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Science News for July 31, 2009


Opening a new window on daylight

A new formula for assessing tropical sky climate conditions allows for optimized daylighting and shading. The study suggests that for over 95% of occupancy periods, daylight alone can suffice for lighting with the right window configuration.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Engineering Systems Modelling and Simulation·DateJul 31, 2009

Got migraines?

A new study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that surgical treatment of migraine headaches is safe and effective, with nearly 60% of patients experiencing complete elimination of symptoms. The procedure involves removing trigger sites that cause migraines, which can lead to significant improvements in quality of life.

SourceAmerican Society of Plastic Surgeons·JournalPlastic & Reconstructive Surgery·DateJul 31, 2009

BioVault locks up biometrics

BioVault uses biometric data to create a secret key for encryption, resolving the asymmetry issue in traditional biometric systems. The system authenticates users directly with biometrics, providing irrevocable identification and authentication.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Electronic Security and Digital Forensics·DateJul 31, 2009

Global curbs on overfishing are beginning to work

A two-year study by an international team of scientists found that steps taken to curb overfishing are beginning to succeed in five of the 10 large marine ecosystems examined. This has led to improved fish abundance and reduced exploitation rates, providing new hope for rebuilding troubled fisheries.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalScience·DateJul 31, 2009

Family planning a major environmental impact

A recent study by Oregon State University statisticians reveals that having one less child can significantly reduce an individual's carbon legacy and greenhouse gas impact. The research found that the average long-term carbon impact of a child born in the U.S. is more than 160 times greater than that of a child born in Bangladesh.

SourceOregon State University·JournalGlobal Environmental Change·DateJul 31, 2009

UC San Diego engineer provides insights to decades-old DNA squabble

Researchers have used innovative approaches to deduce the internal structure of chromatin, reconciling a decades-old controversy. The new finding could unlock the mystery behind cancer origins and other diseases. Chromatin's complex combination of DNA and proteins regulates genetic processes like DNA replication and transcription.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 31, 2009

August 2009 Lithosphere media highlights

The article discusses four main questions: Subducted oceanic asthenosphere flow beneath the Juan de Fuca slab, Arkosic rocks from the San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD) borehole, long-term strain records of the Parkfield Earthquake Prediction Experiment, and mechanisms responsible for map-view curvature over a range of scal...

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalLithosphere·DateJul 31, 2009

AIDS patients face higher risk of HPV-related cancers as immunosuppression grows

People living with AIDS are at a higher risk of developing HPV-associated cancers, particularly those with lower CD4 T-cell counts. The study estimates that incidence rates increased across three periods, with the greatest risk observed in invasive anal cancer among men after the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJul 31, 2009

September/October 2009 GSA Bulletin highlights

The GSA Bulletin highlights studies on the Lesser Himalaya, southern Chinese Altai Range, and San Ysidro fault in New Mexico. Researchers unravel tectonic processes responsible for building the Himalayan foothills and provide new insights into faulting mechanisms and magmatic evolution of Western Amazonia.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeological Society of America Bulletin·DateJul 31, 2009

Parasites ready to jump

Researchers have discovered a new type of cellular defense mechanism that acts against DNA sequences present in high copy numbers, even if they have not integrated into the genome. Small RNA molecules play a central role in this process, which is also found in Drosophila and potentially in mammals.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateJul 31, 2009