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Science News for January 24, 2008


Don't worry, be (moderately) happy, research suggests

A new study challenges the assumption that all measures of well-being go up as happiness increases, finding that moderately happy individuals may outperform those who are extremely happy in some areas of life. Happiness generally correlates with positive measures such as success in money, employment and relationships, but overly high l...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalPerspectives on Psychological Science·DateJan 24, 2008

JCI table of contents: Jan. 24, 2008

A new study by Naofumi Mukaida and colleagues found that TNF-alpha antagonist reduces inflammation-induced colon cancer in mice, suggesting a potential treatment for ulcerative colitis patients. Additionally, research on mesenchymal stem cells showed that the antitumor drug bortezomib can target these cells and promote bone cell-specif...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 24, 2008

Stowers Proteomics Center devises method for assigning probabilities to human protein interactions

The Stowers Institute's Proteomics Center has developed a novel method for assigning probabilities to human protein interactions, allowing for the creation of more informative protein interaction networks. This approach enables researchers to estimate the preference of two proteins to associate within a defined complex or larger networ...

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 24, 2008

New insights into vaccination for HIV

Researchers have developed new tools to understand HIV immune evasion. Vaccination timing significantly affects the rate of immune escape in macaques, suggesting ways to improve HIV vaccines.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJan 24, 2008

Elusive pancreatic stem cells found in adult mice

A team of researchers has identified pancreatic stem cells with the capacity to generate new insulin-producing beta cells in adult mice. These findings represent a significant breakthrough in understanding the pancreas's ability to regenerate beta cells, a crucial step towards developing effective treatments for diabetes.

The pope's mixed record on science

The Pope has expressed support for scientific theories such as evolution and climate change, with the Vatican sponsoring a conference on climate change in 2006. However, he has not altered the church's opposition to using condoms to prevent HIV transmission or supporting abortion rights. In contrast, some progressive Catholics and cler...

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 24, 2008

Team IDs weakness in anthrax bacteria

Researchers have discovered a weakness in the defenses of the anthrax bacterium that could be exploited to produce new antibiotics. Nitric oxide is a critical part of Bacillus anthracis's defense against the immune response, and disrupting this system could make it vulnerable to attack by macrophages.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 24, 2008

Discovery of new cause of mental retardation simplifies search for treatments

Researchers have identified a new cause of mental retardation, finding that duplication of two proteins (HSD17B10 and HUWE1) leads to overproduction, offering promising possibilities for treatments. The discovery simplifies the search for remedies by targeting protein production rather than repairing or replacing defective proteins.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateJan 24, 2008

Building stronger bones, 1 stem cell at a time

Researchers discovered that the antitumor drug bortezomib can specifically target mesenchymal stem cells, leading to enhanced bone regeneration in mice. Bortezomib treatment increased bone formation in normal mice and recovered bone loss in mice with induced osteoporosis.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 24, 2008

Biologists use computers to study bacterial cell division

Researchers created a mathematical model of bacterial cell division in Caulobacter crescentus, confirming existing hypotheses and identifying gaps in understanding. The model demonstrates the role of computation in biology and provides a framework for testing predictions and simulating mutant bacteria.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJan 24, 2008

The mystery of Jupiter's jets uncovered

Research into giant perturbations on Jupiter reveals that jet streams go deep into the planet's atmosphere, with storms forming among deepest clouds. The team used a combination of telescopes to observe the phenomenon, finding surprising similarities with previous cases.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalNature·DateJan 24, 2008

Springer launches Springer Protocols

Springer Protocols is a laboratory tool that delivers protocols across 15 subject collections, covering various areas of life sciences. The platform contains over 2,000 protocols, with 1,000 being updated annually, providing researchers with easy access to experiment designs, equipment, statistical methods, and troubleshooting standards.

New approach to detect autism earlier

A new review integrates psychological and biological theories of autism, which may help medical professionals detect conditions such as Asperger's Disorder at an earlier stage. This approach could lead to better explanations for parents worried about their child's behaviour and potentially improve remediation.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalAustralian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry·DateJan 24, 2008