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Science News for December 13, 2009


Government overseas aid is no bar to individual giving

Donations to overseas development charities have grown at an average rate of 7.4% per annum, exceeding household income and government aid growth rates. Individual giving is not deterred by government grants, with a new model suggesting a 10% change in household incomes produces a similar 10% change in donations.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateDec 13, 2009
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

NIH-funded study unveils potential genetic links to lung disease risk

A new NIH-funded study has uncovered several DNA sequences linked to impaired pulmonary function, providing insight into mechanisms of lung capacity and potentially leading to better understanding of diseases like asthma and COPD. The findings may help develop new interventions to manage lung diseases and improve mortality rates.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences·JournalNature Genetics·DateDec 13, 2009

New genes for lung disease discovered

Scientists have identified five genetic variants associated with lung health, providing new insights into the molecular basis of lung diseases. These findings hold promise for developing targeted treatments for conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalNature Genetics·DateDec 13, 2009

Virtual testing gives lightweight planes lift-off

Researchers are using virtual testing to design and construct a new generation of efficient passenger airplanes with carbon-fibre composite structures. Virtual tests allow for simultaneous testing in hours, condensing months of physical testing into just hours.

SourceMonash University·DateDec 13, 2009

Newly identified enzymes help plants sense elevated CO2 and could lead to water-wise crops

Biologists have discovered plant enzymes that enable plants to respond more efficiently to elevated carbon dioxide levels. This discovery could lead to the development of drought-resistant crops with improved water efficiency. The research found that specific proteins called carbonic anhydrases play a crucial role in this process.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateDec 13, 2009
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Yellowstone's plumbing exposed

Researchers have imaged Yellowstone's plumbing using seismic waves, revealing a plume of hot rock rising from the northwest at a depth of at least 410 miles. The new findings suggest a larger magma chamber than previously thought, potentially leading to an even more catastrophic eruption.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalJournal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research·DateDec 13, 2009

Scripps Research scientists crack mystery of protein's dual function

Researchers solved a 10-year-old mystery of how a single protein can have two distinct roles, providing insight into potential therapeutic for cancer and eye diseases. The protein, human tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (TrpRS), has a functional switch that enables it to perform different functions.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateDec 13, 2009

The Queen and I

Scientists found that autistic brains show less activity when processing self-relevant information, unlike typical brains. This atypical response may contribute to social difficulties in individuals with autism, impacting their ability to navigate relationships and develop social skills.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalBrain·DateDec 13, 2009