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Science News Archive July 2008 - Page 18


Page 18 of 20

Couples with fertility problems where the man is over 35 have increased difficulty in conceiving

A recent study by Dr. Stéphanie Belloc found that men over 35 have a negative impact on pregnancy rates and increase miscarriage risks in women undergoing intrauterine inseminations (IUIs). This marks the first time a strong paternal effect has been shown, contradicting previous assumptions about the role of the father in fertility.

Families with children without a genetic or gestational link to their parents are functioning well

A study of 39 surrogacy families, 43 donor insemination families, and 46 egg donation families found that relationships within these families appear to be well-functioning, with similarities in psychological wellbeing and parent-child relationships compared to naturally conceived families. However, teachers reported slightly higher lev...

Volcanic activity shaped Mercury after all

Researchers from Brown University have discovered evidence of past volcanic activity on Mercury, suggesting that the planet underwent intense changes to its landscape around 3-4 billion years ago. The findings were made possible by detailed images from NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft and provide new insights into Mercury's geologic history.

SourceBrown University·JournalScience·DateJul 3, 2008

Potential treatment for TB solves puzzle

Researchers have identified a new target for TB treatment, solving a long-standing puzzle about bacterial cell wall production. The discovery reveals molecules that could be developed into drugs to treat tuberculosis, particularly for multi-drug resistant strains.

SourceMicrobiology Society·JournalMicrobiology·DateJul 3, 2008

Brain noise is a good thing

A new study from Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care overturns the notion that brain noise decreases with maturity. Brain maturation leads to more stable and accurate behavior in memory tasks, but also correlates with increased brain signal variability.

SourceBaycrest Centre for Geriatric Care·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJul 3, 2008

'Mind's eye' influences visual perception

New research from Vanderbilt University has found that mental imagery--what we see with the "mind's eye"--directly impacts our visual perception. The study, published in Current Biology, discovered that a short-term memory trace formed by imagery can bias future perception.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 3, 2008

Long-term study of middle-aged mice shows

A long-term study shows that resveratrol improves bone health, reduces cataracts and cardiovascular dysfunction, and enhances balance and motor coordination in middle-aged mice. The study also found that resveratrol induces gene expression patterns similar to those induced by dietary restriction.

SourcePure Communications Inc.·JournalCell Metabolism·DateJul 3, 2008

U-M instrument shows what planet Mercury is made of

A University of Michigan instrument on the MESSENGER spacecraft has detected silicon, sodium, sulfur, and water ions around Mercury, suggesting that they were blasted from the surface or exosphere by solar wind. The findings provide a new understanding of Mercury's composition and its interaction with the sun's magnetic field.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalScience·DateJul 3, 2008

Einstein was right, McGill astrophysicists say

Researchers at McGill University confirmed Einstein's prediction that a binary-pulsar system's spin axis should precess due to general relativity. The team observed the unique PSR J0737-3039A/B twin-pulsar system and found that one pulsar's spin axis is indeed precessing as predicted.

SourceMcGill University·JournalScience·DateJul 3, 2008

Woman aquires new accent after stroke

A woman in southern Ontario acquired a unique Maritime Canadian accent after a stroke, according to a study by McMaster University researchers. Despite intensive speech therapy, the new accent persists, even two years later.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalCanadian Journal of Neurological Sciences / Journal Canadien des Sciences Neurologiques·DateJul 3, 2008

New drugs for Crohn's disease

Researchers are developing new treatments targeting Crohn's disease by blocking autoimmune responses and strengthening the intestinal lining. The goal is to provide more effective options for patients who have lost response to current treatments.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJul 3, 2008

Mimic molecules to protect against plague

Researchers have developed molecules that can mimic Yersinia pestis, a type of plague bacteria, to stimulate the innate immune response and protect against pneumonic plague. These synthetic modified lipid A compounds have been shown to be effective in treating infected animals, with up to 93% survival rate.

SourceMicrobiology Society·JournalMicrobiology·DateJul 3, 2008

AGU Journal Highlights -- July 3, 2008

Scientists studied carbon export in the deep Arctic Ocean, finding that most particulate organic carbon enters from surrounding continental margins. Meanwhile, research on Venus's magnetic field reveals new structures and turbulence patterns within its induced magnetosphere. Additionally, Antarctic sea ice forms unique, organism-rich l...

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJul 3, 2008