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Science News for July 14, 2009


The minerals on Mars influence the measuring of its temperature

Researchers confirm that Mars' surface minerals influence its soil temperature measurements using infrared spectroscopy, with significant increases and falls in reflectance values. This study has implications for NASA's Mars Science Laboratory mission, allowing for more accurate interpretation of data from the soil temperature sensor.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Environmental Monitoring·DateJul 14, 2009

Addiction scientists call for end to executions for drug offenders

A group of addiction scientists argue that the death penalty for drug trafficking is ineffective and violates human rights. The editorial cites the UN statement on capital punishment's limited scope and emphasizes the need to abolish this practice. Addiction experts, including lead author Professor Griffith Edwards, call for scientists...

SourceWiley·JournalAddiction·DateJul 14, 2009

Was SIDS the cause of infant deaths even 150 years ago?

A study suggests that 19th century infant deaths attributed to smothering and overlaying were likely caused by Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The analysis of mortality schedules from 1850-1880 found that these deaths shared similar characteristics with known SIDS cases, including age, gender, and racial patterns.

SourceSpringer·JournalHuman Ecology·DateJul 14, 2009

Surviving mass extinction by leading a double life

A team of experts, including Dr Chris Wade from the University of Nottingham, have presented evidence that planktonic foraminifera may have survived mass extinction by taking refuge on the sea floor. Genetic and geochemical data show that these species can thrive in both surface waters and sediment habitats.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 14, 2009

New theory on why male, female lemurs same size

A new theory proposes that male lemurs deposit a solid plug in the female's reproductive tract to prevent rival males from mating, allowing them to focus on other females. This strategy is thought to be advantageous when females have short receptivity periods and are the same size as males.

SourceRice University·JournalEvolutionary Biology·DateJul 14, 2009

Early life experience linked to chronic diseases later in life: UBC research

A UBC study found that people's early-life experiences can lead to chronic diseases later in life by affecting gene expression and inflammation responses. The researchers identified a link between low socioeconomic circumstances in early life and increased risk of infectious, respiratory, and cardiovascular diseases.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 14, 2009

United we stand; divided we fall

Researchers observed paracrine signaling in Bacillus subtilis, a novel mechanism for maintaining two differentiated cell populations within a bacterial community. This discovery opens doors to developing strategies to reverse differentiation in antibiotic persister cells.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalGenes & Development·DateJul 14, 2009

Wood stoves -- a viable home heat source?

A recent study found that adding a wood stove to a home can significantly reduce heating costs, with savings ranging from 25% to 60%. The carbon emissions associated with wood stoves are also negligible, making them a more environmentally friendly option than traditional gas heating systems.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education·DateJul 14, 2009

New isotope cluster could lead to better understanding of atmospheric carbon dioxide

Researchers discovered an unexpected concentration of a certain isotopic molecule in parts of the stratosphere, which could help understand the carbon cycle and its response to climate change. The finding suggests that air from the mesosphere may be mixing with air from the stratosphere, leading to elevated concentrations of 16O13C18O.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 14, 2009

Ben-Gurion U. researchers identify how stressed fat tissue malfunctions

Ben-Gurion University researchers have identified a key signaling pathway in intra-abdominal fat that contributes to obesity-related disorders. The study found that this pathway is activated in response to fat accumulation in the abdomen, correlating with increased cardio-metabolic risk and whole-body insulin resistance.

SourceAmerican Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalJournal of Endocrinology and Metabolism·DateJul 14, 2009

Global warming: Our best guess is likely wrong

A new study published in Nature Geoscience suggests that scientists' best predictions about global warming may be inaccurate. Researchers analyzed records from the Palaeocene-Eocene thermal maximum (PETM), a 55-million-year-old period of rapid global warming, and found that climate models can only explain half of the observed heating. ...

SourceRice University·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJul 14, 2009