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Science News Archive February 2008 - Page 5


Page 5 of 19

Honey bee invaders exploit the genetic resources of their predecessors

A study found that honey bees invading new areas benefit from the genetic endowment of their predecessors, with functional genes from European bees providing an advantage. This discovery sheds light on the evolutionary mechanism behind the expansion of honey bees into temperate regions and their ability to thrive in harsh winter condit...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 25, 2008

Engineers demonstrate a new type of optical tweezer

Engineers at Harvard University have developed a novel optical tweezer that can perform calibrated force measurements with high precision. The device, consisting of a Fresnel Zone Plate fabricated on a glass slide, has the potential to revolutionize biological and microfluidic applications.

SourceHarvard University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateFeb 25, 2008

Getting to the roots of hair loss

Researchers at the University of Bonn have identified a gene responsible for Hypotrichosis simplex, a rare hereditary form of hair loss. The study's findings offer new hope for developing targeted therapies for various forms of hair loss.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature Genetics·DateFeb 24, 2008

Protein shines light on cancer response

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have identified a small protein that specifically recognizes tumors responding to chemotherapy, allowing for rapid visualization of cancer response in mice. This breakthrough could enable more efficient treatment customization and accelerate the development of new cancer drugs.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalNature Medicine·DateFeb 24, 2008

Study finds spine surgery yields greater benefits over nonsurgical treatments

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that patients who underwent surgery for spinal stenosis showed significant improvement compared to those treated nonsurgically. After two years, 63% of surgical patients experienced a major improvement, while 29% of non-surgical patients reported similar results.

SourceRush University Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 22, 2008

The structure of resistance

Researchers have solved the structure of two proteins that enable bacteria to develop resistance to various types of antibiotics, providing insights into their evolution and design strategies for new drugs. This discovery could aid in developing effective treatments against antibiotic-resistant infections.

SourceEMBO·JournalEMBO Reports·DateFeb 22, 2008

Do patients with inflammatory bowel disease receive optimal care?

A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found that patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in China often receive suboptimal care, including inadequate dosing of aminosalicylates and underuse of immunomodulatory drugs. This is partly due to limited understanding of the disease among Chinese healthcare providers.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateFeb 22, 2008

Novel method to reveal drug targets

Researchers at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute have developed a novel method to identify weak and transient protein interactions. By analyzing over 6000 experiments in mammalian cells, they discovered 17 new pairs of interactions that could lead to novel therapeutic opportunities for diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and growth.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalGenome Research·DateFeb 22, 2008

A strange case of upper obstructive syndrome

A rare case of ADF was reported, where the prosthesis was detached from the duodenal wall and a pediculated fragment of the greater omentum was placed to relieve mechanical bowel obstruction. The clinical suspicion for ADF is essential, with esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy and CT scans being the most commonly used diagnostic techniques.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateFeb 22, 2008

New theory sheds light on space enigma

Scientists have shed light on Enceladus' space enigma by explaining the dynamics of its erupting plume. The new theory suggests that dust particles and water vapor form below the moon's surface, with temperature and pressure conditions allowing for rapid water vapor eruption and slower dust particle ejection.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalNature·DateFeb 22, 2008

Electron filmed for first time ever

Scientists at Lund University have successfully filmed an electron for the first time, capturing its motion on a light wave after being pulled away from an atom. The research uses attosecond pulses to study electron collisions with atoms, providing new opportunities to monitor and understand electron behavior.

SourceSwedish Research Council·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 22, 2008

Story ideas from the Journal of Biological Chemistry

Embryonic livers store glycogen by overproducing the enzyme hexokinase (HK), which can produce glycogen independently of blood-glucose levels. This adaptation safeguards energy storage for newborns. Meanwhile, a protein called NCKX5 plays a key role in skin color production, exchanging sodium for calcium across cell membranes.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateFeb 22, 2008

Stroke treatment alteplase gives benefits beyond normal 3-hour treatment window (epithet study)

A recent study published in The Lancet Neurology found that alteplase treatment can improve clinical outcomes in stroke patients even when administered outside the conventional 3-hour window. The researchers identified patients with an ischaemic penumbra and showed significant benefits in tissue reperfusion and reduced infarct growth.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·DateFeb 22, 2008

Special coating greatly improves solar cell performance

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new anode coating strategy that significantly enhances the efficiency of solar energy power conversion. The breakthrough could lead to cheaper, more manufacturable, and easily implemented solar cells, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and carbon dioxide emissions.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 22, 2008

A rare diagnosis in the operation room: Kidney atrophy due to duplicated colon in an adult

A rare case of colon duplication was diagnosed in an adult patient with hydronephrotic atrophy of the right kidney. The mass was successfully removed during a laparotomy, revealing a continuum of the duplicated colon. This exceptional case highlights the importance of accurate pre-operative diagnosis and surgical expertise.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateFeb 22, 2008

Paving the way for green roads

The University of New Hampshire's Recycled Materials Resource Management Center is developing criteria for green roads, which could lead to sweeping reforms in the construction industry. The center's research focuses on reducing the environmental impacts of road-building, such as carbon footprint and stormwater runoff generation.

Jekyll-Hyde neutron star discovered by researchers

Researchers have discovered a neutron star that undergoes a dramatic transformation from a pulsar to a magnetar, providing insight into the evolutionary connection between these two types of ultradense objects. The discovery was made using data from NASA's Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer and Chandra X-ray Observatory satellites.

SourceMcGill University·JournalScience·DateFeb 21, 2008