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Science News Archive March 2008 - Page 6


Page 6 of 19

Netting mosquitoes to prevent malaria

A Michigan State University researcher is leading a study on insecticide-treated bed nets to disrupt mosquito populations and reduce malaria transmission. The project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of bed nets over time and monitor changes in parasite populations and virulence factors.

First study hints at insights to come from genes unique to humans

Researchers have produced the first detailed analysis of a hominoid-only gene, TBC1D3, which is linked to cancer. The study found that the protein helps turn on RAS, a protein active in a third of all human cancers. Further research aims to uncover the functions of human-only genes and their potential applications in fighting diseases.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateMar 21, 2008

Do attractive women want it all?

A new study reveals that attractive women's preferences for partners are influenced by their own physical attractiveness, calibrating their standards across multiple characteristics. Women seek a balanced combination of good genes, resources, parenting proclivities, and emotional commitment in their partners.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalEvolutionary Psychology·DateMar 20, 2008

Adolescents with chronic insomnia report 'twofold to fivefold' increase in personal problems

A recent study found that adolescents with chronic insomnia are more likely to experience drug use, depression, and school work difficulties. The study, which involved over 3,000 teenagers, also suggests that primary care settings may be an effective venue for screening and early intervention of adolescent insomnia.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateMar 20, 2008

Research shows Earth's earliest animal ecosystem was complex and included sexual reproduction

Researchers discover ancient organism with multiple reproductive strategies, including sexual reproduction, dating back to the Neoproterozoic era. The findings suggest that ecosystems were complex and interconnected hundreds of millions of years ago, providing insights into early life evolution and potential extraterrestrial life.

A genetic study of Latin Americans sheds light on a troubled history

A recent molecular analysis of ancestry across Latin America has revealed a marked differentiation between regions, demonstrating a 'genetic continuity' between pre-and post Columbian populations. The research shows that mostly Native and African women and European men contributed genes to the subsequent generations.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateMar 20, 2008

Rare cosmic rays are from far away

Scientists confirm 1966 prediction that most energetic particles in the universe rarely reach Earth at full strength due to cosmic microwave background radiation. The GZK cutoff is a suppression of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays, suggesting they come from galaxies beyond 150 million light years away.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 20, 2008

JCI table of contents: March 20, 2008

Researchers have identified a crucial role for antibodies in protecting against nontyphoidal strains of Salmonella bacteria, which causes fatal infections in African children. Meanwhile, a study on HOXB4 gene therapy found that early precursors can cause leukemia in large animals, highlighting the need for extreme caution in human trials.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 20, 2008