Fused nasal bones helped tyrannosaurids dismember prey
Fused tyrannosaurid nasals increased skull strength, allowing for deep bone biting and superior bite force. This adaptation made T. rexes nearly unbeatable predators.
Science News for May 18, 2007
Cornell lab confirms deadly fish virus spreading to new species
The viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) has been identified in 19 species and poses a potential threat to New York's sport-fishing industry. Containing the spread of the virus requires restrictions on live fish movement, testing, and surveillance.
Repair of DNA by Brca2 gene prevents medulloblastoma
The Brca2 gene plays a dual role in the developing nervous system, eliminating errors in the DNA of newly made copies of chromosomes and suppressing the onset of medulloblastoma. By repairing broken DNA, the Brca2 gene ensures normal size and function of rapidly dividing cells, preventing brain cancer.
Stowers Institute's Workman Lab demonstrates mechanism for decoding histone modification marks
The study reveals that a combinatorial action of multiple protein domains is required to read histone modifications, targeting the Rpd3S complex to deacetylate transcribed chromatin. This finding has significant implications for understanding and treating Huntington's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Southern ocean carbon sink weakened
The Southern Ocean's ability to absorb carbon dioxide has weakened substantially over the past 25 years, with a 15% decrease per decade since 1981. Human activities are the primary cause of this weakening, which will lead to higher atmospheric carbon dioxide levels in the long-term.
UD researchers put 'spin' in silicon, advance new age of electronics
Researchers at the University of Delaware have demonstrated the transport and coherent manipulation of electron spin in silicon, a crucial step towards harnessing its potential in spintronics. The discovery could lead to exponentially faster and more powerful electronics, including quantum computers.
U. of Colorado to partner on $100 million telescope in Chilean desert
The University of Colorado at Boulder will collaborate with major partners to design and build a 25-meter far-infrared telescope in the Atacama Desert. The telescope will enable scientists to study early stages of star and galaxy formation, as well as solar system origins.
Quality improvement effort pays off in diabetes care
A quality improvement program in federally qualified community health centers improved diabetes care, reducing patients' lifetime risk of blindness, kidney disease, and coronary artery disease. The program cost less than $500 per patient each year and is projected to save the healthcare system millions.
UIC awarded $7M NIH grant for infertility research
The University of Illinois at Chicago has received a $7 million grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to study endometriosis and its effects on fertility. The research aims to develop new therapies and better understand embryo implantation and pregnancy.
Before selling carbon credits, read this
Researchers found that a soil model can accurately estimate carbon levels in soil, enabling farmers to verify soil carbon change and sell carbon credits. The Century model's accuracy depends on accurate soil texture data, highlighting the need for benchmark monitoring sites.
A first glimpse at healthy brain and behavioral development
A large-scale study reveals that healthy children outperform previously reported norms in cognitive function, with income affecting IQ and academic achievement. The study also found that age predicts performance on most tests, but adolescence sees a leveling off of cognitive development.
SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalJournal of the International Neuropsychological Society·DateMay 18, 2007
Nanoscale pasta: Toward nanoscale electronics
Researchers at UC San Diego are studying spiral-shaped carbon nanotubes for new switching and memory storage devices. These nanotubes may outperform conventional silicon technologies in terms of power consumption, radiation hardness, and heat dissipation.
New biofuel from trees developed at UGA
Researchers at UGA have developed a new biofuel derived from wood chips that can be blended with biodiesel and petroleum diesel, offering a boost to the economy. The process, which involves pyrolysis, produces a liquid bio-oil that is nearly carbon neutral, reducing heat-trapping carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
B12 is also an essential vitamin for marine life
Vitamin B12 plays a vital role in marine plant growth, influencing the ocean food web and climate. Its presence affects phytoplankton blooms and carbon cycling in the ocean.
Jackson Laboratory researcher receives JDRF's Grodsky award
Dr. David Serreze receives JDRF's Grodsky award for his outstanding contributions to the study of diabetic immunology. The award recognizes his leadership and innovation in accelerating the pace of diabetes research.
NIH study tracks brain development in some 500 children across US
A new NIH study is tracking the brain and behavioral development of over 500 healthy American children from birth to age 18. The study found that children approach adult levels of performance on many basic cognitive and motor skills by age 11 or 12, but there were no dramatic increases in cognitive growth during adolescence.
SourceNIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke·JournalJournal of the International Neuropsychological Society·DateMay 18, 2007
Study of protein folds offers insight into metabolic evolution
Researchers created a global family tree of metabolic protein architecture using phylogenetic analysis techniques. The study found that many metabolic protein folds are quite ancient, with some common in all species analyzed, while others are more recent.
SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 18, 2007
Computer model maps efficient inoculation of hospital staff in pandemic outbreak
The study suggests that assigning each staff member a specific time for inoculation is the most effective method to ensure healthcare workers stay healthy and patients receive optimal care. This approach resulted in wait times of only slightly more than two minutes, even with low compliance levels.