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Science News for July 13, 2009


Improving mouse heart function following heart attack

A team of researchers has found that transplanting sheets of clonally expanded heart cells improves heart function after a heart attack in mice. The cells secreted a molecule that induced the migration of endothelial cells and prevented oxidative stress, leading to improved heart function.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 13, 2009

Scientists discover repulsive side to light force

A Yale team has discovered a repulsive light force that can be used to control components on silicon microchips, paving the way for faster and more efficient nanodevices. The researchers found that by manipulating out-of-phase light beams, they could create a controlled repulsive force with tunable intensity.

SourceYale University·JournalNature Photonics·DateJul 13, 2009

Active genes discovered in the developing mammal brain

A study at Penn State has identified over 16,000 active genes in mouse brains during embryonic development and post-natal stages. These genes are linked to cognitive and sensory abilities and may hold the key to developing treatments for neurological disorders such as autism and Alzheimer's disease.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 13, 2009

JCI online early table of contents: July 13, 2009

Researchers found that inhibiting Nox4 substantially inhibits hemangioma growth in a mouse model, while transplantation of cardiac progenitor cells improves heart function after myocardial infarction. Additionally, IL-17 and IL-22 play a crucial role in protecting individuals from developing kala azar, a lethal parasite disease.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 13, 2009

Toxin detection as close as an inkjet printer

Researchers at McMaster University developed a method for printing toxin-detecting biosensors on paper using an inkjet printer, utilizing lateral flow sensing technology. The sensors retain enzyme activity for months, making them suitable for monitoring environmental toxins and detecting diseases in remote settings.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalAnalytical Chemistry·DateJul 13, 2009

Mystery E. coli genes essential for survival of many species

Scientists have identified three previously unknown genes in E. coli that are essential for the survival of the bacteria and one out of the three could be implicated in cancer or developmental abnormalities in humans. These genes are also found in numerous other creatures, suggesting a vital role for them across many species.

SourceBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council·JournalJournal of Bacteriology·DateJul 13, 2009

New technique could save cancer patients' fertility

Researchers from Northwestern University have successfully grown a woman's immature egg cells, contained in a tiny sac called a follicle, to a healthy and nearly mature egg in the laboratory. This breakthrough could provide a new fertility option for women whose cancer treatments destroy their ability to reproduce.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalHuman Reproduction·DateJul 13, 2009

News from Cancer

Researchers found that ultrasound outperforms symptom analysis in detecting ovarian cancer, with TVS performing better for malignancies. Racial disparities in colorectal cancer survival dissipate after adjusting for demographic and clinical factors. Thyroid cancer incidence increases across all tumor sizes, suggesting screening is not ...

SourceAmerican Cancer Society·JournalCancer·DateJul 13, 2009

Swedish researcher finds missing piece of fossil puzzle

A Swedish researcher has discovered a bony clasper in a primitive fossil fish, completing the picture of placoderm reproduction and providing a 400-million-year pedigree for modern sharks' reproductive biology. The finding sheds light on how sharks reproduce, with the clasper serving as an extension of the pelvic fin.

SourceUppsala University·JournalNature·DateJul 13, 2009

NOAA bans commercial harvesting of krill

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has prohibited commercial krill harvesting in the Exclusive Economic Zone off the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington. This rule aims to protect the krill's role as a key food source for numerous marine species, including some listed as threatened or endangered.

AIAA to present awards at 45th Joint Propulsion Conference and 7th International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics will honor outstanding achievements in rocket propulsion systems, unsteady combustion, ground testing, and engineering through various awards. The winners include William Sirignano, Vigor Yang, Stan Powell, Frederick Schauer, David McGrath, Suresh Aggarwal, and Cynthia Obringer.

'Science Under Siege'

This collection of outstanding articles explores science and skeptical inquiry, public controversies, and investigating pseudoscientific claims. The selected essays provide a timely new exploration of important public issues within science, including evolution vs. intelligent design and the future of vaccinations.

Girl well after transplanted heart removed

A 16-year-old girl, Hannah Clark, has made a remarkable recovery after having her transplanted heart removed 10.5 years after it was implanted. Her own heart had recovered sufficiently to operate on its own, allowing the donor heart to be removed without major complications.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJul 13, 2009

Australia's top models at science conference

Australia's top scientists will present on using mathematical models to understand complex systems, including climate change and agricultural sustainability. The conference will feature models assessing water availability, predicting aircraft distances for safer skies, and evaluating coral bleaching impacts.

New method may accelerate drug discovery for difficult diseases like Parkinson's

A rapid and inexpensive drug-screening method developed by Whitehead Institute scientists uses baker's yeast to synthesize and screen molecules, cutting testing time to weeks. The technique targets protein-protein interactions found in cellular processes, offering new potential for treating diseases like Parkinson's.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateJul 13, 2009

Common infant tumor has a Nox(4)ious requirement

Researchers have identified protein Nox4 as crucial for hemangioma growth and found a potent inhibitor fulvene-5 to substantially inhibit its growth. This discovery suggests targeting Nox4 using fulvene derivatives may attenuate hemangioma growth.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 13, 2009

Medical use for waste television screens

Scientists at the University of York have developed a technique to recover polyvinyl-alcohol from discarded TV screens, transforming it into a substance suitable for use in tissue scaffolds that aid body regeneration. The recovered material can also be used in pills and dressings designed to deliver drugs to specific parts of the body.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalGreen Chemistry·DateJul 13, 2009

Novel drug discovery tool could identify promising new therapies for Parkinson's disease

Researchers have developed a novel drug discovery tool that uses baker's yeast to rapidly search for drugs to treat Parkinson's disease. The tool identifies cyclic peptides with protective effects on yeast cells and neurons in an animal model of the disease, offering new hope for treatment breakthroughs.

Building memories with actin

Researchers have discovered that actin reorganization in two stages is controlled by different pathways, making it easy to encode new memories but hard to hold onto them. The Rho-ROCK pathway initiates cytoskeletal changes, while the Rac-PAK pathway solidifies them, leading to heightened synapse sensitivity and memory persistence.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateJul 13, 2009