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Science News for March 23, 2007


'Ancestral eve' was mother of all tooth decay

A NYUCD research team found that Streptoccocus mutans, a bacterium associated with dental caries, has evolved along with its human hosts in Africa between 100,000 and 200,000 years ago. This oral bacterial evidence supports the dispersal of modern Homo sapiens out of Africa to Asia.

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of Bacteriology·DateMar 23, 2007

Laying microscale tiles

A team of researchers led by Kyung Byung Yoon found that manually applying microcrystals to a substrate yields superior results compared to self-assembly methods. The manual process allows for denser packing and more regular orientation of microcrystals, making it preferable in the overlapping range of 0.5 to 3 µm.

SourceWiley·DateMar 23, 2007

Simulated populations used to probe gene mapping

A new study published in PLoS Genetics used computer simulations to trace genetic changes over thousands of generations in a simulated population, testing the effectiveness of statistical genetic methods in identifying multiple genes causing complex diseases. The researchers found that known methods are limited and identified which met...

SourceRice University·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateMar 23, 2007

TV's beauty makeovers mask ugly truths

The Extreme Makeover show promotes a radical makeover program that enforces conformity to societal norms. The program sells the idea of cosmetic surgery as a means to uncover one's authentic self, but actually reinforces gender, age, class, and race standards.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalFeminist Media Studies·DateMar 23, 2007