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Science News Archive September 2008 - Page 2


Page 2 of 24

Simple twists of fate

A novel Brandeis University study reports on molecular gymnastics performed by a protein involved in regulating DNA transcription. The research uses state-of-the-art tools and simple methods to observe the shape and behavior of individual DNA molecules.

SourceBrandeis University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateSep 29, 2008

Birth size is a marker of susceptibility to breast cancer later in life

A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that birth size is a significant marker of susceptibility to breast cancer later in life. The research analyzed data from over 600,000 women and discovered that a 0.5 kg increase in birth weight was associated with a 7% higher risk of breast cancer. Birth length and head circumference were a...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateSep 29, 2008

Doctors bone up on orthopaedics through wiki project

A new study shows that web-based academic discussions are a cost-effective and effective method of continuing medical education for orthopaedic surgeons. The interactive Orthochina.org wiki project, launched in 1998, allows professionals to share real patient cases and engage in collaborative discussions.

SourceSpringer·JournalClinical Orthopaedics and Related Research·DateSep 29, 2008

New formula predicts how people will migrate in coming decades

Scientists at Rockefeller University have developed a predictive model of worldwide population shifts that will provide more accurate estimates of migration patterns. The model accounts for approximately 60% of the variation in annual numbers of migrants and has the potential to improve resource allocation and economic conditions.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 29, 2008

Deadly rugby virus spreads in sumo wrestlers

Researchers have studied the spread of herpes virus among sumo wrestlers in Japan and discovered a new strain that could be even more pathogenic. The study found that the BgKL strain is reactivated, spreads more efficiently and causes more severe symptoms than other strains.

SourceMicrobiology Society·JournalJournal of General Virology·DateSep 28, 2008

A plum assignment

A recent study by Ahmad Sattar Khan and Dr. Zora Singh found that combining modified atmosphere packaging with 1-methylcyclopropene can extend the storage life of Japanese plums to up to seven weeks. This breakthrough will allow fruit producers to export plums for longer periods, reducing losses and improving market availability.

SourceAmerican Society for Horticultural Science·JournalJournal of the American Society for Horticultural Science·DateSep 28, 2008

NASA's dirty secret: Moon dust

Researchers are studying the effects of lunar dust on the respiratory system and developing technologies to clean it from space suits. The powdery grey dirt is formed by micrometeorite impacts that can wreak havoc on equipment, but its unique properties also make it susceptible to magnets.

Tsunami invisibility cloak, dark energy v. the void, sorting nanotubes with light, and more

Physicists have made groundbreaking discoveries in various fields of research. Researchers created an 'invisibility cloak' for ocean-based structures to withstand tsunamis. Meanwhile, a team at Oxford University proposed that dark energy may be an illusion and instead, we live in a unique void in the universe. Additionally, scientists ...

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 26, 2008

Penn biophysicists create new model for protein-cholesterol interactions in brain and muscle tissue

Researchers created a new model of behavior for the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, showing that cholesterol is essential for its structure and function. The findings have broad implications for pharmacology and may shed light on recent data indicating low cholesterol's harmful effects on brain cells.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 26, 2008

Looking for water on Mars

Researchers at Decagon Devices Inc. successfully measured thermal properties of Martian regolith using a short, fat needle technique, expanding understanding and accuracy of climate models. The study's findings have potential applications in improving commercial thermal properties sensors on Earth.