Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive November 2007 - Page 5


Page 5 of 19

Bear hunting altered genetics more than Ice Age isolation

A recent study published in Molecular Ecology reveals that the genetic distribution of brown bears was not solely determined by Ice Age isolation. Instead, human hunting and land use have had a significant impact on their genetics, allowing them to survive and thrive in central Europe during the coldest periods. This new understanding ...

SourceUppsala University·JournalMolecular Ecology·DateNov 23, 2007

Rebuilding the evolutionary history of HIV-1 unravels a complex loop

Researchers have developed a new method to reconstruct the evolutionary history of the HIV-1 V3 loop, revealing biologically dependent amino acids that form 'co-evolving' ties across the protein. This study advances understanding of HIV-1 evolution and identifies potential targets for future research.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateNov 23, 2007

Self-sabotage

A study by Dr. Jason Plaks and Kristin Stecher found that individuals with a fixed view of their abilities become anxious and disoriented upon achieving dramatic success, leading to poor performance, whereas those with a malleable view perform better under similar circumstances.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateNov 22, 2007

Liquid crystal phases of tiny DNA molecules point up new scenario for first life on Earth

Researchers at CU-Boulder and University of Milan found that short segments of DNA can assemble into liquid crystal phases with 'self-orient' properties, paving the way for a new scenario on the origin of life. The discovery was made by observing how short DNA segments could condense into droplets in which conditions are favorable for ...

Australia's health at crossroads

The Australian health system is facing significant challenges, including inadequate funding and poor access to care for Indigenous populations. The Editorial argues that a substantial reform program is needed to achieve better health outcomes for all, building on Labor's vision for New Directions in Australian Health.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateNov 22, 2007

Older filters, fresher water

Researchers found that older sand filters with established biofilms effectively remove geosmin and MIB, reducing the earthy taste in tap water. The study suggests using biologically active sand filters can improve water purification, making water safer for consumption.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Environment and Waste Management·DateNov 22, 2007

Calling for research into deafness

Research funding into deafness in the UK is only a fraction of the estimated £13.5 billion in productivity losses due to hearing impairment. The Lancet Editorial highlights the need for further interventions to prevent or reverse hearing damage and improve quality of life for those affected.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateNov 22, 2007

Repeating genes

Scientists at the Weizmann Institute have proposed a mechanism that explains the precision of trinucleotide repeat diseases like Huntington's. They suggest that the genes carrying the disease code accumulate more DNA repeats over time until a critical threshold is crossed.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateNov 22, 2007

Bees are the new silkworms

Researchers discovered the essential design features of coiled coil silks in bees, ants, and wasps, which are produced by larvae using different methods. The unique protein structure produces a lightweight yet tough silk, likely contributing to the social insects' evolutionary success.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateNov 21, 2007

Lung transplants bring more harm than good to children with cystic fibrosis

Researchers at the University of Utah Health found that lung transplantation rarely extends children's survival and can even increase their risk of dying. The study analyzed data from 514 patients with cystic fibrosis and found that only one patient showed a clear benefit from transplantation, while others were at a higher risk of death.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 21, 2007

Babies prefer good Samaritans

Babies as young as six months old showed a preference for individuals who help others, while hindering was met with disdain. This early ability to evaluate people suggests that assessing interactions is central to processing the social world.

SourceYale University·JournalNature·DateNov 21, 2007

Ripening secrets of the vine revealed

Two studies published in BMC Genomics have identified over 1,400 genes involved in grape ripening and revealed the first biochemical evidence of reactive oxygen species accumulation during color transition. The findings provide a powerful new resource for understanding fruit ripening control in non-climacteric plants.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Genomics·DateNov 21, 2007

Bioclocks work by controlling chromosome coiling

Researchers found that biological clocks influence gene activity by controlling chromosome coiling in cyanobacteria, suggesting a universal theme for higher organisms. The study provides direct evidence of the regulatory mechanism, which could explain why some genes are active during the day and night.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 21, 2007

Mars' molten past

Researchers found that Mars' surface remained molten for 100 million years, implying a thick atmosphere to insulate the planet and slow cooling. This persistence is surprisingly long, with implications for the planet's early history.

Mapping the selective brain

Researchers have identified a brain region, the left supramarginal gyrus, that selectively amplifies behaviorally significant speech sounds. This area is involved in categorical perception, which is crucial for recognizing distinct patterns in sensory input.

SARS: a model disease

A new predictive model of disease spread has been developed using actual travel and census data from over 3,000 urban areas in 220 countries. The model provides predictions of outbreak likelihood and potential spread, with simulations that fit the actual SARS virus pattern in 2002.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Medicine·DateNov 21, 2007

Pregnant women pass on the effects of smoking

A new study published in JCI Journals reveals that smoking before pregnancy or while breast-feeding may decrease the fertility of female offspring by reducing resting and early growing follicles. The effects are mediated through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr), which upregulates expression of the Harakiri gene, leading to cell death.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 21, 2007