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Science News for August 20, 2008


Creating unconventional metals

Researchers at University College London have combined silicon, iron, and manganese to create a new material with unique properties. The discovery demonstrates a simple recipe for reaching this 'quantum halfway house' and suggests new mechanisms for controlling electrical currents and magnetism in semiconductor devices.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature·DateAug 20, 2008

Duke chemists synthesize promising anti-cancer product

Researchers at Duke University have synthesized largazole, a marine algae extract with potential as an anti-cancer agent. The team's efficient synthetic route enables the production of gram-sized quantities, paving the way for further study and potential treatment of various cancers.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 20, 2008

China sees spike in rabies cases

A new study published in BMC Infectious Diseases reveals a significant increase in human rabies cases in China since the new millennium. The researchers found that the number of cases jumped dramatically from 159 to 3,279 between 1990 and 2006, with most patients contracting the disease after being bitten by dogs.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Infectious Diseases·DateAug 20, 2008

PTC124 shows activity in cystic fibrosis; Phase 2 proof-of-concept data published in Lancet

A Phase 2 trial of PTC124 demonstrated statistically significant improvements in CFTR-mediated chloride transport and lung function in patients with nonsense-mutation CF. The study showed that PTC124 induced chloride transport responses across various patient genotypes, offering a potential new treatment paradigm for this genetic disease.

SourcePure Communications Inc.·JournalThe Lancet·DateAug 20, 2008

Brain surgery is getting easier on patients

Dr. Edward Duckworth is using less-invasive techniques to remove tumors, repair life-threatening aneurysms, and reduce seizures in epilepsy patients. The procedure involves reaching the brain through smaller openings, resulting in decreased pain and shorter hospital stays.

SourceLoyola Medicine·JournalNeurosurgery·DateAug 20, 2008

Oetzi the Iceman dressed like a herdsman

A new study analyzing Oetzi's hair samples reveals his clothes were made from sheep and cattle fur, supporting the idea that he was a herdsman. The technique used could be faster and more reliable for checking animal hair products and aiding manufacturers in adhering to EU laws.

SourceWiley·JournalRapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry·DateAug 20, 2008

Fast quantum computer building block created

Scientists at University of Michigan and U.S. Naval Research Laboratory demonstrate a solid-state qubit that can be both 0 and 1 at the same time, enabling faster quantum computing and improved computer security. The breakthrough enables the creation of a code that would be impossible to crack with conventional computers.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Physics·DateAug 20, 2008

Researchers discover scent of skin cancer

Researchers at Monell Chemical Senses Center have discovered a unique scent associated with basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer. By analyzing volatile organic compounds in the air above skin lesions, they found distinct profiles that could potentially be used to screen for and diagnose skin cancers at early stages.

SourceMonell Chemical Senses Center·JournalBritish Journal of Dermatology·DateAug 20, 2008