Agent that triggers immune response in plants is uncovered
Researchers uncover the elusive signal that triggers plantwide resistance, found to be methyl salicylate, an aspirin-like compound.
Science News for October 4, 2007
ResearchChannel partners with NSF
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is partnering with ResearchChannel to create science-themed programming for cable television, the Internet, and other media. The partnership will feature lectures from distinguished scientists, panel discussions on ongoing NSF-funded research, and institutional research series.
Simplest circadian clocks operate via orderly phosphate transfers
Researchers at Harvard University have found that a simple circadian clock can maintain an accurate 24-hour cycle through the rhythmic addition and subtraction of phosphate groups on a single protein. This discovery builds upon previous research and has implications for understanding general feedback mechanisms in organisms.
Deficiency of immune system 'peacekeeper' pinpointed in mice as cause of ulcerative colitis
A deficiency of the T-bet protein in dendritic cells has been linked to ulcerative colitis in mice, which can be passed from mother to offspring and between adult animals. This study provides a novel model for the disease, with potential implications for testing new therapies and preventive measures.
Can thinking about shopping change the route you take?
Researchers found men become more focused on direct routes after clothes shopping, while women prefer scenic routes. Introverts also make low-arousal food choices when thinking about attending a party.
How emotionally charged events leave their mark on memory
Researchers have discovered a mechanism that strengthens memory connections in response to emotional stress, which may underlie why traumatic events can be more vividly remembered than everyday ones. The study found that the stress hormone norepinephrine enhances learning and memory by increasing GluR1 receptors.
Medimmune announces phase 2 safety data for anti-RSV antibody and national RSV surveillance results
MedImmune presents Phase 2 safety data for its anti-RSV antibody, motavizumab, in young children with a history of prematurity. The company also releases national RSV surveillance results showing regional variability of the virus in the southern United States.
Scientists 'weigh' tiny galaxy halfway across universe
An international team of scientists has identified a tiny galaxy, about half the size and one-tenth the weight of the smallest distant galaxies typically observed. The galaxy is 100 times lighter than our own Milky Way and is 100 times closer to us than the nearest known structure, the Virgo cluster.
UGA vet school receives $1.18 million NIH grant for rabies vaccine investigations
The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine has received a $1.18 million NIH grant to develop a less expensive and less invasive means of vaccinating humans and animals against rabies. The proposed vaccine will use a genetically modified form of the live virus, aiming to establish immunity with fewer doses and reduce costs.
Thalidomide improves survival of elderly with multiple myeloma when added to chemotherapy regimen
A study of 447 patients with multiple myeloma found that thalidomide improved overall survival and response rates compared to standard chemotherapy. The MPT regimen was associated with significantly better outcomes, making it a potential new treatment option for elderly patients.
Scripps research scientists develop innovative dual action anthrax vaccine-antitoxin combination
Scripps researchers created a dual-action compound that leapfrogs current efforts to develop an anthrax vaccine. The new agent protects against lethal toxin exposure after only one injection, with a potent immune response faster and stronger than any currently available vaccine.
How Candida albicans transforms from its normally benign form into life-threatening form
Researchers have discovered how Candida albicans transforms from its benign form to an infectious, life-threatening state. The fungus changes shape and activates cellular machineries through specific proteins, revealing new therapeutic targets.
SourceAgency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateOct 4, 2007
When taking a long time is seen as a good thing
A study reveals consumers misjudge situations where longer duration isn't necessarily better, such as in exercise programs or lock-picking services. Consumers tend to believe a positive correlation between duration and quality, leading them to prefer longer sessions even when they're not more effective.
Nurses play a key role in police custody suites, complementing the traditional role of doctors
Research found that dedicated custody nurses improved response times and consultation times compared to doctors. Nurses were able to assess patients quickly, provide holistic care, and refer cases to forensic medical examiners as needed.
Giant Magellan telescope site selected
The Giant Magellan Telescope will be constructed at Cerro Las Campanas, Chile, providing unparalleled seeing quality and access to the southern skies. The telescope will help answer scientific questions on planetary systems, star formation, galaxies, black holes, dark matter, and dark energy.
Lesser of two evils: When do we prefer to get rid of things?
A new study found that when faced with two 'bad' choices, consumers tend to opt to get rid of what they already have. This is due to a stronger preference for possession loss aversion than valence loss aversion. The researchers discovered that this effect is more pronounced in situations where the options are risk-free or unattractive.
Unveiling the structure of microcrystals
Scientists have successfully determined the structure of microcrystal grains using a new set-up at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. This breakthrough allows researchers to study crystalline structures previously too small to analyze, enabling potential advances in fields like chemistry, physics, and biology.
Argonne researcher studies what makes quantum dots blink
Researchers from Argonne National Laboratory have developed a method to characterize quantum dot blinking on faster time scales than before. The results provide new insight into the mechanism of quantum-dot blinking and may help control and suppress this flickering behavior.
SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 4, 2007
Safer nicotine products could bring down the massive health burden of smoking
Researchers propose safer nicotine alternatives to reduce tobacco-related deaths and illnesses. The authors suggest the creation of dedicated regulatory authorities to oversee nicotine product regulation.
$1.2M grant to further geriatric mental health nursing
The University of Iowa has been awarded a four-year $1.2 million grant to develop evidence-based guidelines for caring for elderly patients with mental health issues. The grant will support the creation of new curricula and competencies in geropsychiatric nursing, aiming to improve mental health care for America's older population.
UCLA to lead local study center in landmark government study of child health
The UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families and Communities is leading a nationwide project to assess the effects of environmental and genetic factors on children's health. The National Children's Study will follow 100,000 children from birth to age 21 to prevent and treat pressing health problems like autism, diabetes, and obesity.
UF researchers devise way to calculate rates of evolution
Researchers at UF discover a powerful link between protein evolution and metabolic rate across various species, including fish and mammals. The study reveals that rates of protein evolution are strongly influenced by individual metabolic rates.
Researchers identify genes that increase rheumatoid arthritis risk
A genetic region on chromosome 9 containing two genes, TRAF1 and C5, has been identified as a potential contributor to rheumatoid arthritis risk. The study suggests that understanding the role of these genes may lead to new targets for therapy.
SourceNIH/National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 4, 2007
$4 million nursing grant focuses on at-risk premature infants
The study aims to develop a model that combines audio, tactile, visual, and vestibular stimulation with teaching programs for mothers of premature infants, reducing behavioral problems and improving early infant health. By reducing hospital stays by three days, the grant hopes to save over $2 billion dollars annually.
Human embryonic stem cells remain embryonic because of epigenetic factors
Researchers at A*STAR in Singapore discovered that epigenetic modifications influence gene expression in human embryonic stem cells. The study found that genes modified by H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 contain DNA recipes for protein proliferation and are crucial to sensory processes, immunity, and drug metabolism.
SourceAgency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateOct 4, 2007
What emotional memories are made of
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that a hormone released during emotional arousal 'primes' nerve cells to remember events by increasing their chemical sensitivity. This process, known as the 'priming effect,' enhances the sculpting of memories into long-term storage.
Cholesterol metabolism links early- and late-onset Alzheimer's disease
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine found a molecular connection between amyloid-beta production and cholesterol levels in the brain, linking early- and late-onset Alzheimer's. This discovery suggests that abnormal brain cholesterol metabolism may play a role in the disease.
New telomere discovery could help explain why cancer cells never stop dividing
Researchers discovered that telomeric RNA is transcribed from DNA on the telomere, challenging previous theories. This finding may uncover new targets for attacking telomere function in cancer cells.
Simons Foundation awards Emory scientists $3M for autism gene research
Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine will use advanced technologies to search the entire X chromosome for genetic abnormalities in 330 patients with autism. The goal is to identify X-linked variation for autism susceptibility, a crucial step towards developing diagnostic tests and therapeutic approaches.
Zinc supplementation does not significantly affect child mortality in Nepal
A study published in The Lancet found that zinc supplementation did not have a significant impact on child mortality rates in Nepal. However, the researchers suggest that children with specific histories of illness or malnutrition may benefit from zinc supplementation. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.
Geologists recover rocks yielding unprecedented insights into San Andreas Fault
Scientists have extracted intact rock samples from 2 miles beneath the San Andreas Fault, a major breakthrough in understanding the fault's composition and behavior. The recovered cores provide unprecedented insights into the mechanism of earthquakes and the movement of tectonic plates.
Brown researchers make major signal transduction discovery
A team of Brown University researchers has made a major breakthrough in understanding the biochemical process of cytokine receptor signal transduction. They found that acetylation, another chemical process, plays a central role in activating interferon receptors and triggering an immune response.
Kids still not drinking enough milk
A recent study found that only 2-3 year olds meet the recommended dairy intake for children. Most children consume more fat-rich dairy products like cheese, yogurt, and ice cream. To address this issue, experts suggest promoting low-fat dairy options and flavored milk products.
Hydrothermal vents: Hot spots of microbial diversity
Scientists discovered over 37,000 new kinds of bacteria at two deep-sea hydrothermal vents, exceeding known archaea diversity by 12 times. The findings suggest that comprehensive surveys are necessary to capture the vast microbial diversity in these ecosystems.
Entomological Society of America recognizes 2007 fellows and honorary members
The Entomological Society of America has selected nine new Fellows and one new Honorary Member, recognizing their outstanding contributions to research, teaching, extension, or administration in the field of entomology. The honorees will be recognized during the ESA Annual Meeting in San Diego, California.
U-M research: New plastic is strong as steel, transparent
University of Michigan researchers developed a composite plastic that's as strong as steel but lighter and transparent by mimicking the molecular structure found in seashells. The new material consists of layers of clay nanosheets and a water-soluble polymer, achieving ideal transfer of stress between nanosheets and a polymer matrix.
UGA study: Youth exposed to smokeless tobacco ads despite settlement
A recent University of Georgia study reveals that youth exposure to smokeless tobacco advertising has been significant and stable over the past decade, defying a 1998 settlement aimed at limiting such marketing. The study found that smokeless tobacco companies have largely avoided scrutiny, despite research showing its health risks.
Default options should be used to improve healthcare
Default options can be used to improve individual patient care, reducing hospital-borne infections by removing unnecessary urinary catheters. Additionally, opt-out organ donation policies have increased donation rates in European countries.
SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 4, 2007
Discovery offers hope of halting Amyotrophoic Lateral Sclerosis progression
Researchers have found that mutated forms of the angiogenin gene are toxic to motor neurons and affect their ability to grow and extend. Targeting these faulty molecules may help maintain healthy neurons and prevent disease progression.
Negativity is contagious, study finds
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that negative opinions cause the greatest attitude shifts, both positive-to-negative and negative-to-worse. Consumers are more susceptible to influence when others have negative opinions, especially if they initially held positive attitudes.
Evidence of a relationship between swimming babies and infections
A German study found that babies who didn't swim as infants had lower infection rates, especially with diarrhoea. However, no conclusive link was established between swimming pools and atopic diseases in early childhood.
SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalInternational Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health·DateOct 4, 2007
The industrial space age
A large-scale industrial expansion into space offers a sustainable solution to environmental concerns, providing unlimited resources and energy sinks for pollutants. This approach reconciles technological optimism with economic scarcity, enabling a unified political vision for the 21st century.
SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development·DateOct 4, 2007
NIBIB invests in quantum research
The NIBIB Quantum Grants program funds four innovative projects to develop new technologies for metastatic lung cancer diagnosis, bio-artificial kidneys, insulin-producing cells, and nanoparticles targeting brain tumors. These advancements aim to transform healthcare with potential breakthroughs in disease treatment and prevention.
Living fossils have hot sex
Scientists discovered a unique method of reproduction in primitive plants named cycads, which heat up and emit toxic odors to repel and attract pollen-covered insects. This 'push-pull' pollination method may represent an intermediate step in the evolution of plant pollination.
Space technology harnessed to search out TB
Researchers are developing a portable mass spectrometer to diagnose tuberculosis (TB) with greater sensitivity than smear microscopy. The device could automate the process, making it more widely available in resource-poor settings where TB kills two million people annually.
UMass Medical School awarded National Children's Study contract
The study will follow 100,000 children from birth to age 21, collecting data on biological and environmental samples to identify solutions to pressing health issues such as autism, diabetes, and obesity. The research aims to provide valuable insights for developing preventive strategies and guidelines to promote healthy development.
Researchers identify key step bird flu virus takes to spread readily in humans
A team of researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison identified a single change in a viral protein that facilitates the H5N1 avian flu virus's ability to infect the upper respiratory system in mammals. This adaptation enables efficient transmission through coughing and sneezing, potentially setting the stage for a pandemic.
Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Men with chronic heart failure can have active sex lives
A literature review published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings finds that many patients with chronic heart failure can engage in sexual activity with proper screening and treatment. The authors analyzed studies on the impact of sexual activity on heart rate and blood pressure, showing moderate oxygen consumption levels comparable to normal d...
In birds, expecting to mate leads to higher fertilization rates
Researchers found that quail males who learned to associate a stimulus with access to a female were more likely to fertilize eggs, increasing their reproductive success. The findings suggest that learning plays a significant role in reproductive fitness and evolution.
Salmonid hatcheries cause 'stunning' loss of reproduction
A new study by Oregon State University reveals that rearing steelhead trout in hatcheries causes a dramatic drop in their ability to reproduce in the wild, with reproductive success dropping by up to 40% per generation.
Daytime and nighttime blood pressure are both vital prognostic indicators
A study published in The Lancet found that daytime and nighttime blood pressure are both predictive of cardiovascular events, with nighttime blood pressure predicting mortality. The study suggests recording ambulatory blood pressure during the whole day for accurate prognosis.
Starting university may be hazardous to your health: study
A new study at the University of Alberta has linked transitioning to university with increased symptoms of binge eating in female students. Students who felt dissatisfied with their bodies or lived away from home were three times more likely to experience these symptoms.
Penn State, Chevron launch energy alliance
Penn State has launched a major research alliance with Chevron to develop advanced coal conversion and carbon dioxide management technologies. The partnership aims to promote energy innovation, train new generations of experts in energy, and educate the public about energy issues.