularly in understanding how tools work. The researchers found that enculturated chimpanzees excelled in using rakes to retrieve rewards, demonstrating a deeper understanding of tool functionality.

SourceSpringer·JournalAnimal Cognition·DateJun 13, 2007

The 5 dimensions of online gifts

Researchers explore five dimensions of online gifts: initiative, direction, incentive, identification, and limitation. These dimensions reveal how digital gifts facilitate social connections and influence community dynamics.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Web Based Communities·DateJun 13, 2007

'Wurst' ensures that the respiratory system works

A newly discovered transmembrane protein called 'Wurst' appears to play a decisive role in breathing, ensuring proper lung maturation and gas exchange in both insects and mammals. The protein's defect is linked to respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants, and researchers aim to develop new treatments for this condition.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateJun 13, 2007

Mars -- Red Planet once blue planet

A team of Canadian and U.S. researchers have found evidence that ragged features on Mars' surface were once shorelines of massive ancient oceans. The study suggests that a shift in Mars' spin axis within the past 2-3 billion years deformed these shorelines.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalNature·DateJun 13, 2007

Herpes virus hijacks DNA repair process

Researchers discovered that herpes viruses trick mouse cells into activating the DNA damage response, allowing them to replicate more efficiently. Blocking this activation significantly reduces viral replication rates, providing a promising target for antiviral therapy.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateJun 13, 2007

Scripps/UC San Diego scientists solve genome of promising marine organism

Researchers have successfully sequenced the genome of Salinispora tropica, a bacterium discovered in Bahamian mud with potential to produce compounds showing promise in treating diseases such as cancer. The decoded genome reveals an impressive 10% of genes dedicated to producing molecules for antibiotics and anticancer agents.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 13, 2007

Progress toward an antitumor vaccine

Researchers at the University of Mainz have developed a novel approach to create antitumor vaccines by attaching tumor-associated glycopeptide antigens to a carrier protein via an immunocompatible thioether linkage. This method shows promise for inducing an immune response against cancer cells without irritating the immune system.

SourceWiley·DateJun 13, 2007

Study: Discriminating fact from fiction in recovered memories of childhood sexual abuse

A recent study published in Psychological Science found that spontaneously recovered memories of childhood sexual abuse are corroborated about 37% of the time, similar to continuous memories. In contrast, memories recovered in therapy were never verified. These findings suggest that therapy can lead to suggestion and distortion of memo...

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJun 13, 2007