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Science News for February 14, 2009


Climate change may alter malaria patterns

Climate change is altering malaria patterns due to daily temperature fluctuations, which can affect the incubation period of malaria parasites in mosquitoes. This can lead to changes in transmission rates, with warmer temperatures potentially increasing the risk of infection.

Vitamin E may decrease and increase mortality of male smokers with high dietary vitamin C intake

A six-year vitamin E supplementation study found that high dietary vitamin C intake significantly influenced the effect of vitamin E on mortality in male smokers. Vitamin E decreased mortality by 41% in elderly smokers with high vitamin C intake, while increasing mortality by 19% in middle-aged smokers with similar intake levels.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateFeb 14, 2009

Artificial cells, simple model for complex structure

Scientists develop a simple model for complex cell structure by creating artificial cells with molecular crowding and heterogeneity. The system mimics the behavior of proteins and nucleic acids in living cells, allowing researchers to study the effects of macromolecular crowding on chemical reactions.