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Science News for June 2, 2009


Enzyme involved in inflammatory bowel disease discovered at Penn State College of Medicine

Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine have discovered an enzyme called meprin that plays a key role in the severity of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. The study found that mice lacking meprin had more severe intestinal damage, indicating that meprin reduces inflammation.

Insomniac flies resemble sleep-deprived humans

Fruit flies resembling insomniac humans have been created to study the causes of insomnia. The flies exhibit similar behavioral patterns to humans with insomnia, including increased sensitivity to stimuli and difficulty falling asleep. Researchers believe this model can help develop new treatments for insomnia.

The first goal is the deepest

Researchers Jack Brimberg and Bill Hurley develop a mathematical model to assess the importance of scoring the first goal in soccer and hockey. Their Poisson distribution-based formula takes into account factors like league position and time remaining, providing a probability of winning for each team.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Operational Research·DateJun 2, 2009

Cruel and inhuman treatment causes more mental damage than physical torture

New research published by King's College London reveals that experiencing 'cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment' (CIDT) is associated with higher rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than physical torture. Survivors reported an average of 21 stressor events during detention or captivity, highlighting the severity of CIDT.

SourceKing's College London·JournalAmerican Journal of Orthopsychiatry·DateJun 2, 2009

UF study finds that ancient mammals shifted diets as climate changed

Researchers analyzed fossil teeth from two sites in Florida representing different climates and found dramatic changes in mammalian diets during interglacial periods. The study suggests that climate-driven environmental changes can lead to shifts in animal groups' dietary niches, complicating future modeling of mammal distributions.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 2, 2009

Tulane receives grant to study limb regeneration

Researchers aim to identify genetic signals for regeneration in salamanders, a model for human limb growth, with the goal of developing therapies to enhance regenerative response. The team hopes to create a comprehensive database of genes involved in regeneration to inform how to coordinate complex structures in humans.

Researchers engineer metabolic pathway in mice to prevent diet-induced obesity

Scientists successfully constructed a non-native pathway in mice that increased fatty acid metabolism and resulted in resistance to diet-induced obesity. The glyoxylate shunt, unique to plants and bacteria, was introduced into the mitochondria of liver cells to create an additional pathway for converting fatty acid into carbon dioxide.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalCell Metabolism·DateJun 2, 2009

While you were sleeping

Research from University of New South Wales found that snoring associated with sleep apnoea can impair brain function similar to a severe stroke or death. The study analyzed brain biochemistry in real-time, revealing significant effects on the brain's bioenergetic status during oxygen desaturation.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalJournal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism·DateJun 2, 2009

Scientists map penguins from space

Scientists have successfully mapped emperor penguin breeding colonies in Antarctica using satellite images, providing a reliable indication of their location through visible guano stains. The study identified 38 colonies, with 10 new discoveries, and will enable researchers to monitor population changes over time.

SourceBritish Antarctic Survey·JournalGlobal Ecology and Biogeography·DateJun 2, 2009

Why dishing does you good: U-M study

A University of Michigan study identified a likely reason why dishing with a girlfriend does wonders for a woman's mood: increased levels of the hormone progesterone. Progesterone, linked to social bonding, boosted well-being and reduced anxiety in women who engaged in emotionally close tasks.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalHormones and Behavior·DateJun 2, 2009

Scientists create metal that pumps liquid uphill

Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed a metal slab that can lift liquids using capillary action, moving them at speeds faster than nature. The metal's surface structure can be controlled to direct liquid flow or even create hydrophobic surfaces that prevent germ growth.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJun 2, 2009

Aluminum-oxide nanopore beats other materials for DNA analysis

Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a new solid-state nanopore sensor made from aluminum oxide, exhibiting superior mechanical properties and noise performance. The sensor can detect single molecules with signal-to-noise comparable to other technologies, opening doors for personalized medicine and advanced diagnostics.